There’s no denying that ridesharing has been a game changer for how we get around, and it’s hard to imagine a world without it. At the same time, as much as services like Uber promise simplicity and transparency, the reality is often quite different. While I’ve covered some Uber scams in the past, here’s something I haven’t seen before.
In this post:
Cairo Uber drivers accept ride, then haggle on price
AwardWallet Editor-in-Chief JT Genter took to Twitter/X to share an experience he recently had while trying to book an Uber to Cairo International Airport (CAI). Side note — if you haven’t been, it’s an absolutely fabulous airport that I can’t recommend enough. Anyway…
JT ordered an Uber to the airport, and it was accepted. However, the driver immediately messaged back, and demanded more money for the ride. This happened over and over:
- The first driver told him the total trip price will be $20
- When he didn’t accept that, the second driver told him the ride will cost $50, because “it’s rush hour and crowded, please agree”
- The third driver said “please I will need extra money because the price is low,” and he also demanded $20 for the ride
JT reportedly negotiated with the last driver, and ended up spending around $21 on the fare. Maybe it wasn’t actually that much of a deal, since the first driver was just asking for $20 in the first place. As JT explains, “in all, a fair enough price for the ride, but just absurd that this seemed to be the only way.”
Has anyone else experienced something like this?
I’ve certainly had Uber drivers specifically try to solicit tips, but I’ve never had an Uber driver outright try to negotiate the ride cost, claiming that the price is too low.
To state the obvious, the intent of these rideshare platforms is that the two parties agree on the price in advance. It’s not clear to me if pricing for Ubers in Egypt is really just so low that the pricing isn’t sustainable for drivers, or if it’s simply that the drivers see a foreigner requesting a ride, and then think that it’s an opportunity to cash in.
I’m not sure if locals also use Uber in Egypt (I suspect they use different, local platforms), but I wonder if this would’ve happened if an Egyptian requested the ride.
One thing is for sure — when you’re in Egypt, expect that virtually everyone will ask you for money. Most people are kind and don’t have bad intentions, but as a foreigner, there’s an expectation to constantly tip everyone (but not at Cairo Airport — that would never happen there!).
I’d travel to Cairo and check out this Uber situation myself, but… well… that’s probably not advisable.
Bottom line
A traveler reports an interesting experience with Uber in Cairo, Egypt, whereby drivers demanded more money immediately after accepting a ride. This doesn’t just seem to be an isolated incident, based on the fact that this happened with three drivers in a row.
I can’t say that I’ve ever experienced that before, but it sounds like it might be common. I wonder if it only happens with foreigners, or if drivers try the same with locals (I imagine not, but…).
What do you make of this Uber situation in Cairo, and have you experienced something like this in Egypt, or elsewhere?
Another dumb tourist who didn't do any research before visiting Egypt. It's such a backward, low trust place, particularly in the capital. You can't go around without endlessly getting asked for baksheesk (bribes) in exchange for doing basic things or just made to tip or overpay. As a traveler, everyone is trying to pull one over on you until you give up and pay a local guide for protection. Truly an awful culture that has...
Another dumb tourist who didn't do any research before visiting Egypt. It's such a backward, low trust place, particularly in the capital. You can't go around without endlessly getting asked for baksheesk (bribes) in exchange for doing basic things or just made to tip or overpay. As a traveler, everyone is trying to pull one over on you until you give up and pay a local guide for protection. Truly an awful culture that has been blessed with historic artifacts that it doesn't deserve, and seemingly came from much more capable and less annoying ancestors.
We were just in Cairo/Giza in July, and Uber rides to/from Giza/Cairo Airport or to/from Giza/downtown Cairo were $6USD. We never were asked to pay more, but it was sometimes hard to confirm a driver. One driver cancelled on us “due to fog” which was a non-issue. Uber in Egypt is basically a platform to book a taxi. Don’t expect anything fancy, but all the drivers we did interact with were courteous and friendly!
This happens in remote parts of Brazil too!
I had to pay an "Airport toll" in cash out of pocket to the driver in CAI. This is something that should be handled by the uber app so definitely it felt a bit scammy.
My husband and I went to Cairo, Hurghada and Luxor this summer and, yes, it took us a while to adapt to this local custom - as it happens almost on every single trip.
