You can't wave down taxis like in New York. Here's how taxis actually work in Italy — apps, taxi ranks, and phone numbers.
Plan your Italy trip →Italian taxis don't cruise for passengers. They wait at designated taxi ranks (posteggi taxi) or respond to phone/app calls. Standing on a street corner waving your arm will get you nothing except confused looks.
Every train station, airport, major piazza, and hospital has a taxi rank. Walk to the white sign with "TAXI" on it, get in the first car in line. This is the easiest method in city centers.
Call the local radio taxi service. They'll dispatch the nearest car. The meter starts when the car is dispatched, not when you get in — so you'll see €3-6 already on the meter. That's normal, not a scam.
Rome: 06 3570 or 06 6645
Milan: 02 4040 or 02 6969
Florence: 055 4242 or 055 4390
Naples: 081 8888 or 081 5564
Venice: 041 5964 (water taxi: 041 5222303)
FreeNow (formerly MyTaxi): Works in most major Italian cities. Book and pay in-app. Reliable.
Uber: Only works in Rome and Milan, and only UberBlack (premium cars, more expensive than taxis). UberX does not exist in Italy — it was banned. Don't count on Uber.
Rome has fixed rates from Fiumicino airport to the city center: €50 (within the Aurelian Walls). From Ciampino airport: €31. These are set by the city — non-negotiable. If a driver tries to charge more, report the taxi number.
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