We have arranged for a private car, offered by our hotel, to drive us from the Rome airport. We were instructed to pay cash to the driver. Do we also tip the driver? If so, what is appropriate? (the fare is $60) I have read that no tip is necessary, but as an American, that makes me uncomfortable.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11513 posts
Why would you pay more for a hotel arranged driver than just hiring your own.. ?
Taxis cost 30 euros.
Posted by
California 🦋
5301 posts
Pat makes an excellent point!
You can easily take a taxi from the airport to your hotel. There are always taxis waiting for passengers at the taxi stand at the airport & the flat fee is €30 & there's no need to tip.
Where is your hotel?
Posted by
OP
6 posts
We had been told that a taxi would be about $50, so we thought we'd use the hotel's service for just a bit more. If you both say it's only $30, we'll go with that. Thanks!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
The flat fee between Fiumicino airport and the historic center of Rome is 48 euros which is currently about $55. (If you want to tip, pay him 50 euros.) Why are people saying 30 euros?
Posted by
California 🦋
5301 posts
Julie,
My apologies... The flat taxi rate of €30 is from Ciampino Airport to the historic center.
The flat taxi rate from Fiumicino Airport is €48 to any location within the old city walls of Rome.
Make sure you take an official taxi at the taxi stand & not any unmarked taxi that may rip you off.
Posted by
Edinburgh
2691 posts
tip a couple of euros at most, please don't tip like you do in the US it is just not normal .don't worry about tipping in Europe you may feel uncomfortable but try and get used to it.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thanks to all who responded to my original post. My husband and I never sleep well on a plane (and we're flying coach), so no doubt, we'll be tired when we arrive. We thought the hotel service was a small luxury that would be well worth it. Thanks for confirming that, and for your suggestions about an appropriate tip.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
You never need to tip and certainly not 5-10 euros. You contract for a specific price so just pay that. It's Italy where tipping is not the culture like in the U.S.
Donna
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Julie, a minor point. You wrote "the fare is $60". I very much doubt you were told the fare is $60; and which sort of $, Canadian, Australian, Singapore?
The currency is Euros (€), and the driver probably only accepts €. He would not appreciate you trying to pay him (or optionally tip him) in a foreign currency.
I definitely agree with the others do not tip, you have an agreed price. I feel uncomfortable tipping, it feels like bribery and corruption.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Chris,
I was using $ because the person who gave me this information was giving me an estimate in dollars, not euros.