I’ve had an ongoing battle with bastard taxi pirates pretty much since I moved here. And while I realise that many are hard-working men and women doing an often thankless tedious job there are also plenty of bastards who will rip you off at any chance. Especially if you are a foreigner. It used to be almost a given that any time I got into a taxi, which wasn’t often back in the beginning years, it would end up in a fight over the fare. I mean, the driver never stood a chance, but it was still stressful and exhausting.

These days I am using taxis more frequently, mostly for hospital and vet appointments, but also now with the KNEE I sometimes just opt to hop in a cab because I’m just too tired to do anything else. And I have to say that things have improved somewhat over the years, especially after new rules were set. Such as the flat-rate fee from the airport (which includes luggage), and regulating things like supplements. For example, you can be charged for luggage (I think it’s 0.55€ a piece now) and when you exit the train (3.70€) and bus stations (2.30€). You also pay a supplement if you call for a taxi pick up, I think around 3€. There are also slightly higher rates for weekends and holidays. Fine.

Then yesterday happened. I took a taxi to hospital emergency, which is usually between 7-8 euros. So I was surprised when the driver said it was 10-something but I put it down to traffic (I hadn’t really been paying attention as I was mostly trying not to hurl everywhere on the way) paid and got out. But on the way home the same thing happened. We got to the corner of my street and this time I noticed the driver had slapped on a 2.80 euro surcharge. So of course I said, why did you do that? And he went into a long and garbled “explanation” about how I had flagged him at the hospital (he hadn’t been parked) and that there are supplements for exiting all kinds of places and blah blah blah. You know what? I was just too sick and exhausted to argue with this asshole so I paid and tried to forget about it. But you know… what ME forget about being wronged?? Think again.

So this morning I called a local taxi company and asked if the supplement regulations had changed recently. And well, of course they hadn’t. I double checked. So you don’t pay it when flagging down a taxi, taking one from a taxi stand, leaving the hospital I asked. Affirmative. When I told the guy this exact thing had happened to me yesterday he honestly sounded concerned and asked if I had their ID number or if I knew which company it was (they can check the logs) but I had been too out of it to notice any of this. Instead I am writing this here to help keep it from happening to you.

Oh, and while writing this I just remembered this same thing actually happened a couple of months ago getting a taxi over to Triana Market. It’s a short trip and they charge the minimum fee (4.10€) and I know that but sometimes it’s just worth it. But this time the fare was 6.90€. WTF. Unfortunately for the bastard driver, on that occasion I’d had my wits about me and said “hey, why did you put on a supplement? the minimum fare is 4.10, no reason for a supplement, what do you think you’re doing?” and he immediately backed down saying something stupid like he must have hit the button my mistake. Bastard.

Over on my Sevilla Tapas A Few Tips page you can find all kinds of helpful info. Below is the section specifically regarding taxis. But before I sign off here I do want to say I’ve enjoyed some very pleasant taxi rides with totally lovely charming drivers, so I know they’re out there (also, they get a tip). It’s really a shame that the thieving bastard element ends up making the whole profession look bad. Anyhow, if you do have the misfortune of experiencing this, first stand your ground, then take down either their ID number or the car number when getting out, and THEN report their bastard thieving ass. That’s what I’m doing next time.

Airport Taxi
If you are taking a taxi, be aware that there is a flat rate charge to anywhere in Sevilla. I tell you this because, unfortunately, some taxi drivers are notorious for “adding on” charges, which is illegal.

The fees are:
24.98 Mon-Fri 7 am- 9pm
27.84 Mon-Fri midnight-7 am
27.84 Mon-Fri 9 pm-midnight / Sat-Sun-Holidays

If you don’t speak Spanish it’s a good idea to write the name and address of your hotel or apartment on a piece of paper like this and give it to the driver.
ADDRESS
FLAT RATE PRICE (see above)
MALETAS INCLUIDOS (this means luggage included)

Airport Bus

Regular airport bus usually runs about every half hour, and stops at the railway station, the Prado San Sebastian (connection to city centre tram), and the Plaza de Armas.
Price €6, ticket purchase on the bus.
Timetable

Taxis/Buses from RENFE Santa Justa
There is a 3.70€ surcharge for taking a taxi from the Santa Justa station.
Surcharge for luggage: 0.57 € per bag
Bus stops for services 21, 32 and C2 are directly in front of the station (1.20€), and connect to the inner ring road and city centre (32).

There is also surcharge of 2.30€ when you exit Plaza de Armas or Prado bus stations by taxi.