Taxis
When choosing airport transfers – taxis are an option. When getting to the airport by taxi from your home or office, ensure that you book it ahead of time. This is one less thing to do in the mad panic to leave for the airport. Taxis in most countries are the best way to get around when you are traveling and ride sharing options exist in some Click here .
Taxi drivers in most countries speak their native language and have at least a working knowledge of another language, most likely English. At international airports and hotel taxi ranks, there will always be an attendant who will also be able to translate to the taxi driver where you want to go. Whilst credit cards are increasingly used in taxis globally, it would be safest to get some cash out of the ATM at the airport prior to getting in the taxi line.
In some cities and increasingly so, there are apps for calling cabs in the street (eg Singapore). If you do have access to data roaming or have a local sim, these are good options to get a taxi without having to know the telephone number of the local taxi company and to wait on the line to get through to an operator. The app will inform you when the driver is approaching also so you do not have to wait curbside (especially useful if it is raining).
Also some cities have taxi apps where you can bid to pay a higher price to attract a taxi sooner. Shanghai is an example where you can, for example “add RMB10” to the total and then request the cab. This ensures a quick response. You just add that amount (RMB10) to the fare to pay when you get out of the cab.
In some cities and countries, taxis will only accept cash. Know this before you get into the cab to ensure you have cash to pay your fare.
In Australia there is one telephone number for all taxi companies in all cities. That number will route your call to the nearest taxi company no matter what city you are in 13 10 08.
You may be in a country that does not speak your native language and you are being transferred directly to your office or a location that is not well known (eg major hotel downtown). Make sure you ask your host to send you the directions in the local language/script. Give this to the driver to ensure he/she knows how to get there. Hotel websites usually provide a printable version of the address and directions from airport to hotel.
It goes without saying that you should only get into an official taxi in a foreign country. Do not accept rides inside the terminal from random people offering taxi services. You will most likely be charged too much and you put your safety at risk.
