Taxis in FFL-- be smarter than I was

[Brianinidaho]

After our cruise, we got through customs and went out and found a van. I asked about how much should it be to the airport and he said $20 to $25, but I am metered. (we had stayed at Amerisuites coming in with a free shuttle inwards. They have a sign that said their free shuttle after the ship is just for the guests staying there after the cruise). So I said, metered, ok, and we got in. It was $13.70 when we got to the airport. We got out and he looked at me weird when I said what does the meter say… he said we had agreed on $25! I said, you said what the meter said, and he said, no, we agreed on $25. The kids were stressed, so was wife, I paid him and told him I was not happy. Called the cab company and complained. But in hindsight just pay the meter and move on. hope this helps someone... be smarter than I was.

[MichTraveler]

I always ask. If the meter had been $30, you would surely have been charged $30! I was burned in Milan once and now ask everytime. What next, do we need to get it in writing? Geez. Sorry for your extra stress.

[Lou33]

I would have paid him 13.70 exactly.

[cod]

Here's my most memorable taxi tale! Back in the early '60's I went to Italy, visited friends for a week, and then decided to go to Florence for a couple of days of sightseeing on my own before heading home (NY). I was young and very brave. I left the train station, found an English speaking taxi driver and asked him if he could recommend a nice, reasonable hotel..."no problem". We rode around for at least 1/2 an hour and he was really very nice and pointed out many sites around town. We pulled up to a hotel, he helped with my bag, and rode off into the sunset. After getting settled, I decided to venture out and start exploring. What is that huge building directly across the street? I walked around the block to the front and, yes, you may have guessed, it was the train station!!

 

I really had to chuckle, even then. The fare was not atrocious (I think it converted to about $10 american dollars) and as it turned out, I saw more of Florence on that cab ride than I did on my one day of roaming around town on my own.

[Bequia]

You can print this and take it with you when you travel to Ft Lauderdale. ;)

 

Taxicab Passenger's Bill of Rights

As a passenger in a Broward County taxicab, you have the following rights (based on the Broward County Motor Carriers Ordinance):

• to ride in a clean, safe, and secure vehicle; to ride in a vehicle that has a Broward County taxicab operating permit (the number of which should be the same as the number on the vehicle);
  
• to be transported by a driver who has in his/her possession a current Broward County chauffeur's registration (otherwise called a hack license), which I have the right to inspect;
  
• to be transported by a driver who maintains a neat appearance and who treats me in a professional and courteous manner;
  
• to be transported to my destination by means of the most direct and economical route possible, unless I agree or instruct the driver otherwise;
  
• to pay for the transportation based exclusively on an operating taximeter and based strictly on the rates approved by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, as posted in the vehicle;
• to report any problems with the vehicle or the driver to the Broward County Consumer Affairs Division at
  (954)765-5350.

If you have a complaint or a problem with taxicab service, please contact the Taxicab and Limousine Regulatory Section of the Broward County Consumer Affairs Division at: 954-765-5350/Fax 954-5309

or E-mail: consumer@broward.org

 

http://www.broward.org/consumer/coi01000.htm

[LUCY55]

Bequia, expect metered $8-13 plus tips for bags, correct? (Port Everglades to FLL airport). When you are obviously out-of-towners you can be taken advantage of. I think this happened to us several years ago. The guy asked for and got about $20 plus tip for one cab. There were 5 of us-kids were little.

[Brianinidaho]

expect metered $8-13 plus tips for bags, correct? (Port Everglades to FLL airport). When you are obviously out-of-towners you can be taken advantage of. I think this happened to us several years ago. The guy asked for and got about $20 plus tip for one cab. There were 5 of us-kids were little.

 

This is what our metered charged.. it will slightly vary depending up traffice, but it is pretty close.. the aiport to the docks I mean. Brian

[LUCY55]

Brian, do you mean $20 or the lower amount?

[Jem4life]

We're arriving in FLL in one week and staying at Extended StayAmerica Fort Lauderdale - Convention Center - Marina. Located on 17th St. Cswy. Real near the port.

 

I guess my question is- how easy is it to find a van taxi from the air port... as there will be 4 of us w/all our luggage? Also, on the map it looks like the hotel it literally just a couple blocks from the port/pier. Anyone know how close actually? Looks like we could almost walk!

 

Jean

[Brianinidaho]

Brian, do you mean $20 or the lower amount?

 

The lower amount... about 12-15 should be the meter, depending upon traffic conditions. Hope this helps.

[Brianinidaho]

We're arriving in FLL in one week and staying at Extended StayAmerica Fort Lauderdale - Convention Center - Marina. Located on 17th St. Cswy. Real near the port.

 

I guess my question is- how easy is it to find a van taxi from the air port... as there will be 4 of us w/all our luggage? Also, on the map it looks like the hotel it literally just a couple blocks from the port/pier. Anyone know how close actually? Looks like we could almost walk!

 

Jean

 

It should be easy to find a taxi.. there were dozens around.. the hotel could probably call for one. You might want to use Google Earth to get a close up of the pier to your hotel.. perhaps someone else can post if it is close enough to walk it..

[LUCY55]

Brian, thanks.

[MKS]

We are also staying at Extendedstay America on SE 17th street. There are two of us with luggage and would also be interested in an approximate cost of a taxi from airport to hotel and hotel to pier. Also do we have to state a particular pier? Thanks.

