Friday, October 31, 2008

Taxis in Sharjah

If you don't have car, then Taxis are the only way to get around. They're very cheap (unless you going to Dubai) about £2.50 for a 10 minute ride, but be aware;
  • There is nothing like the "London Knowledge", you will go a different route every time!
  • Taxis like using their horns - which given everybody else in Sharjah does as well, has no notable effect on others.
  • I am glad I don't understand Arabic, as they do express themselves very forcibly at the standard of driving by the felow road users - this can cause extra stress to the passengers given it normally entails taking both hands off the wheel.
  • Normally you can tell the mood - the louder the South Asian folk music normally means you are in for a hair-raising ride.
one other fact: a lot of the UAE guidebooks (not produced in UAE) claim you should "negotiate" the price before the journey. This I have found to be poor advice. All the taxis are metered and regulated. The Drivers stick to the metered price.

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