Just bear in mind Egyptian pounds have been devaluated around 40% year to year. This means inflation must be over the roof. So when my husband and I came down, we felt it was paradise - as everything was hyper cheap...
My husband and I went to Cairo, Hurghada and Luxor this summer and, yes, it took us a while to adapt to this local custom - as it happens almost on every single trip.
Just bear in mind Egyptian pounds have been devaluated around 40% year to year. This means inflation must be over the roof. So when my husband and I came down, we felt it was paradise - as everything was hyper cheap (cheapest country I’ve even been to, in fact).
Uber fees, were indeed extremely cheap. From the airport to Giza (45min drive) Uber was asking for less than £5 (UK pounds). Driver called us and asked for much more. We ended up (after asking a few drivers to cancel if they don’t wanna come and bargaining back and forth) paying around £9 (yes, your friend paying $20 has been scammed - probably, so have we). Also, payments are cash only, if they don’t take the Uber’s fee.
So yes, Egyptian drivers will call you or text you on the Uber app and ask you for a higher price to be paid in cash. They will then cancel the trip on the app and run the service behind the company’s back.
Even though I’m not justifying this and it’s indeed an annoying and long process, Egypt is by far the country where you’ll pay the least for a ride. So, if you’re not prepared to bargain for absolutely everything, you better stick to Europe or the USA - as a traveller mindset is required here.
PS: Bring your own noise-cancelling headphones, so you can wear them on the street and don’t feel bad for ignoring the crowd that’ll congregate around you trying to sell you stuff every time you leave the hotel. Otherwise, this constant influx of sellers may ruin your holiday and prevent you from enjoying the views around you.
PS II: Avoid eye contact with sellers or you’re doomed - even if wearing headphones!
It's Ben also being sarcastic when he says this is new to him? There's no way he's never experienced that, right? Though maybe the whole post is just sarcastic?
I went to Cairo last year and had a lovely time. The airport was not bad at all and the Uber was fine. Maybe it just happens to dopey looking white Americans?
Yeah similar experiences both at the airport and when ordering in the city. At the airport Uber/Careem riders wanted to haggle, upon which a police officer barred us from entering the airport again to go to the limousine desk, instead guided us to a taxi that absolutely scammed us for 50USD.
In the city Uber drivers also started to haggle, just cancelled-reported to Uber and tried again.
Ever go to the Middle East and many other parts of the world its all haggle nothing new. Leave your First World paradises you desire to see the real planet and how 2/3s of humanity lives. When you go set foot outside of your posh resort as well.
No. 2/3 of the world does not openly scam people. The few areas of the world where this is common are in/around India and North Africa. Almost all of Asia, Europe, most of South America etc do not commonly do this unless you take sketchy taxis. Even countries with very large poor populations like the Philippines have perfectly functional ride hailing services & crack down on bad behavior. Stop trying to normalize it.
I haven't been to Egypt, but definitely experienced this in Istanbul a couple of years ago- very similar, normal to low fares shown in the uber app. Drivers would accept your ride request, but would message to insist on a higher fare (and paid in euros) and not move until you agreed. Reading about it at the time, it was super common and various forums suggested avoiding airport ubers (and taxis) if at all possible.
...I haven't been to Egypt, but definitely experienced this in Istanbul a couple of years ago- very similar, normal to low fares shown in the uber app. Drivers would accept your ride request, but would message to insist on a higher fare (and paid in euros) and not move until you agreed. Reading about it at the time, it was super common and various forums suggested avoiding airport ubers (and taxis) if at all possible.
Since then, an airport train to Istanbul (fast, cheap) has opened, and presumably all of the avaricious drivers have been screwed by that. I hope so.
Had this experience in Egypt in 2024. You would book a ride and then when you got into the Uber he wanted to negotiate, said Uber didn’t pay them enough and they needed more money. When refused they cancelled, very difficult to get an Uber without being ripped off. Often cheaper to get a taxi and negotiate price. We got a taxi from boat to Cataract hotel for nine dollars - recommended fare by concierge-...
Had this experience in Egypt in 2024. You would book a ride and then when you got into the Uber he wanted to negotiate, said Uber didn’t pay them enough and they needed more money. When refused they cancelled, very difficult to get an Uber without being ripped off. Often cheaper to get a taxi and negotiate price. We got a taxi from boat to Cataract hotel for nine dollars - recommended fare by concierge- on the way back they wanted to charge twenty dollars - even the doorman at the hotel laughed the price was so crazy!! Fantastic, safe country but a real “hustle” culture.
