How much does a taxi cost per kilometre in Germany?

In the 14 major cities covered here, the per-km rate is between €2.00 and €3.30 — with one exception: in Nuremberg the first kilometre costs €5.10. On top comes a base fare of €4.00 (Frankfurt) to €5.90 (Munich). Many cities use distance bands: the first kilometres cost more, longer distances less, e.g. in Hamburg €2.70 up to 9 km and €2.00 after that. A 10 km trip with 5 minutes of waiting costs roughly €31 to €37 depending on the city, i.e. a little over €3 per kilometre.

How is the taxi fare calculated?

The fare consists of base fare, distance charge and waiting time. The base fare is charged once when the meter starts. While driving, the meter counts distance at the per-km rate; when the taxi stands in traffic, at lights or waits at your request, the waiting rate applies instead. Surcharges, e.g. for a large taxi, come on top. All values are set by the city or district in its taxi tariff ordinance.

Is a taxi more expensive at night or on weekends?

It depends on the city. Most major cities have a single tariff around the clock — a trip costs the same at night and on Sundays as during the day. Leipzig, Dresden and Duisburg, however, have a separate night, Sunday and holiday tariff with higher per-km rates. Over 10 km the difference is between €1.00 (Dresden) and €2.40 (Leipzig). The calculator only shows the night option where the tariff has one.

How much does a large taxi (minivan) cost?

For a large taxi — usually from the fifth passenger or when you explicitly order one — cities charge a flat surcharge per trip. It ranges from €3.00 in Nuremberg (5–6 passengers) through €6.00 in Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund and Duisburg and €8.00 in Hamburg to €10.00 in Munich and Leipzig. The per-km and waiting rates stay the same. Split among five to eight people, a large taxi is almost always cheaper than two regular taxis.

Why does the meter show a different price than the calculator?

The calculator estimates the price for the distance and waiting time you enter. In real traffic, jams, lights, roadworks and detours change the waiting time and the distance driven. The meter also counts up in small steps of 10 or 20 cents, and some surcharges (e.g. airport) only apply in certain cases. The amount on the calibrated taximeter is always binding.

Can I agree a fixed price with a taxi?

For pre-booked trips, section 51(1) of the German Passenger Transport Act allows fixed prices or a price corridor with minimum and maximum prices. Many cities have implemented this, e.g. Berlin (up to 20 % above or 10 % below the meter price), Cologne (±20 %) or Dortmund (±15 %). If you take a taxi from a rank or hail one, you pay the meter price. Within the mandatory service area the tariff may otherwise be neither exceeded nor undercut (section 51(5) with section 39(3) of the Act).

Does luggage cost extra in a taxi?

In most major cities it does not: normal luggage, prams and wheelchairs ride free in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Dortmund and Essen, for example; in Bremen and Düsseldorf any other surcharges are expressly excluded. Surcharges sometimes apply to bicycles (Hamburg €8.00, Munich €7.50), to animals in Duisburg (€2.00) or when bulky luggage requires a large taxi or estate car. The notes for each city in the calculator show the details.

Which major German city has the cheapest taxi fares?

It depends on the distance, because cities weight base, per-km and waiting rates differently. For a typical 10 km trip with 5 minutes of waiting, Dortmund is cheapest at about €30.60, followed by Frankfurt (€31.17). Düsseldorf (€35.58) and Cologne (€36.80) are the most expensive. For short trips of around 5 km Frankfurt leads; at 25 km Dortmund, Hamburg and Berlin come out ahead because long distances get cheaper there. The city comparison in the calculator shows the ranking for your distance.

Do I have to tip in a taxi?

No, tipping is voluntary and not part of the tariff. It is common to round up to the next full euro or to give around 5 to 10 % for good service. The calculator does not include a tip. You can ask for a receipt — important for business trips or your tax return.

Large Taxis, Luggage, Bikes: Which Taxi Surcharges Are Allowed | Taxi Fare Calculator

Surcharges are strictly regulated

A German taxi driver cannot simply add something to the fare. Which surcharges are permitted, and how high they are, is set out conclusively in each city's taxi tariff ordinance. Some cities even state explicitly that no other surcharges may be charged, for example Bremen and Düsseldorf. By far the most common surcharge concerns the large taxi.

How much does a large taxi cost?

A regular taxi carries up to four passengers. From the fifth passenger, or when you explicitly order a large vehicle, almost all cities charge a flat surcharge per trip. The base fare and per-km rate stay the same.

Nuremberg: €3.00 for 5–6 passengers, €10.00 for 7–8 passengers
Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund: €6.00 each
Duisburg: base fare €10.90 instead of €4.90, i.e. €6.00 more
Essen: €6.50
Frankfurt am Main: €7.00, plus €1.00 per person from the 6th passenger
Stuttgart and Dresden: €7.00 each
Hamburg: €8.00
Bremen: €8.50
Düsseldorf: €9.00
Munich and Leipzig: €10.00 each

The conditions differ in detail. In Stuttgart the surcharge only applies if the vehicle has at least six seats and at least five people actually ride. In Essen there is no surcharge if a large taxi happens to be at the rank and you get in with four people. In Berlin, two children under ten count as one person.

Is a large taxi worth it?

For groups, almost always. Example Cologne, 10 km with 5 minutes of waiting: a regular taxi costs about €36.80. With six people you would need two taxis, i.e. about €73.60. The large taxi with its €6.00 surcharge costs about €42.80 — a little over €7 per person instead of over €12. In the taxi fare calculator you can switch on the "large taxi" option; the city comparison then includes the surcharge in every city whose tariff sets one.

Luggage, prams, wheelchairs

Good news for travellers: normal luggage is free in almost all large cities. Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Dortmund and Essen explicitly list suitcases, prams and wheelchairs as surcharge-free. Dortmund allows luggage up to 50 kg at no extra cost. In Nuremberg the tariff even includes carrying luggage to the front door, the station or the airport in the fare.

Costs only arise when the luggage requires a different vehicle: if you explicitly order an estate car for bulky items, you pay €6.00 in Dortmund, €6.50 in Essen and €3.00 in Nuremberg. In Duisburg the base fare for a booked estate car rises to €6.90. For moving house a taxi is the wrong choice anyway — the moving cost calculator shows what a van or a removal company costs.

Bicycles and animals

Bicycles are a special case because they need a rack or a large vehicle. Hamburg charges a flat €8.00 (regardless of the number), Munich €7.50. Animals usually ride free; Duisburg charges €2.00, except for assistance dogs and animals in a carrier. When booking, ask whether the vehicle has room for a bike or a dog crate.

What is not allowed

Surcharges that are not in the tariff ordinance are not permitted within the mandatory service area. That includes a mark-up for paying by card — in Munich, Frankfurt, Bremen and Nuremberg card payment must be possible at no extra cost — or a "luggage fee" for a normal suitcase. If in doubt, ask to see the tariff or request a receipt and check the amount afterwards. More on your rights in Taximeter, receipt, duty to carry.

Large Taxis, Luggage, Bikes: Which Taxi Surcharges Are Allowed

Surcharges are strictly regulated

How much does a large taxi cost?

Is a large taxi worth it?

Luggage, prams, wheelchairs

Bicycles and animals

What is not allowed

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