Home > Visitors Guide > Public Transport > Amsterdam Taxi

Amsterdam Taxi

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

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Book a fixed rate Amsterdam Taxi

Book your taxi ride to and from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (or anywhere else in Amsterdam) with SnelEenTaxi

  • Competitive prices: Up to 70% cheaper than meter fares. Fixed rates without any surprises.
  • Anywhere in Amsterdam and throughout the Netherlands
  • Always a private taxi by a certified taxi company
  • Choose standard, minibus, luxury or electric
  • No bagage charges
  • Free cancellation and changes
  • Sneleentaxi has the TX-Keurmerk certificate: the national quality mark in the taxi industry
  • With a 9.3 score the highest traveler appreciation of the Netherlands

Sneleentaxi is one of DutchAmsterdam’s trusted affiliates. Our referral earns us a small commission, at no extra charge to you.

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:

  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

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

  • Public Transport. Amsterdam has an excellent, reliable public transportation network that includes busmetro, 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 €55.

Taxi

Book a fixed rate taxi

More about Amsterdam

[do_widget title=false class=has-medium-font-size id=”top-posts-4″]

Hello! Our original content is protected by © Copyright DutchAmsterdam .nl
Do not republish or repost. Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

GetYourGuide is our Trusted Ticket Partner

Why stand in line during your vacation? Beat the crowds by booking Amsterdam Tours, Skip the Line Tickets, Museums, Excursions and Activities online.

Your GetYourGuide Ticket Advantage:
Authorized Ticket Seller
Verified legal tour operators
Printed or Mobile Voucher Accepted
Skip-the-Line (if available)
Instant Confirmation
Easy Cancellation

2 Comments

  1. Fiona Koidl
  2. CityDesk

Leave a Reply

About This Article

Category: Public Transport
Related to: , ,

An Amsterdammer last updated this post on CET (Central European Time)

   
Transparency:
The DutchAmsterdam website includes affiliate links. That means we get a small commission — at no additional cost to you — for each purchase you make. Your support helps us provide this site free of charge. Naturally, as our Editorial Policy states, our content is never influenced by our advertisers or affiliates.