Egypt...lol!!!
Was in Egypt last month - I had approx 1/2 of drivers ask for extra money up front. The longer the ride, the more likely the ask.
Super annoying having to wait 30-60 minutes for a good, non-scammy driver at times. The worst waiting times were outside the museums in my experience. When I finally got an honest driver I made it a point to tip generously.
One time I got fed up and had...
Was in Egypt last month - I had approx 1/2 of drivers ask for extra money up front. The longer the ride, the more likely the ask.
Super annoying having to wait 30-60 minutes for a good, non-scammy driver at times. The worst waiting times were outside the museums in my experience. When I finally got an honest driver I made it a point to tip generously.
One time I got fed up and had to negotiate with the cab driver outside for 5x the normal rate.
Worst was when I tried using Uber for a ride from Cairo to Alexandria (big mistake!) - no driver would accept the normal fare and I ended up taking a fare that was 3x the quoted price out of desperation in a time crunch. Then the main road was shut down and had to go through the urban hellscape of inner city Alexandria for 1 hour.
To top it all off my Uber account was shut down for cancelling on too many drivers.
Yes, there were many kind and honest Egyptians I interacted with - but the extreme poverty of the country turns so many people into scammers/hustlers just to try to get ahead. Every developing country preys on tourists but I’ve had my worst experiences in Egypt - by far.
It’s a sad situation!
Why does anyone go to this Sh*thole country?
LOL .. And we think American 'tipping' culture has gotten carried away !
Happens in Istanbul all the time - especially at night.
This is one of the main reasons Egypt has become a place that they like or do not like. If it were me, I would have demanded that the extra fare be billed through the APP and the filed a complaint through the APP.
I took over 30 uber rides in Cairo last month with zero negotiation and only happened once where the driver tried this negotiation at the pyramids. I was surprised he had a 5 star review but reported it to uber. So it’s just an attempt to take advantage of wealthy tourists and definitely not the norm.
I had a similar experience when our BOLT a driver demanded the Heathrow entry charge…in cash.
I emailed BOLT, explained the situation—they said that was already in the fare quote, and refunded the cost of the ride. If something isn’t right, ALWAYS email immediately.
Former London resident, I would have called the police there and then. Ridiculous.
Then I would have called a minicab which maybe would have been 10 quid cheaper. Depends.
I booked on the Bolt app a ride from my hotel in Amman, Jordan to the airport. A taxi showed up, and after a 15 minute (of a 45-60m) ride, the driver suddenly said he was running out of fuel, and we had to fill up, and insisted I pay for the gas. I asked him to bring me back to the hotel, but he kept driving to a gas station, where I refused to...
I booked on the Bolt app a ride from my hotel in Amman, Jordan to the airport. A taxi showed up, and after a 15 minute (of a 45-60m) ride, the driver suddenly said he was running out of fuel, and we had to fill up, and insisted I pay for the gas. I asked him to bring me back to the hotel, but he kept driving to a gas station, where I refused to pay, took my luggage and took a pic of his car and him. Here I was: in the middle of nowhere, by myself, with no ride, pitch dark at 6 am, not speaking Arabic, no local SIM card, and with the stress of having to catch a flight in a few hours!
I don't know what the driver said to the staff, if he was lying about what transpired it could make the situtation harder for me.
Fortunately the staff let me kindly use their cell phone to book another ride. This time it was a nice professionally looking driver in an EV - so no BS bout needing gas lol All 'n all, a very stressful situation...
Correction: it was Careem, not Bolt.
And when I reported him, Careem didn't want to refund me that ride, so I would have to pay for two rides
Careem is a somewhat more commonly used ride-share app in the major cities of Egypt (Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, but not Sharm or Hurghada). Taxis actually do have a set rate. 2.10 EGP to start and 0.65 EGP per KM after that. These were 2022-24 rates, which might have changed since. But cabbies will purposefully block this information mandated to be posted in their cab and will insist on negotiating a rate (either before or after...
