Maybe got scamed?
Posted by blackt00thgr1n@reddit | budapest | View on Reddit | 37 comments
We arrived in Budapest yesterday and it’s a beautiful city that we really love, with very friendly people, although we weren’t expecting these prices.
Today we wanted to go from Fisherman’s Bastion to the Opera building, and instead of ordering a taxi through the app we took one that was waiting there. In the app it cost around €15.
The driver was very friendly and we started talking about where we were from and various things, and when we arrived at the Opera building the screen suddenly showed 15,700 HUF = €43.55. At first we weren’t upset because we didn’t even think that was possible. We told him we thought there must be a mistake, and he said no, that it was 15,700.
We started saying it didn’t make sense, especially since the taxi didn’t have a taximeter running at any point, the amount had just appeared out of nowhere. When we said that, he said we didn’t have to pay, but that those are the prices and that next time we should order through the app because that’s how much it costs, and that 15,700 is the correct price 👀.
Honestly, I don’t know if they tried to scam us or if the prices really are like that, but it was definitely a rather strange experience.
Degenerate76@reddit
The fact that he backed down and let you off completely suggests that he was a legit licensed taxi driver that tried to scam you, but didn't want to risk a complaint. This actually happens a lot, they look legit because they are legit. If you had called a taxi company or used bolt you might have had the same car and driver come and they would have charged the proper tariff without question. Street pick-ups don't leave a record like a telephone call or an app ride does, so some drivers think they can still try the usual old tricks.
w0zzer_@reddit
So instead of a €44 ride, you got a free one?
blackt00thgr1n@reddit (OP)
When we told him about the taximeter, he started insisting that we didn’t need to pay. We told him we would pay, but €20, and he said it wasn’t necessary and that next time we should order through the app, so it lwk ended with the scammer got scammed 😭
pacers82@reddit
I bet he charged double on the next ones 😄 He wanted to make as less fuss as possible, so you don’t report him and he can continue to do his scam.
Dungska@reddit
Tbh the price seems realistic, especially when the traffic is busy. If they tried to scam you, why didn't he make you pay? Doesn't make sense.
Rude_CauliflowerLeaf@reddit
It's definitely not realistic. I get from the centre to Újpest for 6000 Ft.
blackt00thgr1n@reddit (OP)
He insisted that we didn’t pay. We told him we would only pay €20, but he wouldn’t even let us use the card reader.
picurebeka@reddit
That price is realistic for a taxi ride from the Airport to district 11. Not from the Castle Hill to the Opera.
csokisaxe2@reddit
15.700 is not realisitic for about 6-7km, even with high traffic.
zseblodongo@reddit
Yeah. Don't do that. Especially if it has "Freelancer" on the side
tothaa@reddit
big taxi companies have better prices and meter. freelancers work with higher fees and less controlled. even if the driver chooses a longer route, it should cost less than half of this price with FőTaxi.
zitter_bewegung@reddit
The city sets the prices not the individual companies, officially all of them have the same.
StokedAllDay@reddit
Always use the apps: Bolt or Uber or Fotaxi
But the public transportation is excellent, you can take a bus from the Opera to the Castle in every 5-10mins and its only a couple of stops. Download BudapestGo app where you can also buy bus/metro tickets and see the timetable.
Have fun in Budapest. Rainy weekend but should be still beautiful
blackt00thgr1n@reddit (OP)
Thank you!!!
fourzen@reddit
To add to this, if you want to ise public transport: BudapestGO app is a must, you can get any kind of ticket and just scan the QR codes on vehicles/entrances
AnarchiaKapitany@reddit
This is the exact reason our Guide exists. Please read it as it saves you a lot of questions.
mobilboy75@reddit
what you have to avoid is to use non-branded Taxi, we call the barefoot boys... 15.700 HUF seems little high, but not really scammed. Use Főtaxi, Budapest Taxi, 6x6 or Uber. Enjoy ur stay
blackt00thgr1n@reddit (OP)
Thanks!!!
Particular_Ring3291@reddit
Sounds like you scammed the driver in the end
blackt00thgr1n@reddit (OP)
He insisted that we didn’t pay. We told him we would only pay €20, but he wouldn’t even let us use the card reader.
VszVszVsz@reddit
taxis, especially freelancer taxis, have been ripping off people for as long as i can remember and is among the first thing that tourists are warned about in websites (like the 'guide to budapest' that is featured on the right of this sub) videos and guidebooks. those things would have told you to use our superlative public transport or if absolutely necessary to get a taxi to use an app like bolt or uber.
you got scammed. not the worst, but please do some basic research before traveling. if i were you i would hate to think about the times you've gotten scammed without realizing it.
blackt00thgr1n@reddit (OP)
Thanks a lot!!!
budapest77_hu@reddit
If the taximeter wasn't started at the start of the journey, then yes, you may have been scammed. Although the price seems to be realistic to me... best is to avoid freelancer (independent) taxis. Use Uber, Fotaxi.
Also, avoid the Paprika restaurant at Gellért tér, and night clubs like the Marilyn Monroe at Kálvin tér.
If you buy a weekly (paper) BKK seasonal ticket, then you just have to keep it with you and show it to a controller or a bus driver. That's probably the most convenient for you. No need to punch a ticket or scan a QR code or anything.
blackt00thgr1n@reddit (OP)
Thanks!!!
oleb2711@reddit
How can that price seem realistic to you? It's 5-6 km which is ca. 2500 Ft plus the base fare which is 1100 Ft. Makes ca. 3600 Ft or 10€
tucsok26@reddit
Do you know the license plate? If yes, report this at https://bkk.hu/onlineform/
blackt00thgr1n@reddit (OP)
Sadly not, but thanks!!!
CodeX57@reddit
Agree with an another commenter that as a tourist if you want to see common sights you literally never need a taxi. Just download Budapest GO and use public transport.
Also about the prices, yeah the touristy places have touristy prices. Places that expect to serve tourists have raised the prices to match what western tourists are willing to pay, which is pretty high.
Bitter-Hand6979@reddit
Definitely order thru app. And BKK is amauing. Xou can literally go from anywhere to anywhere. Locals rarely use taxis.
Happy-Elevator-9925@reddit
If it was “Taxi” without any brand, probably it was scam. You should use apps.
riffraff@reddit
FWIW, I tried to pick a bolt taxi last week and the guy told me "it's 6000" when the app showed 4000. Next I tried to stop a taxi which asked for 10k.
I didn't think it was possible, it's been a decade since I got taxi drivers so bad in budapest
ionno_bout_dat@reddit
Order through the app, the app will deduct the amount, don't ask a random taxi driver on the price, order it first. Now, of course, if there are no taxis available in the app, you are taking a risk.
SPQR301@reddit
Yes
Dave-Yeah@reddit
Be aware of the taxi, they always want to scam foreigners. I'm telling you...
OrchidFine1335@reddit
In any country where you hail a taxi that is conveniently near you already, there’s 80% chance you gonna get scammed, maybe at a smaller scale or maybe larger. This is why always use bolt if you don’t ever want to take a risk. If you are able to walk I would always recommend just using public transport, especially the bus, everywhere is walkable when I went, even in the woods
OverallBell1394@reddit
For that price they should take you from one part of the city to the other. This trip would have been around maximum 5000-6000 HUF normally. Some hyenas like to overcharge foreigners.
sometimes_angery@reddit
Yeah next time call the cops. That's a ripoff.