How difficult to get taxis to/from port?

[zitsky]

I'm on Viking but this is a generic question I think. I did a quick search but didn't see anything.

 

Is it difficult to get taxis to/from your ship when docked? How specific do the directions need to be? How likely is it that my taxi driver or their GPS will understand?

 

The reason I ask is that I'm planning to visit a restaurant for lunch when my ship is docked in Lyon. It means I'll cancel my planned afternoon activity but it might be worth it. I would rather go out for dinner but I have no way to know right now when the ship will leave. And I need to make a reservation well in advance, I'm sure.

[caviargal]

I'm on Viking but this is a generic question I think. I did a quick search but didn't see anything.

 

Is it difficult to get taxis to/from your ship when docked? How specific do the directions need to be? How likely is it that my taxi driver or their GPS will understand?

 

The reason I ask is that I'm planning to visit a restaurant for lunch when my ship is docked in Lyon. It means I'll cancel my planned afternoon activity but it might be worth it. I would rather go out for dinner but I have no way to know right now when the ship will leave. And I need to make a reservation well in advance, I'm sure.

 

Lyon has a great tram system that we used quite a bit. Taxi's cannot be flagged down like we are used to. We have the boat or restaurant call when we are ready.

 

I would reserve for dinner now and you can always cancel if you cannot make it. Lot's of good dining in Lyon! I use thefork.com to check out restaurants and make reservations in France.

[Ritabob]

Usually you will have a card with the ship's phone # on it, but if you will already be docked someone from the ship will be able to give you the exact information to pass along to your taxi driver.

In most ports the cab drivers are usually familiar with the docking areas.

RB

[zitsky]

Thanks to both of you for your replies. Much appreciated!!!

[Host Jazzbeau]

We used the tram system extensively in Lyon and found it very easy to deal with. The ships dock near a tram station. The only time we used a taxi was to get our luggage from the hotel to the ship at the start of the cruise.

[jpalbny]

AFAIK, there is only one major docking point in Lyon - Quai Claude Bernard. If you remember that, the French pronunciation of that name isn't too far removed, so you could be understood even as an Anglophone. Kay.Cloud.Bear-narrrrr.

 

Though I will agree with the others; the tram stop is right at the docking point and the tram system is easy to use. I would save the cab fare and take the tram. If you do take a cab, have the ship personnel write down the location for your taxi driver, as RitaBob suggests.

 

Thefork.com is the French equivalent of Opentable.com. Handy. We've used it a few times. I might have an account with them, if I could remember my password...:rolleyes:

[Host Jazzbeau]

Thefork.com is the French equivalent of Opentable.com.

 

How did that get past L'Académie française? Sacre cerise! Oh, the shame of it!

Edited September 15, 2016 by Host Jazzbeau

[Redtravel]

Many places in Europe have taxis that only pick up passengers when called. You cannot hail them on the street. In places that we wanted a taxi, I asked the concierge to arrange them. A good concierge can be very helpful.