Careem is a somewhat more commonly used ride-share app in the major cities of Egypt (Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, but not Sharm or Hurghada). Taxis actually do have a set rate. 2.10 EGP to start and 0.65 EGP per KM after that. These were 2022-24 rates, which might have changed since. But cabbies will purposefully block this information mandated to be posted in their cab and will insist on negotiating a rate (either before or after accepting the fare). Either way, I always felt sketchy getting into an Egyptian cab. I have no intention of ever going back. After Ben's last CAI experience, F--- Egypt. You couldn't pay me to go back.
egypt is an utter hole of a place. theyre all corrupt and want freebies
Not true, egypt is beautiful country with lots of history and very safe. People are living below poverty due to economic situation so do expect tips but nowhere near corrupt.
Wow Ben…. Your side note had me having a good belly laugh! Thank you!!
Curious as to whether Uber takes any action on this if they are messaged on it - since it's a clear violation of their terms and conditions by the driver!
In Vietnam, the driver of the Grab I took to HAN insisted I needed to cough up cash for the toll road. It was less than a dollar when you convert to USD but luckily I had some leftover notes on me. Still a little peeved about it because, you know, the whole point of an app is that you don't have to worry about using cash. He was kind of a jerk the whole...
In Vietnam, the driver of the Grab I took to HAN insisted I needed to cough up cash for the toll road. It was less than a dollar when you convert to USD but luckily I had some leftover notes on me. Still a little peeved about it because, you know, the whole point of an app is that you don't have to worry about using cash. He was kind of a jerk the whole ride anyway—complete outlier and the only unpleasant person I encountered in that country.
Anyways, I let it slide. By the time I was through security at the airport, I had an email from Grab saying my driver should not have asked for cash from me and that he would be disciplined for violating the service's terms. And I had my 40 cent or whatever credit deposited to my account.
How the hell did they know?? That's what I still wonder.
Kind of off topic, but if a driver accepts a ride but doesn't actually come to pick you up in hopes that you cancel the ride, they aren't making any money if you never cancel right? So if you have another phone you can use and not cancel, they can't go an pick up another passenger until they cancel?
In the Uber app, sure. But that doesn't mean they won't use another app or pick up a cash fare.
This should always be reported to Uber, because it is not allowed according to their rules!
one of the worst countries in the world
Yep, same in Puerto Plata. The driver will not accept the price on the app.
I used Uber for one short trip and two trips of several miles each within Cairo back in December. Total fare for all three rides, with very generous tips, was just over 20 USD. None of the drivers asked for any additional money.
Cabbies gonna cabbie. The entire value proposition behind Uber was that you know the price beforehand, no meter BS.
We took a Viking cruise/tour in Egypt this past May/June. Best money we've spent to travel. Egypt is a must-see destination but tough to visit compared with everywhere else I've been.
I have done this very route before and it was SOP with Uber, which I really appreciated. That being said, everything else in Egypt was open for negotiation, so I can see this happening.
I've been to 110 countries and I've never paid a penny more than what the app said (other than culturally appropriate levels of tipping).
The scams where the car won't move, I just never cancel and switch to another app.
I was just in Cairo for a few days last month. Used Uber several times and never had a problem. Granted, I booked a private transfer for my rides to/from the airport via Viator for those rides. But within the city, no problems. Biggest challenge was identifying the car due to their plates using Arabic numbers instead of Western numbers.
Side note: had no problems transiting through CAI either on arrival or departure. Only annoyance...
I was just in Cairo for a few days last month. Used Uber several times and never had a problem. Granted, I booked a private transfer for my rides to/from the airport via Viator for those rides. But within the city, no problems. Biggest challenge was identifying the car due to their plates using Arabic numbers instead of Western numbers.
Side note: had no problems transiting through CAI either on arrival or departure. Only annoyance was the guy putting my luggage through the first security screening (before the check in area) constantly asking "Tip, tip, tip". The Almein Emerald lounge was pleasant with the complimentary massage chairs in a quiet room (and I miss those Schwepps Lemon Mint drinks!).
Overall, the Egyptian people we met were super friendly and great with my young son.
How do you decide the rates are too low?
It’s just so annoying to see one guy after another saying oh the rate was too low so I tipped well. It may be low in our country, but that does not mean it’s low in some other country. It’s because of such moronic behavior most American travelers have to suffer price gouging, whether it’s in ride share apps or it’s when servers expect to get tipped 20 to 25% which is not the norm in most countries around the world
Experienced it in Istanbul multiple times. It’s the same people who blame everything on the Turkish government yet they should blame their own behaviour for the position they are in.
