Is Uber reliable in Florence?

Uber isn’t really Uber in Italy

There are several taxi apps
A search of this forum will bring up the info

Never heard there was Uber in Florence; the standard version of Uber is illegal in Italy, while Uber Black can be implemented by using licensed NCC drivers (limos on hire with driver) that are more expensive than taxis.

In order to summon a taxi, phone 055-4242 or 055-4390.
There are also two apps, AppTaxi and Taxi Move.

The two major companies that lachera gave the tel number above can also be accessed through their websites at:
www.4242.it
www.4390.it
(Select the English page option if you don’t speak Italian).
You can summon a taxi through their websites as well if you don’t want to download the apps Apptaxi and TaxiMove.
If you decide to call don’t forget to dial the +39 Italy’s code first (+39 055 4242 or 4390)
They are both reliable. Generally you should not have to wait more than 5 minutes.

Thanks. I will need a taxi early in the morning to catch a 6:30 flight out of Florence in three weeks. Rather than wait until the early morning I leave, I’d like to have it already arranged.

You can phone any of the two companies a day in advance and reserve a taxi for a set time and place. The service is quite reliable; they will ask for your phone number and if you do not show at the set time, within five minutes they will phone you back.

I have used AppTaxi to schedule pickups on several northern cities but not Florence. In places that they have not supported scheduling ahead of time I was informed when I tried to do it. (I assume the town was too small so the local taxi didn't support pre-booking.)
When I have booked ahead of time it was confirmed and reminders were sent and the taxi showed up exactly as expected.
You can also pay through the AppTaxi app if that's a concern for you.

The airport is close to the city and an early taxi to the airport is a standard practice. It's good to think of these things and plan ahead but don't worry about it too much.

Have a great trip,
=Tod

Thanks, Tod.

I just tried to prebook with Uber and I’m quoted E108! I’ll be leaving from the busy city center..forget the acronym.

There is no way that a taxi from near Piazza Gavinana to Ponte Vecchio would cost more than 15€. Call the taxi Numbers above.

The appTaxi I just downloaded. Seems clear and smooth enough. Doesn’t look that one can prebook with it though. Can I assume that I can do same day booking a ride even as early as 4 am?

The price E110 is for a ride from the center to the airport. When I arrived, A taxi from thevtrain station to Gavinana was E40 or so because of very slow traffic.

From the city center to the Florence Airport there is a flat fare imposed by the City. The flat fare from airport to city center is now 28€ on weekdays, 30€ on Sundays and holidays, or 32€ at night (10pm to 6am). There is also an extra charge of 1€ per bag. 110€ is probably the charge to the Pisa airport, which is 90km away.

Piazza Gavinana is outside the city center so the flat fare to the airport doesn’t apply, so they use the fare meter, but from my neighborhood (Viale Europa, therefore a couple of km farther from the center than piazza Gavinana), I’ve never spend more than 35€ to the airport, even with traffic, and the last time was 5 months ago.

You can call those taxi telephone numbers in the morning or even summon one online. At that time they will pick you up 5 or 10 min later. But you can also book online the night before using the website (I believe) or using the phone. If you don’t speak Italian when you call there is the option to select the English speaking dispatch operator). From Piazza Gavinana to Ponte Vecchio should be about 12€ or max 15€ during the day, maybe a couple of €€ more between 10pm and 6am. The ride to the airport from Piazza Gavinana, with the meter, should be no more than 35€. Maybe a few € more if you go to the airport at night or on Sunday/holidays. From the city center to the airport refer to the flat fares mentioned above.

Don’t be ripped off by those prices. The fare benchmarks are the ones I gave you.

The price E110 is for a ride from the center to the airport.

That's absurd, it's a 15 min ride at most at that hour- and thus why Uber is not really Uber in Italy.

Are you staying in a hotel? If so- just have them call a taxi in the am. I believe the fixed rate from center to airport is 22 euros. (now 28 euros)

I just don’t want to miss my flight at 6:45 am. I stayed in Gavinana when I first arrived but will be leaving from close to place de la République. Sorry for the confusion. I should have posted my question on a new thread.

From the city center to the Florence Airport there is a flat fare
imposed by the City. The flat fare from airport to city center is now
28€ on weekdays, 30€ on Sundays and holidays, or 32€ at night (10pm to
6am). There is also an extra charge of 1€ per bag.

So, Roberto...can one assume that the reverse trip from Florence Peretola airport to the city center (via Tornabuoni, about 2 blocks off the river) would be about the same flat fare? Don't want to book in advance because you never know about our plane being late, etc. So I would think that at about 15:00 on a Wednesday (early April), taxis should be plentiful?