Italian taxis (i taxi italiani, the licensed urban taxi service (the bianco (white) car (the specific Italian licensed taxi color in Rome, Milan, Naples, and the majority of Italian cities, the specific exception being Venice where the licensed water taxis (the motoscafi) aren't white) with the specific taxi sign (the "TAXI" illuminated roof sign) and the specific municipality registration (the number plate with the specific taxi identifier and the city shield))): the Italian taxi system is a municipal-regulated service (the tariffa (the fare) is set by the specific municipality and the individual driver can't charge more than the municipal tariff, the taxi that charges above the municipal tariff is operating illegally): the specific Italian taxi user protection (the tassametro (the meter) is mandatory in all Italian licensed taxis, must be started on acceptance of the booking call (not on arrival at the customer's location), and must be visible to the customer from the rear seat).
The specific Italian taxi market reality: Italy has fewer licensed taxis per capita than any other major Western European city (the Rome licensed taxi fleet (approximately 7,800 white taxis for the 3-million-resident capital) is smaller than the London black cab fleet (approximately 15,000 for the 10-million-resident capital)): the specific Italian taxi scarcity creates the specific Italian taxi queue (the fila del taxi, the taxi queue at the specific taxi stands (the posteggi) at the railway stations, airports, and major tourist monuments): the Italian taxi stand culture (the queue at the taxi stand, the Italian taxi queue etiquette is the same as everywhere: first in, first served, no calling out to the taxi driver over the queue).
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Italian Taxis: Fares, Supplements, and Apps
How the Italian Taxi Fare Works
The Italian taxi fare structure (the specific structure that the majority of Italian taxi users don't fully understand): the scatto iniziale (the flag fall, the specific starting fare that appears on the meter when the taxi driver accepts the booking: approximately €3-3.50 in Rome and Milan): the meter starts when the driver accepts the call (the "free" (the vuoto (empty)) ride to the customer's pickup location is paid by the customer at the meter rate, the meter is running from the moment the driver accepts the booking, NOT from the moment the customer enters the taxi): the specific Italian taxi meter-start understanding (the customer who sees €4.20 on the meter when they enter the taxi at the pickup point is paying for the approach ride from the taxi position to the pickup, this is legal and standard Italian taxi practice). The supplementi (the surcharges, the specific Italian taxi supplementary charges that aren't included in the base meter rate): the supplemento notturno (the night surcharge, the approximately 30-50% surcharge applied between 22:00 and 6:00). The supplemento aeroportuale (the airport supplement, the fixed supplement (approximately €3.50 in Rome) applied to all rides to or from the airport). The supplemento bagaglio (the baggage supplement, approximately €0.50-1.00 per suitcase above the specific number). And the supplemento festivo (the holiday surcharge, applicable on the national holidays (December 25, January 1, August 15)).
Apps and the Abusive Taxi
Italian taxi apps (the specific app-based taxi booking (the most practical modern Italian taxi access)): itTaxi (the official Italian licensed taxi association app, available at itaxi.it, covers Rome, Milan, Turin, Florence, Naples, and the major Italian cities with the specific real-time taxi availability map and the meter-price estimate before boarding): the most reliable single Italian taxi app and the one that specifically connects to the licensed white taxi fleet (not the NCC (Noleggio con Conducente, the private hire vehicle) or the Uber service). Uber (the Uber Black and Uber Comfort services are available in Rome and Milan. NOT the standard Uber (the UberX) which isn't licensed in Italy due to the specific Italian taxi regulation that prohibits the app-based unlicensed ride-hail): the Uber Black Italy uses the licensed NCC (the private hire vehicles) which are more expensive than the licensed taxi (approximately 40-60% premium over the equivalent taxi meter fare). The abusive taxi (the taxi abusivo, the unlicensed driver who approaches the tourist at the airport or the station arrivals hall offering rides): the specific Italian airport and station scam (the unlicensed driver who approaches the arriving passenger at the Fiumicino Arrivals, the Roma Termini, or the Naples Centrale and offers a "taxi" without the specific white car, the meter, or the license): the counter, never accept a ride from a person who approaches you. Always go to the official taxi stand (the posteggio dei taxi, the signposted taxi queue area outside the arrivals) or use the itTaxi app.
Q&A: Italy Taxi
What is the correct Rome airport taxi fare?
The specific Rome Fiumicino airport (FCO) to central Rome taxi fare: the Rome municipality has a fixed rate (the tariffa fissa, the specific fixed fare that the Comune di Roma established for the FCO-to-central-Rome route): €50 flat rate for the journey from Fiumicino Airport to any destination within the Rome Aurelian Walls (the historic center, including Trastevere and the Vatican): the €50 fixed rate applies for up to 4 passengers, includes all luggage, and isn't subject to meter variation. The Rome airport taxi identification: the licensed white taxi with the "Roma Capitale" municipality shield on the door and the TAXI illuminated roof sign is the vehicle entitled to charge the €50 fixed rate. Any other vehicle isn't the licensed taxi and shouldn't be used. The specific scam awareness (the Rome airport taxi scam): the €50 fixed rate means the legitimate driver will confirm "cinquanta euro fissi" (fifty euros fixed) when asked. A driver who quotes €80, €90, or "let's see what the meter says" is either an abusive taxi or a legitimate taxi attempting to overcharge.
