Taking a taxi in Italy: what a local wants you to know
Last updated on April 16th, 2026.
Italian taxis are white, metered and licensed to a specific city. You can’t freely hail them on the street, use a taxi rank or book via an app. Fixed fares apply from major airports: €50 from Rome Fiumicino and €104 from Milan Malpensa. The most common tourist mistake is accepting a ride from an unofficial private driver (called an NCC) at the airport. These are legal but un-metered and much more expensive. Always ensure the meter is running from the moment you set off.
Knowing about taking taxis in Italy is a helpful subject when visiting the country.
Italian taxis are a mode of transportation that many visitors rely on for short and long-term trips.
In this guide, I’ll be outlining 11 important things to know about taking taxis in Italy. A helpful guide for first-time visitors coming to the country, use this post to help plan your Italy trip.
The basics
How do you say taxi in Italian?
Taxi in Italian is 'taxi'.
What color are taxis in Italy?
Metered taxis in Italy are white with the TAXI sign perched on top of the vehicle.
11 things to know about taking taxis in Italy
1. Taxis in Italy are booked in advance
Unlike hailing yellow taxis in New York City or black cabs in London, getting an Italian taxi works slightly differently.
Rather than waving one down on the street, you must book your metered taxi in Italy in advance or go to the nearest taxi rank.
Places like hotels and restaurants will do this for clients on request.
The number to call a white-metered taxi in Rome is 060609. Follow the instructions and request a taxi to your pickup destination. Alternatively, download the CHIAMA TAXI (CALL TAXI) app to book one online.
Another helpful app for booking taxis in Italy is FREENOW. There’s no need to learn Italian and passengers can see the prices beforehand and pay through the app.
One of the best Italy travel apps, FREENOW offers services in 10* Italian cities. They are:
- Cagliari
- Catania
- Milan
- Modena
- Monza
- Naples
- Palermo
- Reggio Emilia
- Rome
- Turin*
A note on hailing a taxi in Italy
In theory, you can wave down a taxi on an Italian street. But in practice, and from my own experience living here, they won't stop. Drivers are almost always already committed to a booking or heading to a rank.
The one firm rule is that near a taxi stand, a driver can’t legally pick you up on the street at all. Instead, they must join the queue at the stand. Save yourself the frustration and either go straight to the nearest rank or use an app.
2. Get a cab from a taxi stand
Another way to get a white-metered taxi in Rome is by going to one of the taxi stands.
At Rome Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Rome Ciampino, follow the directions to the metered Italian cabs. They should be available at any time of the day up until the last arrivals.
⏩️ Read: Major international airports in Italy
For pre-booked taxis at FCO airport, go to the car park on the departures level in Terminal 2.
As arrivals are on the ground floor, go up one floor to reach departures. Exit Terminal 1 or 3 and walk a short distance along the outside sidewalk. The taxi rank is between terminals 1 and 3 under the control tower.
Upon entering the arrivals lounge, you may come across some drivers asking whether you need a Rome airport taxi.
Speaking from personal experience, it’s best to ignore their advances and take a white-metered or pre-booked taxi.
Getting a taxi in Rome’s center
Aside from pre-booking a taxi through an app, you can also get one from a taxi stand in Rome’s center.
Make a note of some of the main taxi stands in Rome:
- Piazza dei Cinquecento (Termini Station)
- Piazza Fiume
- Piazzale Ostiense
- Piazza Risorgimento in Vatican City
- Piazzale Tiburtina Station
- Piazza Venezia
How much does a taxi cost in Italy?
