Taxi & Ride Services in Florence: 2026 Fares, Tips & Apps

Florence taxis are reliable, regulated and reasonably priced — but they’re rarely the right transport choice in a city this small. Walking is faster than taxis through most of the historic centre (which detour around the ZTL traffic-restriction zone), the airport tram is dramatically cheaper than the €25 flat-rate taxi to FLR, and the local apps itTaxi and AppTaxi cover the same fleet at the same price as walk-up. This 2026 guide explains when taxis make sense, how Florence’s metered fares and airport flat-rates work, the local taxi apps that work better than Uber, and the etiquette that prevents the most common scams.

Taxis are one of several options in our guide to getting around Florence, and the fixed airport tariff is explained in Florence airport to the city centre. Inside the walls, though, walking is almost always faster.

When to Use Taxis in Florence

Taxis make sense in five specific scenarios:

• Late-night returns after 00:30 when trams stop running
• Heavy luggage transfers when walking with rolling suitcases is impractical
• Mobility issues or rainy-weather days when walking distances are uncomfortable
• Outer-neighbourhood destinations beyond reasonable walking distance (Coverciano, Galluzzo, Castello)
• Time-pressed transfers like racing to a Frecciarossa departure or an early-morning flight

Taxis don’t make sense for: routine sightseeing transfers within the historic centre (walking is faster), Cathedral-area to Pitti Palace (15 minutes’ walk vs 25 minutes by taxi due to ZTL detours), or routine airport transfers (T2 tram is €1.70 vs €25 taxi).

Florence Taxi Fares (2026)

Florence taxis use a regulated metered system with two main rate tiers plus several flat rates for specific routes.

Metered Fares

• Tariff 1 (06:00–22:00 weekdays, the standard tariff): €0.95 base + €1.05/km
• Tariff 2 (Sundays + holidays): €0.95 base + €1.30/km
• Tariff 3 (22:00–06:00 night rate): €0.95 base + €1.55/km
• Initial flag drop: €3.50–5 minimum charge regardless of distance
• Waiting time: €30/hour (€0.50/minute) when stopped or in heavy traffic
• Luggage: €1 per piece for bags placed in the trunk (small carry-ons free)
• Radio call from a phone booking adds €2–3 to the meter

Typical metered fares in central Florence:

• Cathedral to SMN station: €5–8
• Cathedral to Pitti Palace: €8–12
• Cathedral to Piazzale Michelangelo: €12–16
• SMN station to Cathedral: €5–8
• SMN station to Sant’Ambrogio: €8–11
• Cathedral to Fiesole: €25–30

Airport Flat Rates

Florence Airport (FLR) Peretola taxis use regulated flat rates between the airport and the historic centre:

• €25 daytime (06:00–22:00, Monday–Saturday, non-holidays)
• €27 evenings & weekends (22:00–06:00, Sundays)
• €30 holidays (national holidays)
• Up to 4 passengers + standard luggage included; €1 per additional bag
• The flat rate does not apply to outside-historic-centre destinations (Sesto Fiorentino, Scandicci, etc.)

The flat rate is posted on a small sign near the FLR taxi rank. If a driver tries to charge by meter on a centre destination, decline and confirm the flat rate before getting in.

How to Get a Taxi

Taxi Ranks (Stazionamenti)

Florence has dozens of designated taxi ranks throughout the centre. Look for white-and-blue signs reading “Taxi.” The major ones for tourists:

• Piazza della Stazione (Santa Maria Novella station main exit) — staffed 24 hours, the largest rank
• Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral, north side near the Baptistery)
• Piazza della Signoria (south side near the Loggia dei Lanzi)
• Piazza Beccaria (eastern centre)
• Piazzale Michelangelo (sunset rank)
• Florence Airport (FLR) arrivals exit — regulated flat-rate rank
• Piazza della Repubblica (centre)

You don’t hail taxis from the street in Florence the way you do in London or New York — taxis are radio/dispatch-driven and stop only at official ranks. Walking up to an empty taxi parked in a regular space and trying to flag it down generally won’t work.

Phone Booking

• 055 4242 — Florence radio taxi (CO.TA.FI.). The standard number; English-speaking dispatch available.
• 055 4390 — Alternative radio taxi service.
• 055 4798 — Smaller alternative radio taxi service.

Phone-booked taxis arrive within 5–15 minutes typically. The meter starts running from the moment the taxi accepts the call (not at pickup), so you pay €2–4 in “approach fare” before the driver reaches you. Useful for planned trips like 04:30 airport transfers; less efficient for impatient walk-up needs.

