On holiday you’ll find cabs from the Barcelona taxi system everywhere – you likely won’t wait more than a minute and prices are cheaper than most major European cities.
With a few precautions taking a taxi in Barcelona can be a great way to get around.
Ready to go already? Make sure you download Barcelona’s official taxi app: with your first trip, using the buttons below, you’ll get a €50% discount on your first ride using the code eut2mba12.
How to Get a Taxi in Barcelona
Honestly, if you’ve picked one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona you likely won’t have to wait more than a few minutes – it’s super easy to hail an official black and yellow taxi in the street.
Free taxis have fluorescent green lights in the windows.
To book a taxi in advance you can call +34 93 225 0000 (mandatory for more than 4 passengers), though it can be tough to book one in English.
That’s why I suggest using Barcelona’s version of Uber:
⚠️ Warning ⚠️: Especially in high season, it’s very hard to flag down a cab in Barcelona city centre.
It is highly recommended to download the FreeNow app which can call you a taxi to anywhere in the city – just sign up using the link below!
If you use the Barcelona Hacks referral code eut2mba12 you’ll even get 50% off your first ride.
- 🚕 Download now: FreeNow Barcelona Taxi App (with 50% discount off first ride)
Barcelona Taxi Prices
There is a minimum charge of €2.55 depending on the time of day.
A typical taxi trip in the city costs €7.00 to €15.00.
| T1* 2025 | T2* 2025 | T3* 2025 | T4* 2025 | |
| Fixed minimum | €2.75 | €2.75 | €0 | €45.00 |
| Per km | €1.32 | €1.62 | €0 | n/a |
| One hour waiting | €26.95 | €26.95 | €0 | n/a |
- Tariff T1. Weekdays from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Tariff T2. Weekdays from 8:00 pm to 8:00 am + Saturdays and holidays from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Tariff T3. This is a fixed price tariff that can only be booked using an app. For more info consult the list of taxi companies that use apps in Barcelona. Basically, the fare will be ‘locked in’ from the moment of booking so no meter runs.
- Tariff T4. This is the fixed price of a taxi journey from Barcelona El Prat Airport to the Port of Barcelona.
Supplements:
- Airport: €4.50 (the minimum charge to Barcelona is €21.00).
- Barcelona cruise terminal/port: €4.50.
- Major Barcelona transit stations (Sants and the Exhibition Centre): €2.50.
- Special nights (23-24 June, 24-25-31 December, January 1st): €3.10.
- Wheelchairs, strollers, guide dog: Free.
- 4-8 passenger vehicles: €4.50
Taxis at Barcelona Airport
There are taxi stands in both terminals which are easily found following the signs outside departures. The minimum airport charge from El Prat airport is €21.00.
The typical cost of a taxi from Barcelona airport to the centre is between €30.00 to €35.00. From Terminal 1 (T1) expect to pay about €30.00 while Terminal 2 (T2) is about €35.00.
For groups larger than four ask one of the taxi stand attendants to call a van taxi (€4.50 supplement).
Barcelona Taxi Safety and Complaints
This isn’t a trip to the ‘big square’ in Marrakesh – we’re taking a taxi in Barcelona!
Drivers are required by law to run on the meter so you’re unlikely to get ripped off.
The ones I’ve dealt with are honest. Whether I’m speaking to them in Spanish or doing a ‘marketing test’ in English the results are the same: a logical route with no hassles.
I’ve heard very few bad Barcelona taxi stories, and most came from people who enjoyed Barcelona’s best nightlife a little too much. If you’re tipsy just get in that cab, pronounce the name of your hotel or Airbnb confidently, and pay attention!
Bad experience? Ask for a receipt (un recibo) and cite it using this taxi complaint form.
The form must be mailed to: Metropolitan Taxi Institute, Carrer Número 62 No. 18, Barcelona, Spain, 08040.
