It wasn’t until he dropped me off that I realized I had gotten into the wrong car.
“That’ll be 72 euro, per favore.”
“No, we agreed on 45.”
“No, signora. Because it is the night time you pay to me 72 for the transfer.”
His broken English didn’t hide his aggression, and I backed towards the gate to my school, ready to run.
I studied in Rome last spring, and after a month-long post-semester adventure, I stopped by campus to pick up my bag on the way back to the States. My flight landed at Rome’s smaller airport at 11:30PM, and since Taxi prices skyrocket at midnight, I chose to book a private airport transfer instead.
What I didn’t realize is that a company I had contacted for an estimate had sent a car anyway, even after I said I didn’t want to use their service, due to their ridiculous price. The confusion was that I was using them the next morning for a transfer to Rome’s larger airport for my flight back to America.
I thought I communicated this to them – but when I found myself standing opposite a 250-pound angry Italian man at nearly 1AM, I realized I hadn’t.
“You give to me the money now.”
I thought he was trying to trick me. Suddenly drenched in sweat that had nothing to do with the sticky Roman heat, I found my voice wobbling as I tried to explain what had happened.
He didn’t care.
I handed him the 45 and went to get my university’s night guard. I thought about just hiding inside, but my morals got the best of me. Besides, what if he called the police? I did get in his car. As I tried to follow the rapid Italian exchange between the two men, it became very clear what was happening. Although we were both “ in the wrong,” I was going to have to pay up.
When I landed in Texas nearly 30 hours later, I tried my best to put this ordeal behind me. Just thinking about it made all the stress of the moment come rushing back.
Yet I know that private cars are normally a better deal, and safer, than taxis for a woman traveling alone at night and because of this, I am going to use them again.
So I decided to follow these rules when using a private airport transfer:
- Although its always a good start to Google “airport transfers in XYZ city” to get an idea of what’s available, always cross check them on Trip Advisor. If the company doesn’t have at least five credible reviews, then don’t use them.
- Confirm your price AND destination before you get in the car. This will prevent much stress and confusion. If your driver speaks little or no English,write it down and compare it to the “assignment sheet” he should have in his car.
- Carry enough cash for Plan B. Whether it be taking a cab, booking another car on the spot, or using a shuttle bus, make sure you have money to cover an emergency. What if I had been in that situation without access to an ATM? I shudder to think about it.
- Keep a copy of all communication with the booking company (usually done by email). That way if there is any trouble, you have all their original statements in written form. Also forward this correspondence to a trusted friend or family member.
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Although it was scary in the moment, this particular experience with private airport transfers ( a sour spot among many positive ones) taught me enough so I know how to stay safe and smart, and never let it happen again.
Have any crazy misunderstandings happened to you while abroad? Leave them in the comments below!
By: Emily Kammerlohr
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