Taxi Apps

Several apps work in Florence, all booking from the regulated taxi fleet:

• itTaxi — Italian taxi-network app, works in Florence and 100+ other Italian cities. Same metered fares as walk-up; map-tracking; pay in app. The most popular local option.
• AppTaxi — competitor Italian taxi network. Similar functionality, different driver pool. Useful if itTaxi is showing long wait times.
• Free Now (formerly MyTaxi) — Pan-European taxi app; works in Florence with full feature set.
• Uber — only Uber Black tier (luxury sedan with chauffeur); €40–60 typical Florence ride. Standard UberX, Pool and Lyft don’t operate due to Italian regulation.

The local apps (itTaxi, AppTaxi, Free Now) book the same fleet of metered taxis as the radio numbers and street ranks. Pricing is identical — these apps don’t add a markup. They simply digitise the booking, payment and tracking.

Uber Black is roughly 2x the cost of a regular taxi, with marginally better service. Worth it for travellers who specifically want English-speaking drivers, fixed-price quotes upfront, or a slightly nicer vehicle.

Payment

• Cash — universally accepted. Carry small bills (€5, €10, €20) for typical fares.
• Credit/debit cards — accepted by most taxis since 2018. Confirm before getting in for older drivers; modern fleet vehicles all accept contactless.
• Apps (itTaxi, AppTaxi, Free Now) — pay in-app, no cash needed, automatic receipt
• Receipts — always available on request (“una ricevuta, per favore”)

If a driver claims “card machine broken” — politely insist or get out at the next opportunity. This is occasionally a tactic to push for cash payment without receipt. Modern Florence taxis have working card readers as a regulatory requirement.

Tipping Florence Taxis

Tipping is light:

• City rides: round up to the nearest euro. €8.50 fare → pay €9.
• Airport transfers: round €25 → €27 or €28 if the driver helped with luggage.
• Long-distance rides (Florence to Siena, etc., €100+ fares): 5–10% optional
• Exceptional service (driver helped with multiple bags up stairs, took scenic route at your request): €2–5 additional

Tipping isn’t expected and Italian taxi drivers don’t depend on tips for income. A small rounded-up gesture is appreciated; 20% American-style tipping is unusual.

Common Taxi Scams to Avoid

Florence taxis are mostly legitimate; the few common scam patterns:

“Broken Meter” Scam

Driver claims the meter is broken and quotes a flat rate well above the metered fare. Defence: always insist on the metered fare; refuse to ride if the driver won’t run the meter. Working meters are a regulatory requirement in Florence.

“ZTL Detour” Charge

Driver claims they need to take a long detour around the ZTL and charges extra. Defence: the metered fare already accounts for the route taken. The driver legally cannot charge “extra” for the route. If you suspect deliberate over-routing, photograph the meter at start and end, and report via the radio taxi service or local police.

“Card Machine Broken”

Tactic to force cash payment without receipt. Defence: insist on card payment or note that you’re documenting the cash transaction. All Florence taxis are required to accept cards.

Airport Flat-Rate Confusion

Driver tries to charge meter rate above the €25 flat rate, claiming the flat rate doesn’t apply to your destination. Defence: the flat rate applies to all destinations within the historic centre (Cathedral block, Santa Croce, Oltrarno, Pitti area, etc.). Confirm the flat rate before getting in.

Luggage Overcharging

Driver charges €5 per bag instead of €1. Defence: the regulated rate is €1 per piece in the trunk; carry-on bags inside the cabin are free.

If you encounter a serious scam, photograph the taxi license plate (visible inside the cabin) and report via 112 (police) or the radio taxi service 055 4242. Florence’s taxi fleet is licensed and trackable; complaints are taken seriously.

Late-Night Taxi Service

The major Florence taxi ranks (Piazza della Stazione especially) are staffed 24 hours. Late-night availability is reliable on Friday/Saturday nights when bar trade peaks; quieter weeknight late nights may require radio booking (055 4242).

Late-night fares use Tariff 3 (22:00–06:00) which adds about 50% to the daytime rate. A €10 daytime fare becomes €15 at 02:00.

Pre-book your 04:30 airport transfer the night before — calling at 04:00 trying to find a taxi rarely works.

Accessibility

Florence’s taxi fleet includes accessible vehicles for wheelchair users. Pre-book via 055 4242 (Florence radio taxi) and specifically request “taxi accessibile” or “taxi per disabili.” Allow 30 minutes’ notice; a small surcharge may apply.

Standard taxis can usually accommodate folded wheelchairs in the trunk plus one wheelchair user in the back seat with a transfer.

