Getting a taxi in Cologne
There are around 1,100 taxis in Cologne buzzing around the city, ready to pick up passengers. Most Cologne taxis are cream with a large “TAXI” sign on top and the taxi number on the door, next to the company logo. Using a Cologne taxi service is the most convenient and fast way to explore the city, as they offer door-to-door services day and night.
The metered taxis are available 24 hours a day and can be hailed in the street, found at taxi ranks, called on the phone, or booked through a Cologne taxi app. For time-sensitive rides, such as your Cologne Airport taxi, you can also pre-book with a private company for a guaranteed on-time pickup.
As there are quite a few different Cologne taxi companies available, ensuring you travel with a licensed and regulated driver is a must. Be sure to look out for a clear taxi number on the side of the vehicle and that the taximeter is switched on and running, before entering the vehicle.
Hand picked & english speaking drivers
Same price as a regular Taxi from the line
Drivers are always on time
24/7 Email & Phone support
HOW MUCH DOES A TAXI COST?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FROM COLOGNE AIRPORT TO CITY | 40 € | 40 € | 15 MIN |
| FROM COLOGNE AIRPORT TO BONN | 65 € | 65 € | 25 MIN |
| FROM COLOGNE TO BONN | 78 € | 78 € | 35 MIN |
| FROM COLOGNE TO DORMAGEN | 72 € | 72 € | 30 MIN |
| FROM COLOGNE CENTRAL STATION TO BRUHL | 60 € | 60 € | 26 MIN |
What are the Cologne taxi prices?
Cologne taxi fares are calculated by a taximeter based on both time and distance elements. During light traffic, your driver will use distance to calculate your fare, while, if you’re stuck in traffic, the meter will switch to the timed tariff. Cologne taxi fares don’t change at night or on weekends, but the longer your trip, the lower the price per km.
The pricing is as follows:
Base fare: €4.00
Fare 1 (up to 7 km) price per km: €2.10
Fare 2 (8 km onwards) price per km: €1.90
Price per minute: €0.50
For example, taking a taxi from Cologne Airport to the city center will cost around €40 and will take approximately 15 minutes. A journey from the center of Cologne to Bonn will take 35 minutes and will cost around €78.
There may also be extra charges added to your fare for things such as calling a phone dispatch taxi, paying by card (€1), and passengers after the first 4 (€1 per passenger) and using toll roads during your journey.
Read all reviews
How to get a Cologne taxi
With over 1,000 taxis in Cologne available night and day, it’s extremely easy to find a ride. You can easily hail one of the cream-colored cars in the street by looking for a lit-up “TAXI” sign, indicating that the car is available. For a more personalized service, you can call a dispatched taxi, use a Cologne taxi app, or pre-book your ride with a private company. If you’re in the city center, you can also walk to one of the official taxi ranks. You will find these ranks throughout the city, at popular tourist spots, shopping centers, Cologne Central Station, and Cologne Airport.
How to get a taxi from Cologne Airport
There are two official taxi ranks at Cologne Airport, one outside the departures hall in Terminal 1 and one outside the arrivals hall in Terminal 2. Both taxi ranks are open 24 hours a day and provide a seamless service into the city center and beyond. All taxis from Cologne Airport use meters and you can expect to pay around €40 for a taxi from Cologne Airport to the city center.
How to get a taxi from Cologne Central Station
Cologne Central Station is one of the busiest train stations in Germany. The station has its own taxi rank for travelers who wish to continue their journey in Cologne. Taxis are available 24 hours a day from Cologne Central Station, and a long line of cream-colored cars will be waiting on the curb outside the exit doors. During rush hour, you may also find a group of Cologne taxis waiting in the parking lot. All taxis from this rank will use a taximeter to calculate the cost of your journey.
How to get a taxi from Cologne Cathedral
Cologne Cathedral is one of the city’s most iconic monuments. Due to its proximity to the main train station, the cathedral does not have its own taxi rank. To take a taxi from here, it is best to walk to the Cologne Central Station taxi rank. After exiting the cathedral, you will cross Trankgasse Road and walk 100 meters to the train station parking lot. Here you will see the lines of cream-coloured Cologne taxis.
Using a taxi app in Cologne
If you’re traveling during bad weather, from a remote location, or simply wish to enjoy a more personalized service, you can use a Cologne taxi app. There are a few different apps to choose from, including Taxi EU, Uber and Free Now. However, there may be spikes in prices and long wait times during peak hours.
If you’d rather avoid the price uncertainty and the long waits, you can always pre-book your taxi in Cologne with a trusted company like Welcome Pickups.
Useful Cologne taxi numbers
One of the easiest ways to get a taxi service in Cologne is to have your hotel or a restaurant call one of the Cologne taxi numbers for you. However, if you feel confident speaking in German, you can make the call yourself at:
TaxiCologne: +49 172 522 54 54
Classcab: +49 221 280 660 00
Taxibus Köln: +49 173 8034123
Keep in mind that there may be extra charges for using a phone dispatch taxi in Cologne.
Why book a Cologne taxi in advance?
If you have limited time in Cologne or are traveling in a larger group, searching for a taxi can eat into your vacation and become very frustrating. Plus, with the fluctuating cost of the local Cologne taxis, you won’t be able to budget or plan your trip ahead of time.
However, there is a way to eliminate these worries. You can pre-book your taxi in Cologne with a private company like Welcome Pickups. Welcome offers fixed fares that can be pre-paid, English-speaking drivers, guaranteed on-time pickups, and a 24-hour customer service team that will be there for you during your entire stay in Cologne.
Cologne taxi tips
- Ensure that the taximeter has been turned on and reset before starting your ride.
- Not all Cologne taxi drivers speak English, to avoid miscommunications, you can track your journey or show your driver your destination on Google Maps.
- Cologne taxi drivers can’t usually break large Euro bills for short rides, so try to carry change with you when taking a taxi.
- Most taxi drivers in Cologne prefer payment in cash. However, if a driver accepts a credit card payment, you will have to pay a €1 supplement.
- There are no price differences for night or weekend trips, however, the longer your journey is, the more cost-effective it will become.
- It’s not compulsory to tip your Cologne taxi driver, although, it is always appreciated. Most travelers just round up their final fare to add a small tip.
- Pre-booking your taxi in Cologne will give you the peace of mind of guaranteed on-time pickups, hand-picked English-speaking local drivers, competitive fixed-rate fares, and 24/7 customer support.
Wheelchair-accessible taxi in Cologne
Unfortunately, regular taxis in Cologne cannot accommodate electronic wheelchairs. However, there are some companies that offer this specialized service.
The most reliable wheelchair-accessible taxi company in Cologne is Beecab. You can reach them at +49 221 6905 6666. It’s advisable to book and confirm your trip details and requirements with the company at least 24 hours in advance, to avoid disappointment.
Cologne taxi safety and complaints
Cologne taxis are known for being safe and reliable. However, if you encounter a problem, such as a rude driver or being overcharged, you can file a complaint directly with the taxi company you traveled with. Most taxis have the company phone number on the side of the vehicle.
Before making a complaint, try to ask for a receipt at the end of your journey, or note down the taxi number and take a photo of your driver’s ID if possible.