Informal taxis, Milan

Beware of pirate taxis in Milan just like any other city in the world. Always ask the taxi meter to operate and check if you are charged from the correct rate. The pirate taxis won't be eager to open their taxi meters, but they will bargain for the price for your destination. The best would be to avoid these and call a cab.

Unique Suggestions: You can call a taxi and they will come to pick you up wherever you are.

On leaving Linate Arrivals, a woman in her twenties asked if we needed a cab, and produced a man of nearer sixty. They had photo ID of a word with C A R printed on it. I noted how crappy the ID looked!

We were going to our hotel in Navigli distrit, about 2 KM / just over a mile South of the Duomo. We were asked for Eu70 ; eventually offered the ride for Eu60. We declined, spoke ot another cab driver for an idea of the metered fare.
Our Sunday ride, for the record, cost Eu17 ; our Wednesday return leg was Eu14.60 !

Unique Suggestions: Check the fare will be no more than say Eu20 or so any where within the city (in 2006)

Fun Alternatives: Just agree the fare and blank anyone who walks up to you

Always use the official Taxi ranks, even if you have to queue. Stay away from the cowboys! We were quoted double the fare that we paid in the official taxi!
The taxi drivers are very courteous or maybe we were just lucky1