Santo Domingo - Post Report Question and Answers
Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Uber - Jun 2024
Not safe. - Sep 2023
Uber. - Oct 2021
Affordable-yes. Safe-no. - Feb 2021
Buses and the subway are very affordable, but they have limited routes and are therefore hard to access. Taxis and Uber are affordable and work well. - Jan 2021
No to local transport, which is private publicos and believe me, you don't want to get inside. Great metro but it doesn't go anywhere you need to go. Affordable taxis. However, everyone drives everywhere, for the most part. - Jul 2019
Most public transportation is not safe (mainly because of the risk of traffic accidents and crime). The metro is clean and fast, but has a limited route. Uber is now available though there have been reports of drivers requesting cash instead of using a credit card and denying service if the route is an inconvenience for them (e.g., the airport). - Jan 2019
Most public transportation is not safe (mostly because of risk of traffic accidents). The metro is clean and fast, but has a limited route. - Nov 2016
Everyone uses Apollo taxi, and it works pretty well. Almost no foreigner, except Peace Corps types, endure public transportation. Santo Domingo does have a very nice (but limited) metro. - Apr 2016
Affordable yes, safe, no. These environments are notorious for theft or worse. - Jan 2016
Apollo taxi and a few other transport services (we used JET) are embassy approved. You can get around locally for about $6 a ride. - Jan 2016
Apollo is the recommended taxi service here. Very affordable. Don't take the buses or random taxis unless you want to be squished in a cab with 20 other people. - Aug 2015
Affordable, yes. Safe, hmmmm. Many do not use them. - Aug 2015
Local trains are safe and clean but are limited to where in the city they can take you. Public transportation of buses and/or taxis are not recommended due to the potential threat of victimization from crime, health or groping for women. - Aug 2014
There is a subway system that appears safe. The embassy authorizes the use of only one taxi system and it's about $4 per ride. I have taken Caribe Tours (like Greyhound) across the country and it's fine. The embassy does not authorize traveling around town in the public taxis or buses. - Jul 2013
Apollo taxi is affordable (about $4-$5 in the city) and safe. There is a new subway, but I have never taken it. Buses look very crowded. - Apr 2013
No. - Apr 2013
Be careful with taxis and buses, but they are available. - Jan 2013
There is one taxi company, Apolo, that everyone seems to use. The cost is US$4 for just about anywhere. Good service. - Jun 2012
Wouldn't use them. - Jun 2012
There is one taxi service that is RSO-vetted... Apolo Taxi. The Metro is apparently safe and cheap, but covers a limited corridor now. Another branch is opening soon. We are told to not use any form of public transportation, as they are not safe. - Mar 2012
Some of the taxis are safe, you have to take the right ones. They will cost about $5 to almost anywhere in town. I wouldn't take the buses. There aren't any trains here. - Feb 2012
If you want to be robbed or have a hard time - Feb 2012
Not safe - Oct 2011
The only taxi company that is considered safe is Apolo. There are a ton of no-name taxis and public cars but they are not very safe. We are not supposed to take the buses or metro. The metro is new and I've heard it it nice, the route is very limited at this time. - Jun 2011
We're not allowed to take the buses. Haven't used the metro. 2 taxi companies are approved for our use and they are about $4-$5/trip. - May 2011
apolo taxi is the only reliable and honest company - Nov 2010
No trains on the island. Buses are not safe for use. As for taxis, I suggest only using Apollo taxi. They are wonderful, and reasonable. - Aug 2010
We are advised to just use Apolo Taxi, and you can get just about anywhere in the city for 150 pesos, which is about 5 dollars. Most taxis don't have working seat belts, and the drivers tend to be crazy, zooming in and out of traffic....so it is quite a game of chance just using one. At least our vehicle has seat belts...that helps. I wouldn't use one of the local taxis, although people say you should try it just for the experience. I pass them all the time, though and the people are crammed in them like sardines -- often with arms dangling out of the windows for lack of room. So couple that with no a/c and the pick pockets who frequently use them, and it is an experience I will gladly pass on. - Jun 2010
No. Taxis might be okay. Try to get a driver and stick with him. - May 2009
Taxis aren't that affordable but are safe and plentiful, government buses can be uncomfortably full but safe, small busses are not so safe and super-jam-packed, public cars are an experience everyone should undergo at least twice, and the new subway system is great but doesn't go anywhere I go. (They're building a phase two soon, so that will change). - Nov 2008
Not really because of the condition of the vehicle, the way it is driven, and the crowding on the buses. Affordable, yes. - Oct 2008
Safe and affordable. - Aug 2008
There are no trains, apart from the new multi-billion dollar subway (not yet running).Taxis are available, but may or may not be safe depending on upkeep of car and driver. Buses are crowded and not very safe. - Jun 2008
Yes, taxis are fine. The others I would not recommend. - Feb 2008