No experiences, but this would not surprise me at all
I've had this happen with Uber in 3 countries. In Vilnius, Lithuania, trying to arrange a ride over the border into Latvia, the first driver demanded 3x the Uber rate, and then took a long time to cancel the ride when I refused. Same experience in Jordan trying to get from a Dead Sea hotel to Amman. Then in an Eastern European country, the Uber driver drove me away from the terminal, stopped, and demanded...
I've had this happen with Uber in 3 countries. In Vilnius, Lithuania, trying to arrange a ride over the border into Latvia, the first driver demanded 3x the Uber rate, and then took a long time to cancel the ride when I refused. Same experience in Jordan trying to get from a Dead Sea hotel to Amman. Then in an Eastern European country, the Uber driver drove me away from the terminal, stopped, and demanded extra money. I got out and walked back to the terminal, booked a more expensive style of Uber, and that ride was normal. Now I avoid rideshare for trips to airports, because I don't typically have time to be ducked around about the ride.
It happened to me once in India, I declined to pay extra so the driver canceled the trip. Two times in a row and fortunately, the third driver accepted the ride as is.
Never a Good News comes out of Egypt! I wish the Saudis/UAE would rule them. more than Half of the population would be executed!
It's not 'the only way', in Cairo there's indrive which is literally built around negotiation. I had a really good experience using it in Brazil- even managed to grab a R$62 fare from Moema to GRU in order to get rid of all my reais-, and it'll be my favourite wherever it's available (assuming I'm not in a rush).
This is the editor of a travel website who goes to the airport somewhere that...
It's not 'the only way', in Cairo there's indrive which is literally built around negotiation. I had a really good experience using it in Brazil- even managed to grab a R$62 fare from Moema to GRU in order to get rid of all my reais-, and it'll be my favourite wherever it's available (assuming I'm not in a rush).
This is the editor of a travel website who goes to the airport somewhere that he doesn't speak the language, uses an app which is mostly aimed at foreigners, and then gets surprised that he can't get as good a deal as a local.
You don’t find it a problem that a grown ass man agrees with a virtual handshake on a price and then immediately says they didn’t mean it? Cause where I come from that’s not how a man does business. What does it matter which language you speak? That’s little bitch/bush league stuff. If you don’t like the price don’t take the ride.
I agree it's not a fantastically ethical business practice.
Having said that, since when can anyone using Uber claim any sort of moral high ground? They were deliberately losing money for multiple years, undercutting prices and driving rivals out of business using freshly-printed Fed money at zero interest rates that clearly weren't available to their local competitors like Speedcars.cz (who'd been running a private hire service based on SMS messaging since before the turn of...
I agree it's not a fantastically ethical business practice.
Having said that, since when can anyone using Uber claim any sort of moral high ground? They were deliberately losing money for multiple years, undercutting prices and driving rivals out of business using freshly-printed Fed money at zero interest rates that clearly weren't available to their local competitors like Speedcars.cz (who'd been running a private hire service based on SMS messaging since before the turn of the millennium). They regularly work with unlicensed drivers (wasn't it in Colombia that you're normally in the back seat of a Cabify but need to be in the front passenger seat with Uber in order to avoid police attention?), have been short-circuiting employment law in multiple jurisdictions (see e.g. Uber v Aslam verdict by the UK Supreme Court), have been found to have a toxic management culture etc.
I don't really see anyone boycotting Uber over any of that- people seem to reserve their outrage for cash-strapped, poorly-educated drivers making some borderline sexist comment or something.
I can confirm from first-hand experience that, yes, in Colombia you must seat in the front passenger seat when using any ride share service (eg., Cabify, Uber, Didi, any and ALL of them) with the only exception being cars with white plates (they do have a license to provide public transportation, even if you hire them through a ride sharing app) or taxi cabs (yellow cars). This is done not only to avoid the police,...
I can confirm from first-hand experience that, yes, in Colombia you must seat in the front passenger seat when using any ride share service (eg., Cabify, Uber, Didi, any and ALL of them) with the only exception being cars with white plates (they do have a license to provide public transportation, even if you hire them through a ride sharing app) or taxi cabs (yellow cars). This is done not only to avoid the police, but it's also to avoid being attacked by rogue taxi cabs. This remains true even today, although the situation is not as bad as it was a couple years ago.