Wheelchair Accessible Taxis in Barcelona
While typical Barcelona taxis are not outfitted for disabled visitors there is a separate company called Taxi Amic. These spacious tailor-made taxis come with a special ramp to accommodate wheelchairs.
Timetable: weekdays from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, weekends 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.
You can book the taxi online (with 24 hour’s notice) at the Taxi Amic website.
To book a taxi via phone call Taxi Amic at +34 934 208 088.
Barcelona Taxi Hacks
- Taxis with green lights can’t pick you up within 200 meters of any of Barcelona’s taxi stands.
- Don’t tip the drivers (tipping is not expected anywhere in Spain).
- For €2-3 extra you can call for an ‘ecological’ taxi at (0034) 932-783-000.
- If your hotel is near the airport check first to see if your hotel includes free shuttle service.
- Supplements are usually added at the end of the trip.
- Many of the smaller tourist streets in the Gotico, Raval, and Born are pedestrian-only. Check your destination and try to find a logical drop-off point in advance to avoid the driver giving you the run-around.
- Make sure you’re heading the right direction. Most Barcelona streets are one-way, so often a quick look on your smart phone GPS to position yourself on the right side of the street could save you money.
- The lost property contacts are +34 90 210 1564 or [email protected].
When to Take a Taxi in Barcelona
It’s so easy to get around Barcelona by public transport that taking taxis can be impractical.
For this reason I suggest taking a taxi in Barcelona if:
- You’re in a big hurry.
- The company is paying.
- It’s raining (rare).
- You’ve had a few drinks (not rare).
- You’re made of money (very rare).
If you’re going anywhere in groups of three or four the price difference between a taxi and the metro is negligible. You’ll get nearly anywhere central for 2-3 euros each.
Especially at night when Barcelona public buses run less frequently, getting an extra 45 minutes of sleep and not dragging your luggage around town at 4:00 am might be worth the extra money.
TAXILEADER – Barcelona Airport Taxi Transfer
Taxis are surely the quickest way to get to your hotel from the airport.
A ton of people have been asking me if there are any booking services and for this reason I’ve decided to go ahead and partner with Taxileader and their super efficient airport transfer to and from El Prat.
By clicking the button below you’ll get a free trip estimate in just seconds.
After using this service personally I can say the the prices are honest and many of my readers have said the same.
What’s cool is that you’ll have a little James Bond moment by arriving to your driver holding a sign with your name on it.
To book you’ll simply have to leave a valid credit card and a 20% deposit as a guarantee. You’ll only end up being charged at the end of the journey. If you want you can also pay in cash.
If you’re visiting Barcelona with kids you’ll also be entitled to a car seat or booster seat for free!
Booking Taxis via the Free Now App
At the end of the day this service combines the convenience and preciseness of Uber with the legitimacy and safety of using the city’s black and yellow cabs.
Prices
Since this app utilizes the city’s black and yellow cabs the price is the same as quoted above.
The good thing about booking using the app however that the address and directions will be more precise and there’s no way the cab driver can rip you off taking the long way. It also beats standing on the corner waiting.
Another advantage? With your first trip, using the buttons below, you’ll get a €50% discount on your first ride using the code eut2mba12.
How to Book a Taxi in Barcelona
To book a taxi in Barcelona via Free Now just follow the instructions below:
- Download the app using the buttons above.
- Indicate your personal details and payment methods: this way you won’t have to fool around with giving cash to the driver and there’s no chance they won’t know where it is since it’s connected to the GPS.
- Under the “promo code” portion of the app insert the discount code “ashley.pil” to have a €5.00 discount on your first trip.
- You’ll then need to insert your pickup and drop off points (just like Uber) and you’ll be quoted an estimate on the price.
- Get in and enjoy the ride! You’ll be able to follow the journey progress on your phone.
- You’ll be debited the price at the ride’s conclusion.
As of 2025 you can also order your Free Now taxi adapted for disabled visitors.