Outside of fixed airport routes, Italian taxis run on a metered tariff system. Rates vary slightly by city but follow a similar structure across the country. Here's what to expect.
| Day rate (6am to 10pm) | Night rate (10pm to 6am) | Notes | |
| Starting/boarding fare | €3* | €6.50* | Meter starts the moment the driver accepts your call |
| Per km (up to €11 on meter) | €1.10/km | +30% surcharge | Speed under 20km/h switches to hourly rate |
| Per km (€11 to €13 on meter) | €1.30/km | +30% surcharge | — |
| Per km (above €13 on meter) | €1.60/km | +30% surcharge | — |
| Waiting traffic rate | €27/hour | €27/hour | Applies when speed drops below 20km/hr |
| Average 3km city journey | €10* | €13* | Rome, Milan, Florence rough guide |
| Sunday/public holiday | Standard meter | Standard meter | Rome airport fixed fares already include this |
As a rough guide: a short journey from a central hotel to a nearby restaurant (under 3km) will cost around €8 to €12* in most big cities.
Always check the meter is running from the start. If a driver proposes a price before getting in for a non-airport route, that's a red flag.
3. Airport prices are fixed
Like traveling from JFK Airport in New York City to Manhattan, Rome airport taxi prices to the center are also fixed.
A taxi from FCO to Rome takes around 30 minutes, not including traffic, to reach the city center. The distance is approximately 19mi (31km).
The fixed price is €50* ($54/£43) to get to and from Rome Fiumicino airport. Taxi drivers shouldn’t charge more than this, but make sure to confirm the price before getting inside.
This fixed Rome airport price, however, does come with certain conditions.
They are:
- Destinations in the center must be within the Aurelian Walls (Mura Aurealiane)
- Rides must go directly to/from FCO airport without stops or detours. Any additional stops will be calculated with the taxi meter. A ‘detour’ could even be from the taxi stand to the passenger’s house if it’s a distance away
- The fixed price is valid for up to 4 passengers in the taxi. Again, the regular meter will be used if the number of passengers exceeds this
- Luggage is included in the price. (In metered taxis, passengers must pay €1 ($1.10/£0.85) for additional luggage that measures 35X25X50)
- Additional costs for public holidays in Italy or nights are also included in the fixed price
⏩️ Planning to visit Rome? Use my guide on 'where to stay in Rome' for the best neighborhoods, and where to avoid.
Milan airport taxi prices
Likewise, Milan airport taxi prices are also fixed. Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) is around a 55-minute drive to the center, not factoring in traffic. In distance, this translates to approximately 32mi (51km).
The fixed fares are as follows:*
- Malpensa Airport to the center of Milan or vice versa €104.00 ($113/£89)
- Malpensa Airport to Fiera Milano (Rho) or vice versa €86.00 ($94/£73)
- Malpensa Airport to Linate Airport or vice versa €116.00 ($126/£99)
- Malpensa Airport to Varese or vice versa €74 ($81/£63)
Florence airport (Peretola/FLR) fixed fare
It costs approximately €22 to €25* to the city center for up to four passengers with luggage.
If you phone for a taxi rather than taking one from the rank, add a €2.40 call fee to the total. Florence taxi stand number: 055 4390 or 055 4242.*
4. Taking an Uber in Italy
Uber operates in Italy, but it works very differently from what you'd expect back home in the US or UK.
Rather than the standard rideshare model, Uber in Italy connects you with licensed professional drivers through its premium Uber Black and Uber Van services.
These are closer to a chauffeur hire than a typical cab, which means they're noticeably more expensive than taking a standard white metered taxi.
That said, you'll also see the option to book a regular white Italian taxi directly through the Uber app. This works out much cheaper than Uber Black and uses the same metered fares as any other taxi. It’s worth knowing if you're already comfortable using the app.
One thing to be aware of: any fare shown in the Uber app is only an estimate.
Italian taxis run on a meter, so the final amount you pay is whatever the meter reads at the end of the journey, not the figure quoted upfront.
It's also worth noting that Lyft doesn't currently operate in Italy as a standalone app.
Lyft completed its acquisition of FREENOW in July 2025, but for now still directs riders to download FREENOW rather than the Lyft app itself.
The peer-to-peer rideshare model that North American travelers know hasn't (yet) transferred to Italy or mainland Europe. So far, there's no indication yet of when or whether it will.
