Taxi in Rome: All You Need to Know About Fares and Cab Drivers Tricks

Taxi in Rome has reasonable rates, which mainly depend on the traffic. You can find a car at taxi stands, train stations, and airports, call for a taxi or order it via one of the apps. Moreover, taxicabs licensed by Rome City Council are white and have a sign bearing the word “TAXI” on their roof. However, there are many pros and cons to getting a taxi in Rome.

The phone number of the official taxi is 060609

What you Have to Know About Taxis in Rome

What is the best taxi in Rome?

In my personal opinion, the best taxi service in Rome is Sergio & Partners, also known as Rome Fiumicino Transfer Company. I have used their services several times and have always been impressed with their professionalism, reliability, and reasonable prices. They have been ranked number one on TripAdvisor for many years and have a strong reputation for providing excellent customer service.
I highly recommend Sergio & Associates to anyone traveling to Rome who is looking for a safe, reliable, and comfortable taxi service.

Are taxis expensive in Rome?

Taxis in Rome can be relatively expensive compared to other modes of transportation, especially during peak travel times or if you're traveling a long distance. However, on average, a trip around Rome costs about 15 euros, and if the taxi driver behaves honestly, the cost can be reasonable.

Is it better to take a taxi or the metro to the train station in Rome?

It depends on your preferences and circumstances. While the metro is often cheaper, it may not be convenient if you have luggage or need to travel to a location without a nearby metro station. Therefore, if it is important for you not to miss the train, then taking a taxi is the better option.

How much to tip a taxi in Rome?

Tipping is not expected in Rome, but rounding up to the nearest euro or leaving a small amount as a gesture of appreciation is common. For exceptional service, you may consider tipping about 10%.

Can taxi drivers be trusted in Rome?

While taxi drivers in Rome can generally be trusted, it is important to be cautious and make sure you are taking a licensed taxi from a reputable company. Rome taxi drivers are known for their costly stories and tricks to scam tourists, so it is important to be aware and clarify the cost of the trip before getting into the car. In most cases, booking a transfer in advance at a fixed price can be a reliable and cheaper option than taking a taxi.

How to call a taxi in Rome?

You can call a taxi in Rome using a licensed taxi app like MyTaxi or Uber or by asking your hotel to call a taxi. Alternatively, you can hail a cab on the street or find one at a taxi stand. Ensure that the cab is licensed and has a meter before getting in to ensure a safe and reliable ride.

It is essential to know that sometimes taxi drivers can understand different languages. Still, at the same time, they can “accidentally” forget about fixed rates or even cheat on you to make more money. So, yes, it is true: you have to pay more attention to details if you use a taxi in Rome because often taxi drivers cheat on tourists.

The taxi usually comes in 3-5 minutes after the phone call, so be sure that you are ready to go. Otherwise, you will have to pay more if the taxi waits for you. Moreover, the driver turns on the meter once he answers to your call.

If you arrive at a taxi stand and there are no taxicabs, you can wait there because cars will turn up soon. However, it might be a problem to pick up a taxi during major holidays, bad weather days, and in case of a taxi strike.

You should know that some taxis are small, and others are midsized sedans or minivans. So, don’t forget when you order a taxi to explain additional details about your route, such as the number of luggage and how many people you are. Moreover, if you feel that you’ve been cheated in case you’ve booked a taxi via Cooperative Radiotaxi 3570, you can write your complaint on their website.

Fare details

Set Fares

• On departure during weekdays (6 am  – 10 pm)  is 3 euro
• During weekends (6 am – 10 pm) is 4.50 euro
• On departure at night (10 pm – 6 am), 6.50 euro

Hourly Rates

• Hourly rate Euro/per hour applicable for a speed less than 20 km/per hour €27

Taximeter Rates

• Tariff 1 for speeds higher than 20 km per hour: € 1,10 per km
• Tariff 2 for speeds higher than 20 km per hour: € 1,30 per km
• Tariff 3 for speeds higher than 20 km per hour: € 1,60 per km

T1 becomes T2 when an amount of 11 euro is added to the initial set fare on the taximeter display; from this moment the second fare rate turns to (T2 = 1,30 euro) until the taximeter shows another added amount of 13 euro; from this moment the third fare rate works until the end of the ride.

