Taxi tips in Rome

You should find a taxi rank near the entrance of the museums. Be sure they turn on the meter. Have your address written down to avoid confusion.

If your hotel is close to a metro stop you could walk to the Barberini, Spagna or Flaminio stop and take the metro to the Ottaviano or Cipro stop and walk from there.

Donna

Google www.worldtaximeter.com and practice plugging in start and end points for an idea of actual fare. I've found the calculations to be on point.

I'd estimate the cost at less than 15 Euro, assuming traffic isn't horrible.

tip: take the little cards they have at the hotel with address and phone number. You can just show that to a taxi driver if you're having communication problems. Ask the driver before you get in about how much it will cost, and it will avoid surprises.

Don't be afraid of taxis. Think of it as fun! We walk most places but will take a taxi when tired. Major piazzas will have stands for white taxis. If your driver doesn't understand just write it down.

The meter drop is higher on weekends and holidays. You don’t have to tip, although my husband can't stop himself.

Taxis in Rome are much more affordable than most other places. I used the taxis regularly when in Rome and need to rush to a place. Most drivers can understand places and always write it down in case your pronunciation is as horrible as mine.
The trip cost should be around 12-15 euros.
There is a taxi stand just outside the Borghese gallery and another one 200-300 metres down the road. As you might already know you can't hail a taxi on the road in Italy.
Have a great trip

Thanks all for this information. It is exactly what I was hoping to learn. Glad to know if we don't feel like walking back to the hotel afterward we have an easy option. I appreciate your help.

Since we will be traveling to Rome, this discussion has been of interest. I've been to Rome only once for a few rushed hours off a cruise ship (This was nuts!!!) and therefore looking forward to our five full days in the city to really see and experience it. Therefore taxis will an option, too. Following up on this discussion, I found this. I see one of the responders lived in Rome. Is this good information?

"Finding a Taxi
Unlike many large cities, hailing down a taxi cab in Rome is not a common practice, but not entirely impossible. If taxis are free, the light from the Taxi sign located on top of the cab will be turned on. If the light is off, then that means they are likely occupied or are on their way to pick up a passenger. The best way to grab a cab is either to go to a taxi stand or to call for a cab.

There are several taxi stands throughout Rome. Some of the most popular ones are located at Termini Station, Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza Venezia, Largo Argentina, Piazza delle Cinque Lune (near Piazza Navona), Piazza Barberini and Via Boncompagni (near Via Veneto).

Otherwise, to call for a taxi within Rome, you can try any of the following numbers: 06 3570,06 4994, 06 6645, 06 5551 or 06 8822.
What you should know

Last but not least, make sure when riding in a cab within the city center and other parts of Rome, that the meter reads “Tariffa 1.” Sometimes, dishonest cab drivers put the meter on “Tariffa 2” when they know a they have unsuspecting tourists as passengers. The “Tariffa 2” moves at a much faster rate and should only be applied when exiting Rome’s highway or G.R.A. (Grande Raccordo Annulare). If this rate is applied, the taxi driver is obligated by law to notify its passengers each time they are about to change to meter to “Tariffa 2.” Depending on the type of taxi meter, the number can be found either in the far left hand corner or bottom right hand corner.

If you feel you have been cheated by a taxi, the driver’s license number is written on a metal plate on the left door on the passenger side. Make sure you get a receipt or ricevuta and write down the name and number printed on the plate. In addition, you should also take note of which cab company you used (i.e. 3570 or 6645) as well as the number written on the outside of the door (i.e. Napoli 34 or Milano 22). With this information, you can file a complaint with the cab company and should be able to receive reimbursement."

Joanne, my advice is relevant if you have a smartphone. Be sure you have the Google Translate app - I didn't use it often but there were a couple of times during my trip to Italy that I was very glad to have it. Further, download for offline use the Italian translation... you can use it 24/7 regardless of whether you have wifi. Also write very clearly the name and address of your hotel exactly as on the website, confirmation, etc. - take a picture of it to show the taxi driver.

I wouldn't bother asking the driver for an estimate of the fare, now that you have a rough idea. I once asked a driver (in Italian) and he shrugged his shoulders and said "It will cost what the meter says."

On the very small chance that you get a dishonest driver, watch out for this scam: You go to pay, and hand him a 20 (or a 50). He immediately switches it for a smaller bill and shows you that one as if it's what you just handed him. The way to avoid this is to have a death grip on the bill as you point to the amount on it and make sure he sees that you've done that. That way he can't switch it.

And don't tip. Italians don't. Why should you?

One thing that hasn't been mentioned: If you call a taxi, the meter starts when they get your call, so by the time they get to you, the meter is already running. This is not a scam. Also, there are extra charges for things like putting items in the trunk; again, this is not a scam, and there is a price list for these mandatory extras posted in the taxi.

And I would say that while hailing taxis is both allowed and possible, it's not easy. Don't count on doing it, a la New York; plan on finding a cab stand or phoning for one. Many tourist maps of Rome have taxi stands marked, or you can ask for the nearest one (in central Rome, often not far at all). Or, you can ask your restaurant, hotel, etc to call for one.