You’re fresh out of the plane, in a foreign country and in need of a mode of transport to take you to your hotel/hostel. The obvious and smartest choice, therefore, is to take a taxi, and why not? Taxi drivers are local and will get you to your location in the fastest manner possible, right?

Yes and no. Most taxi drivers are honest while some are not. It is to help you decide which ones are honest and which are not that we at Travset have created a list of the most common ways taxi driver con tourists.

1. The flat fare scam

Some taxis insist on a flat fare, which is often absurdly expensive.

How to avoid- insist on the metro being turned on. If the driver protests on the pretense of the meter being broken, hail another taxi.

2. The two-faced meter

Some meters on taxis are rigged to charge higher prices per kilometer traveled.

How to avoid- ask the local prices for the distance you are traveling from a local and observe the speed at which the fare on the meter keeps increasing. If something is amiss, insist on getting down and hailing another taxi.

3. Taking the scenic route

Some drivers who agree to a ride by the meter will take the longer, scenic route in order to earn a higher fare.

How to avoid- have the destination loaded on Google maps in order to discover the shortest route to your destination.

4. No change

Some drivers will claim they do not have small change at the end of the ride.

How to avoid- carry some small change with you and do not pay for taxis with large denomination notes.

5. The note switch

Some unscrupulous taxi drivers have been known to switch the genuine notes given to them with counterfeits and feigning outrage in order to get tourists to give them genuine notes again.

How to avoid- count the notes in front of the driver before handing it over. Watch for sleight of hands in case the driver tries to switch notes.

6. The hotel/hostel is closed

Some taxi drivers will inform you that the hotel you intend on staying in has closed suddenly and will offer to take you to one they recommend. This hotel will prove to be of lower quality with higher prices as the taxi driver gets a commission for bringing a new customer to the hotel.

How to avoid- call the hotel.

7. The luggage theft

Do not pay until your luggage is in your hands. Instances of taxi drivers driving away with luggage have been reported.

How to avoid- have your luggage close to you at all times. If the luggage is bulky ask the driver to help you remove it from the car.

8. The toll fees

Some drivers will overcharge you for toll fees.

How to avoid- insist on paying the local toll fees yourself.