So whether you're looking for a straightforward guide to using taxis in Germany, or want to learn more about the culture and customs of this fascinating country, look no further!
Taxi System and How to call a Taxi in Germany?
More than 50,000 taxis are available in Germany, allowing them to be used in the same manner as elsewhere. German taxis are cream-colored and have white and yellow taxi signs on their roofs. Given its origin as a luxury car, it should come as no surprise that the vast majority of the taxi fleet is made up of sleek and comfortable Mercedes and Audis. For bigger groups or loads, minivans and station wagons are equally suitable.
Taxi service is heavily controlled in Germany, so visitors need not be concerned about “Getting taken for a ride.”
How to Book a Taxi in Germany?
By calling the local taxi contact, a cab may be booked. There are usually taxi ranks where taxis are waiting for customers in places with frequent public traffic. Hailing a passing cab (taxis with the illuminated taxi sign on the roof may be identified) might be done using a hand signal.
You may also call for a taxi. Look under “Taxi-Zentrale” in the phone book to find out which city has a taxi hotline. A cab may be booked for you by the concierge or front desk personnel at larger hotels. Today, many towns also provide taxi ordering online.
Tariffs vary depending on the city, and various firms provide different services. As a result, choose your city in the menu on the right to get more specific information (in the mobile version, this option is at the bottom of the website).
What are the Basic Fare and Waiting Time Charges in Germany?
In Germany, taxi businesses are heavily controlled, and fare prices are set. There is generally a starting fee of roughly 4-5€, followed by a per-kilometer charge. In the picture below, you can see that for the first 2 kilometers it is around 3€ depending on the time, Beside this, the waiting time is around 40€.
It is recommended that you must negotiate the fare in advance for any trip longer than 50 kilometers. It is permissible to take international trips. The fare includes a 7% tax rate for journeys under 50 kilometers and a 19% tax rate for longer journeys, however, these taxes must be itemized separately on the meter and receipt.
For bigger vehicles or excess baggage, surcharges may be imposed at night. Every taxi must have a meter that is plainly visible. Cash is the most common form of payment, however, debit cards are becoming more common.
Passengers in Germany must meet certain requirements (Things Not Allowed in Taxis)
- The cab driver has the right to refuse you a trip if you are inebriated or in some other way demonstrate that you cannot control yourself.
- Because no one enjoys spoiling his car, unclean personal belongings and bags are prohibited.
- In the cabin, smoking is prohibited. If your baggage is too heavy, the driver has the right to refuse to drive you.
- It is recommended that you notify the driver before taking dogs on board a vehicle, since they may arrive in a pre-prepared car.
- You must also agree with the dispatcher in advance while transporting children – a vehicle with a child seat will be provided. Taxi drivers are not the only ones who make these adjustments.
Mobile Taxi Apps in Germany
When a German court found that Uber services UberPop and UberBlack were breaking German transportation laws in 2015, they were forced to cease operations in the market. Uber's business model, which depended on forcing the company to use certified drivers and vehicles in order to move across the American market, was harmed by this German decision.
Uber has had to compete with well-established German companies such as FreeNow, Taxi.de, and door2door in just six cities: Berlin, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich.
Conclusion
Taxi systems in Germany can be quite confusing at first, but by following the tips outlined in this blog, you'll be able to get around without any trouble. Additionally, this blog also covers the different charges that you'll be faced with when traveling to different locations, how to book a taxi, and what you're not allowed to do in a taxi.
