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Amsterdam Taxi: What You Should Know

Before the Dutch taxi market was liberalized, in January 2000, TCA – Taxi Centrale Amsterdam – was king in the taxi world.

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Amsterdam Public Transport verses Taxi

Within Amsterdam, you are much better off using the city’s excellent public transport system.

If you want to go to or from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol check these options.

Taxi To and From Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Caution! At Schiphol airport do not use any taxi service offered to you by individuals yelling “TAXI” and/or carrying “TAXI” signs.

They are not licensed to provide taxi services at the airport. There have been many horror stories of people who have been overcharged hundreds of Euros!

Amsterdam Taxi Rates Among the Highest in Europe

Amsterdam is served by a number of taxi companies, alongside independent taxi drivers, with quality and service ranging from excellent to ‘never again.’

Amsterdam taxi rates (cab fares) are among the highest in Europe, if not the world. Taxi companies can set their own rates within certain legal limits.

Amsterdam Essentials…

As in any other city, there are plenty of taxi horror stories. Some unscrupulous taxi drivers either refuse short drives, or literally take their customers for a ride. Some take the longest possible routes and charge outrageous fees.

Matter of fact, Amsterdam taxi service ranks very poorly in European tests.

For many years the Dutch government has tried to clean up the taxi industry with mixed results.

Travel guide books suggest you select your cab with care. They correctly point out that at a taxi rank you do not have to take the first taxi in line. (In other words: pick a driver who looks trustworthy to you. But still, be on the alert).

How to Recognize a Taxi in Amsterdam

In Amsterdam every taxi must have:

  1. Blue license plates
  2. A price list visible from both inside and outside the taxi
  3. A taxi driver’s pass on the dashboard

Hailing a taxi cab

• You may hail a taxi in the street. However, there are many places in the inner city where no stopping is permitted. This includes the bus and tram lanes.

• You can order a taxi by calling 777 7777 (7×7) TCA, which connects you to Taxi Centrale Amsterdam — the largest taxi base in Amsterdam. TCA works with fixed rates and qualified drivers. There are no call out charges.

• Alternatively, walk to one of the many taxi ranks in the city (e.g. at Central Station, Dam Square, Rembrandtplein, or Leidseplein). You do not have to take the first cab in line. We recommend you select a TCA cab. Note: taxi drivers are not allowed to refuse short trips.

Amsterdam Taxi Alternatives

  • Public Transport. Amsterdam has an excellent, reliable public transportation network that includes bus, metro, and tram lines, as well as ferries. It may will take you a bit longer to arrive, but you’ll save a bundle. Buy your public transport tickets here.
  • Use Uber. Uber is well established in Amsterdam. Many drivers who work for companies that charge (much) more also work for Uber. We, the DutchAmsterdam team, use Uber ourselves. We recon we save about 50% over regular taxi cab rates.

Rates

Amsterdam’s taxis are among the most expensive in Europe. Mind you, taxi drivers can set their meters at different rates, so it sometimes pays to check various taxis at a rank for the best deal. Again, you don’t have to take the first cab in the queue.

The 30-minute ride between Schiphol Airport and Downtown Amsterdam will normally set you back about €65.

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Anton and Janet Hein
Publisher at DutchAmsterdam | Website | + posts

Anton and Janet Hein live and work in Amsterdam. We are the publishers of DutchAmsterdam.

Anton was born on a houseboat in the center of Amsterdam, right across from the iconic Westertoren and what later became the Anne Frank House museum. Having lived in nearly every district since then, he knows the city like his own back pocket.

Janet was born in England and raised in Ireland before moving to Amsterdam 43 years ago. Even to date she brings an expat’s perspective to the DutchAmsterdam website.

Category: Public Transport | Related to: , ,

Last updated Friday, October 18, 2024 CET (Central European Time)

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