It eventually happens to every Traveler, experienced or naive.

Traveler arrives in the hitting range of their destination.   Just one transfer needed to reach their hotel, a museum or store… and he or she get taken for a ride.  And it might not be the ride they anticipated.

Catching a cab in Milan

So many Travelers forget the link between arrival and destination.  Don’t let it be you!  Whenever we put together Italian itineraries for Tactile Travelers, this info is standard service.   Here’s 8 tips to help you get the transfer you need:

• Before you hit the road, include transportation, transfer and lodging/destination as an integral category of your planning checklist.  Write it all down, email to yourself in case you lose it on the trip, or use an app like Trip Tracker (available for Blackberry and iPhone).  I know, I know, this seems obvious, but the obvious frequently falls through the cracks.  Part of your trip planning should also include the number for emergency services, just in case.
• Visit your destination’s web site, or call them directly, asking about the various ways to get from your arrival point to your destination.  Ask about costs and approximate journey length with the various options.
• Before you descend from the plane or train, or turn in that rental car, pull out the phone number and address of your destination.  Keep the cost of the transfer in a pocket, not tucked in a wallet, inside of a purse or backpack.  Open bags at airports and train stations are easy targets for thieves.
• Never take a cab or limousine ride from someone who proposes their services to you at your destination.  More than likely, they are not licensed or legitimate.
• If you’re not sure which is the bus, ask.  The tourist info booth should point you in the right direction. The police officer with the big ol’ gun may be helpful, if the tourist office is closed.  In many parts of the world, the bus may not be a public service, and it may not be licensed, but it may be the bus you need.
• Check for the cab’s registration number and that the meter starts ticking as soon as the cab drives away.
• Include transfer costs in your trip planning… as well as a buffer for bumbled transfers.  You may miss the bus stop, or catch a lousy cabbie.  Lost time and money is definitely less aggravating when you realize that terrible transfers happen to everyone time and again.
• Taking time to map out the journey between arrival point and final destination is always a good idea if you’re new to the area.  After being raked in Naples (arriving by train with toddler in tow) by a cabbie whose “meter didn’t work,” I made sure I had a map of the route to the ferry terminal the next time I got off the train.

Buon viaggio!