Taxis in Germany, and the FreeNow app

FreeNow (once MyTaxi) is the app most used in Germany and dispatches regular licensed taxis, so install it first. Uber and Bolt also work in major cities like Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Hamburg, but German regulation means they call licensed taxis or private-hire cars, not the unlicensed private drivers you might expect at home.

The advantage is the usual one: you see the fare estimate and driver in advance and pay in the app. Away from big cities, taxis are ordered by phone or found at a rank rather than hailed on the street.

From Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC) and Berlin (BER) airports, the S-Bahn or regional train runs straight into the city and is usually cheaper and faster than a taxi, especially in traffic. A single ticket is a few euros, and the station is inside or under the terminal.

A taxi is metered and reliable if you prefer it or have heavy bags, with no flat airport fare in most cities. Buy a transit ticket from a machine or the local transport app, and validate it if required.

German taxis run on regulated local tariffs: a base fare plus a per-kilometer rate set by the city, so the meter is honest and there is nothing to haggle over. Cars are typically cream-colored and clearly marked.

Cards are increasingly accepted, but some drivers still prefer cash, so it is worth asking before you set off if you intend to pay by card. Keep a little cash as a backup.

Fares are metered and predictable. To tip, simply round up the fare by a euro or two, or to the next round figure, just as you would in a restaurant, and tell the driver the total you want to pay.

For more, see tipping in Germany, cash or card in Germany, and the Germany money guide.

Common questions

Quick answers.

More on Germany

The little money things nobody warns you about.

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