Taxi vs Other Florence Transport

• vs Walking: Taxis lose for centre-only trips (Cathedral to Pitti is 15 min walk vs 25 min taxi due to ZTL routing). Taxis win for outer-neighbourhood and late-night returns.
• vs Tram: The T2 tram beats taxis to FLR airport (€1.70 vs €25). For Piazzale Michelangelo, bus 12 is similar time at €1.70 vs €15 taxi.
• vs Uber Black: Regular taxis are roughly half the cost. Uber Black wins on app convenience, fixed-price upfront and English-speaking drivers.
• vs Rental car: Taxis avoid the ZTL parking nightmare. Worth €15 a few times a day vs €30 daily parking + driving stress.

License & Regulation

Florence taxis are licensed by the Comune di Firenze. Identifying features:

• White vehicles with rooftop “TAXI” illuminated sign
• Yellow license plates (Italian taxi-specific) at front and rear
• License number displayed inside the cabin (small plate on dashboard or sun visor)
• “Servizio Pubblico” sign on the side door
• Driver photo ID displayed on dashboard

“Pirata” (unlicensed) taxis exist but are rare in central Florence. Don’t accept rides from drivers who approach you on the street outside official ranks; legitimate taxis don’t actively solicit passengers this way.

Insider Tips

Tip 1: Download itTaxi or Free Now app before arriving in Florence. Booking via app eliminates language confusion and gives map-tracked arrival.

Tip 2: Don’t expect to hail taxis from the street — Florence taxis stop only at official ranks or via radio/app booking.

Tip 3: Confirm the airport flat rate (€25/27/30) before getting in for FLR transfers.

Tip 4: Carry small euro bills (€5, €10) for cash-only situations. Coins for the €1 luggage charges.

Tip 5: The Piazza della Stazione rank is the most reliable late-night taxi source. After midnight, walk there if you can’t reach a phone-booked car.

Tip 6: Always ask for a receipt (“una ricevuta”) if you’ll claim the fare on travel insurance or business expenses. Drivers must provide them.

Tip 7: Avoid hailing taxis from outside major hotels in summer — the supply often runs short and tip-expectation runs higher than at street ranks.

Florence Taxi FAQ

How much do Florence taxis cost?

€0.95 base + €1.05/km on the standard daytime tariff. Typical centre rides €5–14. Airport flat rate €25 daytime / €27 evening / €30 holidays. Night fares (22:00–06:00) about 50% higher than daytime.

Does Uber work in Florence?

Only Uber Black (luxury sedan, €40–60 per ride). Standard UberX, Pool and Lyft don’t operate due to Italian taxi regulations. The local apps itTaxi, AppTaxi and Free Now book regular metered taxis at half the cost.

Can I pay with credit card?

Yes — all licensed Florence taxis are required to accept Visa and Mastercard. Confirm before getting in if you’re concerned about an older driver. Modern fleet vehicles support contactless. App-booked rides pay in-app automatically.

How much do I tip a taxi in Florence?

Round up to the nearest euro. €8.50 → pay €9. €12.50 → pay €13. For airport transfers with luggage help, €2–3 additional. Italian taxi drivers don’t depend on tips; light gestures appreciated, 20% tipping unusual.

Are taxis available late at night in Florence?

Yes — the Piazza della Stazione rank is staffed 24 hours. Other major ranks have late-night availability on weekends; weeknight late-night use radio booking (055 4242). Tariff 3 (22:00–06:00) adds about 50% to daytime rates.

Should I take a taxi from Florence Airport?

Usually no — the T2 tram is dramatically cheaper (€1.70 vs €25) and only marginally slower (20 vs 15 minutes). Take a taxi if you have heavy luggage, mobility issues, late-night arrival after the tram stops at 00:30, or pre-booked private transfer arrangements.

Can I hail a taxi on the street?

Generally no — Florence taxis stop only at official ranks (Stazione, Duomo, Signoria, Beccaria, Piazzale, Repubblica) or via radio/app booking. Drivers don’t typically pull over for street-hailers.

Which Florence taxi app is best?

itTaxi has the largest Florence driver pool. AppTaxi and Free Now are good alternatives if itTaxi shows long wait times. All three book the same regulated fleet at the same metered prices.

Florence taxis are a niche tool: airport-rate transfer with heavy luggage, late-night returns when the tram has stopped, mobility-friendly transport for outer destinations. For most centro-storico activity, walking remains faster and free. Download itTaxi before arrival for English-speaking dispatch and digital payment, save 055 4242 for emergency phone bookings, and you’ll have reliable backup transport when you actually need it — without paying for it on routine sightseeing days.