I heard from a Rick Steves blogger they recently had a problem with a young, official taxi driver trying to overcharge them “due to traffic”. Have others had this problem?
Posted by
913 posts
Not us. We were there in April. The screen had the set price as soon as we told our driver which bank our hotel was located. I found all official taxi drivers respectful and professional both from the official CDG taxi line and all taxis we used in the city from the G7 taxi app.
Posted by
PA
2857 posts
If they are in the official taxi line, then that fare is set and required. If an official taxi tries to charge otherwise, that driver when reported will be in serious trouble. And, I daresay, you would also be justified in stating you will only pay the official fare, and walk off if they don't accept it. State "connerie".
As for the drivers who try to intercept you in the passage to the official line, you ignore whatever they say or promise and keep walking to the the exit to the official controlled line. Went through there recently and ignored the several offers. It is unfortunate that the off-system cab drivers can walk in there by apparently be pretending they are a hired ride for a specific passenger.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thank you for your reply’s. I have been apprehensive about this but your reply’s have reassured me.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
717 posts
Nope, and I am always sitting in traffic. But I’m not afraid to start taking pictures of the license information if they dare try to do anything
I’ve never had to do it in Paris, but I have had to do it some other countries. As soon as I start documenting what I need they suddenly remember the rules
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14719 posts
Janet, if you are a bit apprehensive then here is what I do. I have a 3x5 index card with my hotel's full address and phone number on it that I hand to the driver when he is standing at the back of his cab. I also have 65E (or 56E if I were going to the Right Bank) for my Left Bank hotel written out beside the address so the cabbie knows I know, blah blah. I ALSO hold up my CC and ask "OK?".
You can also bookmark this website on your phone. If there is any problem immediately whip this out and say "official".
https://www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/taxi
One time my cab did run into a lot of traffic. So much so that his meter which showed the official amount as we pulled away from the airport apparently timed out and flipped over to charging. When I got to the hotel he pointed at the amount, shook his finger and said Non, Non....and said the amount it was at that time. I'd wondered how he would handle that and my plan was to go into the hotel and get the desk clerk to come out and talk to him in French, hahaha.
You'll be fine now that you've asked ahead of time!