Tips on Hiring Taxis at Airports

After a long and tiring flight, the last thing you want to worry about is the possibility of being defrauded by greedy, illegal and unscrupulous taxi drivers. Airports in unfamiliar countries are often vast and confusing places, even for seasoned travelers. It's wise to learn as much about the value of the currency as possible, so look online to check the latest exchange rates and try to become familiar with the terminology. Looking after your spending money will obviously be one of your main priorities as a traveller, after securing your most affordable airfare, and sourcing the best possible accommodation for your money.


Groups of persistently hustling taxi drivers are to be found at all busy places, even at the world's best airports and the most secured ones. It's a good idea to avoid them at all costs, for your personal safety. Ask airport officials for location of the main taxi ranks. At Miami, for example, official advice is to find a taxi cab that is clearly marked with the words "taxi" or "taxicab" prominently displayed on both sides of the vehicle. The licence number must also be clearly visible in at least six locations within the car, as should the driver's identification documents. This advice is valid for taxis in most cities, in the west.


Knowledge is power. It's a good idea to prepare for the trip by reading accounts on popular travel websites, where other people review and write about their experiences. They can provide you with a wealth of useful information, such as how much to expect to pay for your journey. Most taxi firms are metered, although sometimes it can be a good idea to agree a flat rate at the start of your journey if it is some distance. Make sure you have plenty of cash in the local currency as your driver will find it annoying if you don't have any, and you will find it stressful. Be polite and don't forget to give a tip if you think he or she has done a good job. How much will depend on the location, but between five and ten percent should be adequate. Lastly, relax and enjoy your stay!

A Somewhat Stress-Free Airport Departure is an Achievable Dream

Traveling through an airport is no piece of cake, but if you prepare for everything well in advance and decide to travel light, the odds are that things will go swimmingly. Every traveler's dream is to get from the sliding doors, through check-in, past security, and to the plane in ten minutes. With everything from security checks to problems with your ticket as possible curve balls, your airport adventure has a 50/50 chance of being an experience from hell. Instead of clicking your heels together and wishing it all just came true for you, it's a good rule of thumb to be prepared. Like a well-oiled machine, using these tips will help runs things a little more smoothly when you're trying to catch your flight.

Take Carry-On Luggage Only

USA Today highly recommends traveling with carry-on luggage exclusively. This eliminates wasting time on check in and saves time by avoiding the huge wait for luggage. Weight limits for many airlines have been decreased. Some airlines have a weight limit of 50 pounds total for checked luggage. You might as well pack carefully and save time with an efficient carry-on package.

Keep Electronics Secure

When you are at the airport, be careful not to use a Wi-Fi public hotspot with insufficient encryption. If you do, someone could possibly discover your personal information and try to use it. When you use a public wireless network, you should assume that anyone can access your computer. Lifelock's experts provide advice on how to secure your computer and protect your data from hackers while using a wireless device.

• Use a Firewall -Those users who have Windows XP with Service Pack 2, Windows Vista and Windows 7 have firewalls built into their operating systems.


• Hide Your files – Check the network's website and read their privacy statement to learn about the type of encryption they use. If they lack this information, you would be wise not to use the network. If you don't have an operating system with encryption tools, consider getting one.


• Don't Type Personal Information – When on a public network, don't ever enter your credit card, banking information, social security number or password.
  


• Disable Wireless - If you are not using the Internet, simply turn off your wireless network.

Dress For Success

USA Today also recommends dressing for the easiest passage through security. Avoid metallic jewelry and other metallic items. Wear shoes that easily slide off. Shoes with complex lacing and buckles can leave you barefoot and hopping around for more minutes than they're worth. Don't forget to wear socks to protect your feet from being totally bare and exposed to airport bacteria. Make sure you have a convenient, but safe, place to stow your ID and boarding pass, which may be asked for more than once.

Know TSA Rules

TSA has many rules regarding security. Those who are not aware of them can slow down the process for everyone else. The TSA rules, which can be downloaded for viewing, change frequently, so it's a smart idea to regularly keep up on them. The categories for prohibited items are:

• Sharp objects


• Sporting goods


• Guns and firearms


• Tools


• Martial arts and self defense items


• Explosive and flammable materials, disabling chemicals and other dangerous items


• Other items

See, airport experiences don't have to be so hard. A well-planned, well-prepared traveler is a happy one. Heeding these tips will help you go from stop to stop in no time and off to your destination.

Welcome to the AirportGuide.com Travel Blog

Hi everyone,

I just wanted you to all know that I have added a Travel Blog to AirportGuide.com.

If AirportGuide.com is going to be a great travel resource, then I feel it is time to start a travel blog. In this travel blog, we will not just talk about airplanes and airports but all travel. This includes rail travel, road trips, cruises, ferries, etc., etc.

To make this work, I am calling on all of you, to submit your original articles for incorporation into this blog. This means that these articles can't be found on other web sites as we don't want to be penalized for duplicate search content. And YES, you can include a link back to your site in the article, provided it is to a travel-related web site. The only requirement I have is that the articles be written in proper English.

I know some of you are asking what's the catch. Well, as with everything on AirportGuide.com, there is no catch except that I have the final say on what does and does not make it. I want a travel blog with a variety of unique articles and you probably want links back to your sites. It's a win-win for everyone.

Please send your submissions to articles@airportguide.com