Taxis in Barcelona - a Convenient Method Of Transportation.

There are many ways to get around in Barcelona, from buses to subways to the metro. They’re all easy-to-use and affordable. One of the best ways to travel around the city, however – and one of the most convenient – may be taxis.

Barcelona’s taxis are very easy to identify because they are all painted in the same colors – black and yellow.  Moreover, they can be found cruising all over the city and parked at taxi stands in some of the major areas.

Generally, taxis are inexpensive and, as such, present you with a very good alternative to the subway or the metro, especially after they’ve closed for the evening and service is no longer available. Moreover, there are areas in the city that are not covered by the metro, but are serviced by taxis.

Barcelona’s taxis are governed by the city’s Taxi Law and by The Metropolitan Taxi Commission. Each taxi is mandated to charge standard city fare rates for trips that take place within Barcelona’s metropolitan area.

For your convenience, taxis stop almost everywhere within the city limits and will gladly leave you off anywhere you want. If you see a taxi with the light on its roof green, it means that it is unoccupied and you can flag it down. All you have to do is extend your arm to get the driver’s attention and make him stop to pick you up. It’s that easy.

There are three different fares: a variety of different fares are available and prominently displayed next to each taxi’s green light on its roof.  Knowledge of these fares will help you calculate what your trip is likely to cost.

Importantly, the fares show up – prominently – on the taximeter (compulsory in all taxis) so that you can always see the ever-changing cost of your trip. Please note: the driver must turn on the taximeter at the beginning of your trip and stop it as soon as you reach your destination. This is done for your protection.

Although the meter will indicate what you need to pay for the use of the taxi service, there are occasionally additional fees, as well, when you go to the airport or carry heavy luggage with you. Taxis also cost more at night.  All taxis also feature a sticker inside the vehicle with the same listing of prices and tariffs that appear on the roof. This is just another way of helping you understand what your trip is going to cost.

While most taxis cruise Barcelona’s streets and can be easily stopped at any street corner, some of the city’s major areas, such as Plaza Cataluña, Plaza Universitat near Diagonal and Plaza España feature taxi stands for your convenience.

Prices and Tariffs.

Tariff T-1 is applicable from 8 P.M. to 8 A.M. Monday through Friday; on weekends and holidays -  from midnight to midnight (24 hours) everywhere within Barcelona’s city limits. The minimum fare is 1.90 euros and there is also a charge per kilometer of 1.04 euros.

The minimum fare increases on holidays and during weekends, from Friday through Sunday. The cost during these times is 4.00 euros.

Tariff T-2 is applicable from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M., Monday through Friday, everywhere in the city. The minimum fare is 1.80 euros and the charge per kilometer is 0.82 euros.

Tariff T-3 is applicable 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday and on holidays outside the city limits. The minimum fare is 5.25 euros and the charger per kilometer is 0.56 euros.

Surcharges.

These are the additional fees you need to know about each time you use a taxi.
Luggage - 1 euro per bag
Pets - 1 euro
Service To/From Airport  - 3.10 euros
Service To/From Port  - 2.10 euros

Now that you know all the fees, it’s easy to see that a ride in a taxi doesn’t have to be expensive.

For example, a trip from the airport to the city can cost as little as 20.84 euros. Here is how that can work: if you take the taxi on Monday morning, the meter will begin at 1.80 euros and the trip will include a Surcharge of 3.10 euros. Include two pieces of luggage and add a luggage surcharge of 2 euros (1 euro per bag). Finally, using Tariff T-2, add 0.82 euros per kilometer for 17 kilometers, (ethe distance from your starting place in Plaza Cataluña to the airport) and the total cost of your trip is 20.84 euros. Usually you can expect the journey to /from the airport will cost you 20-25 euros.

Importantly, when you reach your destination, the driver must give you a receipt that shows the exact price for your trip, the origin and destination, the date of the trip, the tax identification number of the license holder, the license number and the vehicle’s plate number.

You can pay in cash or with a credit card, if the driver has posted a sign indicating that he/she accepts that method of payment. Some radio-dispatched taxis accept other forms of payment, including mobipay.

However, it’s a good idea to make sure you have cash with you because the vast majority of taxis - 95% - only accept that method of payment.

Here’s another way to get a taxi. There are twenty radio-dispatch taxi companies operating in Barcelona and all of them can be reached by telephone. In most cases, you can call and have a taxi come to pick you up. This is especially true because many of these radio dispatch companies control fleets of taxis, any one of which can be contacted while on the road to immediately come to your location. You will receive the taxi number by telephone or SMS message before the taxi arrives.

Your radio-dispatched taxi will pick you up, as ordered, with the meter running, but the amount will not exceed the minimum fare.

Radio-dispatched taxis are a great convenience for people arriving or leaving on a late night flight or during early morning when very few taxis are on the streets.

Here’s more good news. A Lost and Found service is available for anyone who uses a Barcelona taxi. If you accidently leave your valuables or other belongings in a taxi, you can get help by calling 902 101 564 to report your loss. Operators are on duty from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M., Monday through Friday. If you call during off hours, you can leave a message on the service’s Automatic Answering Machine.

When it comes to Barcelona’s taxis, you can expect to pay a little more than you would for other types of public transportation. But you can also expect to enjoy greater convenience.
Barcelona’s black and yellow taxis are easy-to-find, moderately-priced and a great way to see and experience the city. Make a trip in a taxi part of your itinerary during your stay in Barcelona.