Seriously, it sounds like this guy doesn't understand how to take a taxi.
Call a taxi, they'll give you an ETA of when they'll arrive. At the same time, ask for a flat rate to the airport including tolls (airports are typically flat rates from most cities), and whether or not they accept your method of payment. Or, if you're hailing a taxi on the street which typically takes a minute or two in any major city, ask the driver before you get in for a rate, and see if he accepts your card.
I've taken taxis in a dozen different countries around the world, and I never remember a taxi that was particularly dirty. I took three rides with strangers last weekend, and 2 of the 3 I had to move papers, books, bags, etc off their seat before I had room to sit down. They also had papers on the floor, and the odd empty bottle rolling back and forth under the seat. I don't mind either, but on average I find taxis to be cleaner.
Sure you can rate a taxi. The first thing I do when I arrive in an untrustworthy city is checkout taxi reviews. There are always companies that will charge you 2 or 3 times the typical rate because you're not from the area, but at the same time, there are always a couple reliable businesses that people swear by, and you save their number, of watch for their taxi when waving them down on the street.
Call a taxi, they'll give you an ETA of when they'll arrive. At the same time, ask for a flat rate to the airport including tolls (airports are typically flat rates from most cities), and whether or not they accept your method of payment. Or, if you're hailing a taxi on the street which typically takes a minute or two in any major city, ask the driver before you get in for a rate, and see if he accepts your card.
I've taken taxis in a dozen different countries around the world, and I never remember a taxi that was particularly dirty. I took three rides with strangers last weekend, and 2 of the 3 I had to move papers, books, bags, etc off their seat before I had room to sit down. They also had papers on the floor, and the odd empty bottle rolling back and forth under the seat. I don't mind either, but on average I find taxis to be cleaner.
Sure you can rate a taxi. The first thing I do when I arrive in an untrustworthy city is checkout taxi reviews. There are always companies that will charge you 2 or 3 times the typical rate because you're not from the area, but at the same time, there are always a couple reliable businesses that people swear by, and you save their number, of watch for their taxi when waving them down on the street.