Parisian taxi drivers have a world wide reputation of bad mood. If it's often true, you will find nice drivers, happy to help or inform you.
A free cab is recognizable by the white taxi sign lit. The small lamps underneath show the tariff used, so the taxi is hired. However, sometimes the taxi sign is on so the cab is free and it doesn't stop when you wave at him. It is very unpleasant but it can have reasons for that :
- His service time is almost out and he doesn't work anymore.
- You are close to a taxi rank. In this case, he has no right to take you to give priority to waiting people.
- He doesn't want you because he doesn't like your face (!) or he thinks he can have a better journey (especially if you are near a train station). It is intolerable, but there is nothing you can do about it ! "C'est la vie" !
- You are too close of a night club exit and he fears problems. Try to walk away a little bit.
The meter, as you walk in, shows a 2 € "prise en charge" (flag fall). Then the meter turns with kilometers (or time if the car is stopped). The tariff changes with hour and if you go out of city's limits. There are extras for a fourth passenger, for large luggages or for being charged in a train station.
