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Tourist scams and rip-offs in Figueres, Spain: how to avoid them
Photo made by Jahoo Clouseau on Pexels.com
Figueres is a fairly safe, tourist-friendly town best known for the Dalí Theatre-Museum. The main risks are the usual Spanish tourist patterns: overpriced taxis from the airport, restaurant extras, and pickpocketing in busy areas. The biggest thing to watch is accepting a taxi without agreeing to the meter or a fixed price first.
Updated September 2026
Common scams in Figueres, Spain and how to avoid them
1. Unlicensed airport drivers
How it works: Drivers approach arrivals inside and outside the terminal offering direct rides to Figueres at inflated fixed prices, often double the metered fare. They may present themselves as official airport taxis.
How to avoid it: Walk to the official taxi rank only and confirm the meter is running or agree the official fare in advance.
2. Unlisted cover and bread charges
How it works: Some tourist restaurants near the Dalí museum add bread, cover, or service charges to the bill that were never mentioned or shown on the menu.
How to avoid it: Ask for the menu with prices, confirm bread is free, and check the bill item by item.
3. Pickpocketing in crowded areas
How it works: Pickpockets work in crowds around the museum entrance, at festival events, and on busy market days, often with distraction techniques like bumping or asking questions.
How to avoid it: Keep wallets and phones in front pockets or a zipped bag and stay alert in dense crowds.
4. Ticket validation mistakes
How it works: Visitors who forget to validate urban bus tickets or train tickets face fines from inspectors. Some think buying a ticket is enough and skip validation.
How to avoid it: Tap or stamp your ticket on boarding, and validate train tickets at the yellow machines before getting on.
5. Overpriced souvenirs near the museum
How it works: Souvenir stalls and shops within metres of the Dalí museum sell mass-produced items at double or triple the price of the same goods a few streets away.
How to avoid it: Walk a few blocks into the old town before buying souvenirs and compare prices.
Official tickets for the top sights in Figueres, Spain
Skip street sellers: book official tickets and tours with free cancellation.
From the airport to the city centre
Girona-Costa Brava Airport
Fair taxi price (official, daytime): €60 - €80. Use the official taxi rank outside arrivals. Metered fare from Girona airport to Figueres centre is roughly 60-80 euros. Decline unlicensed drivers offering fixed high prices before you reach the rank.
Best alternative: Sagalés bus from Girona airport to Girona city, then train (RENFE) to Figueres (€25, about 120 min)
Public transport: tickets, validation and fines
- Single ticket
- €1.50 (Single urban bus ticket within Figueres)
- Validation rules
- Validate your bus ticket on boarding using the onboard validator. Train tickets must be validated at the yellow machines before boarding at the station.
- Fine without a valid ticket
- €100. Fine for travelling without a valid ticket on Spanish trains is around 100 euros, applied by inspectors on board.
- Paying by card
- Contactless card payment works on most urban buses in Catalonia; RENFE trains accept contactless at ticket machines and some gates.
Tipping and service charges
Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated, typically around 5-10% in restaurants. Rounding up in taxis is common. No tip expected on short bus or train journeys.
Cover and service charges: Some restaurants add a cover or bread charge that should be listed on the menu. Check the menu for a printed price before ordering. If bread or pan con tomate appears on the bill without being ordered, ask to remove it.
Cards, ATMs and currency exchange
Always choose to be charged in euros and decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card terminals. Prefer ATMs attached to major banks. Independent ATMs in tourist areas can carry high fees.
Areas where extra care is advised
- Around Figueres-Vilafant station late at night: Keep bags closed and be aware of your surroundings, standard practice for a station area after dark.
Emergency number
112
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Frequently Asked Questions about Figueres, Spain
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Based on widely reported traveler experiences and official advice. Prices are approximate and change; check current fares on arrival. Updated September 2026.