Amsterdam Taxis

Taxis

It is not common to hail a cab in the street, though you might succeed when the business is slow. Taxi service is rather being picked from a taxi rank or ordered by phone. A taxi will arrive almost immediately, but service may be busy on Friday and Saturday nights. Taxis are of good quality but rather expensive. You don't need to tip more than rounding it up, they are expensive enough.

The taxi system in Amsterdam is quite specific, with designated areas for taxi stands, regulations about where taxis may stop and a strict policy regarding taxi service and licensing. Here are some tips on how to use taxis in the city.

How to Recognise a Taxi
Every taxi in Amsterdam has to have the following:

• Blue number plates.
• A price list available from both inside and outside the taxi. A taxi-driver's pass on the dashboard, with photo and name.

Fast Taxis
Only taxis displaying an exemption card may use the tram and bus lanes. This card must be clearly visible, located inside the passenger side of the front windscreen.

Knowledgeable Drivers
Possession of an exemption card is a guarantee that the taxi driver knows the city. Such a card shows that the driver has taken an exam to show their extensive knowledge of the city.

Where to find a taxi
There are official taxi stands at Schiphol Airport as well as throughout the city at stations such as Central Station and the Dam and you do not have to take the first taxi in the queue. Taxis can also be hailed on the street, although there are several no stopping zones. Further, you may call a taxi to pick you up. For a list of taxis in Amsterdam, refer to the Amsterdam&seed=22072&ref=1&c_head=1560&referer=YP&origin=ResultPage">Gouden Gids (phone book).

How much is a ride?
Taxi prices are based on the following:

Sample Costs
Here is a sample of average costs for taxi rides to and from common areas of the city. A receipt must always be given when asked.