All Ways to Pay More to Your Taxi Driver
When using public transport or taxis in many countries, you need to stay alert. Transport workers, especially taxi drivers, are notorious for their craftiness and desire to scam tourists for extra cash.
General Advice for Taxi Scams
If you suspect your taxi driver isn't honest or find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, demand to be dropped off at any hotel or shopping mall. This way, you can later call an official taxi, and if necessary, the hotel or mall staff can intervene and help you.
Another way to avoid more serious consequences early on — look out the window, and if you're not in a dark, unsafe area, firmly request to stop the car, give the driver a small amount of money, and exit immediately. In most cases, the scammer will be satisfied with a small sum and won't pursue you.
Also, make sure you're familiar with all money-related scams (bill switching, currency confusion, etc.).
Taxis Not Using the Meter
In cities where taxis use meters, dishonest drivers often try to negotiate a fixed price (or avoid discussing the price altogether) without turning on the meter. Upon reaching your destination, they'll quote an inflated price (2-3 times more than the metered rate) or an astronomical sum, depending on how ambitious they are.
If the taxi has a meter (easily visible when entering), any attempt to negotiate a fixed price is likely a scam. Remember, drivers usually know the city well and the metered fare to your destination, deliberately trying to overcharge you. If they refuse, citing device malfunction or other excuses, turn around and try your luck with another taxi. Often, drivers will conclude that getting paid by meter is better than getting nothing at all.
In particularly difficult cases, when no taxi drivers agree to use the meter (which can happen), negotiate a fixed price and all details upfront, settling for a rate you're comfortable with.
However, if you're feeling brave, you can turn such a scheme to your advantage. In some countries where meter use is mandatory (like China), it's illegal to charge passengers for "informal" taxi rides (those without the meter running). Thus, tourists can legally exit the vehicle without paying: once you've left the taxi, the driver will have no evidence of your trip to show the police.
We don't recommend trying this unless you have nerves of steel or are a qualified sprinter.
Meter Tampering
A scam variation similar to refusing to use the meter: the driver sets daytime rates as nighttime or holiday rates. To avoid this trap, you need to know approximate prices in the city. A typical scam scenario involves using a device known as a "turbo." By pressing a specially installed button (usually left of the steering wheel or near the clutch pedal), the driver activates the "turbo" and manipulates the meter — making it run much faster.
The rate change is quite obvious, so dishonest drivers try to chat extensively and direct tourists' attention to sightseeing ("look, there's a landmark") — basically doing everything to keep you from watching the meter. The best way to avoid the turbo trick is to keep an eye on the meter and check if the rate increase seems reasonable.
"Free" Tours
You're offered a "free tour" to a shop or factory located outside the city or far from your current location. At the destination, the driver will then politely "hint" that you must buy something, or they won't take you back. The best prevention is avoiding such manipulation entirely, as once you're in this situation, you'll likely have to do exactly what the driver "suggests."
Remember the saying about "free cheese" and never accept invitations for free tours or excursions unless you have a basic understanding of where you're going and how to get back if the driver turns out to be a scammer. Of course, if you show from the start that you're not an easy target, you'll greatly reduce your chances of being chosen as a victim.
A variation — a free city tour (10 minutes), followed by shopping trips ("these are real treasures and attractions!").
This scam rarely involves official tours provided by city administration.
"Per Person" Taxi Fares
With taxi, tuk-tuk, or auto-rickshaw drivers, you need to negotiate. Upon reaching your destination, they might inform you that the fare applies to each passenger, claiming the price quoted before the trip was per person. The entire scam depends on whether you believe them, but you can usually just pay the agreed price and leave. Make sure you have the exact amount and some small bills, as in many places, drivers won't hesitate to use any excuse to squeeze more money out of you.
A variation: "3" might not mean 3 but 300, and 20 might not be in local currency but in dollars. Always clarify the exact price and currency.
Note: In some countries (there aren't many, but Morocco is an example), there are two types of taxis, distinguished precisely by charging per person or per trip.
