Taxis are a fast and convenient way of getting around a city and offer a private and comfortable alternative to public transport. If you’re a visitor, taxis can help you navigate Rome’s complex and often congested roads, without having to drag your luggage from one place to another.
In addition to traditional taxis and public transport, Uber is another convenient way of traveling around Italy’s captivating capital. Its easy in-app booking, clear fare estimates, and user-friendliness are what make it a popular ride-sharing app around the globe.
The inevitable question is, when it comes to taxi vs. Uber in Rome, which is better and cheaper? What benefits and drawbacks does each service have? Which one can help you get to your destination faster? I’ll tackle all these questions in this guide, so keep reading!
In Short
Whether you should ride an Uber or a taxi in Rome boils down to your personal preference. Since Uber only offers its premium services in Rome, its fares are always higher than local taxi rates. Taxis are more accessible and affordable, but high demand causes frequent delays.
Taxi services in Rome have also evolved to offer in-app booking, similar to Uber, with helpful options such as pet-friendly rides, English-speaking drivers, eco-friendly cars, and wheelchair accessibility. If you don’t have Wi-Fi, you can request a taxi via SMS, phone call, or a taxi stand.
If comfort, high-end cars, a luxurious experience, and a quick ride are what you’re looking for, I highly recommend getting an Uber. But if you want the most budget-friendly option and don’t mind waiting during peak hours, a traditional taxi might be the better option.
How the Price of a Taxi in Rome is Calculated
The taxi fares in Rome are regulated by the city council, and they’re based on factors such as the distance you’ve traveled, the time of day, and the day of the week.
Here are a few things to be familiar with when understanding the fare structure in Rome:
- Initial fixed fee: A base amount that’s charged from the moment of your departure, regardless of your destination
- Hourly fare: An amount that’s charged per hour when your taxi is stuck in traffic, waiting for you (often called a waiting charge), or traveling at a speed below 20 km/h
- Per-kilometer fare: Charges based on the distance you’ve covered during the trip
- Extra luggage charge: A €1 fee for every additional piece of luggage you have that measures over 35x25x50 cm
- Extra passenger charge: A €1 fee for the fifth passenger upwards in taxis for more than four passengers
- Phone booking charge: A €4 fixed fee for requesting a ride with a radio-controlled taxi
- Reduced fare: 10% discount for direct journeys to public hospitals, unaccompanied women at night, and young people leaving dance clubs on Friday and Saturday nights
The price of the trip will be the one shown on the taximeter, which you’ll find on the left side of the driving mirror for most cars. Additional charges for extra luggage, passengers, and telephone booking will be added to the amount on the taximeter at the end of your journey.
Note that tipping is not mandatory for taxis in Rome, and generally, drivers don’t expect to receive them. However, most taxi apps and drivers do allow you to leave tips if you’d like to show gratitude for the service, and rounding up the fare to the nearest euro is customary.
Official Taximeter Fares in Rome
All taxi services in Rome adhere to a progressive fare system, as indicated in the latest Rome City Council Resolution. It involves an initial fixed fee and a progressive fare that increases according to the number of kilometers traveled and the completion time of each trip.
| Initial Fixed Fee | |
| From point of departure on weekdays (from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm) | € 3 |
| From point of departure on Sundays and public holidays (from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm) | € 5 |
| From point of departure at night (from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am) | € 7 |
In addition to the initial fixed fee, an hourly fare of 28 euros per hour is applied according to the timed tick on the taximeter, for speeds less than 20 km/h.
Meanwhile, speeds above 20 km/h adhere to the following single progressive taximeter fare:
| Single Progressive Taximeter Fare | |
| T1 at speeds > 20 km/h | 1.14 €/km |
| T2 at speeds > 20 km/h | 1.35 €/km |
| T3 at speeds > 20 km/h | 1.66 €/km |
The taximeter will shift from T1 to T2 when your initial fixed fare on the taximeter has clocked up to a further €11, and from that time, T2 will be applied up until a further €13 has been clocked up. When that happens, T3 will be applied until the end of your journey.
Fixed Taximeter Fares in Rome
When it comes to journeys to and from Rome’s major airports, taxi services follow a set of fixed fares. Note that these fixed fares are calculated per journey, and not per passenger. The fares are inclusive of all extra charges.
- From Fiumicino Airport to within the city’s Aurelian Walls and vice versa: €50
- From Ciampino Airport to within the city’s Aurelian Walls and vice versa: €31
- From Fiumicino Airport to Ciampino Airport and vice versa: €52
Overview of Existing Taxi Companies in Rome
There are a number of taxi companies in Rome, but these two have the largest network of taxicab fleets and are widely used by both locals and tourists looking for a ride:
Radiotaxi 3570
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Radiotaxi 3570 was founded in 1968 as a radio cab cooperative for Roman taxi drivers. It has since grown into one of Italy’s largest taxi fleets, with 3,700 cars in the capital alone. Its 150 receiving phone lines take around 30,000 calls per day, 7,000 of which come from tourists!
Although most of Radiotaxi’s users book a ride by calling their hotline (+39 06 3570), you can also request a taxi using their online Taxi Click service. Radiotaxi also accepts bookings through their SMS Taxi service, and their app, itTaxi.
Radiotaxi 3570’s offers include the following:
- Standard taxi: Standard service for four passengers and two bags
- Minivan: Service that accommodates large groups of up to six people
- Wagon: Service good for four passengers and four pieces of luggage
- NPV: High-capacity service for seven passengers and seven pieces of luggage
- Taxi for her: Safety service with its own hotline that allows women to book a taxi at night
- Taxi Sordi: Service with an app that allows deaf people to request a taxi
- Taxi for accessible mobility: Service that safely transports handicapped people
- Taxi Gold: High-quality taxi services with suitably dressed drivers and modern cars
- Civitavecchia services: Service that transports passengers directly to the ship loading area at Civitavecchia Harbor
All Radiotaxi drivers accept credit or debit cards for payment. They have English, French, German, and Spanish-speaking drivers available upon request. The app also allows you to book a taxi in advance, and to select an eco-friendly and pet-friendly vehicle if you prefer.