Very few companies behave in an ethical way, and tons of companies undercut employment laws. It's not the customer's job to police that or even boycott it. That's what laws and the government is for. Uber's business model addressed a serious issue, which was empowering the customer and give them some protections. For too long we were all at the mercy of cab drivers, who were borderline mafia henchmen, taking advantage of tourists who didn't...
Very few companies behave in an ethical way, and tons of companies undercut employment laws. It's not the customer's job to police that or even boycott it. That's what laws and the government is for. Uber's business model addressed a serious issue, which was empowering the customer and give them some protections. For too long we were all at the mercy of cab drivers, who were borderline mafia henchmen, taking advantage of tourists who didn't know the city's layout, always having an excuse and getting downright hostile if you wanted to pay with anything other than cash, not running their meters, having filthy vehicles, and getting annoyed if you so much wanted to take a minute to put in a car seat for your kid. These days I try to avoid ANY car service as much as I can. I'd rather rent a car to drive myself to/from the airport than dealing with a cab or Uber driver. I drive better than most anyway.
The first time I arrived in CAI and tried to take an uber, it took 30 minutes for the guy to figure out where the heck I was. And then once he picked me up he literally did a circle around the airport and dropped me off where he picked me up. Its like he never used uber before. He probably didnt click start ride or something, but it boggles my brain that he thought it was ok to drop me off exactly where we started? lol
At YYZ, the frist driver that accepted the ride messaged me and asked to be paid in cash. I didn't even reply, just straight reported them.
A second driver accepted the ride, and when I reached my destination lectured me angrily about how cheap my fare was and how unfair was having to drive me to my destination. I think I should have reported this driver too, but I was too tired at that point.
At a couple airports in South America, there was no extra upcharge or negotiation, but they would always call to ask me to find them outside of the airport. I think there was a toll to enter the airport road so with my limited Spanish and often poor cell reception I had to go find them. If my Spanish and cell reception were better, it wouldn't have been as much of a problem. Or, Uber could have just tacked on the toll road fee to the fare. I'd be fine with that.
This is rather dangerous, @Rico, if you ever find yourself again in any of those places, don't agree to walk away from the passenger terminal. Try arranging transportation through your hotel instead.
I used in Uber in Cairo and the rates were crazy low so I tipped well in the app but didn't offer any extra cash. I wound up with three "1" ratings and one "3" - made a mess of my overall rating since I don't use Uber all that much. Uber was also problematic in that the app would show a pick up in one location (near the new museum) but the drivers were...
I used in Uber in Cairo and the rates were crazy low so I tipped well in the app but didn't offer any extra cash. I wound up with three "1" ratings and one "3" - made a mess of my overall rating since I don't use Uber all that much. Uber was also problematic in that the app would show a pick up in one location (near the new museum) but the drivers were not allowed to pick up there - they wound up driving past you to a place down the road where you had to scoot down to. Overall not a great experience but maybe better than using cabs
Very similar situation in India. Uber will determine a set price. The driver arrives and then either a) refuses to take you because they don't like the destination; b) haggles for double the fare because of the "empty return"; or, c) takes you and then asks for more (for example, because "night fares" are in effect). In all fairness, this isn't every driver, but it's an incredibly common occurrence. It's very frustrating for Westerners who...
Very similar situation in India. Uber will determine a set price. The driver arrives and then either a) refuses to take you because they don't like the destination; b) haggles for double the fare because of the "empty return"; or, c) takes you and then asks for more (for example, because "night fares" are in effect). In all fairness, this isn't every driver, but it's an incredibly common occurrence. It's very frustrating for Westerners who are used to fixed prices and rule following. I guess the takeaway is in cultures where haggling is the norm, expect to be nickled and dimed all the time.
Ben should go to Cairo and see for himself. Will he???
I tried to order an Uber to and from the airport in India. There were no takers. I wonder if Uber doesn't really operate in India.
On the way back to the airport, the hotel porter negotiated the taxi rate for me. There was no argument or intense negotiation. The taxi driver seemed to name the price, which was fair and the hotel porter...
Ben should go to Cairo and see for himself. Will he???
