My experience of being ripped off by taxi drivers who charged me six times the normal price in Paris.

France: From Charles de Gaulle airport to the city center should cost just over 50 euros, but tourist Melissa Hie was charged 360 euros by her taxi driver.

Melissa Hie, a travel blogger who has visited over 30 countries, recounts her experience with a scam taxi driver while flying solo from Singapore to Paris, France. When she took a taxi from Charles de Gaulle Airport to her hotel, the driver charged her 360 euros for a 25km journey, six times the usual price.

"While standing at the terminal, a man claiming to be an airport employee struck up a conversation and asked me where I was going," Hie said. He then explained that the only taxis she could get to the suburbs were from her current location. Hie was directed to take a taxi from Gate 16 to the center of Paris.

Hie took a souvenir photo in Paris. Photo: Girl eat world

Upon arriving at the gate, she was greeted by another driver who helped her put her luggage in the trunk. Leaving the airport, the driver showed her his taxi driver's badge and the odometer app on his phone, but Hie quickly realized "something wasn't right." There was no fixed odometer in the car, leading the female traveler to believe that what she had just seen was fake. "But I couldn't do anything at that moment," Hie recounted.

Upon arriving at the hotel, the driver showed her the meter on his phone app and quoted the fare. Hie refused to pay. Immediately, the scammer "changed his tone, becoming aggressive and rude." He then reduced the price from 360 to 200 euros but still tried to intimidate her, following her into the hotel. "I told him I was calling the police to report the scam. He followed me, shouting and cursing at me, calling me a thief and saying I owed him money," the female tourist recounted. Finally, Hie paid him 80 euros, and the scammer left.

The female tourist shared her story on social media hoping others could avoid similar incidents or learn how to handle them. According to Hie, tourists should remain calm when being scammed and only react when they are in a safe situation, such as in a public place with many people around. "I think this is the key to controlling the situation," Hie said. If she had been in an unsafe situation, like a deserted place, she wouldn't have reacted so violently, which could have been dangerous.

"Premium" taxis in Paris have a sign above them. Photo: Paris je taime

Representatives from Charles de Gaulle Airport said that police have intervened several times to deal with fraudulent taxis that overcharge passengers. Airport staff are also trained to identify those intending to scam customers. Passengers should choose taxis with signal lights mounted on the roof, the airport said. The price of a taxi ride from the airport to the Seine River, in the city center, is around 50 euros.

Additionally, taxi fares to Paris are displayed in the baggage claim area and on overhead, eye-level, and ground-level signs to help passengers locate taxi stands. Each station has a designated pick-up point, and taxis will pass by in order to pick up passengers. Passengers should not accept the fares of taxis that are outside the designated taxi lanes.

"Finally, don't blame yourself if you encounter a scammer and don't let it ruin your trip. Paris is still a beautiful city with countless interesting things to see and amazing food," Hie said.

Anh Minh (According to DM )

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