Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Nevertheless, hitching is not illegal in any Middle Eastern country and in many places it is common practice among
locals. It's considered not so much an alternative to the public transport system as an extension of it. Throughout the
Peninsula a raised thumb is a vaguely obscene gesture - instead, extend your right hand, palm down and wag it up and
down briskly.
While it's normal for locals and Asian expats to hitch, it isn't something Westerners are expected to do. It can lead to
suspicion from local police and is disappointing to some: in rural areas there's an expectation that tourism will bring in-
come, but watching you hitch along with the locals isn't returning anticipated dividends.
Hitching isn't free. The going rate is usually the equivalent of the bus or shared taxi fare, but may be more if a driver
takes you to an address or place off their route. Negotiate a fare
before
you get into the vehicle.
As a driver you'll often be flagged down for a ride: you might need to think what this might entail before offering
one. Women drivers should never give a lift to a man.
Local Transport
As cars are relatively cheap to buy and run, public transport (particularly buses and minibuses in towns) tends to be used
by less affluent members of the population.
Minibus & Bus
In most cities and towns, a minibus or bus service operates. Fares are cheap, regular and run on fixed routes. However,
unless you're familiar with the town, they can be difficult to use (not all display their destination) and they're often
crowded.
In some Peninsula countries, minibus or local bus services tend to connect residential or commercial areas, rather than
providing a comprehensive network across the whole city.
Few countries have public minibuses to/from the airport, but top-end hotels and travel agents (if you're taking a tour)
can usually provide a complementary minibus with advance notice. Some hotels provide bus services to city centres too.
Taxi
In the West, taxis are usually an avoidable luxury; in the Arabian Peninsula they are often the best way for travellers to
get about town. Many cities have no other form of urban public transport, while there are also many rural routes that are
only feasible in a taxi or private vehicle.
The way in which taxis operate varies widely from country to country, and often even from place to place within a
country. So does the price.
TAXI TIPS
On the whole, taxi drivers in the Peninsula are helpful, honest and humorous - they're not, however, so scrupu-
lous when it comes to the tariff. New arrivals are particularly tempting bait and a target for a bit of overcharging.
Here are a few tips:
»
Be aware that not all taxi drivers speak English. Generally, in cities used to international travellers they speak
enough to get by, but not otherwise.
»
Always
negotiate a fare (or insist that the meter is used if it works) before jumping in. Town taxis sometimes
have meters, most of which work only intermittently.
