I work with someone who needs to arrive at the IFEMA center as soon as he lands. He does not have much time before he speaks at a conference. He does not speak Spanish. What is his best option, taxi or hiring a car service.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Walk out and grab the first taxi. Don't have to worry about linking up with a driver.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Do you know if the majority take credit cards, and speak enough English? What should he look out for to make sure he's not overcharged? I think I heard that there is a flat rate.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
You can never count on taxi drivers speaking English anywhere, and Spain is the country in western Europe where I have encountered the least English by far. So, he should have his destination written out to show the driver.
Posted by
Citizen of World
255 posts
Have someone from the organizers of the conference pick him up.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Ann has a great idea. If he has been scheduled to speak almost as soon as arriving, then surely the conference organizers will arrange to pick him up. An e-mail expressing that this is expected should do the trick.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Yes I tried that last week. No luck.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Unless he is the Keynote speaker, conferences rarely do that. The fastest way is still to walk out the door and grab the first cab. Regardless of the language barrier, I always print in block letters the exact name and address of where I want to go and hand it to the driver. Most taxi drivers are honest and running on a meter. If concerned about the price, ask the start what the fee should be. He should have a hundred Euro on him anyway so just pay cash.