In Madrid, taxis run 24/7. It is very easy to catch a taxi and you only have to raise your hand to hail one. In Madrid, taxis are white with a red diagonal stripe on the front doors. Taxis are free if the green light on the car roof is turned on.

Madrid has more than 15,000 taxis permanently running around the city and it is therefore relatively easy to find one free at almost any place. This fact allows you to stroll around the city and stop a taxi on almost any corner.

Fares are always indicated by the taximeter that is located at the front of the taxi. The taximeter starts counting from the minimum fare which is usually about 1.50 euros. From this moment onwards and depending on the distance, the neighbourhood, the day of the week (fares are higher on Sundays and bank holidays) and the place where you caught the taxi (there are additional fares for taxis that are stopped at train stations, bus stations and airports), the taximeter will increase in larger or smaller amounts. Night fares are always higher than day fares. 

You must never pay additional fares for transporting luggage or pets in approved vehicles. It is illegal to negotiate prices and special offers. All extra charges should be appropriately indicated on stickers located on the taxi's rear windows. Taxi drivers should always charge you in accordance with the amount indicated by the taximeter. Remember that you are entitled to request an invoice with taxi's number plate and the driver's license number for subsequent claims if you are not satisfied with the service.


FARES

The fares in force during 2007 are the following:

Minimum fare: 1.85 euros during the week and 2.90 euros on Saturdays and bank holidays, between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
1st Fare (zone A between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.): 0.87 euros per kilometre.
2nd Fare (zone A between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.): 1.00 euros per kilometre.
3rd Fare (zone B at nighttimes and on bank holidays): 1.10 euros per kilometre.
If the speed of the taxi were lower than drag speed or the taximeter's threshold (less than 19 km/h for the 1st Fare, less than 16.50 km/h for the 2nd Fare and less than 15 km/h for the 3rd Fare) customers will be charged 16.50 euros per hour of service.

Extra charges:

Extraordinary Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve surplus (from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.): 6 euros.
Departures from train and bus stations: 2.50 euros (except departures from the plaza de Colón - Airport line).
Trips that start or end at the Barajas Airport: 5.00 euros.
Trips that start or end at the Juan Carlos I Exhibition Centre: 2.50 euros
Luggage: no extra charges.
Pets: no extra charges.
Wheelchairs: no extra charges.


INFORMATION OF INTEREST

Radio Taxi
Santa Engracia, 84
Tel. 91 447 32 32

Sección de Taxis del Ayuntamiento de Madrid
C/ Albarracín, 33 Planta Baja
 91 480 46 28 / 91 480 46 20

Radio Mercedes Madrid
Padre Claret, 26.
91 674 36 20

Radio Teléfono Taxi
902 478 200 - www.radiotelefono-taxi.com/

Tele Taxi
91 371 21 31  - www.tele-taxi.es

Radio Taxi Independiente
91 405 12 13

Lost property office: 91 480 46 13 (From Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.).
You must wait 72 hours before claiming a lost object.