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Book a fixed rate Amsterdam Taxi
Book your taxi ride to and from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (or anywhere else in Amsterdam) with SnelEenTaxi
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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.
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 — taking the longest possible routes and charging outrageous fees.
Matter of fact, Amsterdam taxi service ranks very poorly in European tests.
In recent 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 — and they correctly point out that at a taxi rank you do not have to take the first taxi in line.
How to Recognize a Taxi in Amsterdam
In Amsterdam every taxi must have:
- Blue license plates
- A price list visible from both inside and outside the taxi
- A taxi driver’s pass on the dashboard
How to recognize the fast taxis
Only those taxis displaying an exemption card (photograph 4) may use the tram and bus lanes. This card must be clearly visible, inside on the passenger side of the front windscreen.
The taxis that may use the tram and bus lanes have the advantage of being able to get you to your destination faster than those which are excluded from the tram and bus lanes.
The exemption card also serves as a guarantee that the taxi driver knows the city. In order to qualify for the card, taxi drivers must pass an exam in which their knowledge of the city (including streets, routes and alternative routes) is extensively tested.
Here’s the thing: pre-booked cabs (e.g those ordered via an app) are not allowed to use the restricted lanes.
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
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 €55.
More about Amsterdam
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I would like to report an incident that happened at the taxi rank at your central station on Saturday the 29th of April at 1330.
I and three other ladies came off the ferry having enjoyed an excellent street art exhibition at the Straad.
We wanted to get a taxi to take us back to our hotel in Princegracht. Before we entered the taxi the driver said that he would charge €45. At least €25 to €30 more than we had previously paid. We said no it was above the normal price so he drove off. The next driver would not take us as and the one after that told us to go to the first taxi in the line. But he also refused to take us. Now where I am from a taxi cannot refuse to take a passenger once it has stopped for that passenger. I advised the driver I would report him and took a photo of him and his car. At which point he swiped my arm sending my phone flying !
After that we four elderly ladies decided to walk. It seemed the whole taxi rank was run by unprofessional, corrupt individuals,
Unfortunately this was a sad ending to a wonderful few days in Amsterdam.
What a shame such an event had to occur in such a magical city.
To the Dutch Tourist Board, the Dutch Hotel Association, the Dutch Transport Department and most importantly the Dutch Police I encourage you stop these cheating aggressive taxi drivers before they take over monopolising the taxi service in your country .
If anyone would like the photos of the taxi and the driver involved just email me.
Dear Fiona, Unfortunately your experience is not uncommon. Even Amsterdam locals run into these kind of problems with rogue taxi drivers.
Best advice we have for you is to use Uber or a similar service next time. That way you know ahead of time what your ride will cost, and who your driver is. If any problem arises, Uber has a record of your trip. As locals, we have used Uber for years, and we’ve never run into any issues with that company.
I do encourage you to contact Amsterdam Police regarding your complaint.
Please hold on to the good memories you have of your time in Amsterdam.
Kind regards,
The DutchAmsterdam Team