🎥 Watch: what does ordering an Uber look like in Milan
Map of Italy
5. Pay attention to dishonest taxi drivers
It won’t come as a big surprise that some Italian cabs may try to take advantage of foreign visitors.
It’s an issue that exists worldwide and is one to be aware of when taking taxis in Italy.
While some Italian taxi drivers may understand and speak a little English, others may pretend to not understand. This way, any dishonest drivers can easily 'forget' about things like fixed taxi fares from the airport.
Unfortunately, Rome is one place where this happens frequently. Many taxi drivers often try to cheat tourists out of their money.
It's one of several common tourist traps I advise visitors about in my guide on scams to avoid in Italy.
Because of this, always make sure that the taxi meter is switched on when the ride begins.
6. Taxis charge for wait time
When pre-booking a white-metered taxi in Italy, be sure to be ready and out the door to meet your driver.
Taxi drivers will turn on the meter the second they respond to the pickup request. The longer they wait for the passenger, the more they will charge.
To give you an idea, one hour’s waiting time will cost €27 ($29/£23)*.
7. Taxis may not be available
There may be instances where taking taxis in Italy may not be an option.
Events like Italian public holidays, taxi strikes, or even bad weather may affect the number of available services.
Being in a smaller city in Italy can also affect the level of service. On one occasion, I ended up taking the bus home from the hairdresser as there was simply no-one responding to my endless taxi requests.
The moral of the story? Either book a taxi well in advance or find another way to get to your destination.
8. Taxi discounts in Italy
One perk tourists don't know about are the taxi discounts in Italy.
Most visitors assume Italian taxis are a fixed cost with no room for savings. However, there are officially mandated reductions that drivers are legally required to honor.
These apply in Rome and are worth knowing before you travel.
Women traveling alone at night
Women receive a 10% discount on the metered fare for any journey taken between 10pm and 6am. This is a formal municipal regulation, not a discretionary gesture, you're entitled to ask for it.
If you're a solo female traveler and you regularly rely on taxis after dinner or a late evening out, this adds up over a trip.
Journeys to public hospitals
Passengers qualify for a 10% reduction on the metered fare for direct trips to Rome's public hospitals.
If you, or someone in your group needs to get to a hospital in a hurry, you won't be paying full price.
Late nights out
Young people leaving clubs on Friday and Saturday nights also receive a 10% discount.
This was introduced as part of Rome's broader effort to reduce drunk driving by making taxis more accessible at peak nightlife hours.
A few practical notes from someone who lives here
These discounts apply to the metered amount. They don't apply to the fixed airport fares, which are already set at a flat rate.
While drivers are obligated to apply them, always ask explicitly and confirm it on your receipt. If you do meet resistance, you’ve the right to request a printed receipt showing the full journey details and license number. Use this to follow up with the taxi company.
These reductions are specific to Rome's municipal regulations. Check locally for equivalent schemes in other cities. Some have their own versions, but they're less consistently documented.
9. Pay with a credit card
All official taxis in Italy should have point of sale (POS) machines installed in the car. This makes it easier to pay a fare with a credit card.
10. Always ask for a receipt
Licensed taxi drivers in Italy are obliged to provide passengers with a receipt.
Cross check details of the journey, the license number, the fare and the driver’s signature. It may be useful should you need to make a complaint.
11. Check whether you need a taxi
If taking taxis in Italy doesn’t appeal to you, there are plenty of other viable options.
Trains in Italy run frequently and will get you to your destination with little hassle.
Cities like Rome and Milan have long-established public transport systems making it easy to get around the city.
Trains make it easy to take day trips (see best Rome day trips by train and Milan too) from the city.
Both cities also have bus and shuttle bus options to get passengers to and from the airport. They include:
- shuttle bus service to and from Fiumicino Airport
- bus transfer between Rome FCO airport and Rome Termini station
- shuttle bus service to and from Rome Ciampino Airport
- direct transfer between Milan Malpensa Airport and the center
- bus transfer from Malpensa Airport and Milan Central Station
From Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport, there’s the option to take a tram directly to the city center.
