Should I trust my Airbnb host?

You are being too suspicious.

I agree with Michael. We stayed in a RS recommended hotel in Rome and the desk booked an early morning ride to the airport for us. It was with some nice guy in a private car. I can see a variety of situations with your airbnb host and with reviews like hers I would trust her to find you a nice ride into Rome.

I know of someone who is thinking of starting doing AirBnB. I was thinking of suggesting that she include a free ride from the Central Station or from the Airport as an incentive for people to make bookings. The free ride would be provided by herself or a friend.

Hey Jen,

Taking into consideration your concern, I'd like to offer my perspective.

The reservation process and communication have been positive as you stated. But now, you're feeling a bit of a blip in that excitement. Try not to worry. I realize the safety of you and your Mom are key.

I think your host may be trying to have your arrival in Rome go smoothly. She might figure her suggestion is easier compared to your getting a taxi, hopping a bus or train, etc.

The ride may not be an official taxi - a relative? a friend? herself? Maybe she doesn't understand why you need the name of the taxi. If you're entrusting her as a host, try to feel comfortable in her suggestion for transpo. When you arrive and meet your pick up, if you don't like it, you can secure another mode of travel.

If you were to take your own taxi, you are still putting your trust into a stranger, so to speak.

Could it be 'fear of the unknown?' I don't know if this is your first trip, but could it be new travel jitters?

Based on what you wrote about her airbnb hosting reviews, you should be fine.

If she has many, many good reviews, then she must be solid. If she was not on the up and up, her reviews would reflect that and her listings would be compromised as a host.

Have fun. Enjoy!

Should I trust the ride?

Why not? They will probably meet you out side baggage claim with your name on a sign, obviously sent by your host.

I would be more inclined to worry about the fact the host has a key to where I am staying and may creep in at 0300 and commit an ax murder or two. ( obviously an exaggeration to make a point.) I see no reason to worry

If I were you, I would get a taxi at the airport or book with a car service. If your Airbnb host is having a friend or relative pick you up, what if their car breaks down, what if their kid gets sick, what if they just forget? Whats the back up plan? I used http://www.romecabs.com.

We’ve stayed in dozens of AirBnBs and several times they’ve offered transportation. In our experience they’ve used friends. It’s always been fine. I wouldn’t worry about it.

Here's a thought, when you and mom exit the airport see if there is a driver standing there with a sign that has your name on it. The hired drivers will all be there in a group. Sometimes there can be 50 drivers. They all have a sign with the name of their party on it. If you do not see a driver holding a sign with your name on it, take a taxi. Problem solved.

Thank you everyone for your replies. I probably am being too cautious but better to be safe and ask fellow travelers on here than sorry. Arrivederci!

Taxi licenses in Italy cannot be given to companies, only to individuals. Every taxi driver is therefore the licensed owner of the taxi. They choose to become members of “taxi cooperatives” with other taxi operators to share common business expenses, such as marketing, advertising, and radio dispatch. So your AirBnB owner, if she booked a taxi, couldn’t tell you the name of the company.
Private car drivers fall under a different legislation. The Noleggio Con Conducente (NCC) category, which means Car Hire with Driver. Also in that case, the NCC licensee must be an individual, possibly member of a group like RomeCabs.
The host may have a friend or relative who is either a taxi driver or NCC driver to whom she would like to give the business.
The taxi fare from airport to city is regulated and is 48€ for up to 3 passengers. NCC, who drive luxury cars, charge more, but not much more (maybe 55€).
So ask how much the car transfer with her friend would be and decide.

I get your trepidation, but it ia all probably fine. Have you scrolled through the reviews to see if the service was offered to other clients?

As an aside, I had the best cab drivers in Rome (better than anywhere I have ever travelled).

Have a great trip.

I usually just take an official taxi to the apartment or hotel; but have had great luck in letting the host supply a private car when I was leaving for the airport or train station. That way I did not have to try to order one myself.

Trust the reviews and have a great trip.

I’d write your host and ask if you are to look for someone with a sign with your name on it as you exit the airport. As others have said, it may be a relative or friend of her’s who she arranged to pick you up.

Any Abnb host that has been around for a while would be concerned about negative feedback from a guest. You should look at their reviews and then make your decision. I've used Abnb for over 70 nights of stays in Europe in the past three years and never had a serious problem or a referral that was even a bit "off". Based upon my experience I would trust....

On a recent trip to Rome I had the hotel ask the same thing and accepted their offer/rate.
They told me the price and told me to pay the driver cash.

Turns out they just made the booking for me on Romecabs.com
Price was exactly the same if I did myself, but saved me the headache.

Was a nice way to arrive, driver waiting with our name on a sign walked our luggage to his waiting car and drive us to the hotel.
At very slightly more than a taxi it was a much better experience.
They arranged the same company to pick us up after our stay.

I would imagine your Airbnb host is just doing the same.
Even if a little different, no reason to be suspicious I would inquire about the price and if reasonable to you for the drive I would do it. If too high, book it yourself on Romecabs.com

If she has good reviews, I think you can trust the place.
However for the taxi ride , I would ask her if she offers it or not. If not, she should be able to give a price for the drive.
A city in Italy usually has one or two companies people usually take and they are fine and charge about the same.
I would choose an apartment with WiFi.
I have an apartment in Florence which I let and I offer WiFi. Many owners do.
If some of you are over 70, make sure you have a lift.

Jensmolinski19, How did it go?