Travel scamsTaxis
Taxi scams
284 reported in 128 countries. How each works and how to avoid it.
- FranceOccasionalTaxi fare inflationA small number of rogue taxi drivers charge much more than the journey should cost.Marseille
- FranceOccasionalIllegal taxisAn unauthorised taxi offers a ride. Pre-booked chauffeur services are a separate option, but they must be booked before pickup and cannot cruise streets or airports looking for passengers.Paris
- SpainCommonAirport taxi fixed-price overchargingA driver offers a fixed price for an airport journey. In many cases described, this costs more than the metered fare. Taxis should have a visible fare table.
- SpainCommonTaxi drivers demanding tipsSome drivers demand a tip from passengers, particularly foreign visitors. A taxi tip is optional.
- SpainOccasionalTaxi detours to increase the fareSome drivers take a longer route or use crowded avenues to increase the fare. This is called la vuelta al ruedo.Madrid
- ItalyCommonTaxi banknote switchYou hand over a €50 note. The driver switches it for a €10 note and claims you paid only €10.Rome
- ItalyCommonPrevious taxi fare left on the meterThe driver leaves the previous passenger's fare running. The taxi arrives with a large amount already on the meter. Phone-booked taxis do legitimately charge for the journey to collect you, which can make this trick harder to spot.Rome
- ItalyOccasionalTaxi route paddingA driver takes a longer route, increasing the metered fare.Rome
- ItalyOccasionalFake taxis and costly limousine referralsPrivate drivers make their cars look like taxis. You may also be directed to a supposed taxi that turns out to be an expensive limousine. Once your luggage is locked in the boot, leaving becomes harder.Rome
- TürkiyeCommonAirport transfer overchargingDrivers approach arriving passengers and offer a transfer at an inflated price. Airport transfers are a particularly frequent point for taxi overcharging. Drivers approaching people inside the terminals are unregulated.Istanbul
- TürkiyeCommonTaking a longer taxi routeThe driver takes an unnecessary detour to increase the metered fare. Some pretend not to know a major destination. Heavy traffic can also make a genuine alternative route sensible, so a detour alone does not prove a scam.
- TürkiyeCommonNo meter and an inflated fixed fareThe driver does not start the meter and offers a fixed price well above the metered fare.Istanbul, Ankara
- TürkiyeOccasionalInvented taxi extrasThe driver adds supposed airport or luggage fees. Another warning sign is a claimed night surcharge: day and night taxi rates are the same in Ankara and Istanbul.Ankara, Istanbul
- TürkiyeOccasionalTaxi driver claims to have no changeAfter you pay with a larger note, the driver claims not to have change. You may feel pressured to leave the difference.Istanbul
- TürkiyeOccasionalReal taxi payment swapped for a counterfeit noteThe driver swaps your genuine banknote for a counterfeit note, then claims your payment was fake and demands another note.Istanbul
- TürkiyeOccasionalRigged taxi meterIn rare cases, a driver links the meter to vehicle controls. Using the horn or brakes can then increase the fare.Istanbul
- TürkiyeOccasionalTaxi taken to the closed airportA dishonest driver takes you to the closed Atatürk Airport rather than your departure airport. Old signs and maps can add to the confusion.Istanbul
- MexicoOccasionalTaxi fare overchargingA driver quotes a high fare or avoids using a meter where one should be used. In Mexico City, a driver may justify a high price by saying the taxi is safe. Cancún taxis use zones rather than meters, which visitors may not understand. Mazatlán pulmonía drivers may start with a price above what they will accept.Mexico City, Cancún, Monterrey, Mazatlán
- MexicoOccasionalTaxi meters that run too fastSome drivers adjust their meters so the fare rises faster than it should.Mexico City
- MexicoOccasionalLong taxi routes to raise the fareA driver takes a longer route when they think you do not know the way, increasing the metered fare.Guadalajara
- MexicoOccasionalTaxi robbery and express kidnappingA passenger is robbed and may then be taken to several ATMs to withdraw money or use up available card funds. These incidents occur, although taxi safety has improved.Mexico City
- United KingdomOccasionalIllegal minicab toutsAn unlicensed driver offers a ride in an ordinary car. Some touts are aggressive. These rides can carry a risk of robbery or assault.London
- GreeceCommonUnregulated airport taxis and double-fare claimsUnregulated taxis operate at the airport. Some regular taxis also have irregularities, such as no displayed licence. Drivers may claim they must charge a double fare from the airport to the city. Missing fare information alone does not prove a scam: local police say fares do not have to be displayed, but the licence does.Kavala
- GreeceOccasionalWrong taxi meter rate and extra chargesA driver uses the wrong meter rate or adds unjustified charges. Higher night rates and some surcharges can be legitimate. The trick is charging a rate or extra that does not apply to your trip.Athens, Kavala
- GreeceOccasionalInflated fixed taxi fareA driver offers a very high fixed price for a short journey instead of charging the meter fare. An example is €20 for a short trip. Some airport journeys have legitimate fixed fares, so a fixed price alone is not proof of fraud.Athens
- GreeceOccasionalCharging one travelling group several taxi faresSome waiting drivers seek several passengers travelling in the same direction so they can collect several fares. Separate groups sharing a taxi may pay separately, but friends or family travelling together should pay one fare for their group.Piraeus
- United Arab EmiratesOccasionalOff-meter taxi overchargingWhen taxis are scarce, a driver may demand a very high fixed fare instead of using the meter. Some also refuse short journeys through congested areas.Dubai
- United Arab EmiratesOccasionalTaxi fare changes from dirhams to dollarsA driver quotes a number before the journey. At the destination, they claim the price was in dollars rather than dirhams.Dubai
- United Arab EmiratesOccasionalExpensive unmarked hotel taxisAn unmarked hotel taxi or limousine may cost much more than a regular taxi. Even vehicles with meters may use rates that differ from official taxi rates.Dubai
- Saudi ArabiaCommonAirport taxi touts and fare switchingA private driver approaches you and offers a ride. You agree on a price, but the driver later claims you agreed to a higher amount. You may feel pressured to settle somewhere between the two prices.Riyadh
- ThailandCommonTaxi meter refusalA driver refuses to use the meter, switches it off or demands an inflated fixed fare. In Chiang Rai, some metered taxis cover the meter with tape.Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai
- ThailandCommonTaxi no-change trickThe driver says they have no change, hoping you will leave the extra money.
- JapanOccasionalUnlicensed taxisAn illegal cab carries passengers without being a licensed taxi. No specific fare scam or loss amount is described.
- MalaysiaCommonTaxi meter refusal and inflated faresA driver refuses to use the meter and asks for a much higher fixed fare. In Kuala Lumpur, this is more likely during rush hour or rain. An official taxi stand does not guarantee a fair fare: drivers at Melaka Sentral are also reported to overcharge.
- MalaysiaOccasionalUnlicensed taxis and airport taxi toutsA tout offers a taxi while claiming to be legitimate. The vehicle or driver may be unlicensed. Some charge extreme fares; others may rob or assault passengers with help from accomplices. Unlicensed taxis are also called taxi sapu.
- MalaysiaOccasionalTaxi long-route overchargingA driver takes a much longer route than needed after recognising that the passenger is a tourist.
Reviewed by @snuck