Taxis in Madrid
There are over 15,700 taxis in Madrid, so hopping in a cab to get from A to B is one of the easiest and quickest transportation means in the city. While taxis can be easily spotted – look for white cars with a red diagonal band – and are readily available, they aren’t very cheap and there are many hidden surcharges for things such as time of day and for being picked up from a transportation hub.
Madrid taxis charge using a taximeter based on distance and time, depending on your journey type, so the further you travel in the city, the more your journey will cost. A taxi in Madrid can be easily found at a taxi rank marked by a blue sign with a big white ’T’, or you can hail one down in the street when the green ‘Taxi’ light is on.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MADRID AIRPORT TO CHAMARTIN TRAIN STATION | 21 € | 24 € | 15 MIN |
| MADRID CITY CENTRE TO TOLEDO | 130 € | 152 € | 65 MIN |
| MADRID CITY CENTRE TO SEGOVIA | 122 € | 142 € | 75 MIN |
| MONCLOA INTERCHANGE TO CHAMARTIN TRAIN STATION | 15 € | 17 € | 15 MIN |
| MADRID AIRPORT TO ATOCHA STATION | 35 € | 40 € | 25 MIN |
| MONCLOA INTERCHANGE TO MADRID AIRPORT | 41 € | 47 € | 18 MIN |
Madrid Taxi Prices
Taxis in Madrid all have a standardised rate set by the local government which is calculated using a taximeter. For most rides, the fee will depend on the distance travelled and time taken, however, there are certain situations where a flat rate fee may apply such as Madrid Airport to the city centre. Nevertheless, for a short taxi ride downtown, you can expect to pay an average price of €12.
There are four main tariffs that visitors to Madrid should be aware of:
Tariff 1 (Weekdays 07:00 to 21:00): Base fare is €2.50, price per km is €1.15.
Tariff 2 (Weekdays 21:00 to 07:00, all days on weekends & holidays): Base fare is €3.15, price per km is €1.50/km.
Tariff 3: A minimum fare of €20 plus €1.15 per km will be charged for journeys outside the M-30 zone but within 9.5 km of the airport.
Tariff 4: Airport taxis charge a flat fee of €33 from the airport to anywhere within the M-30 zone. This includes all surcharges and applies to return journeys too.
Additional charges
A number of surcharges can also be added to taxi prices in Madrid including leaving your taxi waiting during the day (€22/hr) and at night (€25/hr), and for rides during holidays such as Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve (€6.70). You should also be aware that when travelling to or from the bus (Avenida de América and Sur Méndez Álvaro) and train stations (Atocha, Chamartín), or the IFEMA Trade Park, there will be a non-negotiable surcharge of €7.50. Unlike many other European cities, Madrid taxis don’t charge extra for luggage, pets, or wheelchairs. To avoid surprise charges, you can book online with Welcome Pickups for a guaranteed price.
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How to get a Taxi in Madrid
Taking a taxi in Madrid couldn’t be easier. By far one of the most popular ways to take a taxi in Madrid is to walk to a taxi rank, marked by a blue street sign with a big white ’T’ in the middle. Taxi ranks are littered throughout the city, but are most commonly found at tourist attractions, outside major transportation hubs such as Atocha Train Station and the Chamartín Railway Station, and outside large hotels.
How to get a taxi from Madrid-Barajas Airport
Taxi ranks at Madrid Airport are located at the exit to the Arrivals Hall of each terminal. However, you can grab an airport taxi from all four terminals from any of the following spots:
Terminal 1 – Ground Floor Arrivals/ Level 1 Departures
Terminal 2 – Ground Floor Arrivals, Level 2 Departures
Terminal 3 – Ground Floor Arrivals
Terminal 4 – Ground Floor Arrivals/ Level 2 Departures
For rides from Madrid Airport to the city centre, airport taxis will charge a set fare. For all other journeys, make sure the taximeter has been set to the correct tariff.
How to get a taxi from Atocha Train Station
If you’re arriving from places like Seville or Granada in southern Spain, Atocha Station is where you’ll disembark in Madrid. Once there, you have the option of two taxi stands to get to your next destination, where taxis are typically available at any time of day or night. Once in the Arrivals Hall, either take the escalators up to the rooftop level or head to the Ground Floor, where you’ll find the taxi rank outside the exit nearest to the tropical garden and historic train terminal.
How to get a taxi from Charmartin Train Station
Finding a taxi at Charmartin Station is very easy, simply walk out any of the main exits, following the signs for ‘Taxis’. If there are no taxis in line, wait by the sign with a ‘T’ on it, although one is never too far away. Keep in mind that there is a surcharge of €7.50 for taking a taxi from the station.
