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"the man!"
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Hi otago, I would highly recommend an AEROCITY AIRPORT SHUTTLE instead of a cab, it is a great service and is more economical although not quite as fast as a taxi. With AEROCITY you also know the price beforehand and do not run the risk of getting ripped off. More info at www.aerocity.com. As joy said, you can also do the cab thing but f you take a taxi, read my TAXI SMARTS PAGE first.  BE CAREFUL, at that time of day the taxi ride to the airport should cost about 12 Euros + the 4 Euro airport supplement for a total of 16 Euros. The ride from the center to the airport should not cost more than 20 Euros at that time of day . Saludos, jer...
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| Posts: 12233 | Location: ny, u.s.a. --> madrid, spain --> the plaza mayor ! | Registered: 30 June 1998 | |
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When I was leaving Spain this past May, my friend and I had an early flight out so we got a taxi. So we get in, and we're both American, so we start speaking amongst ourselves in English. Clearly this guy thought we were morons, because he didn't turn the meter on. So my friend and I are like, yeah this guy is completely trying to rip us off. So I said to my friend, wait, and we'll call him on it when we get a little closer to the airport. So after a few minutes I say to the guy, excuse me, but you forgot to put the meter on, and we'd really like to know how much you're charging us. He tried to play it off like he forgot, but he was clearly trying to scam us. So then I was talking about how I've been to Madrid a few times, and I know how much it costs to get to the airport. I think he felt dumb after he realized that I spoke spanish and was familiar with the taxi system. It worked out great for my friend and I though, we had about a 7 euro taxi ride. Watch out for those taxistas, some are really great and friendly, and others try to rip you off. Good luck!
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| Posts: 37 | Location: Boston, Massachusetts | Registered: 12 February 2003 | |
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"the man!"
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Hey amapola612, thanks for that account. Jejejeje, I once accompanied a few phone clients from the airport to Atocha in a cab and the driver never turned on the meter. Well, when we arrived and were pulling up to the curb, I asked him if the ride was free since the meter was blank  He said he had forgotten to turn it on and I made a scene. His bad!!! He ended up getting 1,000 pesetas out of us as my client felt bad and wanted to pay him something but I was ready to not pay a peseta and call a cop over to settle it all. The driver would have sped off before he let me call a cop but my client gave me 1,000 pesetas ($6) to give him and that was that. Needless to say he did not get a tip. Maybe he will "remember" to turn on the meter next time  For more wild stories, check out the WIDESPREAD TAXI RIPOFFS THREAD  Saludos, jer...
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| Posts: 12233 | Location: ny, u.s.a. --> madrid, spain --> the plaza mayor ! | Registered: 30 June 1998 | |
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"the man!"
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Hi otago, I agree with you in this case it would seem the taxi is better. Are you travelling alone? I ask because that 20 Euro price would indicate that you are since the more in your party, the cheaper Aerocity is per person and that price quote of 20 is about the most I have ever known them to charge  Keep in mind that the price is probably 20 Euros because of the time (5:30am). Odds are the shuttle bus will have very few people in it at that time, hence they may have to charge each person more to make the trip worth their while. At 5:30am, a taxi from Sol to the airport should be about 12-14 Euros + the 4 Euro airport supplement for a total of 16 or 18 Euros (as long as the cabbie does not try to rip ya off ) The choice is yours but I think in this case, a cautious taxi ride is a very viable option. Saludos, jer...
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| Posts: 12233 | Location: ny, u.s.a. --> madrid, spain --> the plaza mayor ! | Registered: 30 June 1998 | |
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hi all, taxi should be exactly 15eur + 4eur airport sup. but did you think about the problem getting a taxi at this time? weekend 5 a.m.??? |
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| Posts: 7 | Location: Munich, Germany | Registered: 13 December 2002 | |
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"What's another word for Thesaurus?
Steven Wright"
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The difference between taking a taxi and taking a shuttle service like Aerocity is variable vs. fixed cost. Aerocity has a declared fixed rate, while the taxi rate is variable (if the driver takes a "scenic" route, is stuck in traffic, "forgets" to turn on the meter, etc.) With the fatigue of spending a whole day traveling to Spain, or of my last night out on the town, I'd rather not have to "remind" a taxista to turn on the meter, or make sure he's not taking "scenic" detours, etc.
"An honest man is always a child" - Socrates ...no wonder I'm so immature!
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| Posts: 974 | Location: Albuquerque, NM EEUU | Registered: 27 August 2002 | |
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I agree with Paul. I much prefer the known to the unknown in this kind of situation. I too have been ripped off by taxi drivers in Madrid and do not want to take that chance again if I don't have to. Especially that early in the morning when my mind may not allow me to speak Spanish very well.  To me, the possible extra expense of knowing exactly what I get far outweighs the lesser cost of taking a taxi. That said, I am definitely going to book Aerocity for my trips both to and from the airport. Anne
Remember, you can't see everything in one trip. Assume you will return. (Rick Steves)
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| Posts: 143 | Location: Green Bay, WI USA | Registered: 16 April 2002 | |
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"the man!"
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Hey Jordan, be careful about quoting "exact" prices as it never works that way with cabs, it is always give or take a few Euros on the meter due to the route taken and traffic conditions. Getting a cab on a weekend at 5:30am should not be a problem. If worse comes to worse, your hotel can call one for you. It will cost a few Euros more as the meter starts when the cabbie gets the call but at least you are guaranteed a cab. True on the fixed and variable cost Paul but if the cabbie "forgets" to turn on the meter, for me the ride is free, don't pay him squat!!! Saludos, jer...
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| Posts: 12233 | Location: ny, u.s.a. --> madrid, spain --> the plaza mayor ! | Registered: 30 June 1998 | |
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"the man!"
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That type of meter is a "taximetro". Saludos, jer... p.d. The phrase "cabr�n de miiiiiieeeeeeeerrrrrrrdddddaaaaaa" also comes in handy
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| Posts: 12233 | Location: ny, u.s.a. --> madrid, spain --> the plaza mayor ! | Registered: 30 June 1998 | |
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- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at 
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
