Does anyone else here dislike taxis?
 

I seem to be considered an oddity in my dislike for taxis while travelling on business, both within my company and, in some places, with customers and other consultants.

Don't get me wrong, if I'm exhausted, it's 4am, or I have particularly heavy luggage, there's no contest, but otherwise... It's walking or public transport.

Why? Well, a number of reasons.

In many places, taxis take longer. Often much longer. Look at cities like Amsterdam that are not designed for cars, or congested, crowded cities like London.

If there's more than two of you, it can be pretty uncomfortable. Three people in the back of a small taxi for an hour is no fun.

It's not particularly conducive to reading. Apart from motion sickness, the lighting can be sub-optimal.

It's too isolated. (Bear in mind I don't own a car at home, either). I travel abroad weekly, and I like to see something of the place I'm visiting and the people there, even if it is just the train to the city.

It's less predictable. Yes, trains and metros are subject to delay, but traffic snarl-ups happen more often IME.

You're putting yourself in the hands of some complete stranger. In many places, you have to be on a constant lookout for rip-offs or worse. Or at least irritating conversation (you know, the stereotyped chattermouthed bigoted London cabbie).

You get to see motorways. How scenic.

I quite like taking a walk after the end of the working day, not being piled into the back of a car.

It just seems like a waste of money.

Many just don't seem to understand why I wouldn't automatically drive or be driven everywhere. I don't get it.

A taxi is a waste of money. A low fare to fll or mia can be around 200 bucks or less. A taxi from my house 45 dollars. A taxi from the airport in fll to the house 22 dollars.
Subway to bos $1.00.

Ams to apartment, taxi 35eu, train 3eu.
New Orleans to hotel, taxi $40, bus to downtown New Orleans $1.50.

I seldom take taxis. When I do, I usually fear for my life and exit queasy.

I was in 2 taxis in London last quarter; the second at 5:00 am. The driver took advantage of the lack of traffic and flew through the city. I'd swear two tyres left the pavement on every corner. The first taxi smelled of vomit. But I had 70 lbs of luggage, tight train connections on the way in and a remote hotel on the way out.

So, only when necessary and I'm always glad when the ride is over.

I am not a fan of taxis either but I love personal car service. They generally pick you up in a large sedan or limosine. The drivers are dressed nicely and aren't driving eratically. I have my regular driver who picks me up and drops me off at the airport. As a single woman I prefer not to get into strange taxi cabs. If I am going to a foreign city I call our local office and have them either arrange a car or get the name of reputable car service.

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Rachel
Pictures From My Trips & Travels

On the other hand, from Kowloon to HKG.

Train: HK$90/ea
Taxi: ~HK$170 (negotiated price, not official, not by meter), and only from city to airport.

With two people, you beat the Airport Express train in price.

I too have grown to dislike taxis except in a few cities where they are a ubiquitous part of the culture (Chicago, New York, London, etc.).

In a lot of other places, I am always on the lookout for a ripoff. I always feel like the guy is p*ssed if I do a short trip, p*ssed when I use a credit card, and just in general in a bad mood about everything. At least 20% of the time I catch the guy trying to slip another charge onto my charge slip that wasn't on the meter.

Chicago and NYC cabbies seem different: they are happy to take a small cash fare to nightclub a couple miles away because they know somebody will jump in the car when I jump out.

I rarely use cabs for airport transportation because (as others have pointed out) there are almost always more cost- and time-efficient ways to get somewhere.

....Except that with two people (or three or four), you can get a discounted fare on the HKG airtrain!!! More people = larger percentage discount.


Kathy

I love taxis in London, have never ever had a problem with them. I stick to black taxis. Part of my joy in visiting London is the black taxis.

I prefer airport trains when they're available, as they're usually much faster than taxis. From LHR or CDG to town, for example. Other places there are no reasonable trains. JFK or LGA, for example.

[dupe]

[This message has been edited by richarddd (edited Mar 18, 2004).]

I also strongly dislike taxis, for many of the same reasons as the original poster. Even here, in NYC, where I work, I prefer the subway at 10pm than a taxi. Not only is it 90% cheaper, it beats traffic, I'll be able to read, and I won't have to deal with cabbie attitude or the dreaded ride of silence... it's just awkward I think.

I am probably the most hateful of taxis. I see other posts here saying "I don't take taxis unless it's 3 AM", well, guess what, I'll take a city bus connecting to a train at 3 AM before I take a taxi.

I haven't taken a taxi by myself since 1996. The few times since then that I have been forced to take a taxi or car service (i.e., another passenger demands we take a taxi), it's been just dreadful. $5-$10 with a bunch of attitude for a short trip, or $25 for a ten minute highway ride at breakneck speed -- no thank you!

If I can't take a train or city bus (or complimentary hotel shuttle) from an airport, then I rent a car, even if it's for only a few hours.

I hate taxis with a passion, even when I go to places where it's almost necessary. I may be second on the hate list behind JS.

I hate them so much, rather than pay for a taxi for the short ride home from the airport when I leave my car at home (when I fly with my wife for long times), I rent a car for 2 hours, drive home, and then return it right back to the airport. Almost exactly the same cost as a taxi and those bums don't get my money.

On one hand, in NYC I'll take a taxi only as a last resort.

On the other hand, in Singapore a taxi is my mode of transportation of choice. Maybe it's that little ding-dong bell...

I work in Manhattan, and the only time I've gotten in a taxi has been when two or three of us are going someplace, and one insists on a taxi.

I'll use them from some airports into the city, but that's about it.

I don't dislike them so much as just don't think that they are worth the money, especially in a city like New York where when you need one there is so little chance of actually getting one.

Now, on the other hand, one day when we were training in instead of driving in and Metro North stopped the trains 25 miles from the house (at the New Rochelle Station) I was able to flag a cab down on the street by walking a few blocks from the station and the thousands of stranded people, and for $60 he took myself and three others we picked up, that was a lifesaver (and one of the last regular days on the train).