My son told us to be cautious about water taxis in Venice - he said they give you a price before departure, then insist on additional payment at destination. He said he was on a TV show that you even need to be cautious on trains - they tell you that you bought the wrong ticket and you must pay the difference as well as a 500 euro fine. Anyone had any experience with this? The TV show said that the police are in on this and so the tourist really gets taken.
Posted by
Green Bay
20137 posts
More like a 50 EUR fine on the trains. You are expected to know the rules, like validating tickets bought from a machine or bought at the station for regional trains or buses. People are always shouting scam when they get caught breaking the rules. "Gee officer, i had no idea I was driving 120 mph in a 40 mph speed limit zone!"
You should have some idea what water taxis cost. If some tells you it is 20 EUR from the airport to your Venice hotel, you are probably misunderstanding him because it is a standard 120 EUR fare.
Posted by
99 posts
I would think the story true until you stated the police are involved. Italy is not a third world country. Tell your son if he thinks he’s right call the police.
Posted by
Land of La
8680 posts
And where is your son? Traveling or not? Has he been to Venice? Did he experience the aforementioned scam himself?
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11181 posts
The TV show said ......
What TV show?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23278 posts
A lot of misinformation up stream especially from the OP. I am always suspicious of third party reports. Have never encountered any 500 euro fine. 50 maybe but not 500. Italians are not that stupid. I have mistakenly been in first class and ask to pay the difference or move to 2nd class -- generally the next car. Have traveled in Italy for over 30 years and police are polite when we have encountered them.
Noticed that this is whs1's first posting and probably her last.
Posted by
Washington DC
27138 posts
The 50-euro fine on trains is real. I don't know whether it can be higher under some circumstances. You'd also be paying the walk-up fare for the ticket you don't have (or the ticket you have but failed to validate, I'm guessing).