Taxi

Practical taxi service information

You don’t have to search far if you want to travel by taxi in Amsterdam. About 3000 taxis were registered in the city as of August 2009. These taxis can be hailed on the street or found at one of more than 50 official taxi ranks located around the city. The ranks, identifiable by blue boards, can be found near to tourist spots such as the Dam, Leidesplein and Rembrandtplein.

In addition to hailing taxis on the road, it is also possible to call for taxis in Amsterdam. Hotels and business often use the same taxi company whenever a taxi is needed.

Hailing a taxi

Amsterdam city centre is a myriad of roads, lanes and footpaths. Because space in the city centre is limited, taxis cannot stop anywhere they like. To keep traffic flowing in the city at peak efficiency, stopping is not allowed at various places. This is also one of the reasons why there are so many fixed taxi ranks.

Express taxi

There is a special tram lane for the trams in Amsterdam. Taxis may, if they hold a special dispensation, may use the tram lane. The advantage of taxis that are allowed to use the tram and bus lane is that they get to their destination quicker.

A taxi that has a dispensation to use the tram lane can be clearly identified by the dispensation sticker in its windscreen.

The cost of a taxi ride

By law, each taxi in Amsterdam must have a taxi meter on board. When a journey is charged with the taxi meter running, the customer pays a fixed flag-down rate, which includes the first 2kms of the journey.

The flag-down rate is a maximum of €7.50. After the first 2kms, a price per kilometre is charged of (maximum) €2.20 per kilometre travelled. The flag-down rate for a minibus is a maximum of €12.20 and includes the first 2kms. After that, a maximum distance-based rate of €2.52 per kilometre applies. A minibus can transport five or more people.

Taxi drivers can set the flag-down and kilometre rates themselves, up to the maximum price shown. The taxi meter does not charge anything for being delayed in traffic or a queue.

The rates the taxi driver uses are shown on the fare card, which is visible on the taxi from outside. Taxi passengers are advised to check that the taxi meter is running as they set off and that the correct flag-down rate, not higher than €7.50, is shown on the meter.

The driver is legally permitted to charge a waiting rate per minute prior to commencing the journey. For example, if the taxi you ordered has to wait for you to show up, or if you ask the driver to wait during the journey. The waiting rate is a maximum of €33 per hour (€0.55 per minute).

New taxi regulations

To help make taxi travel easy and the costs transparent, the Municipality of Amsterdam recently circulated a flyer in English with basic information on rates to various destinations around town.

While also clamping down on irregularities, such as demands by taxi chaffeurs for exorbitant off-meter fares and refusing short trips.

• Download the flyer.

Alternative forms of passenger transport

Since 1 June 2009, it has been possible to book an environmentally friendly taxi at Central Station, especially for short journeys. Only “green” taxis, such as the electrical Tuk Tuk, the Clean Cab and the electrical Motorcab can pick up customers at the rank situated between Central Station and the Victoria Hotel.

Alternative passenger transport is small-scale, durable, great for tourists and perfect for short journeys in the city. It is also good for the air quality.

More information

You can find more information on Amsterdam’s taxis at www.taxi.amsterdam.nl. Or download the flyer 'How to use taxis in Amsterdam'.pdf

This information was realised by the Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board, the City of Amsterdam and Koninklijk Horeca Nederland, department Amsterdam.