Taxi Driver Scams, Kuala Lumpur

Be careful of cabbies who overcharge and who take advantage of tourists. They charge thrice the normal fare (by meter). I suggest you bring a map with you so you can, more or less, know the distance of the place you're going to.

My friend and I tried to take a cab from Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) to Hard Rock, which is quite near, and the cabby's asking for MYR20 (SGD10). Upon seeing the disgust in our faces, he quickly revised the "fare" to MYR15. Not good enough, I told my friend and so, we walked from KLCC to Hard Rock. Guess what, no sweat at all!

Please do not take offer from individual offering taxi services from any airports in Malaysia. It's for your own safety as well as not been charged exobirtant fares.

You should purchase your taxi tickets from designated taxi booths or any car rental company should you need to drive.

Hey, im currently residing at hotel nikko in KL and its been already 5 days since im here. Ive got to learn alot about the taxis here in this short period of time. Here are a few tips:

1. Always take a taxi from a taxi stand as the drivers are mostly ready to use meters and even if they dont, they ask you a fair charge.

2. Never hire a taxi driven by an indian taxi driver as they'll mostly rip you off.

3. Old cab drivers are almost 99 times fair in telling the fare. I will mark my visit from my hotel to The Sunway Pyramid the longest and i paid the driver RM 26 using the meter. Where as earlier, i paid an indian taxi driver RM 30 for just taking me to Berjaya Times Square which was even less that 1/5th part of my journey to Sunway.

I hope everyone finds this tips usefull. Have a nice trip.

taxi drivers may charge you more than the usual fare specialy if they know you're a tourist.

when in KL Sentral, there's a taxi counter where you can get your coupon and charge you a fix rate depending on your destination.

the taxi counter is located near the skybus drop off pointon KL Sentral's ground floor. if you're on the 1st floor, take the exit near Mc Donald's, take the escalator/steps down and turn left, you'll see the taxi counter.

Most of the time I ride taxi due to the convenience it offer, and the availability on the streets.
I experienced a lot of good once and bad once…
There are taxis with a hidden manual switch or something when hit or pulled will automatically add 10 cent to the meter. There are some when you don’t know the exact destination, will make you go in circles and there are some who usually pretends they don’t know the place of your destination. Some starts the meter even before you told the location and go inside. Some would want you to go to the longest way possible. Some are not customer oriented. Some threatens you that he would bring you to the police. Some, I’m not so sure but they seems like very stupid for me to be qualified as Taxi drivers.
But there are some who’s so polite and kind; some are gentle on the pedals and drives like you’re riding on the clouds.

Taxis are generally safe, but they often refuse to use the meter and a few cabbies will gouge tourists mercilessly. If they won't use the meter, then don't take that taxi, as by law they are required to use the meter. However if you are desperate to use that taxi, agree on the fare in advance, and try to get an estimate of the cost from a local before you climb on board.

I thought being fluent in both English and Chinese would be enough to enjoy a holiday in KL. But I was wrong! It also takes a tough mind to get through all the constant rip-offs. One new scam is the so-called "limousine taxi".

I took a taxi from KLCC Suria to Chinatown on August 25th, 2007. After confirming with the driver that he would use the meter, I hopped in. It took us about 7 minutes to get to Central Market in Chinatown. I couldn't believe it when the driver asked for RM 95. He pointed at the meter and hey, it WAS showing 95! He then pointed at the sticker on his front window and explained that his taxi was a LIMOUSINE TAXI! He is obviously living in a fantasy world since his car looks just like all the other taxis in KL.

He took out a receipt printed with "limousine taxi" and was ready to write, but I told him I would only pay RM 10 (although it should have been no more than RM 5 with the meter!) and if he didn't like it, we could go to the police. He protested, and even kindly offered to take me back to my hotel to get more money. So I just left RM 10 and got out, ignoring his protests. As soon as I got out I took this picture, but he drove away quickly so the number plate isn't clear.

Anyway, hope this story helps you to avoid the "limousine taxi" trap!

Upon your arrival at Sepang International Airport, you can either take ERL (Express Rail Link) for USD10 to KLSentral (a city train/bus/taxi hub) or Airport Limo. Ask from the information counter where to buy coupon for Airport Limo. Only take airport limo and buy the coupon from the airport limo counter. To be safe, do not take city taxi to avoid overcharging. Pls refer url below for Airport Limo Fare are Charges.