sandancer Posted March 12 #1 Share Posted March 12 Today we took a taxi from Iona to Reid’s Palace. The driver charged us €20 which we thought was a bit steep. I asked the concierge if that was right and he was appalled. He called a taxi for us after tea and it was €6.80 back to the ship. Our fault for not checking but I somehow didn’t expect to be overcharged in Funchal. Don’t know why. So, buyer beware, if you get a taxi here, ask in advance or make sure it’s on the meter. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeanlyon Posted March 12 #2 Share Posted March 12 6 minutes ago, sandancer said: Today we took a taxi from Iona to Reid’s Palace. The driver charged us €20 which we thought was a bit steep. I asked the concierge if that was right and he was appalled. He called a taxi for us after tea and it was €6.80 back to the ship. Our fault for not checking but I somehow didn’t expect to be overcharged in Funchal. Don’t know why. So, buyer beware, if you get a taxi here, ask in advance or make sure it’s on the meter. We've got a private tour booked in Funchal - it's 75 euros, so your taxi sounds a bit steep! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandancer Posted March 12 Author #3 Share Posted March 12 It was highway robbery Jean. It was pouring rain and we had the wheelchair - he just took advantage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Eglesbrech Posted March 12 #4 Share Posted March 12 That’s absolutely dreadful and actually so unusual for Madeira where they are normally very nice. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalos Posted March 12 #5 Share Posted March 12 We stayed for a week and from the taxis across from the Ritz the drivers were asking 19-25 euros up to the top of the cable car . We tend to ask a few drivers to get a fair idea . 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tring Posted March 12 #6 Share Posted March 12 (edited) The bus system is very good in Madeira. Quite frequent too very cheap and reliable. The routes mentioned here are very regular ones. Think you can buy tickets on the bus (or could), or can buy a card and load cash on it for even cheaper travel and the card is re useable. Can check that and location of bus stops, either with a net search or could ask on trip advisor forums. There are a couple of buses which go up to the top if the cable car, which start at the bottom of the baranca. I think they were the 21 and 22, but a few years since we used them now. About 2019, I think. The buses go along the road by the seafront, not up by the shuttle bus drop and a lot go West up the steep hill to by Reid's and on to different places. Edited March 12 by tring Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twotravellersLondon Posted March 13 #7 Share Posted March 13 15 hours ago, sandancer said: Today we took a taxi from Iona to Reid’s Palace. The driver charged us €20 which we thought was a bit steep. I asked the concierge if that was right and he was appalled. He called a taxi for us after tea and it was €6.80 back to the ship. Our fault for not checking but I somehow didn’t expect to be overcharged in Funchal. Don’t know why. So, buyer beware, if you get a taxi here, ask in advance or make sure it’s on the meter. Really sorry to see that you were overcharged. We've never had a problem with taxis in Maderia... and time in port if often limited so they are, for us, the best option... unless where we want to go is a pleasant walk. Prices are fixed by the Regional Government and the Regional Taxi Drivers’ Association with set prices for common routes. There should be a list on the back of one of the front seats. Like in the UK it's usually you to approach the first taxi in the queue but often by agreement someone else from the line might be better placed to take the fare. Wheelchairs should be carried at no extra charge. However... is the afternoon tea still glorious... a great experience and a treasured memory? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandancer Posted March 13 Author #8 Share Posted March 13 Yes, the tea was lovely. Definitely one for the memory box. The taxi was the only one waiting outside of the ship. We’ve been to Funchal several times and have never had any reason to complain so maybe a little complacent. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Megabear2 Posted March 13 #9 Share Posted March 13 1 hour ago, twotravellersLondon said: Really sorry to see that you were overcharged. We've never had a problem with taxis in Maderia... and time in port if often limited so they are, for us, the best option... unless where we want to go is a pleasant walk. Prices are fixed by the Regional Government and the Regional Taxi Drivers’ Association with set prices for common routes. There should be a list on the back of one of the front seats. Like in the UK it's usually you to approach the first taxi in the queue but often by agreement someone else from the line might be better placed to take the fare. Wheelchairs should be carried at no extra charge. However... is the afternoon tea still glorious... a great experience and a treasured memory? Thank you for that information as I will be going through Madeira in the next few months. Are the taxis metered or show a registration number somewhere? Otherwise I assume it just look at the list or maybe there's something in the port building as there is in other places? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thejuggler Posted March 13 #10 Share Posted March 13 There are similar rip off prices when you get off the Monte toboggan. Taxis have a habit of suddenly charging per person, be careful (the rickshaws are even worse!). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twotravellersLondon Posted March 13 #11 Share Posted March 13 3 hours ago, Megabear2 said: Are the taxis metered The ones that we used were. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleTinker Posted June 22 #12 Share Posted June 22 On 3/12/2024 at 4:36 PM, sandancer said: Today we took a taxi from Iona to Reid’s Palace. The driver charged us €20 which we thought was a bit steep. I asked the concierge if that was right and he was appalled. He called a taxi for us after tea and it was €6.80 back to the ship. Our fault for not checking but I somehow didn’t expect to be overcharged in Funchal. Don’t know why. So, buyer beware, if you get a taxi here, ask in advance or make sure it’s on the meter. We got a taxi from our hotel to a place in Barcelona and it was 17Euros. On the way back, I noticed the meter said 19Euros and as he pulled up, he clicked the meter off and said 30Euros. I said no....it was 17 going and your meter just said 19. He said no...its 30. Eventually he said just give me 25. I still said no and said 20 or nothing. He took the 20 Look at the meter always. If they dont put the meter on, agree the price before you go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted June 22 #13 Share Posted June 22 A cruiser ripped off by a taxi. Say it isn't so! By the way, have you looked at the price of excursions? Hank 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regg1216 Posted August 13 #14 Share Posted August 13 On 3/13/2024 at 5:28 AM, sandancer said: Yes, the tea was lovely. Definitely one for the memory box. The taxi was the only one waiting outside of the ship. We’ve been to Funchal several times and have never had any reason to complain so maybe a little complacent. What was your favorite thing to do there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandancer Posted August 13 Author #15 Share Posted August 13 Reid’s afternoon tea even with the rip off taxi. We used to love the flower market but last time we went it had changed from just being gorgeous flowers and plants to a tourist market. We also enjoyed the cable car but you couldn’t pay me enough money to get into one of those baskets and hurl back down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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