I tried to order an Uber to and from the airport in India. There were no takers. I wonder if Uber doesn't really operate in India.
On the way back to the airport, the hotel porter negotiated the taxi rate for me. There was no argument or intense negotiation. The taxi driver seemed to name the price, which was fair and the hotel porter accepted it and told me. Before we got to the airport, the driver stopped for gas. I was not late and got to experience how an Indian gas station works.
When we got to the airport, the taxi driver demanded payment of a "fuel surcharge". I had just read that a few days earlier a passenger in Bangkok was stabbed over a taxi fare argument. Not wanting to be stabbed, I paid the extra amount. It wasn't much to me, just $3, but it was cheating.
Poor JT just can't catch a break.
Remember when an AA waitress kicked him off a flight because he moved a crewmember's bag?
This happened to me in Phuket. Every time I requested a ride, it was promptly accepted then moments before the driver showed up they request a higher rate or for me to cancel from my end.
Same thing happening in Istanbul
Was coming here to write the same! When I was there in 2022 about 4/5 of the time the Uber driver would message me back with "Where are you going?" before attempting to haggle.
Having lived and traveled to Egypt many times, a couple of quick thoughts (also applies to other "flexible pricing markets").
Always arrange for transportation from the hotel ahead of time and have them meet you at the airport. You'll know the price and these negotiations won't happen. It will be a higher price, but at least you don't feel you're getting hosed.
I always used the local taxis in Cairo. They generally don't speak...
Having lived and traveled to Egypt many times, a couple of quick thoughts (also applies to other "flexible pricing markets").
Always arrange for transportation from the hotel ahead of time and have them meet you at the airport. You'll know the price and these negotiations won't happen. It will be a higher price, but at least you don't feel you're getting hosed.
I always used the local taxis in Cairo. They generally don't speak English so the negotiations will likely not happen as effectively. Also, Cairo is generally a zonal type taxi fare pricing. The meters don't work, but the fares are generally the same from Tahir area to the airport, or Tahir to the Pyramids, etc. If you don't know the rates, just ask the hotel staff. Then once you hail the cab, tell them the location or show them the destination in Arabic, take the ride, when you arrive, pay on the way out the door and don't wait for a response. If they get out and get loud, you an either ignore them (or use some choice Arabic swear words), or throw them a couple of extra pounds and walk away.
Egyptians are not violent and while they can get very animated, it's all for show.
Two attempts to use Uber at Cairo Airport last week went differently for me. First time, the driver never moved (per the app, he was 150 meters away) and didn’t respond to my text through the app asking what was going on. I canceled, and the second driver picked me up promptly and at the rate displayed by Uber. Just like anywhere else.
To be fair, Uber’s rates are absurdly low. A 45-60 minute...
Two attempts to use Uber at Cairo Airport last week went differently for me. First time, the driver never moved (per the app, he was 150 meters away) and didn’t respond to my text through the app asking what was going on. I canceled, and the second driver picked me up promptly and at the rate displayed by Uber. Just like anywhere else.
To be fair, Uber’s rates are absurdly low. A 45-60 minute trip from a fancy Heliopolis hotel near the airport to the pyramids at Giza was showing up at around $9-10 USD. No wonder drivers are negotiating for more.
I had a very similar experience, with the driver messaging me that he will need a $25 extra to cover “surcharges at airport” lucky for me, after cancelling (needless to say, without even engaging the driver in conversation) and trying another 2 drivers, I was able to get from the pyramids back to the airport for the normal 400EGP uber fare. Good to know this is widespread - will ensure to file a formal complaint...
I had a very similar experience, with the driver messaging me that he will need a $25 extra to cover “surcharges at airport” lucky for me, after cancelling (needless to say, without even engaging the driver in conversation) and trying another 2 drivers, I was able to get from the pyramids back to the airport for the normal 400EGP uber fare. Good to know this is widespread - will ensure to file a formal complaint to Uber on my recent cancelled ride. They really need to do something about this, otherwise their service is borderline unusable. As an aside, from conversations with Egyptian colleagues, they do use Uber, so this seems as a scam targered on obvious foreigner names / tourists.
And on the topic of the fares being as low as they are - diesel in Egypt is subsidized and costs about $0.3/L. The cars Uber has in Cairo (even for “comfort” rides) are old and pretty worthless. So almost the entire fare is Ubers cut and drivers salary, and given the local economics, yes those fares are what they should be. These guys are just taking advantage of tourists not knowing any better.