"We're Here" and "I Can't Go Further"!
A very common scam involving dropping passengers at a random location while insisting it's exactly where they need to be (which, of course, isn't true).
If you've agreed to a fixed price (and it's notably high), the chances of encountering this situation increase significantly.
The arguments can be diverse: the road ahead is closed to vehicles, "this is the building you need," "parking problems," the required building is around the corner, and many other excuses.
There are two ways to protect yourself:
1) Look up what your destination looks like visually (for example, by checking photos on our website)
2) Check your navigation app to see where your destination is and where you are
Don't exit the taxi or pay until you're absolutely sure you've arrived at the right place (except in cases where you might potentially be in danger from the driver). If you're certain they've deliberately taken you to the wrong place or are trying to scam you — "buy your way out" — give the driver a small amount of money and exit immediately.
In particularly cynical cases, the driver might decide for you that the new location is better (or your intended destination "isn't working" today). This case is extreme and can be resolved either through extensive arguing or by paying them off, as mentioned above, and getting a new taxi.
Traffic
Not a scam, but a warning: traffic in many countries (especially non-European ones) can differ significantly from what you're used to. Don't expect others to give way or that there will be convenient sidewalks and crossings everywhere. In some places, you should never run across the road — you might get a hefty fine.
In many Southeast Asian countries, the only way to cross the road is to simply walk slowly through the crazy traffic of bikes and scooters — it's unexpected and very scary, but it works — they'll just drive around you if you move predictably and slowly.
Precise Location Specification
Not exactly a scam but can become an unpleasant adventure. Often, taxi drivers speak only the local language (which you don't speak), and in such cases, you should be especially careful about communicating your destination. If you're in such a city and there's even the slightest misunderstanding with the driver (they might not have bad intentions), it's worth preparing the address in the local language or having photos of the place beforehand.
Personal example: I needed the Metropol hotel, but the driver took me to the Metropolis hostel on the other side of the city. While the explanation process was lengthy, you probably won't be able to simply accuse them of wrongdoing.
Be especially careful if you're taking a street taxi to the airport — there might be several airports in the city, so make sure you know about this and clarify with the driver which airport you need. And of course, check beforehand which airport and terminal your flight uses — airports and even terminals of the same airport can be significantly distant from each other.
Currency Scams
Never handle money transactions in a dark car interior — this is a prime setting for various currency scams. Here are the most common tricks:
Counterfeit Bills
Some taxi drivers might try to give you fake bills as change. They usually keep a stack of counterfeit notes ready for tourists. Always check your change immediately and in good lighting. If possible, familiarize yourself with local currency security features before your trip.
The Bill Switch
A classic scam: you hand over a large bill (like 500), and the driver quickly switches it with a smaller denomination (like 100) they had ready. They then claim you gave them the smaller bill. This happens incredibly fast and is often done in poor lighting conditions. Always announce the bill denomination as you hand it over and try to handle payments in well-lit areas.
Currency Exchange Confusion
Some drivers accept dollars or euros but give change in local currency at an extremely unfavorable exchange rate. For example, you might pay with a $50 bill for a $20 ride, and receive change in local currency calculated at half the actual exchange rate. Always clarify which currency you're paying in and what exchange rate will be used before starting the journey.
Fake Tickets
Never buy transport tickets from someone on the street — there's a high probability the ticket will be fake. Use official ticket offices or official websites of your chosen transport for purchases.
Persistent Help
Sometimes locals might surround you to help with the ticket machine, subway map, or to suggest a shortcut. It's 50/50 here. They might simply be friendly and open, but they might also ask for a small "compensation" for their kind help afterward or deliberately distract you to make it easier for a pickpocket among them.
Variation: someone might take your large bill, quickly press some buttons, then smilingly give you the dispensed ticket and change before quickly leaving. You'll be grateful for their help right until you realize the ticket isn't what you needed but just the cheapest one, and somehow the change doesn't match what you should have received.
