Just back from 10 days in Italy. After 16 hrs of travel SFO-ROM, too beat to do the train into central Rome at 8:30 PM. I am 99% certain the big sign near the taxi stand showed 40Euro as the fixed price. At our hotel, the driver insisted that was for 1 person; for 2, it was 50Euro. In no state to argue, in broken English/Italian, I paid. They will also try to charge extra for baggage. If you have a digital camera, take a shot of the sign before you get in a cab!
In my travels, I've only used a cab to get from airport to town twice, Dublin and Rome. Both times got ripped.
Posted by
Trussville, Al
187 posts
Oh yeh!!! I had read about being rippped off by the taxi drivers in Rome but since I'm the one who plans the entire trip I had failed to tell my husband about the possible ripoff's. Well, we got rippped off big time twice, unknown to me at the time as I wasn't paying attention when my husband was told by the cabbie the price. This happened in 2005 but it won't happen in 2008.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
I took a taxi from central Rome to the Fumincino airport 3 weeks ago 92 people with baggage) for
40 Euros flat rate. tipped the driver 5 E.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
That was 2 people with baggage -- not 92!
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Geez....BG, you had me worried! The city of Rome just started cracking down on the cabbies about a year ago, with the deal that it's 40 Euro from Fiumicino and 30 Euro from Ciampino to anywhere within the Aurelian walls. That includes up to four passengers and reasonable luggage for the 4. Make sure they're ROME cabs...I've heard stories that Fiumicino city licensed cabs also operate from the airport...and their rate is 60 Euro to downtown Rome!
Posted by
OP
Stockton, CA
152 posts
Thanks to all. I got a private reply advising that it was fair practice to charge extra for additional passengers, luggage, and evenings. BG's experience appears to support my contention that it's supposed to be 40 euro, period. Take a picture!!
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1895 posts
To avoid this....try what I'm doing (I'll let you know if it doesn't work) I found a driving service for 35E each way from FCO direct to my hotel...and confirmed the price to pick us up at the same hotel and return us to FCO on the way home.
I did a google search and found several services...they varied in price from 35 to 90E for 2 people AND luggage.
I've confirmed with the company again today prior to our arrival on Nov 1. They will have the driver holding a sign with my name on it at the arrival area of the airport. I figured we'd be dog tired, and i didn't want to stand in a taxi line...or worry about taking the train, then a cab to our hotel. 35 E is cheap...and as far as I can tell, no additional charge for luggage (just 2 pieces).
I do have to have cash...and I plan on having the exact amount so I don't get ripped off making change. I will just hand the driver 35E and go on my way.
If this doesn't work...read about it on the Scams wall after November 8!
Posted by
OP
Stockton, CA
152 posts
Ellen,
Sounds like you have a good plan. I had tried booking a driver before we left for our trip, then gave up when the service did not respond to three emails. I thought I had the taxi situation all figured out.
Have fun!
Jerry
Posted by
nederland, colorado, usa
127 posts
Wait until u go to a restaurant with "hidden charges"...u got off easy..my only experience with cabbies was i funally got tired of being lost, tired of taking the wrong buses, tired of being tired, and took a cab that was prolobably only a few blocks to my destination...cost 8 euros..it was FUN! better then any coney-park ride, safe at the same time..the guy was singing a song on the italian radio, it was a fantastic splurge.i gave him 10.you start camming all over the place , getting cab..what do you do with baggage check..[again i went thru "the back door"..held my own], AND ..if you are gonna get so all upset about the cost of being where you want to be, u just won't have a good time. ME? i actually took in ACCOUNT of making a wrong choice for a restaurant, a cab, a bus, train, hostel, whatever i thought was a "good deal"..just add that factor into your expierence in traveling in a foreign land.
Posted by
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
705 posts
I always get a car to and from the airport now to avoid any problems. After travelling approx 20 hours to get to Rome the last thing I want to do is argue with a taxi driver. I have used Jimmy tours on my last 2 trips and found them great. Late model Benz, english speaking and 'not a want to be' Ferrari driver. Waited for me even though my plane was over an hour late and got me to the airport for my return trip in plenty of time. Price was 50Euro for the car and not dependent on the number of people and luggage.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
Me too I was ripped off by unscrup. airport taxi drivers. You know I will not forget it and it surfaces in my mind when ever some asks me about Rome. Too bad cuz Rome is a wonderland of terrific sights.
Posted by
Vancouver, Canada
58 posts
That's too bad. When we were there in May we paid 40 euros for the both of us plus we each had 1 bag. It figures that they are still trying to find a way to make a buck. It pays to clarify the price before you get in.
Posted by
gaston, oregon, usa
842 posts
I never have a problem with rip-off taxi drivers in Italy........I ask them, up-front, how much the price will be, and make sure it includes both of us and our luggage. If I don't like the price, or the answer, I walk away. You would be surprised how fast a price will drop whern you do this. (and, by the way, I don't speak Italian.)