How to get a taxi from the Royal Palace
After visiting one of the grandest palaces in all of Europe, you might not have the stamina to walk any further! Luckily enough, there is a taxi stand conveniently located right in front of the palace. As you exit through the main entrance of the palace, you’ll come out onto Calle de Bailén where you should be able to spot the ‘T’ sign or taxis waiting in line.
How to get a taxi from Plaza Mayor
As the busiest square in Madrid, taxis are generally floating around the area. Nevertheless, the most reliable and nearest taxi stand to Plaza Mayor is located at San Miguel Plaza, off Mayor Street (the intersection of Calle Mayor and Calle de San Miguel), just a two-minute walk from the plaza.
How to get a taxi from anywhere in Madrid
Alternatively, you can wave down a Madrid taxi from the street. Simply look for a white sedan with a red diagonal band and the city emblem on the door, check if it has a green light indicating whether it’s unoccupied, and raise your arm. As your driver pulls to the side of the road, check for the number on the green sign indicating which tariff system is in operation.
Which taxi app to use in Madrid?
If there’s bad weather or you simply don’t want to stand outside and wait for a taxi, there are several ride-hailing apps that can be downloaded and used in Madrid including Cabify, Uber and Bolt. Additionally, Free Now and PideTaxi can be used in a similar way to ride-hailing apps, however, they connect passengers to regular licensed taxis.
When considering your ride to or from the airport, we recommend booking pre-booking an airport taxi with Welcome Pickups. This is the most reliable and convenient option which provides an upfront competitive price, an English-speaking driver, and most importantly, guaranteed on-time pickups so you never need to stress about waiting around at the airport or missing your flight.
How do I call a taxi in Madrid?
In case you don’t have access to the internet or don’t want the hassle of installing and setting up an app, you can call a radio taxi in Madrid directly, run by different companies all over the city. These cars will pick you up within minutes of calling, but it’s worth noting that they will start their taximeter from the moment you call, so by the time they arrive, the rate will be above the base fare.
We recommend choosing a Madrid taxi number from the following list of trusted companies:
Radio-Taxi Asociación Gremial: +34 (91) 447 3232
Radio-Taxi Independiente: +34 (91) 405 1213
Radio Teléfono Taxi / Euro Taxi: +34 (67) 453 3307
Teletaxi: +34 (91) 371 2131
Book your Madrid taxi in advance
With all the different tariffs, surcharges and price changes depending on the time of day, it can be a little daunting trying to budget for your Madrid taxi. If you prefer to have peace of mind knowing your taxi is booked in advance with a flat rate fee, then you can book your private taxi with Welcome Pickups. Forget about those hidden fees and communication problems with non-English speaking drivers by booking your Madrid taxi in advance.
Madrid Taxi Tips
- Although it’s becoming increasingly popular, not all taxis in Madrid have the ability to accept card payments, so be sure to carry enough small bills in cash with you unless you pre-book online.
- Taxis in Madrid aren't required to carry baby seats, but you can bring and fit your own at no extra cost.
- Be sure to check which tariff your driver has the taximeter set to as each one has a different rate.
- As not all taxi drivers in Madrid speak English, it’s a good idea to write your destination address down and show it to them.
- There’s a surcharge of €7.50 for any journey to or from bus and train stations in Madrid city.
- It’s not common to tip your taxi driver, however, if they went above and beyond to help you with your luggage or your journey was outstanding, rounding up to the nearest 0.50€ will be appreciated.
Wheelchair Accessible Taxis in Madrid
Standard taxis in Madrid don’t offer wheelchair-accessible cars. If you need ramp access or chair lift vehicle for an electric wheelchair or scooter, you can call Eurotaxi’s 24 hours a day and they will bring a tailor-made taxi to you. Eurotaxi: +34 (91) 547 8200
Madrid taxi safety and complaints
Although taxi scams aren’t common in Madrid, sometimes drivers can be rude, use the wrong tariff or try to overcharge you using non-existent surcharges. If this does occur, you can make a formal complaint to the Department of Madrid City Council Taxis or you can collect a form from the Tourist Information Office and submit it to the Oficina Municipal del Taxi.
Department of Madrid City Council Taxis: +34 (91) 529 8210
To fill in your form or make a complaint, you will need to ask for your receipt from your driver as it contains information about your journey. Also, try to note down his ID number, NIF and the official taxi number written on the dashboard.