How to Catch a Taxi and be Safe

I own and run one of the largest taxi companies in Walsall, it is Yellow Walsall taxis, I am asked on a frequent base how can we get the best deal in taxis, how to do I spot a rogue taxi driver, what happens if this drivers does this. I will try and answer as many questions as people throw at me with 100% honesty. To start with I am just going to talk about general safety when catching taxis and how to spot rogue taxi drivers and most important how to avoid them.

If you are arriving in a new city and don't yet feel comfortable there, consider asking if your hotel provides an airport pickup service. This will allow you to avoid the pitfalls of baggage porters and taxi lines which trap many first time travelers. It also ensures you don't get lost in the city and go straight to your hotel.

Carry a business card or book of matches from your hotel with you everywhere you go. If you are out on the streets of a foreign city and find yourself lost, this small item will be very useful when trying to get directions from a taxi driver or a local on the street. It is especially useful for anyone without a firm grip on the language.

To save energy when traveling in hilly or mountainous areas, consider taking a taxi to the highest point in the town or area you're visiting, then walk down. This lets you see the whole town, including any mountain vistas, without having to cover too much altitude and wearing yourself out.

When you're traveling and you're in need of a taxi, make sure you pay attention to the meter. When you first get into the taxi make sure that the meter isn't broken, it is properly zeroed out, and it is turned on and off when you get out. Taxi scams are famous all over the world, and in a foreign place it is easy to get scammed. Paying attention to these simple meter tips can ensure you're charged a proper rate and not swindled.

Here are some general tips and advice on travel.

Write down your travel plans and leave a copy with friends or family. It is always wise to prepare for the unexpected. Should you go go missing, someone is sure to notice much sooner this way. Knowing what your plans were will also be very helpful to the authorities.

For a stress-free vacation, make sure people can get in touch with you. Take your cell phone with you and keep it charged. Bring your laptop with you if you know you will have an internet connection where you are staying. In case of emergency, people can let you know what is going on and you won't have any bad surprises when you come back.

If you are staying at a hostel or camping while traveling, you may want to scout out other locations to use the restroom.

Bathroom facilities at your hostel may be unclean to the point of disgusting, while the bathroom at the fast food joint down the street has to maintain a minimum level of sanitation.

If you will be driving to your destination, fill a family member or friend in on your destination and planned route to get there. If something were to happen to you while driving, this person would be able to alert officials of your intended destination and the roads you would have been traveling on.vacation