Paris and Rome Taxis

A word of warning re Paris taxis. On our last visit a couple of years ago, we found that there are a lot of 'fake taxis' operating. You might be approached when standing near a taxi rank waiting, and told that there are taxis available round the corner or somewhere nearby. We almost fell for this but, when the friendly 'taxi concierge' took us to the waiting car, I quickly realised it wasn't a real taxi and so refused to board, whereupon we copped a torrent of abuse.

This was close to one of the major train stations. I can't recall which one. Perhaps this happens elsewhere in the world, too, but it is our only experience of such scams.

Apart from this, we found Parisian taxis to be great. We paid cash (Euros) but only because it was convenient for us.

It is best to have Euros. Acceptance of credit cards and e-payments is not widespread, although there is now appTaxi you can use in Italy that will facilitate e-payment. Sort of like using Uber. Not sure in Paris. We always pay cash, no matter where we are. And no tip in Italy, except maybe a Euro or two if the driver helps you a lot.

We always pay in Euros. We saw the same taxi scenario at CDG. We were pre-warned to walk to the authorized Taxi area. There is good signage to follow to authorized area.

You can use Uber or Mytaxi without worrying about carrying cash or using a credit card. Mytaxi was ubiquitous in Rome when I was there last weekend, used one without using the app and simply paid in cash. I wouldn't use a credit card to pay for a taxi.

Cash is always a good choice .

Parisian taxis are metered and regulated , don't get on a taxi that gives you a set price , it's not a legal taxi and will rip you off . In Paris there are taxi stands all over the place or you can try and wave one down but they can't street stop if you are within a certain distance of a stand so sometimes you wonder why they are passing you by ( and appear empty ) , so look for a stand . Also they have lights on top that indicate they are busy, on the way to a call , or free .

"Perhaps this happens elsewhere in the world, too, but it is our only experience of such scams."

Consider yourself lucky. It happens everywhere - including in the US. Many, many places (airports, train stations, etc - in various cities) have warnings about only accepting rides from official taxis. Anyone who approaches you about a ride is trouble; you always want to be the one approaching them, in the official taxi line, or on the phone, or (these days) via an app.

Of course, in some places, there are still problems even when you get a taxi from the official taxi rank. Guidebooks are very useful in this situation, to tell you what to do (Rick has specific tips for this problem in Prague and Budapest, for example).

Steves.. believe me it happens in a lot of places.. we just got back from Costa Rica.. and there are similar scams taxis in Mexico..

Where ever there are tourists and money.. there is someone waiting to seperate them..NOT everyone and not everywhere but its common in many other places besides Paris..