11

When planning a trip I've seen people say private cars are scams and other people say they can be better than city taxi's because you know how much it will cost ahead of time. Are there any other advantages that a private car may have over a city taxi? Are there any other disadvantages other than the cost? Do city taxis have hidden costs that a traveler should be aware of (such as "running the meter" while waiting for a rider)?

Improve this question
6
  • 1
    What's the difference, exactly? A private car service sounds to me like a taxi service where you don't share with someone, which should be your prerogative anyways.
    – Matthew Read
    Jun 21, 2011 at 21:08
  • The difference is that private car service is run by a company, where as the taxi is run by the city / government. Usually you wouldn't share a taxi with someone unless they were going to the same hotel as you.
    – Darren Kopp
    Jun 21, 2011 at 21:12
  • 2
    Ah, I'm not used to the idea of taxis being run by the government.
    – Matthew Read
    Jun 21, 2011 at 21:13
  • 1
    You should be aware the cars not from companies - just some person wanted to make money.
    – VMAtm
    Jun 21, 2011 at 21:25
  • 5
    where? I would think that the answer to this question varies depending on country and city.
    – Joel Spolsky
    Jun 22, 2011 at 2:59

6 Answers 6

Reset to default
6

When using a regular taxi make sure it's with a reputable company or you agree upon the rate upfront. In a lot of countries taxis will take every opportunity to rip off tourists.

You'll generally not have this problem with private car services.

Private car services are also generally more comfortable and easier to have little stops or detours along the way.

Improve this answer
6

This completely depends on the city and situation. I've only used a private car service once, in Lima, Peru, as the taxi drivers are notorious for ripoffs and theft. When I arrived at the hostel I was staying at, there were two people staying there who had all of their belongings stolen by their taxi driver at knifepoint. An Australian tourist was also recently shot by her taxi driver in Lima after refusing to hand over her belongings.

In retrospect it seems like that was $20USD well spent, but I wouldn't bother paying it in places that didn't have a reputation.

Improve this answer
1
  • 2
    Good point about security. In fact Lima is one of the cities where I've used a private taxis.
    – user27478
    Jun 21, 2011 at 22:43
4

Taxis aren't run by the government everywhere. For example, here in the Czech Republic the government recognizes two types: taxi and yellow taxi (the main difference being that yellow ones can use taxi stands and special lanes) - but both are private cars by your definition.

It is not possible to answer the question in a way that applies globally because there are different conditions in different countries.

Improve this answer
2
  • You can consider the context to be taxi = metered by distance, where private car service = flat rate (typically).
    – Darren Kopp
    Jun 21, 2011 at 21:21
  • So here evryone is taxi , flat rate is prohibited by gouvernement ... part about big differences is still applied
    – SergeS
    Jun 21, 2011 at 21:22
4

My experience is that a normal taxi is always cheaper. The only advantage of a private car service is that the cost is fixed unlike a taxi where the price on the meter (if there is one) can vary depending on the route, how long it takes or how much the driver feels like charging. There is also the possibility of getting ripped off by a taxi driver. Also, the private car services tend to have newer cars and in my experience the drivers can be a little less "crazy". Finally, I've found that in some cities that the only taxis that are possible to call by phone are private taxis and that regular taxis can only be hailed on the street.

Improve this answer
3
  • Basically hit all the points in the answer I was typing up: 1) Taxi drivers have the opportunity to inflate your price artificially. 2) As someone who drives through a major city every day, taxi drivers are consistently the worst drivers on the road with little regard for traffic laws or safety.
    – daybreaker
    Jun 21, 2011 at 21:25
  • It can vary greatly by country though, some countries do not have meters in their taxies and fares are usually negotiated ahead of time.
    – Abarax
    Jun 22, 2011 at 23:52
  • 2
    A private car (minicab, flat rate) in London will cost half of a black cab (metered) from the airport.
    – g .
    Aug 17, 2011 at 22:57
3

I travelled to Peru with an organised Tour. We had a guide who accompanied us for the duration of the Tour. On the final day, when I wanted to get a cab from Lima to the airport, I could have paid an official taxi for about $30. However, my guide knew someone who can drive us to the airport for about $10 to $15 cheaper.

If someone you trust is providing a private car, you can feel safe to take that instead. It really depends on your comfort level before you accept a private car from someone.

Improve this answer
3

In some countries, there are regulated and non-regulated 'taxi' services. It so happen that those are generally in countries that are less secure. In those place, absolutely take the regulated ones!

Improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.