The fee for these special taxis is €15.00.
Related: How Many Days Should I Stay in Barcelona?
Barcelona Taxi FAQ
Do Barcelona taxis take credit cards?
Yes, even if the taxi drivers say no – all of the official black and yellow city taxis do take cards. You can pay by debit or credit. Don’t fall for it if they ask for cash, even though this is rare.
How to get a taxi in Barcelona?
Barcelona is one of the most taxi-filled cities in the world so it’s very possible to flag one on pretty much every corner in the city centre. It’s even more convenient ordering the official black and yellow cabs from the app Free Now.
Are there taxis at Barcelona airport?
Yes, both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Barcelona airport have designated taxi stands. You simply need to walk out of the terminal and you’ll find them. Expect to wait 10-15 minutes at peak times.
Are Barcelona taxis safe?
Yes, all Barcelona city taxis are heavily regulated and the taxi drivers are forced to run on the meter – so getting ripped off is incredibly rare. To make the experience even more secure you can book your taxi using the app Free Now.
Are taxis cheap in Barcelona?
Barcelona taxis are cheaper than other major European cities. The fixed minimum of €2.55 is about average, though the €1.23 fee per kilometre is much cheaper than a place like London (£1.71).
Are taxis expensive in Barcelona?
Compared to other major European cities the prices for Barcelona taxis are quite moderate. The per kilometre price is about 15% cheaper than capitals like Paris and London, and being a smaller city the typical trip is much shorter. Expect to pay between €10.00 and €20.00 for a typical city centre ride.
Still Wondering How to Take a Taxi in Barcelona?
You’re ready for your Barcelona taxi experience but if you’re not sure make to drop me a line in the comments below with your destination and I’ll let you know the best way to get around.
Also don’t be afraid to join the taxi discussion by first giving me a like on Facebook and then joining my group I’m Off to Barcelona – here you can ask any questions, air out grievances, and chat with thousands of Barcelona travelers.
Anything goes!
Content Manager
14 years of Barcelona experience and not slowing down anytime soon! I've seen the city through the eyes of a misguided, Sangria-filled tourist and a responsible local fluent in Spanish and everything Barcelona. I co-founded Barcelona Hacks to help visitors discover the city with insider info - just try me! :)
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April 14, 2025 at 9:26 am
Team MemberLocalThis app does not work properly. It takes lot of time an investment to develop a ride-hailing app. However, this app is lead by the local authorities, so it is mandatory for taxis to have it downloaded, under risk of penalty. That's the reason they are also giving away discount codes in tourists blogs, as covered marketing actions. I wonder who pays for this discounts -citizens with their taxes, most probably- and who benefited for developing such app with local funds. -
March 13, 2025 at 11:11 amPromo cose seems to work only in Italy.
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January 23, 2025 at 12:47 pmSuch a helpful article—thank you for sharing! Warm regards: Limo Service in the USA .
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August 26, 2024 at 10:55 amHi, Thaks for the excellet information ion the site. We are travelling to Barcelona in Nov for a Cruise. i've read differing information regarding fixed fare of 39 euros including all fees to others saying it is on a meter wioth an additional supplement for entry into the cruise port. Can you confirm what the cost of a taxi would be to the cruise terminal. Thanks
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August 26, 2024 at 11:37 am Team MemberAshHi Phil, Thanks for the kind words, really appreciate it :) The fixed fee is only between the airport and the cruise port. If you're taking a taxi from anywhere else in the city it'll be on the meter with a small cruise port supplement, so would be totally dependent on where you're coming from. Cheers,
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August 16, 2024 at 8:31 pmHello. Are taxi prices per person or for entire party, in this case 2 ? Thank you
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August 21, 2024 at 9:13 am Team MemberAshHi Luke Prices would be per car with a maximum of four passengers. Cheers,
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April 25, 2024 at 11:53 amHi. I am visiting Barcelona in August 2024 with my children. There will be 6 of us in total. Do you recommend waiting to book a transfer in advance and get a taxi on the day or should I book in advance? There are hue price differences depending on the site I use and really don't want to be out of pocket with a dodgy site. Its our first family holiday and really want a transfer waiting for us ideally but happy with any recommendations. We are staying at Camping Park Platja Bara, near Tarragona. Thank you for any advice.
