Things you didn't know about taxi rides (and are worth knowing)

There are several things about taxi rides that many people do not know and are worth knowing: as a passenger you can state the route you prefer; you are entitled to ask for a receipt showing the amount; the seat belt is compulsory in the back seats too; guide dogs can always travel with their owner; and if you leave something in the car, the driver must hand it in so you can get it back. What is more, for some journeys, such as the one to the airport, you can travel at a fixed price instead of on the meter. The specific details depend on each city's regulations; here we explain the general picture, with the focus on Madrid.

What the taxi's roof tells you

The light unit on the roof is not decoration. The green light shows that the taxi is free and can pick up passengers; when it is occupied, the light goes off. In many cities, such as Madrid, the unit also shows the fare being applied, which changes according to the day and the time band.

Booking costs no more

Many people think booking a taxi makes the journey more expensive. In our case, booking is free and, for the airport, the price is the same one you see when you book: a fixed fare by area, which you can check on our fares page. From inside the M-30, €33 to any terminal.

You can choose the route

This is one of the least-known facts. The passenger can say which way they want to go; if they say nothing, the driver must choose the most suitable route according to distance and traffic. We explain it in detail in did you know you can choose the route?.

Seat belts, in the back too

A short journey or sitting in the back seat does not exempt you: passengers must wear their seat belt fastened. The specifics, including the case of children, are in is it compulsory to wear a seat belt in a taxi?.

Guide dogs and other animals

People with visual impairments can always travel accompanied by their guide dog. For other animals, the conditions depend on the regulations and the driver, so it is best to mention it when booking.

Card, cash or paying in advance

In Madrid, paying by card in taxis has become standard and is part of the service's obligations; we tell you about it in compulsory card payments. With our service you can pay online when you book, through a secure payment gateway, or pay the driver by card or in cash.

The receipt and change

You can always ask for a receipt for the journey, which is very useful if you are travelling for work or if you later need to make a complaint or trace the car. If you pay in cash, the by-laws require the driver to carry change up to a set amount; check the current Madrid City Council regulations to find out the figure.

What stays in the car

Drivers check the vehicle at the end of each journey. If they find something, they must return it or hand it in wherever the regulations say, such as the municipal lost property office. Having the receipt or the booking details speeds up the search a great deal.

Your rights as a customer

On top of the above, passengers are entitled to a vehicle in good condition, to be treated properly and to complain if something has gone wrong. We sum it up in taxi passengers' rights.

• The price can be fixed: it does not depend on traffic or the meter, and it is the same in both directions.
• The terminal matters: T1, T2 and T3 are in one area and T4 in another, so it is worth stating it when booking.
• In the early hours too: the service runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
• You can order by message: as well as online and by phone, you can write to us with our WhatsApp taxi service.

With all this clear, all that is left is to book your taxi to Barajas and enjoy the journey.