Against my better judgement, I just travelled to UK in August. Have always avoided that month for it's well deserved reputation for overcrowding. Landed at the Edinburgh airport, bleary from long cross Atlantic flight. Since we had several big luggage we decided to not try the tram or bus into city. Both are quite cheap. Followed the signage to the EDI taxi rank. Here, staff ask for your destination, and put your name in a queue for a taxi. They tell you the estimated fare is 27-32 GBP. [Yikes! but we agreed.] So far, pretty typical arrangement. The pleasant young man who drove our taxi told us the fare would actually be much higher, and described the monopoly arrangement between the airport and the one taxi company to us. Indeed, our actual fare for a 7 mile drive was 61 GBP. OUCH !!! Fool me once.....
Moral of story is this : do NOT use the EDI taxi rank. This is the only city in Scotland that has Uber, and that'd be a good alternative. Not sure if you can just call a taxi of your choice to get you at airport but that's a possibility.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
2239 posts
Airport taxis are really expensive. My friend just paid £72 for a taxi from Bristol Airport using the official taxi service for a journey that would typically be around £35. It’s not just tourists who get ripped off - locals have to pay these outrage prices as well.
Uber quoted me over £70 when I needed a taxi at the airport last week so don’t expect them to be automatically cheaper.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
9281 posts
So why would the taxi rank staffer suggest the fare would be about half what it actually was?!?
The “monopoly” may control the price, but it should at least be upfront about how much they’re “sticking it to you!”
Is a bus an option?
Posted by
🌲🌲 Minnesota🌲🌲
13210 posts
When I was in Edinburgh a few years ago, I used Gett, which is sort of a taxi ride-share service, and the price was pretty reasonable, I thought.
However, I read that Edinburgh also has Bolt now. I've used Bolt on several occasions and really like it a lot. I've never had any problems with it, and the price has always been reasonable. And, like any other rideshare service, you know the price up front before it gets there.
Posted by
Glasgow, Scotland
1859 posts
Taxi fares are set by the licencing authority, in this case Edinburgh City Council, and there is an airport supplement. Within Edinburgh City Council's area the meter has to be running all the time prices here if picked up at the rank, though a maths degree, a calculator, and a good map may be required to actually calculate what it might be.
Booking a taxi in advance will be far cheaper.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
2239 posts
Airport taxis are a rip off. I’m not defending what happened but I’m just trying to say don’t feel too bad about it - it’s not your fault and it happens to everyone.
Posted by
Freedonia
19558 posts
I have used Uber numerous times in Edinburgh including last week.
It is more popular than Bolt in much of the UK.
Posted by
Chicago
4591 posts
The tram actually has a lot of room for luggage. That's what I take to and from the airport.
I feel that getting ripped off by a taxi driver is just part of the travel experience. It's happened to me a couple of time. If that's the worst that happens on your trip, you're doing pretty well.