Speaking of Cairo, Simon Wilson was just in Cairo within the last 6 months!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K05E4TfNjQM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqr3IfGcjSo&t=1168s
I'm guessing you won't be going to Egypt anytime soon for obvious reasons ;)
I've had a Cairo Uber driver offer me a cigarette, and then ask me if I wanted to suck him off.
Aren't those two things normally offered in the reverse order?
Oh yea this happened to me as well, ended up using 3 phones and 20 mins to finally got someone to not trying to rip us off.
Similar happens with Uber in Beirut particularly if you are going to the airport. A driver accepts the ride, you see the car getting closer and then it stops. The driver then calls to demand a higher fare. I was so incensed with the scam that when a random guy having seen me outside a hotel with a suitcase and offered a ride for a reasonable cost I cancelled the Uber and took the informal taxi.
I've been in Cairo for a couple of weeks now. On one of the trips I had a driver demand 500 EGP on top of the stated fare- that's about 10 USD and double the original fare. I took a screenshot and reported the incident to Uber and the only response was that they won't pair me with that driver again. It seems like Uber doesn't think it's a serious enough incident.
In fairness,...
I've been in Cairo for a couple of weeks now. On one of the trips I had a driver demand 500 EGP on top of the stated fare- that's about 10 USD and double the original fare. I took a screenshot and reported the incident to Uber and the only response was that they won't pair me with that driver again. It seems like Uber doesn't think it's a serious enough incident.
In fairness, that only happened to me once and coincidentally I was also going to the airport that time. Most other rides were without incident. I just noticed thar it takes a lot longer for a driver to be assigned to a trip compared to the usual in the US.
It wouldn’t be Egypt if they didn’t ask for a tip.
I had the same experience as JT! I went to Mall of Cairo early on a weekday and driver wanted more money since "it will be an empty ride back from the mall at this hour". I was willing to oblige because he was only asking for something like $8 vs a quoted ride of $4, and I didnt have cash, but UBER wouldn't let me tip that high a percentage relative to the base...
I had the same experience as JT! I went to Mall of Cairo early on a weekday and driver wanted more money since "it will be an empty ride back from the mall at this hour". I was willing to oblige because he was only asking for something like $8 vs a quoted ride of $4, and I didnt have cash, but UBER wouldn't let me tip that high a percentage relative to the base fair. A huge fight ensued including him putting me on the phone with an aggressive dispatcher to "translate".
Uber has Dispatchers? Probably his brother-in-law….
I know a lot of cab drivers rent their cars so he could have been driving on behalf of that company, or it could have just been a random person to translate.
precisely this has happened to me in Cairo.
Uber is largely a marketing tool to get customers with the price negotiation hopefully completed before the wheels start rolling.
JT trying to manufacture more publicity for himself....i am so shocked.
I paid $9 Cairo Airport to Giza & $7 back from Mena House 2 years ago. 90 minutes & however many miles each way.
No wonder they’re hoping to get paid more money for rides, even in Egypt that’s chicken scratch
Chicken feed*
Chicken scratch is bad handwriting
This happens a lot in Santorini, anecdotally. On several occasions I have had a driver accept a fare (e.g. EUR40) and, after 10 minutes of no movement, message saying to either cancel the fare, or to pay EUR20 cash in addition to the Uber fare.
ugh that's so slimy.
Has happened to me in Cairo, Bali, Jakarta, and I believe Bangkok (Uber/Grab). I don't mind as the rates are usually crazy low, and the drivers usually reach out to me via chat before coming to 'agree' on a new price so at least they are up front rather than trying to hassle me at the end of the ride.
Often they'll just cancel the ride in the app and then I pay them cash - I know many people wouldn't be comfortable with that but I don't mind.
As reference - once in Bali the ride to the airport was going to take about 1.5 hours and the app wanted to charge $11. I was more than happy to pay the additional $10 ish the driver requested.
Seems to at least partially be an issue with the app failing to account for traffic and how long the ride will actually be.
This happened to me in Bali. Wish I had accepted the first guy's offer because the second guy took a while to come (and wanted an 'adjustment' as well) so I missed the sunset at the temple
Egyptians trying to rip people off?!
Now I've heard everything...