Reduced Fares

A 10% reduction of the amount displayed on the taximeter in the following cases:
–  journeys to hospitals in Rome
– for women traveling alone at night

Main Taxi Stands

Largo Torre Argentina (between Pantheon & Trastevere), Piazza Fiume (Villa Borghese), Piazza Venezia, Piazza G. Belli (Trastevere), Piazzale Ostiense, Piazza S.Silvestro (Fontana di Trevi), Piazza dei Cinquecento (Termini Station), Piazzale della Stazione Tiburtina, Metro A Anagnina, Piazzale della Stazione del Lido (Ostia), Piazza Risorgimento (Vatican City)

Useful Tips

1. When you get a taxi, make sure the taxi meter is switched on when you start your ride.
2. Always ask about the receipt with details of the journey, the license number, the fare, and the driver’s signature.
3. Remember that taxi drivers can’t refuse service or select passengers. Moreover, they can’t carry more passengers than indicated in the vehicle’s logbook.
4. If you take the official taxi, you don’t need to tip. However, no one minds if you will decide to do it.
5. At both Termini Station and Fiumicino airport, you will meet many people asking if you need a taxi. You should better ignore them and take a white metered taxi or order a private transfer in advance.
6. One hour of waiting time is 27 euros.
7. In a controversial situation, I advise you to save the bill and write the complaint to the Commune of Rome: to save the form of complaint choose “Modulo reclamo taxi inglese”

There is a 10% discount for single women at night.

Read also about How to Buy Tickets on Public Transport in Rome.

Cost of Taking a Taxi to or from One of the Airports in Rome

Technically, there is a fixed price from Ciampino and Fiumicino airports to the city center or vice versa, which is 30 euro (including luggage) from/to Ciampino airport and 48 euro from/to Fiumicino airport, and drivers cannot charge more from you. However, there can be surprises, and you should better clarify the price before taking a taxi.

The fixed cost for the taxi fares from Fiumicino and Ciampino airports is valid only to Rome Aurelian Walls (The historical center of Rome).

So make sure that you are taking a taxi to the City of Rome. If your destination is outside the Aurelian Walls, the price of the trip is metered and may increase up to 60 euros.

• From Tiburtina station to Ciampino by taxi: 35 euro
• From Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) to Ciampino airport: 50 euro

Again, you always have to pay attention to the details, such as there are prefixed rates, which you can read at the cab parking of the airport; to get more clients, drivers may try to go very fast, so don’t be afraid to ask them to slow down.

Can you Pay for a Taxi in Rome with a Credit Card?

All official taxis in Rome have POS machines, according to the law. So, you should be able to pay with a credit card. Moreover, there is a chance that you won’t be able to pay with American Express, which is unpopular in Italy because of its high fees.

Sometimes POS machines mysteriously “out of order,” so you should better be able to pay in cash.

Private Transfer on Mercedes

Of course, among all transport options, the most comfortable and secure way to get from/to the airport or any other point of the city is a private transfer. You can order a private transfer from our friend’s website Rome4.us.

The driver, Sergio, will meet you at the airport and with him, you will be able to reach any point of the city quickly and comfortably.

• Phone: +39 349 639 70 19
• Website: www.rome4.us
• Fix Price to/from Fiumicino airport: 70 euro (no additional payment for luggage)
• Fix Price to/from Ciampino airport: 70 euro.

Uber

It is not the best idea to use the Uber service in Rome because there are only UberBLACK, UberLUX, and UberVAN options, which are expensive.

Don’t forget that the price of an Uber trip may vary according to the time of the day and traffic. Moreover, you can check the approximate cost of your journey in the app if you have wi-fi.

MyTaxi

My advice for you is to download FreeNow. The app allows you to order a taxi without speaking in Italian, and it continuously tracks the route. Moreover, you can check the payment information and pay with a credit card, PayPal, or cash when you reach your destination. Finally, MyTaxi often offers discounts for journeys, and this app is very comfortable to use.

Rent a Car

You can use www.rentalcars.com, which connects its clients to the biggest brands in car hire. This website allows one to find the best car options. Also, there is a possibility to rent a car in advance. For most car hire companies, the age requirement is between 21 and 70 years. On average, the minimum car rental price per day starts from 25 euros.

All you need is a credit or debit card to book your car. When you pick the car up, you’ll need:

1. Your voucher / eVoucher, to show that you’ve paid for the car.
2. The main driver’s credit/debit card, with enough available funds for the car’s deposit.
3. Each driver’s full, the valid driving license has been held for at least 12 months (often 24).
4. Your passport and any other ID the car hire company needs to see.

Different car hire companies have different requirements, so please make sure you check the car’s terms and conditions.

Author: Kate Zusmann

I have lived in the Eternal City for the past 12 years. They say every angle of Rome has its history, and I'm here to tell you about the most intriguing historical facts and city legends. :)