Taxis

Our neighbour has some friends coming over from UK and they cannot pick then up (hospital appointement) so they looked into taxis

A couple of illegals quoted them between 40 & 50€ one way

they then called a couple of official taxis and got quoted 54 to70€

won't post links due to forum rules etc.

not much of a saving considering the risks

The official price ALC to Los Montesinos is €57 but if you pre-book it is €54. That's the official ALC taxi website.

I believe most taxis do have meters now, but when they did not, I always advised people who did not know to ask the price before getting in.  At that time and maybe still for those without meters, they have a printed list of fares,  so if in doubt ask to see it.

mariedav

yes that is what they found and why would anyone take the risk with the illegals for a saving of 14 to 17€

maybe the offcial taxis are getting the mesage with fixed pricing they probably need to advertise this more and put the illegals out of business

I wonder how long it is going to be before the police start arresting the passengers in these illegal taxis for aiding and abeting a person from cheating on their taxes, knowingly travelling in an unlicenced vehicle, knowingly travelling in an uninsured vehicle etc.. In Valencia Region ( which includes Alicante ) it is reported that the police are now charging people who buy these 'counterfeit' items with receiving.

The police are saying if we can't stop the 'perps' then we can stop their customers. Very interesting theory

Many airport pick ups/drop offs are genuine friends and family none payment favours. The police would (IMHO) be better served by recording pick ups and drop offs in none licenced vehicles, and then visiting those who appear to be making a living from it.  

I almost always collect and drop off family and friends at the airport.    I suppose looked at in the broad, that I do not get paid the end result is the same, albeit that it is legal,  I am denying taxis their fares. 

For over 30 years now I have heard rumours of how illegal taxis in Spain will be stopped from operating, but it does not seem to have changed.

Malaga Airport to Calahonda is normally around €55.00 in a legitimate taxi, however we use Viva Airport Transfers, also legitimate but the difference is that they are waiting for you at the airport exit and collect you from your door on the return in a limo, we pre pay in the UK at circa €85.00 return, if that's not cheap enough I don't know what is.

I do not know how it works now but I remember some years ago that the travel insurance I had only covered missed flights because of breakdowns, traffic jams etc. if the vehicle was a licenced for public use vehicle.  Not even a car owned say by one’s son was covered.

Also, if one were to say breakdown in an unlicensed, illegal,  private taxi how could you hope to complete the journey in time.   With a licenced cab they could radio up another cab.

Bottom line is that using pirate taxis is false economy and a big risk for the sake of a few euros