[janetz]

Around 10-12 each way and the taxi driver will ask you what ship and he will know right where to go..:o.

[JLC@SD]

After our cruise, we got through customs and went out and found a van. I asked about how much should it be to the airport and he said $20 to $25, but I am metered. (we had stayed at Amerisuites coming in with a free shuttle inwards. They have a sign that said their free shuttle after the ship is just for the guests staying there after the cruise). So I said, metered, ok, and we got in. It was $13.70 when we got to the airport. We got out and he looked at me weird when I said what does the meter say… he said we had agreed on $25! I said, you said what the meter said, and he said, no, we agreed on $25. The kids were stressed, so was wife, I paid him and told him I was not happy. Called the cab company and complained. But in hindsight just pay the meter and move on. hope this helps someone... be smarter than I was.

The same thing happened to us in Jacksonville on a cab ride to the Zenith.

 

The meter said 15 dollars and the driver tried to conv ince us that there was a flate rate of 25 dollars on cruise days from the airport.

 

We paid the meter amount only and no tip, the driver lost out on a 5 dollar tip, we would have rounded the fare to 20 dollars.

[DotingDale]

I guess a few bad apples spoil the barrel. Hey, thanks for posting those bill of rights. it seems great to pay a fair fare, but their are just a few guys out there hustling the tourists...

[Cathy p]

I am with you. I am one of those people that read these boards over and over to get some info. My cruise isn't until July 8th but that doesn't matter. Thanks to wonderful people like you my 1st cruise last year was heaven and I am sure this one will be also. Some people are not happy unless the complain. Keep it coming. I will always enjoy.

 

Thanks again,

Cathy p:)

[cruisedirector1]

We're arriving in FLL in one week and staying at Extended StayAmerica Fort Lauderdale - Convention Center - Marina. Located on 17th St. Cswy. Real near the port.

 

I guess my question is- how easy is it to find a van taxi from the air port... as there will be 4 of us w/all our luggage? Also, on the map it looks like the hotel it literally just a couple blocks from the port/pier. Anyone know how close actually? Looks like we could almost walk!

 

Jean

ok here it is in a nut shell the hotel you are staying at in a cab from airport to hotel will be 12.00 tops and from you hotel to port 5.00 but you can get it for 4.00 a person to port in vans and the only problem wtih the taxi companys they dont like to do the short run now i own a transportation company and the intersting thing is a customer call me the other day and said i am staying at ameria suite and i need a van for 8n people first of all i told him they have a free shutle second to go in my van there is amin and i really did not want to do the job becuase i would have to charge the min rate which was 7 per person and i had told him in a cab it would be probaly max 7.00 and he would need 2 taxi but he went with me any way because i was honest belive me any other company would just say here it is and would not tell them about what taxis charge or that free shutle so if you ever want the straight story call the honest company we provide good service and great personel drivers we have 15 pass van 28 pass mini buses and 49/56 and 57 pass motor coaches thank you oh by the way when we pick our guests up we hold a sign for them and we treat each customer with respect

[flashdog_1]

I had read these boards about the short distance from the airport to the Port Everglades pier, and expected to pay the $10-12 (only hand luggage) but both times the traffic was heavy at the entrance to the port, and it was $20 or more each time. FYI we arrived from Atlanta at 11:15 a.m.

 

When does traffic die down? Or does it never, and is always a crap shoot?

 

The hold up was at the entrance to the pier not on the road. Guess it's all the people like us who wanted to board early going in at the same time.

[bookwerm1980]

I flew alone in April 2006 into FLL, I took a taxi from the airport to the pier, the fare was apx $14.50 I gave the guy $20 cause I was so happy to be on vacation, and I thought he could have probably gotten more if he would have had more than 1 passenger. I am not sure though because I am not that familiar with taking cabs. On the way from the pier to the airport it was the same thing, fare apx $15.00, but I gave him $20 cause I had won a couple hundred in the casino the previous night:rolleyes:

[trvlcrzy]

Brian,

I do appreciate you sharing this information. I have been a member here since preparing for my March 2005 cruise. However, I did not visit here regularly until we booked our next one for August 2006. Quite honestly, it is too depressing to read the excitement of others who are about to travel when I have no hope on the horizon!:(

 

but hey... it gets better. August 5 is coming, and it will be my turn again!

 

Thanks again, as we are departing from Port Everglades.

[Brianinidaho]

I flew alone in April 2006 into FLL, I took a taxi from the airport to the pier, the fare was apx $14.50 I gave the guy $20 cause I was so happy to be on vacation, and I thought he could have probably gotten more if he would have had more than 1 passenger. I am not sure though because I am not that familiar with taking cabs. On the way from the pier to the airport it was the same thing, fare apx $15.00, but I gave him $20 cause I had won a couple hundred in the casino the previous night:rolleyes:

 

Wow, I need more generous customers like you for my different businesses. Giving large tips is great... because it is YOUR choice. Having a dishonest or shady cab driver try to rip you off takes your choice away. I am all for rewarding good service and or special circumstances like you felt you had. It is when they try to get you to pay higher than the meter... that is when I have a problem. Glad you had a good experience... unsure why you went back 5 months to ressurect an old post though.

 

Brian