Barcelona: Tips on Tips and Taxis.

Getting Around in Barcelona.

Barcelona is one of the cities in Europe that provides you with a most excellent way to move around with little or no hassles.
The integrated metropolitan transport system TMB (Transporte Metropolitano de Barcelona)provides a cheap and affordable connection with all the public mass transit system namely; The Metro (Line 1 to the newly built line 10), City bus, Trams and regional Trains, Renfe and FGC (Ferrocarril de la Generalitat de Catalunya), you can also connect with some special services like the Montjüic funicula.
Barcelona has one of the most mordern transport network in Europe and the world for that matter (the ultra-mordern Line9 is fully automated, with no drivers at all)

This exceptional public transport not withstanding, there are always times when catching a cab would be the most viable option or when your comfort would trump on all other possibilities and when that moment comes you have nothing to worry about because cabs in Barcelona are also relatively cheap and provide excellent services at any given hour of the day.
In most other cities once it becomes clear that you are a JJC (Johnny-come-lately)you become game to those "pranksters" behind taxi wheels, but this practice is not very rampant in Barcelona. Most taxis are equiped with GPS navigating systems instead of the old city maps, but to hedge yourself against any possibilities of being taken on a joy-ride, you might want to spend some time plotting your route earlier, using GuiaRepsol and spelling out the route to the driver before taking off.

Tips on Taxis.

FARES:In Barcelona, cabs fares are meter based and are display within the cab. The minimum fare is 2€, but naturaly extras may be added in function of the the time of the day as the night fare would attract a surchage.
If you took the cab from the airport (EL PRAT) you will be required to pay an extra 3.10€ and 1€ more per additional piece of luggage, and if you travel at night, that would attract extra fees.

It is always recomended to demand receipt after paymenet is made and to bear in mind that most cabs would demand payment in cash.
You can always call to report any violations of your rights or to request for a taxi.

Watch Video.

Tips on Tips.

Tips are not customarily obligatory in Barcelona and most often are not expected.
It is also good to know that when most prices are exact in Barcelona as in most part of Europe-no extra taxes, no frills, just the very same prices you saw be it on the menu, on a tag or on a display board.
This is to say that you should always expect to receive your change in full, relative to the bill denomination used in payment.
But it is always nice to show some courtesy when service give proves to be quite satisfactory and this could mean leaving behind just a few peices of coins, without having to shell out a percentage of your bill.

Tips on Bags.

Many folks have experienced that it is quite easy to loose your bags in some areas of Barcelona and for this reason it would be wise to always have physical contact with it at all times.

The high risk areas are mainly around the city central districts namely (Paseig de Gracia,Plaza Universitat, Plaza Catalunya, La Rambla and most of all Rambla de RAVAL area !!!
Most of the thefts take place around bars and restaurants and for this, tourist are always adviced NEVER!! to leave bags unattended or to hang it anywhere, rather to make sure that you can not just see but also feel your belongings at all time.
Another sensitive spot would be internet cafes and other service oriented business spots such as business centeres, workcenter etc.
Lastly, your bags may just be snatched from you if you venture into the wrong neighbourhood especially after hours.
All said and done, Barcelona is a great place, packed with loads of memorable experiences and stories worth telling all life long. "Von Viatge!"

Links: SuiteLife.