Imagine this. You are standing near the iconic Dom Tower of Utrecht. You have to just step out from a cafe where the rain was coming straight down as if there was nobody’s businesses. It’s a small fortune that you are quicker and signed up in a coffee shop. “I should have just gotten thear” you mutter to yourself. Nevertheless, there’s no point in crying over coffee, caffeinated or not. In the midst of the downpour, a hero emerges – your shiny Taxi Utrecht. Step in!
Taking a taxi in Utrecht is nothing like the regular, it’s an expedition in miniature. More often than not, the cab drivers here have more stories than the city’s history itself. Take for instance the driver who nips through the traffic while telling you stories about the Dutch Meatball Festival. “You just can’t skip it,” he boasts, his eyes glowing with the same love for local traditions as that of the gentrified standard lights. Suddenly, every ride is like stepping into a cultural whirlwind.
Amidst the bountiful diversity that Utrecht is famed for, the same applies to taxis here. Whether you need a large van to accommodate your luggage (or extended family) or a sleek electro car from the future making you feel like you’re in a sci-fi movie – there’s something to suit every taste. These reliable companions will make sure you get through ending hours at work and that early-morning travel alike by train.
And, believe me, do they drive fast! Taxi drivers here in Utrecht navigate through the maze airy of streets and seemingly secret back alleys, unknown to just about anyone on a map. As the vehicle glides through Utrecht in a harmony of sounds, you’ll find yourself amidst a local crowd and agreeing queerly with passersby while the driver does his bit. They may as well have a hidden map, or just loves driving.
It may even amuse you when they park their car absolutely on point, van in a slot meant for a bike. When your ride comes to an end you might ask yourself a question – I wonder, how was my Uber back home? However, when in Utrecht, it’s beyond the point A to point B matter. It involves getting attached to the local vibes, relasting in a Dutch joke and with luck, nabbing somebody as a mate. As you get out, the driver’s last word to you is a joke: “if these walls could speak.” And perhaps, today they did.