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April 25, 2024 at 5:56 pm Team MemberAshHi Shermy, Well, first of all I'd like to vouch for the links we use on this site. All of them have been tested by us (not to mention countless readers) so I wouldn't worry about them. That said, medium-long distances like this (it's about 50 minutes) should be doable for grabbing the taxis right outside arrivals. I'd personally rather get the service of being met in the terminal, but it's your choice :)
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March 25, 2024 at 6:33 pmHi Ash, enjoyed your advice and commentary on Barcelona. We are going over (first first time from Canada) and looking at the best way to get from around Carrer del Comerç, Catalunya 08902 to airport at around 3:30 am (flight departs at 6am) in May? Thank you.
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March 26, 2024 at 9:46 pm Team MemberAshHi Trevor, Thanks so much for the kind words :) Unfortunately since metro is closed, and assuming you won't wanna walk the 20 minutes to Plaza Catalunya late with luggage (where you could get the Aerobus)... I would just get a taxi using the app above. In fact, if there's 2 or 3 of you the price is gonna be negligible compared to multiple Aerobus tickets. You should have no trouble booking a cab at this time. The drivers usually fight over airport trips. Cheers,
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March 17, 2024 at 9:41 pmBest way to get to hotel balmoral in Barcelona
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March 23, 2024 at 9:36 am Team MemberAshHey Ian, Unfortunately there won't be a straight shot there unless you take a taxi. Otherwise, I'd take the Aerobus to Plaza Catalunya, change for the green line of the metro, and take it up to Diagonal... from there it's a short walk. Again though, if there's 2-3 of you... the money spent on the Aerobus can basically cover the taxi. I'd taxi.
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December 15, 2023 at 10:07 pmAsh, My wife and I are staying for a week at a hotel in the La Raval neighborhood, and I've read good and bad things about it (such as questionable safety at night). Should we take cabs rather than walk back to our hotel in the evening, or is La Raval relatively safe and full of people? If it's a bad area, I wonder why our travel agent put us there.
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December 17, 2023 at 5:23 pm Team MemberAshHi Kurt, I lived in Raval for six months once and I only had trouble walking back way late... we're talking 2 am or 3 am. Also, it might be noted that I'd had a couple of cocktails and probably appeared a bit inebriated ;) As long as you don't engage in the guys saying "hello my friend, where are you from?", people asking you for hugs etc... you should be fine anyway. There is only one street that is particularly bad... feel free to send me the location of the hotel and I can help you avoid it. Cheers,
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October 29, 2023 at 7:17 pmBeware of driver: VICTOR BALMOST SORITA. Our cab fare was 35E, tried to pay with our credit card, he told us it did not go through, tried a 2nd time same thing, he demanded we pay him cash which we did. He refused to give us any receipts for any of the transactions, even though his hand held charging machine was printing them. Next day we see the 2 charges on our credit card did go through. Have contacted our bank/credit card company for disputing the charges, have notified the taxi company twice, but no response from them. We ended up paying VICTOR BALMOST SORITA 115E for a 35E fare.
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October 30, 2023 at 11:34 pm Team MemberAshSo sorry to hear about this Carol :( I have never heard of such a thing and hope it was just a huge misunderstanding as opposed to outright fraud... I know the machines don't work very well but I have never heard of being charged twice :( Your best bet is disputing the charges with your bank...taxi company is always slow getting back. That said, I'd encourage anybody else reading here to use the app FreeNow as it's the Uber-like app of the city and it's impossible to get ripped off there - you have all the payment control in your hands.
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