The Taxi Scams of Belgrade
Taxi drivers are bastards. They are born from pure evil and are bound to try and rip you off, while trying to make small talk about the weather and act like your friend. Sure, there is that 2% of them that are decent guys (or also girls) who are making a living and just doing their job. But, there is that other 98% that will try and screw you over on the fare if they get the chance. I've seen this in San Francisco when I've had to take a taxi on the extremely rare occasion. They'll act all nonchalant as they take the much longer way to go somewhere until you call them out on it. But, this is nothing compared to when you are in a foreign country and they can obviously tell that you aren't from around their neck of the woods. They smell fresh meat and pounce.
While in Belgrade, I found the need to take taxis on a couple of occasions because the buses stop running at the ridiculously early hour of 11PM. Undoubtedly this is some decision influenced by the Taxi Mafia there because your only other alternative is to take home a damnable cab. Our general fares were from the Centar near Trg Republika to Novi Beograd. This is no short distance as it's a 15-20 minute drive with no traffic, so in America, this would be a very expensive ride. Around Belgrade, this is a 500 dinar ride, which is about $8.50.
Out first taxi ended up costing us 800 dinar. This was crap and my cousin was outraged when he heard that we got scammed this badly. To us, it wasn't a big deal because it was a couple of extra dollars and the taxi driver assumed that we could handle a bit of scraping. But, it was rather annoying to be scammed this badly. So, how did he do it? The normal thought would be that he took some roundabout way to get there. In this case, no, he was very straightforward and went the direct route. The actual trick was that their meters run at different rates depending on where they are going and the time of night. There are three rates and we should have been at the second one, but he used the third instead, which is really just for the airport. Oh yeah, don't take a taxi from the airport...
So, if you happen to glance at the meter and see a 3 by the fare, mention it to the guy. He'll most likely make up some excuse that he just picked up someone from the airport or something and then maybe switch it to a 2 or a 1. But, you've got to watch him, because sometimes when they shift gears, they'll switch it back. Sucks to be a foreigner, huh?
Besides being observant, one of the best ways to avoid this is to use a better taxi group like Žuti (Yellow), Pink, or Plavi (Blue) Taxi. The one we used was Maxis and I'm not sure if they're all bad, but people frowned when I would mention their name, so use your best judgment. Also, if you can, have a local take care of the haggling. My cousins called, talked to the driver, and took care of everything so that the next time we took a taxi, we were charged exactly 500 dinar.
05 07 2007 8 comments
Tags: belgrade, serbia, taxis, the europe
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06 07 2007 ViktorMost of the time you can't really tell that you are being tricked, ie you can't see the number three or anything suspicious except the meter is running a bit faster. You can always argue and ask for the bill so you could complain by phone later. Ask the driver to write the starting and the ending point and the amount of money you had to pay. Sometimes it works, I mean they lower the price to a normal amount.
06 07 2007 VinceMy last trip from my apartment to SFO the guy tried the ol' "forgot to turn on the meter" trick on me. Little did he know that I've taken the cab from my apartment to the airport about 100 times so I knew exactly how much the fare is. It's $15 everytime, so that's what I paid him. :) But yeah in another country I would have no idea.
Other funny story though, in Italy this cab I was in nearly got in an accident and my friends and I are laughing and joking about how Italians drive. We figured the cabbie didn't speak any english since it was so broken in the few words he said to us. When we are joking he turns to us, and without an accent at all says "You don't like the way Italians drive?" Hahaha.
In New York City I actually WAS in an accident in a cab. I didn't pay.
07 07 2007 HudinAh yes Viktor, that was the other way to try and avoid being scammed was to demand a receipt. I was told that, but had forgotten when I wrote the article. Thanks for reminding me. Of course, for a foreigner, trying to explain that in Serbian would be insanely tricky. I know a bit of the language and would still have a tough time, especially if the guy pulls the whole, "no speaka English" thing.
Vince, you take cabs to the airport in SFO? That Bart connection is so good! I swore off of it once that opened up. Airport taxis are almost always a scam.
20 08 2008 larryI resent the you calling Taxi driver bastards. I drove a cab for ten years in Tampa, Florida. I have had fares open he door and run, go into a house and never come out. Hit me in the back of the head and then run. Like a true coward. I have never ripped off a passanger. Nor have I went the long way around to their destation.
13 12 2009 Dalibor LazarevicUnfortunately you are right. I can send you the picure of little button on transmission bats. That is TURBINA or turbo. 90% of Belgrade cab drivers are good and honest but 10% make so many problems.
06 01 2010 asdfhttp://www.metafilter.com/88031/Vere-You-Vant-To-Go#2889286
26 01 2010 Dalibor LazarevicThis is new web adress.
01 03 2010 Milan Taxi KamataI am a Belgrade taxi driver and unfortunately I must say that there numerous "wild wild west" taxi drivers. They would normally try to rip off any stranger, which is reall bad, leaves a bitter taste for every visitor. Next time when you`re in Belgrade contact me and you will have no problem :-)
