Travel Safety Tips For Taking An Airport Taxi

Airport taxis offer a convenient way to get from the airport to your hotel or other destination. Whether you are traveling to a new city or a familiar one, it's a good idea to learn a little bit more about travel safety when taking an airport taxi. Use this guide to help find safe, reliable transportation to your final destination.

Look For Official Taxi Stands

Many airports have official taxi stands, and the taxi cab companies typically have to meet certain criteria to be able to pick up customers from these stands. If you see a taxi outside of the designated areas, it may not be authorized to pick up travelers. You can ask the airport customer service representatives to assist you with finding the taxi stands, and some airports even have customer service representatives working at the stands to assist customers looking for airport transportation.

Discuss The Fare Before You Leave

Taxi fares from the airport will vary depending on where you are going. Some cab companies offer flat rates to popular tourist destinations as well as set fees to suburban areas within a set number of miles from the airport. If you will be traveling outside of these areas, or if you aren't sure whether or not your destination fits into one of these categories, ask before the taxi leaves the airport. This will prevent any surprise charges or frustrations when you reach your final destination. You should also ask about acceptable methods of payment before you leave, particularly if you do not have cash available for payment.

Look For ID

Your taxi cab driver should have his or her identification card displayed prominently in the vehicle where you can see it. If you get into a can without the ID displayed, keep the door open and ask to see the ID before proceeding. Remember that you should feel comfortable when getting into the vehicle. If you aren't, you can wait for the next cab and discuss your concerns with airport personnel.

Know Your Rights

Some cities, such as New York City, provide a passenger bill of rights. This list is typically displayed in the taxi cab, and it details what you are entitled to as a passenger. The list might include the right to ride without the radio on, to have a clean vehicle, or to take the most direct route to your destination. You may want to take some time to familiarize yourself with the bill of passenger rights for the city you will be traveling to, as this can help you to assert yourself in an unsafe or uncomfortable situation.

The goal of the airport taxi cab driver is to get you to your destination safely, giving you a warm welcome to the area you are traveling in. Keep these tips in mind the next time you travel, and prepare yourself for a comfortable trip to your hotel or other destination. For more information, contact local professionals like Yellow Cab.