Taxi safety & scams by country

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Europe

Americas

Asia & Middle East

Africa

✅ Taxi safety tips

• Use official taxi ranks, your hotel’s taxi or a booking app rather than flagging down unmarked cars.
• Check the car has a visible licence, company name or taxi plate and a working meter before you get in.
• Make sure the meter is switched on and reset at the start — or agree the fare clearly before you set off.
• Know the rough fare in advance so an inflated price is easy to spot (use our fare calculator).
• Keep your bags with you, sit where you feel comfortable and share your trip or live location with someone.
• Pay with small notes where you can, and count your change before you leave the car.

⚠️ Common taxi scams to avoid

• “The meter is broken”: a driver claims the meter doesn’t work to charge an inflated flat price — politely insist on the meter or take another taxi.
• The long way round: an unnecessarily long route to raise the fare — follow the route on your phone’s map.
• Note switching: your large note is swapped for a smaller one and you’re asked to pay again — say the value out loud as you hand it over.
• “Your hotel is closed/full”: a detour to another hotel or shop that pays the driver a commission — insist on your destination.
• Fake or unofficial cabs: unmarked cars posing as taxis, especially at airports and stations — only use marked, licensed taxis or a booked ride.