Taxis are a vital part of travel, covering the first or final miles of many journeys. However, some readers have shared stories of exorbitant fares, from a €1,000 (£870) quote in Tuscany to a €3,500 (£3,000) ride from Oslo to Paris during the 2010 volcanic ash crisis.
Senior travel writer Natalie Wilson faced a €1,000 quote for a two-hour trip in Tuscany. She opted for a €50 train ride instead, praising the scenic journey but lamenting the high cost of UK trains. Another reader, Lee Marshall, paid €200 (£175) for a 40-mile taxi from Catania airport to Taormina after missing his bus due to a flight delay.
James Boddie received a €114 (£100) Uber quote for a one-mile trip from Milan Malpensa airport, but found a local taxi for €20. Marc Mills was quoted €285 by Uber for a half-hour ride near Malpensa, instead paying a local firm €130. Both advise avoiding peak times and using public transport in Italy.
In Japan, “Andy B Travels” reported a £950 taxi journey paid for by JR East after a train cancellation. Blake Lindsay in Aswan, Egypt, was quoted $30 by his hotel for a one-mile transfer, but used a local app to pay just £1. Mike Wood recounted a €3,500 taxi from Oslo to Paris during the 2010 volcanic eruption, adding a €600 tip.
