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Taxi?
Jul 16, 2006 23:44:06 GMT -5
Post by fireisbeautiful on Jul 16, 2006 23:44:06 GMT -5
How about Taxis for transportation? I'm trying to put together an itinerary for my Portugal trip... and I'm wondering if taxis are as much of a rip off in Portugal as they are in Canada? Are they even easy to get?
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Taxi?
Jul 17, 2006 0:35:50 GMT -5
Post by me on Jul 17, 2006 0:35:50 GMT -5
Lisbon has a great public transport system. many places are small enough not to need transportation.
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Taxi?
Jul 20, 2006 15:40:32 GMT -5
Post by herrbert on Jul 20, 2006 15:40:32 GMT -5
If you want to travel by car, it's better to rent a car. In Southern Europe it's relatively cheap, if you compare it with a taxi. You only need to take some time to check internet for the best offers.
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Taxi?
Jul 20, 2006 18:17:00 GMT -5
Post by fireisbeautiful on Jul 20, 2006 18:17:00 GMT -5
If you want to travel by car, it's better to rent a car. In Southern Europe it's relatively cheap, if you compare it with a taxi. You only need to take some time to check internet for the best offers. I hear that driving in Portugal isn't very... relaxing... to say the least? |
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Taxi?
Jul 20, 2006 18:29:32 GMT -5
Post by Jules80 on Jul 20, 2006 18:29:32 GMT -5
ging would be a good person to answer that. i believe she rented a car when she was in portugal for a few days. toronto isn't particulary relaxing place to drive either but that doesn't hold true for the rest of ontario. i would imagine it would vary with how big the city is...
Jules
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Taxi?
Jul 20, 2006 22:19:04 GMT -5
Post by madamtrashheap on Jul 20, 2006 22:19:04 GMT -5
Be aware of "unlicenced" taxis around Europe. In the UK they are cracking down on what are termed mini-cabs and all types of taxis and mini-cabs must now be licenced and registered with the DOT.
In Italy, France and I believe Spain (not sure about Portugal) there are unlicenced "taxis" who are definitely a rip off in that they have no meter, claim to have a set rate for journeys, then will drive around directionless and claim more money from you before they take you to your destination. The way to tell these apart from real taxis are they will not have a sign on their car roof, and they usually approach tourists as you exit a station or aiport and ask if you want a taxi - regular taxi drivers are not permitted to do this so you know these guys aren't the real deal.
Having said this, taxis are generally more expensive in some cities than others (Rome vs Florence) and the drivers aren't necessarily knowledgable about streets and addresses (Amsterdam taxis are loathed by the locals for not having a clue and being a rip off). Just something to take into account.
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Taxi?
Jul 21, 2006 0:07:34 GMT -5
Post by WillTravel on Jul 21, 2006 0:07:34 GMT -5
I've heard very bad things about the Amsterdam taxis when taken from Centraal Station. I have to say I had a very good experience taking one from the airport, though. The drivers are all lined up, dressed in business attire. Our taxi driver had GPS in his car and was following it to the hotel. The fare was exactly as expected (a hair over 37 Euros).
I would normally take public transit, but this was after midnight with my daughter, so I figured it wasn't the best time to experiment in a strange city.
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Taxi?
Jul 21, 2006 3:37:07 GMT -5
Post by fireisbeautiful on Jul 21, 2006 3:37:07 GMT -5
ging would be a good person to answer that. i believe she rented a car when she was in portugal for a few days. toronto isn't particulary relaxing place to drive either but that doesn't hold true for the rest of ontario. i would imagine it would vary with how big the city is... Jules Well, I have the Eyewitness Travel Guides for Portugal and in it, it says that Portuguese drivers are very angry drivers - which made me think of Romanian driving... and if driving in Portugal is anything like Romanian driving, well... I'd be scared. I'm quite used to driving downtown Toronto, and really I'm pretty comfortable driving anywhere... however European driving is extremely different from American driving, and plus ... you've got the language barrier as well - signs, streets etc are a little foreign...  However, I'd still consider it if it would save me quite a bit of money. |
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Taxi?
Jul 21, 2006 3:39:32 GMT -5
Post by fireisbeautiful on Jul 21, 2006 3:39:32 GMT -5
Be aware of "unlicenced" taxis around Europe. In the UK they are cracking down on what are termed mini-cabs and all types of taxis and mini-cabs must now be licenced and registered with the DOT. In Italy, France and I believe Spain (not sure about Portugal) there are unlicenced "taxis" who are definitely a rip off in that they have no meter, claim to have a set rate for journeys, then will drive around directionless and claim more money from you before they take you to your destination. The way to tell these apart from real taxis are they will not have a sign on their car roof, and they usually approach tourists as you exit a station or aiport and ask if you want a taxi - regular taxi drivers are not permitted to do this so you know these guys aren't the real deal. Having said this, taxis are generally more expensive in some cities than others (Rome vs Florence) and the drivers aren't necessarily knowledgable about streets and addresses (Amsterdam taxis are loathed by the locals for not having a clue and being a rip off). Just something to take into account. That's great advice, thank you! |
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Taxi?
Jul 21, 2006 17:48:25 GMT -5
Post by herrbert on Jul 21, 2006 17:48:25 GMT -5
ging would be a good person to answer that. i believe she rented a car when she was in portugal for a few days. toronto isn't particulary relaxing place to drive either but that doesn't hold true for the rest of ontario. i would imagine it would vary with how big the city is... Jules Well, I have the Eyewitness Travel Guides for Portugal and in it, it says that Portuguese drivers are very angry drivers - which made me think of Romanian driving... and if driving in Portugal is anything like Romanian driving, well... I'd be scared. I'm quite used to driving downtown Toronto, and really I'm pretty comfortable driving anywhere... however European driving is extremely different from American driving, and plus ... you've got the language barrier as well - signs, streets etc are a little foreign... However, I'd still consider it if it would save me quite a bit of money. I am used to drive everywhere, so that's why my advise to consider renting a car. I think with a little bit of preparation (knowing the numbers of the Motorways, and knowing the bigger towns you pass) it shouldn't be that difficult. A lot of companies where you can rent cars, are located in the suburbs, so you don't have to be in the busy city traffic. (exeption is Madrid's Otocha Station, that even made me nervous). If you plan it correctly you can drop off a car in the next city, and take the Metro or other public transport to the hostel/hotel. |
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However, I'd still consider it if it would save me quite a bit of money.