Taxi in Buenos Aires

[jeanb]

Our cruise ends in B.A. We have 2 days and an overnight on the ship. Are there taxis readily available at the pier to take us into the downtown area so we can pick up a city tour? How much do the taxis charge? Can we pay in USD? We are 6 persons, will the taxi hold all of us? Thanks for any info.

[Jane110]

It's best not to take the street taxi's in BA as they usually rip-off the tourists. It's best to call for a taxi. Any restaurant, hotel or store will call one for you. Once you get one, ask the driver for his card and then you'll have the number to call. You pay what's on the meter and then tip about 10% on top of that. At the pier, I'm sure someone can call for you. If there really isn't a way to call, you'll have to take one of the street taxi's, however, the rip-off shouldn't be too bad - maybe $5.00 more than it should be.

 

I don't know of any cars that hold 6 people - so no, taxi's don't either. You'll have to get 2 taxi's for your group. And no, in Argentina, they want Argentine money, not American dollars. Also, get lots of small bills as the taxi's often don't have change from large bills.

 

BA is wonderful. Enjoy!

[Splinter]

There will be reputable radio taxis (the only safe type) at the pier in BA. You can get one where you exit the pier. They had ship's agents there to help with this. You definately don't want to hail on the street in BA. When you are ready to take another cab, go into a reputable hotel and ask them to call a radio cab for you. They will be happy to do so. I agree you may need two cabs...nearly all the cabs we saw there were subcompacts (never saw a van cab).

 

We did pay cabs in American $ though and the cab driver was just fine with this. Just be sure you know the exchange rate, and pay the exact fare and tip (any change will be in Argentinan money).

[Keith1010]

At the pier there will be plenty of taxis but as Splinter mentions make absolutely sure that it is a reputable radio taxi. And, discuss the price of the fare before you enter the taxi.

 

If you use cabs during the rest of your visit, try to have them called for you rather than just getting into a cab.

 

Keith

[Jane110]

Taxi's use a meter. You don't negotiate a fare upfront. Radio or not.

[Keith1010]

Yes, you can negotiate a maximum fee up front. We did that and it worked fine. Specifically, I am talking about getting from the Pier to the Hotel.

 

Keith