TAXIS IN ITALY
Taxis are an efficient and cost-effective way of getting around in Italy.
Taxis in Italy are regulated by local authorities, and each city has specific rules regarding fares and licensing.
For information about local rates, check out the city’s official website.
For example, the official site for transport in Rome is romamobilita.
The fare system includes a base fare, a per-kilometre rate, and additional fees for services such as late-night rides, rides on holidays, luggage, or trips to airports or train stations such as Roma Termini or Milano Centrale.
“Pink” Taxis for Women
Some cities, such as Florence, Rome, Milan and Verona, also offer a Taxi Rosa (Pink Taxi) service for women or women with children.
This service usually operates at night and is designed for women’s safety.
In Florence, for example, you can access this service by calling +39 055 439 000 between 10 pm and 4 am.
Women will be given priority service and a 10% discount (the driver might need to be reminded about this discount).
Not all companies offer this service, so be sure to check before heading out.
Finding Taxis in Italy
- Taxi Stands: Look for orange "TAXI" signs around the city.
Official taxi stands are located near major landmarks, squares, train stations, and airports.
Taxis line up by these signs, and you take the one that’s next in line at the stand. If there's a jumble of taxis, the drivers will direct you to your ride.
- Hailing on the Street: Taxis in Italy cannot be flagged down. They either wait at their stands or respond to calls. If you see an empty taxi driving by, it usually means that the driver is going to pick someone up, or they have finished their shift and are going home.
Payment and Tipping
- Payment: While taxis should accept cards, cash is often preferred. Always confirm payment methods (cash or card) before starting your ride.
- Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory, but if the driver was helpful or friendly, rounding up the fare is appreciated.
Airport and Cruise Port Transfers
Airport transfer fares to the city centre are usually set by the authorities and are flat rates. For example, in Rome, the established rates are the following:
- Fiumicino Airport: Flat rate of €50 to/from the city centre.
- Ciampino Airport: Flat rate of €30 to/from the city centre.
These rates cover up to four passengers with luggage (a set number of bags per person – if you have more the set number of bags, you’ll have to pay more).
There are also set rates from cruise terminals. For example, the cost for the trip from Civitavecchia to central Rome is set at €125.
However, you should always check these rates, as they may change suddenly.
Tips for Taking Taxis in Italy
✅ Pre-Book When You Can – If possible, book your taxi online or with an app to lock in the fare. I like to pre-book taxis from the airport to my hotel when I’m not taking a train or other public transport as it saves me time queuing outside the airport.
✅ Use Taxi Apps – The best apps are Free Now, It Taxi, and appTaxi. Uber is rare and mostly for luxury rides like Uber Black.
I prefer booking a taxi through an app as it is a sure way of avoiding scams and overcharging. Also, I get to pay by credit card.
✅ Know How Pricing Works – Taxi fares have a base fee, a per-kilometre rate, and extra charges for things like night rides or luggage. If a driver makes up a price, don’t accept it.
Avoiding Scams
Many tourists are wary of taking taxis in Italy because they are afraid of being scammed.
Unfortunately, scams are a reality, especially in big cities like Rome, Florence or Milan.
Want to avoid getting ripped off? Here’s what to look out for.
How to Spot a Real Taxi
✔ It Parks at a Taxi Stand – Legal taxis wait at official taxi ranks, such as train stations or major landmarks, not on random streets. If a driver walks up to you offering a ride, it’s a red flag. It is illegal for taxis in Italy to solicit passengers outside designated stands, which means any driver approaching you on the street is likely operating outside the law and should be avoided.
✔ It’s White – Most taxis in Italy are white. Anything else? Be careful. Some unscrupulous invdividuals have been known to turn their private cars into “taxis” without having a licence. An unlicensed taxi is not covered in case of accidents.
✔ It Has a Taxi Sign – The roof should have a light-up "TAXI" sign. But don’t trust this alone—fake taxis can buy them too!
✔ The Licence is Easy to See – A real taxi shows its licence number inside and outside the car, usually near the number plate.
✔ The Fare Chart is in the Right Place – The price list should be on the driver’s door, right in the centre. If you can’t find it, the driver might be hiding it to overcharge you. If the price list is tucked away at the bottom of the door, they’re trying to scam you.
✔ It Uses a Taximeter – The meter should be switched on as soon as the ride starts. If the driver refuses to turn on the meter, says it’s not working or makes up some other excuse, they’re probably trying to scam you.
✔ No Haggling – A legal taxi charges whatever the meter says. If the driver wants to set a price before the ride, something’s off.
✔ You Can Pay by Card – Scammers often demand cash and won’t give a receipt. A real taxi takes cards and hands you a proper receipt with the taxi’s info. If a taxi driver keeps insisting on cash payments, he’s probably trying to overcharge you and/or avoid paying taxes.
Common Taxi Scams (And How to Avoid Them)
🚨 Hidden
Prices – Some drivers hide the fare chart at the bottom of the
door so you don’t see the real prices.
👉 What to do:
Always check the driver’s door before getting in.
🚨 Street
Soliciting – Drivers aren’t allowed to walk up to people
and offer rides. If they do, they’re probably overcharging.
👉 What to do:
Get taxis from an official taxi stand or use an app.
🚨 Fake
Ride-Sharing – Some drivers suggest sharing a ride to
save money. Instead of splitting the fare, they charge both passengers
full price. Sometimes, they might not even ask – they’ll just get
other passengers on board without consulting you.
👉 What to do:
Don’t share unless you know for sure the fare will be split properly.
🚨 Airport Scams – Airports are
full of drivers who try to trick tourists. They’ll offer you a
ride, then charge way too much.
👉 What to do: Take a taxi from
the official taxi stand or pre-book a ride.
Want to stay safe and avoid scams?
Stick to legal taxis and book through trusted apps!
And always ask for a receipt at the end of your ride. The receipt should show the route, the licence number, the amount paid and the driver's signature.
The receipt will also come in handy if you forget something on the taxi, as the taxi company will be able to trace your cab through the information on the receipt.
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