The total ride time takes around 20 minutes, plus a short 4-minute walk to reach Santa Maria Novella in Florence.
Cost of taxi fares in Rome
There are several tariffs to note when taking a taxi in Rome.
Fixed fares*
- weekdays from 6am to 10pm: €3
- Sundays and public holidays from 6am to 10pm: €5
- nighttime tariff from 10pm to 6am: €7
- waiting or traveling at a speed less than 20km(12mi)/h is €28 ($30/£24)
- price per km/mi is €1.14 ($1.24/£0.97) for the first €11 ($12/£9) (Tariff 1). This increases to €1.35 ($1.47/£1.15) for a further €13 ($14.2/£11.01) (Tariff 2) and again to €1.66 ($1.81/£1.42) (Tariff 3).
Cost of taxi fares in Milan
Like Rome, Milan also has different tariffs to note when taking taxis in the city.*
- weekdays: 6am to 9pm: €3.40 ($3.7/£2.9)
- public holidays: 6am to 9pm: €6.20 ($6.75/£5.29)
- nighttime tariff: €6.20 ($6.75/£5.29)
- price per km/mi: €1.12 ($1.22/£0.95)
- price per hour waiting: €29.19 ($31.78/£25)
Taxi price increases in Milan
When the meter reaches €13.25 ($14.42/£11.30), the price per km/mi increases to €1.50 ($1.63/£1.28) instead of €1.09 ($1.19/£0.93).
The waiting time price per hour also increases to €39.27 ($43/£33).
If the speed exceeds 31mi(50km)/h for over 60 seconds, the price per km/mi increases to €1.70 ($1.85/£1.45).
Because of the taxi fares in Milan, a taxi ride won’t cost less than €6 ($6.5/£5.12).
Personally, I don’t think it’s worth taking a taxi in Milan given the amount of heavy traffic. The metro, trams and buses work well, cost less and will get you to your destination quicker.
I outline this in more detail in my Milan travel tips guide.
FAQs
Not in a practical sense. From my own experience living here, taxis simply don't stop if you wave them down on the street. They're almost always already committed to a booking or heading to a rank. In smaller cities and towns especially, your only reliable options are going to a taxi rank or booking in advance via phone or app. Near a designated rank, drivers are legally required to queue there rather than pick passengers up off the street.
Uber runs in Italy but works very differently from what most visitors expect. It works as a premium car service (Uber Black) with licensed professional NCC drivers rather than the standard rideshare model. This makes it more expensive than a regular white taxi in most cases. It's available in a growing number of Italian cities, but always check availability before relying on it. Also, be aware that any fare shown in the app is an estimate only. The meter is always the final word.
Taxi fares in Italy are metered and set by each municipality, so they vary slightly city to city. As a general guide, a 3km city journey costs around €10 during the day. The boarding fare is typically €2 to €3, with a per-km rate that increases in tiers as the meter climbs. Night journeys (10pm to 6am) carry a 30% surcharge. Fixed fares apply from major airports: €50 from Rome Fiumicino and €104 from Milan Malpensa to their respective city centers.
Yes. All licensed taxis in Italy are legally required to have a card payment terminal (POS machine) installed. From experience, it's worth carrying some cash as a backup, machines can occasionally ‘not work’ which is sometimes genuine and sometimes not. If paying by card is important to you, confirm before you get in.
NCC means Noleggio Con Conducente, essentially a licensed private hire or chauffeur service. It's the Italian equivalent of what many visitors think of as a black cab or private transfer. NCCs are legal and professional, but they’re not metered taxis. They must be booked in advance, charge a pre-agreed flat rate, and are generally more expensive than a white metered taxi for city journeys. The people who approach you in airport arrivals halls offering a ride are almost always NCC drivers, not official taxis.
