Taxis in Berlin: What's Your Best Option?

This page looks at the best way to get around Berlin by taxi and profiles some of the best apps and taxi providers to ensure you enjoy a safe and fairly-priced service while in the German capital

 
Taxi Berlin
 

Your first few weeks in a new city can be daunting – your flight may be landing late in the evening, you may be lost in a part of town you don’t know or you might not fancy tackling a new public transport system just yet!

Whatever the reason, the most convenient option for getting around will almost certainly be a taxi. But which providers can you trust to give you a fair deal and a quick and safe service. Thankfully, almost all Berlin taxis are reliable and safe, whether you are ordering one from an app, jumping in at a taxi rank or flagging down a passing cab.

Below, we’ve detailed your best taxi options in Berlin.

Use the FREE NOW app

Whenever I use taxi services in Berlin, I pretty much solely use the FREE NOW taxi app. Part of a joint venture between BMW and Daimler, the app has rapidly expanded it’s presence in Berlin and offers a super efficient, user-friendly ride-hailing experience.

The FREE NOW app works similarly to UBER – once you’ve downloaded the app and entered your details, you simply enter your destination and book your trip. Your booked trip will then be assigned to a local driver (who can usually collect you within a matter of minutes if needed).

There are a number of benefits to using the FREE NOW taxi app while in Berlin, including:

  • When booking through the app, you’ll see exactly how much your ride will cost upfront. This saves there being any confusion or misunderstanding regarding pricing – the app takes care of the whole payment process.

  • It’s available 24/7. If you stumble out of a nightclub at 4 a.m. on a Monday morning, you can still book a taxi on the FREE NOW app to safely whisk you home for some much needed rest.

  • All of the drivers are fully licensed and have a concession number so you can rest assured that you aren’t getting into a dodgy taxi.

If you are looking for a convenient, reliable and user-friendly taxi option in Berlin, then you can’t go too far wrong with the FREE NOW app.

Taxi companies in Berlin

While a lot of the taxi providers in Berlin register their drivers on the FREE NOW app, you also have the option of booking a taxi with the the provider directly. Here are some popular taxi companies in Berlin that can be booked with a quick call:

Before the dawn of ride-hailing apps, calling a taxi company directly would be your go-to option for booking a cab in Berlin. It’s a tried-and-tested system and a good option if you don’t fancy downloading the FREE NOW app.

Taxi ranks in Berlin

If you are just arriving in Berlin, and don’t fancy faffing around with an app or calling a taxi company, then you also have the age-old option of heading to your nearest taxi rank. Taxi ranks are prevalent at all of Berlin’s major transport hubs as is customary in most cities around the world.

Whether you are touching down at Berlin airport or arriving by bus or train, just follow the signs to the taxi rank and you’ll find a long line of cream taxis ready to whisk you to your destination.

 
How to get a taxi in Berlin
 

Note: we recommend going to the official taxi rank at the different transport hubs as all of these taxis will be officially licensed operators and will give you a fair price based on Berlin’s standard fare structure. Before hopping in, it’s useful to ask for a price estimate to avoid any nasty surprises at your destination.

Taxi fares in Berlin

Compared to other major European capitals, taxis in Berlin are relatively cheap. Particularly if using the FREE NOW app, you’ll often find that it’s just as cheap for a group of 4 people to take a cab as it is to take public transport.

If jumping in a taxi that’s on the meter, you can expect the following pricing (in accordance with the Berlin taxi tariff):

  • Basic fee: €3.90

  • 1–7 kilometres: €2.30 per km

  • Additional kilometres: €1.65 per km

  • Waiting time (per hour): €33

There is also special pricing for trips that are under 2 kilometres – these trips are known as a Kurzstrecke and cost €6. Before embarking on a Kurzstrecke, make the driver aware that you want the pricing for a short trip.

How to pay for a taxi in Berlin

If using the FREE NOW app, you can add your payment card and the taxi fare is all processed automatically via the app.

These days, many taxis in Berlin also accept debit or credit card payment – however, the German capital remains a very cash-intensive city so don’t be surprised if a taxi only accepts cash payment. Unless paying for a particularly expensive cab, I recommend paying with lower denominations if possible (no higher than a €20 note).

I hope this page has helped give you an overview of the taxi system in Berlin and will allow you to safely navigate the city! For further tips on living in Berlin, check out our free relocation resources!

Lana Zee