How to get a taxi in Madrid: every option and which one suits you

In Madrid you can get a taxi in five ways: hail one in the street when its green light is on, take one at a taxi rank, phone a dispatch centre, write on WhatsApp or use an app, and book online in advance. For getting around the centre at any time, the street or a rank is usually enough; for going to the airport, in the early hours or with lots of luggage, the safest option is to book.

This is the time-honoured way. Madrid taxis are white, with a diagonal red stripe on the front doors, and they have an illuminated sign on the roof: when the green light is on, the taxi is free. To hail one, stand where it can stop safely without holding up traffic and raise your hand clearly. Avoid corners, pedestrian crossings and lanes where it cannot stop.

It works very well in the centre and on the main avenues, where lots of taxis circulate. In residential neighbourhoods, housing estates or at certain times you may wait quite a while without seeing a free one; in that case, read what to do when no free taxi comes by.

Taxi ranks are signposted and found at stations, hospitals, squares and busy areas. The usual practice is to take the first taxi in the line, which is the one that has been waiting longest. At the airport there are official ranks at the terminal exits; from there, the journey to anywhere inside the M-30 has a fixed fare of €33. We explain how they work in getting a taxi at Barajas.

Calling a radio taxi centre means the car comes to your door, with no waiting on the pavement. It is the fastest option when you need a taxi at short notice and the most convenient at night. We answer on 911 76 00 81 24 hours a day, and in why order your taxi by phone we explain the advantages.

WhatsApp does the same thing, but in writing: you send the address or your location, the time and the number of passengers, and you get the confirmation in the chat. It is ideal for bookings made with time to spare and for anyone who cannot talk at that moment. There is a step-by-step guide in order your taxi on WhatsApp.

A booking form asks for your pickup point, destination, date, time and passengers, and shows you the price before you confirm. Our booking tool does it in three steps, with a fixed fare by area and the option of paying by card there and then or paying the driver. Booking is free and you can do it days in advance or for the same day; with less than 2 hours’ notice, it is better to call. You can do it from the airport taxi booking page.

For a flight, what matters is that the taxi is at your door at exactly the right time, so it is best not to leave it to chance:

• Book it as soon as you know your flight, especially if it leaves in the early hours.
• Work out your pickup time so you reach the terminal about 2 hours early for European flights and 3 for international ones.
• State the terminal (T1, T2, T3 or T4) and how many suitcases you have.
• Check the price beforehand: on our airport fares by area page you can see the fixed amount from your neighbourhood or town.

And for the return, you can take a taxi at the terminal rank or book one with your flight number so you do not have to queue.

As well as the colours, a taxi licensed by Madrid City Council displays its licence number, the roof light and the meter in view. If someone offers you transport at the exit of a terminal or station without being an identified taxi, do not get in. If you are interested in the story behind its distinctive design, we tell it in the colour of Madrid taxis.