Always be cautious of people who invade your personal space and try to force their help on you when you haven't asked for it. If they help you and then demand a small reward — it's usually easier to pay (and save your nerves). In such situations, they view you as a potential theft victim. Be polite but firm: clearly let the suddenly appearing helper know that you don't need services from either them or their company.
Riding Without Tickets
In some countries, you can freely access metro or tram platforms (without turnstiles), which doesn't exempt you from buying a ticket. Besides just purchasing, sometimes you need to perform additional actions with the ticket (for example, in Germany — validate it with the current date in a special machine).
We strongly advise against riding without a ticket — at least for ethical reasons. And a serious fine from inspectors (50-100 dollars/euros) often just isn't worth it.
Also, be aware of unusual fines in public transport — this might include, for example, fines for food and drinks in the metro.
Taxis Near Tourist Attractions
In countries with high levels of taxi scams, try not to take the first taxi you see standing near top tourist attractions. Usually, there's a "taxi mafia" that might not allow regular honest drivers to park in these spots. Instead, they'll put you in a car with an experienced scammer who has the opportunity to perfect their craft with increased tourist flow.
Instead, walk a bit and hail an official taxi on the street. Naturally, this advice isn't necessary in countries with established culture and safety of taxi services.
Scenic Taxi Rides (Meandering)
When you don't know the city, the taxi driver might take you to your hotel via a considerable detour, thus running up a higher mileage on the meter. More distance = more money! Your best weapon in any case is knowledge, but yes, it's hard to know where to go when visiting a city for the first time. ALWAYS ask the hotel manager how much a taxi ride here should cost approximately (or the approximate cost from A to B) — find out this information while booking your room.
"I Care About You!"
This scam was extremely popular and encountered in India, but it's worth knowing about. There might be many "tourist centers" in the city — small booths selling tours and offering free consultations about these tours.
The scam works like this: the taxi or rickshaw driver doesn't even think about taking you where you need to go; they'll take you without your consent to this tourist center under a quite respectable pretext — to get a free map of attractions or receive valuable information.
The case is instantly recognizable — if you get into a rickshaw that's parked and the driver was previously enjoying a conversation with friends, and at the moment you get in, a friend sits with you and starts being overly friendly — this is a sure sign of a scam. Another variant — the taxi driver very friendly starts asking you questions, the point of which after a few minutes will come down to the fact that you definitely need help — getting a map of attractions or planning a tourist program. It's simple: tourist centers pay taxi drivers a percentage of the tours sold to you.
This isn't even a scam for money; it's a scam for your precious time, as the tourist center might be in the opposite direction from your destination, and after giving you a free map (it will actually be free), they'll pressure you to buy tours.
How to save yourself: when a local taxi driver asks if you like their country, you should answer something like "the country is great, but you have so many idiot taxi drivers trying to take me to tourist centers, I can't stand it, why are they so stupid?" If the friendliness suddenly drops after this — congratulations, they were taking you to the wrong place. After such phrases, many taxi drivers honestly admitted they weren't planning to take me to my destination and tactfully suggested getting out and taking another taxi.
"Luggage Hostage"
Watch your belongings after they're loaded into the trunk! Get into the car after the luggage is loaded and you've definitely agreed on the price, and get out before the items are unloaded from the trunk. If you put your suitcases in the trunk, scammers might refuse to give them back unless you pay a pretty hefty sum for your own belongings. In "dangerous" countries, always try to write down or remember the car number or driver's number on the taxi driver's card — this will help you in a problematic situation and help preserve your luggage. In many cases, after you tell the robbers you've written down their number, they might back down and return your belongings. But be careful — make sure they're not armed and don't want to harm you in any way other than just leaving with your bags.
If the driver asks you to pay for the ride before they take out your belongings from the trunk, tell them your wallet is in the suitcase that's locked in the trunk.
These are all the common scams and tricks you might encounter while using taxis and public transport during your travels. Stay vigilant, trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to walk away from suspicious situations.
We wish you safe and pleasant travels!
