Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Basic Living Costs

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Saudi Arabia
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
JerkyBoy



Joined: 12 Jan 2012
Posts: 485
PostPosted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 12:15 pm    Post subject: Basic Living Costs Reply with quote
1) How much is a taxi ride, more or less?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
EnglishDoYouSpeakIt



Joined: 19 May 2009
Posts: 151
Location: Saudi Arabia
PostPosted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 12:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
In Riyadh don't use the meter and agree on a price beforehand. The drivers often try to rip off westerners who don't look like they know what they are doing. You're question is really ambiguous. Unless you're going from one edge of the city to the other, anywhere to anywhere in Riyadh should be less than 25 riyals. It may vary if you're forced to take an often jammed road. Haggle with them and be prepared to let them drive away, another one will be along shortly.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
johnslat



Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
PostPosted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 1:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Dear JerkyBoy,

EDYSI is right - tell the driver where you want to go (e.g. Batha / Olaya ) and ALWAYS agree on a price BEFORE you get in the taxi.

Regards,
John
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
JerkyBoy



Joined: 12 Jan 2012
Posts: 485
PostPosted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 1:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
EnglishDoYouSpeakIt wrote:
In Riyadh don't use the meter and agree on a price beforehand. The drivers often try to rip off westerners who don't look like they know what they are doing. You're question is really ambiguous. Unless you're going from one edge of the city to the other, anywhere to anywhere in Riyadh should be less than 25 riyals. It may vary if you're forced to take an often jammed road. Haggle with them and be prepared to let them drive away, another one will be along shortly.


Thanks. I am well schooled in the art of handling the naughty taxi driver - many years in BKK ... I think Tunisian taxi drivers were the worst, though. Egyptians a close second.

The prices/ distances sound similar to BKK so I will calculate on that basis until I get accustomed to the local rates. In BKK you can go anywhere in the city for up to 7 or 8 US and often 2 or less. Only driving to the provincial suburbs/ airport would cost more than 8 dollars.

Last edited by JerkyBoy on Fri Feb 17, 2012 1:40 pm; edited 2 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
JerkyBoy



Joined: 12 Jan 2012
Posts: 485
PostPosted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 1:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Now how much is a tuna fish sandwich?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
EnglishDoYouSpeakIt



Joined: 19 May 2009
Posts: 151
Location: Saudi Arabia
PostPosted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 2:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Haven't come across a tuna fish sandwich, Mutabuk tuna is worth trying. But you can buy a can of tuna for 4 riyals, a loaf of bread for 4 riyals and mayo is around 12 I think, something around there. Don't recall what else you might want to throw in there.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
JerkyBoy



Joined: 12 Jan 2012
Posts: 485
PostPosted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 2:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
How much for a good pair of shoes?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
EnglishDoYouSpeakIt



Joined: 19 May 2009
Posts: 151
Location: Saudi Arabia
PostPosted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 5:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
For teaching or what?

How about you take a day or two and write down all your questions and present them at the same time. Happy to help but it might work out better.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
uh huh



Joined: 14 Oct 2011
Posts: 110
Location: United States
PostPosted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 6:02 pm    Post subject: Basic Living Reply with quote
Don't know what's changed, but I find Tunisian taxi drivers remarkably kind and generous; they even round down the fares.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address
Christian St.Bacon



Joined: 26 Oct 2011
Posts: 54
PostPosted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 6:06 pm    Post subject: is this ??? for real......... Reply with quote
...and how much for a taxi ride to buy some 'tuna sandwich shoes'.....RETURN


Shukran very much
Wink Wink Wink
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
JerkyBoy



Joined: 12 Jan 2012
Posts: 485
PostPosted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 6:51 pm    Post subject: Re: Basic Living Reply with quote
uh huh wrote:
Don't know what's changed, but I find Tunisian taxi drivers remarkably kind and generous; they even round down the fares.


In Tunis, the very first one actually stole about $15 from me. After that