But before getting into the taxi or rickshaw, always find out what the ride is supposed to cost, and come to an agreement on the price. This will avoid any unpleasant surprises upon arrival. It is quite common that if they know you are a tourist, or have just arrived in a new place, they will try to charge you more. Check your guidebook, ask fellow travellers or ask your hostel about common prices, otherwise you will have no basis to negotiate and you will be paying way too much.
Be frank but polite whenever you negotiate. In a lot of countries, negotiating really is part of the game, and being good at it is something the locals respect. So do negotiate prices, but don’t overdo it either. Try to know what is fair and be fair. When you spend more time in a certain place, you will gradually learn the common and more correct prices and you will get ripped off less.
To avoid the transportation negotiation hassle all together, you can opt for taxis with a meter, if they are available. These are more common in the big cities. Before taking off be sure to check if the meter is well on zero or on the minimum amount. Once on your way, go with the flow, trust your instincts and act confident.