Tipping taxi drivers is not a cultural expectation in Italy the way it is in the US or UK. Italians generally don't tip, and drivers won't expect it. If you want to round up to the nearest euro as a courtesy that's perfectly normal, but there's no obligation. What is customary, and legally required, is asking for a receipt (ricevuta), which the driver must provide.
What are your thoughts on taking taxis in Italy? Did you find this post helpful and informative? Let me know in the comments below.
*information correct at the time of publishing.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
Written by Lisa Rivera: Italy traveler and resident for 10+ years. First-hand researched for 2026.
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I am so loving this post and have bookmarked it as we are going to take a trip to Italy and these taxi tips are super helpful!
I'm happy to hear that, it's a helpful guide 😀
That’s really so helpful and informative post. Will come back when I am visiting Italy.
Thank you, I'm glad you find it helpful
This is important to be aware of. Great tip about making sure the meter is on when you get in. You don't always think people are out to take advantage when you go on holiday.
Exactly and it happens quite frequently sadly
This is a super helpful post that I am going to bookmark. It'd be helpful when I visit the country with my girlfriend. So informative and learned a lot about taking taxies in Italy. Thanks for putting this together!
I am very happy that you enjoyed it!
Very handy post and so glad that I have read this as I am planning a visit to Italy so very useful information indeed. thanks for sharing lovely xx
You are so welcome! I am glad that you found this post helpful 🙂
We were late for our flight from Rome to Venice. We rushed to the nearest taxi stand and hoped to find a white-metered cab. We were relieved when we saw one, but our relief turned to horror when we realized that the driver was a scammer who took us on a long and expensive detour. Be aware.
Oh no, I'm so sorry to read that. It does happen and some can take advantage of visitors
It is good to know what resources there are for getting around Italy. A taxi sounds like a great option for navigating through the city areas.
It can be, but in cities like Milan and Rome, the public transport works better
You cannot beat those prices either! Very helpful information for those traveling and trying to get around and see as much as they can in a limited time.
They can be competitive, but always check the fixed price from the airport beforehand. Some drivers may try to be dishonest with tourists..
This blog post is a must-read for anyone planning a trip to Italy! Navigating taxis in a foreign country can be daunting, but this guide breaks it down into 11 easy-to-understand points. From knowing how to say "taxi" in Italian to recognizing the iconic white vehicles with the TAXI sign, it covers all the basics to ensure a smooth transportation experience. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, bookmarking this post is a smart move for your Italy trip planning. Grazie mille for the helpful insights!
I'm so happy you find it helpful! I think many visitors come here without realising that Uber and other ride shares doesn't exist in the same way as in other countries.
Ooh! This is a great tip. I will take note of all these for the future trip to Italy.
Great
As always, your knowledge is so helpful! When you are visiting another country for a holiday it can feel overwhelming to know how everything works. This is a super useful post!
Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful!
I had no idea taxis in italy need to be booked ahead! I would have really be surprised - thank you for this information.
Yes, apart from the airport where you go to the stand, taxis work like that here 🙂
Something new today about taxis in Italy. I've leaned a lot. And yes, your posts are so helpful and effective for anybody going to visit Italy.
Thank you so much, I'm glad you found it helpful
Fantastic information! This post is super helpful. I also like how the taxi's are white, it looks so much cleaner and pleasing to the eye than the yellow cabs we have.
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you found it helpful. The white taxis are different here 🙂
This is such a helpful post! Taxis are a great way to get around, but if you don't know what to look for, you're stuck.
Thank you so much! There really are things to know about before booking
We never tried to take taxis in Italy. We always either take an uber or we rent a car. I loooove Italy.
There is only an expensive version of Uber in Rome and Milan. It doesn't exist elsewhere
Thanks for a very useful post! Knowing how to get around is so important for travelers.
You're very welcome, I'm glad you found it useful!
We use taxis a lot when we go abroard, so it is always good to know about how to get a taxie before going away
I hope you find this guide useful then!
I have never taken a taxi! lol. I will need this if I ever get the chance to visit Italy!
Wow really?! I hope this guide is helpful should you visit Italy one day