Taxis in Blantyre
Blantyre, the commercial hub of Malawi, is known for its historical landmarks like All Angels Church and scenic day trip opportunities such as Liwonde National Park, Thyolo Tea Estates, and Mount Mulanje.
Blantyre is a busy city, and taxis offer a convenient way to get around. Public transport in Blantyre is still a little behind the times and is often unreliable and uncomfortable. If you don’t have much time to spare and want to explore the city comfortably, taxis are the perfect option. There are relatively short distances between places of interest in Blantyre, and road surfaces are reasonable.
Anyone in Blantyre can use their vehicle as a taxi without registering with the authorities, so it’s important to check the safety of any taxi in Blantyre, Malawi. Use only recommended local taxi providers and ride-hailing apps or book your transfer in advance with an internationally trusted provider like Welcome Pickups. There are also lots of taxi ranks, while hailing a cab on the street is also common practice, although not recommended.
Hand picked & english speaking drivers
Same price as a regular Taxi from the line
Drivers are always on time
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How much does a taxi cost?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FROM BLANTYRE TO LIWONDE | 19 € | 19 € | 70 MIN |
| FROM BLANTYRE TO ZOMBA | 11 € | 11 € | 80 MIN |
Blantyre taxi prices
Taking a taxi in Blantyre is easier than in other cities in Malawi as there are lots of taxis available. There are officially no set rates, so each taxi company will choose its own fares. Most of these are set rates, and haggling fares is very common – especially if you’re a tourist. For your safety and to avoid last-minute surprises, make sure you agree on a fare with the driver before you get in any taxi vehicle.
Keep in mind that generally, there is a base fee of €0.0022 (MWK 2) and a cost of €0.33 (MWK 200) per km. If you require your taxi to wait, the average waiting time per hour is €1.10 (MWK 1,000).
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How to get a taxi in Blantyre
It’s very easy to get a taxi in Blantyre; there are thousands of cabs buzzing around the city. Taxis are not easily recognisable though, as they all have different colours and branding. Since Blantyre’s official taxis may not always follow a uniform colour scheme or branding, the best way to get a taxi in Blantyre is to use ride-hailing apps like Taxify and Ecoride, get your hotel to arrange a ride with a trusted provider or book an airport taxi in advance.
There are also some taxi ranks throughout the city in areas like the Blantyre flea market. Be careful because these vehicles can be crowded in all directions. Hailing on the street is also common, but you should keep safety in mind due to the lack of formal registration. Be aware that muggings are common in taxis; it’s good practice to always be on alert for the safety of your chosen cab service.
Here are some popular Blantyre taxi numbers you can phone for a pickup:
Blantyre Malawi Taxi: +265 888 100 223
Favour Taxis: +265 994 108 580
Sam: +265 888 354 068 or +265 993 673502
Booking a Blantyre taxi in advance
Booking a Blantyre taxi with Welcome Pickups ensures a comfortable and safe journey. All Welcome transfers have a fixed rate which is paid for in advance, so there’s no need to worry about haggling a fare or the local currency. Once you have booked, you will benefit from 24/7 customer support and other travel extras you may choose to add on.
A hand-picked, English-speaking local professional driver will meet you on time at your chosen pickup point and safely transport you from A to B. Your driver will be on hand to answer any questions you may have along the way and point out major landmarks and hidden gems. Peace of mind guaranteed!
Blantyre taxi tips
- Blantyre's traffic can be congested during peak hours, so allow extra time for your journeys.
- Make sure you know what the fare is before you start your journey. This will help avoid overcharging or unpleasant surprises.
- Taxis don’t have signage, so it makes them difficult to spot.
- If you like your taxi driver, it’s completely normal to ask for their number to use them throughout your stay.
- Tipping is not common but it's appreciated by taxi drivers.
Wheelchair-accessible taxis in Blantyre
If you need a wheelchair-accessible taxi in Blantyre, it’s best to arrange this in advance with a local travel agency tour operator before you travel. Accessible vehicles are not common in the city, so it’s worth securing a suitable ride in advance, to ensure you make the most of your travels!
Blantyre taxi safety and complaints
To ensure a pleasant and most importantly safe ride, we recommend booking a private transfer in advance or phoning a trusted Blantyre taxi provider. If you can, avoid hailing taxis in the street and be very careful at busy taxi ranks. Anyone in Blantyre can use their vehicle as a taxi so companies are usually run by individuals or small businesses. If you face any issues and have a serious complaint to file, it’s best to contact the police at +265 88 889 5745. Try to memorise or take a picture of the vehicle’s number plate, have a description of the driver and get a receipt to support your claim.