FreeNow
FreeNow is one of the largest taxi and vehicle service platforms not just in Rome, but in Europe. Its convenient FreeNow app works similarly to Uber, allowing you to request a ride, view a fare estimate, communicate with your driver, and seamlessly pay through the app.
It also allows you to book a trip up to four days in advance, and use promo codes and vouchers to save up on your trips. FreeNow operates with top-rated local drivers, with various ride options to choose from:
- Taxi: Regular and most affordable taxi service good for four people
- Taxi XL: A service for larger groups, which allows you to choose from 5 to 8 seats
- Taxi Go: Extra fast taxi service with no stopovers
- Eco Taxi: A service that allows you to book a taxi with an eco-friendly engine
- Wheelchair Taxi: A wheelchair-accessible taxi service
- Taxi School: A taxi service for teachers going to/from schools, with special vouchers
What sets FreeNow apart from other taxi services in Rome is that it also offers carsharing options, and the choice to rent an eScooter, eBike, or eMoped in-app.
Payment methods include PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, and Cash.
There’s an option to round up your fares and donate them to the Red Cross Committee. The app also lets you create a business profile to separate personal and business expenses.
How Uber Operates in Rome + Pricing
Uber first launched its services in Rome in 2013, offering easy app-facilitated booking, upfront fare estimates, and multiple vehicle options to its users.
However, Uber’s standard low-cost services, like UberX and UberPop, faced resistance from the local government and taxi companies due to driver licensing issues and claims of unfair competition.
At present, the ride-sharing giant is only allowed to provide its premium services in Rome, which offers access to high-end vehicles, experienced professional drivers, and a more luxurious riding experience at a higher price point. Its offers include the following:
- Uber Black: High-end cars for four people with top-rated drivers
- Uber Van: High-end cars for groups of six people with top-rated drivers
- Uber Lux: Luxury cars for four people with professional drivers
In May 2022, Uber forged a deal with itTaxi, allowing users to book local taxis through the Uber app, for a €2.50 booking fee. You can also rent Lime scooters and Lime e-bikes through the app. Payment methods include cash, debit and credit cards, Google Pay, gift cards, and PayPal.
When it comes to pricing, Uber provides an in-app fare breakdown for every trip, which includes a base fare, a minimum fare, a per-minute charge, and a per-kilometer charge. Because of Uber’s dynamic pricing model, these amounts fluctuate frequently based on changing demands.
Uber charges an additional fee if you’ve kept your driver waiting. For Uber Black, it’s €0.25 per minute, while for Uber Van and Uber Lux, it’s €0.38 per minute.
Taxis vs. Uber in Rome: Price Comparison
The following table shows the cost of getting a ride through Uber, Radiotaxi 3570, and FreeNow for the most common routes and destinations in Rome:
| Course 1 | Course 2 | Course 3 | Course 4 | Course 5 | |
| Details about the course | Fiumicino Airport to Colosseum
(31.69 km) |
Termini Station to Pantheon (3.94 km) | Trevi Fountain to the Vatican (4.84 km) | Trastevere to Roman Forum (3.87 km) | Pantheon to Piazza del Popolo (3.29 km) |
| Uber | € 93.61 | € 29.93 | € 33.73 | € 40.02 | € 23.18 |
| Radiotaxi 3570 | € 50 | € 11–15 | € 13–18 | € 12–17 | € 11–15 |
| FreeNow | € 50 | € 7–14 | € 10–19 | € 8–15 | € 8–15 |
We can see that Uber is significantly more expensive than taxis because only its premium service is available in Rome. Uber Black, Van, and Lux offer a more comfortable and luxurious riding experience, with the drawback of being less affordable than the traditional UberX.
Radiotaxi 3570 and FreeNow both adhere to local taximeter fares, so prices tend to remain constant, with any differences being attributable to extra charges.
Meanwhile, Uber uses a dynamic pricing model, so fares can fluctuate daily and even hourly, because of traffic, changing rider-to-driver demand patterns, and peak hours.
Comparing Taxi and Uber Services in Rome
Riding a taxi in Rome is generally a safe and reliable experience, but it’s possible for some drivers to overcharge you by having an unmetered taxi or “forgetting” to turn the meter on. Such situations are less likely to occur in an Uber, with its streamlined upfront fare estimates in-app.
Additionally, all taxis are legally obliged to have POS machines for card payments, but there are some drivers that only accept cash, claiming their machines are broken. If you don’t have cash or prefer to pay by card, Uber offers more flexibility in terms of payment methods.
When it comes to ease of getting a ride, taxis have an edge since there are taxi stands all over the city, especially in airports, train stations, and tourist attractions. Compared to Uber, they have a variety of booking platforms, including SMS, WhatsApp, and local hotlines.
It’s also worth mentioning that you need to have an internet connection to use Uber. Taxis and Uber cars typically take the same time to arrive, around 3–5 minutes. However, taxis are more prone to delays due to there being a higher demand for taxis than Uber cars, which are costlier.
To help you compare the three services, we’ve summarized relevant information in the table below:
| Table Comparing Taxi and Uber Services in Rome | |||
| Uber | Radiotaxi 3570 | FreeNow | |
| Booking options | Uber online, Uber app | Taxi stands, Radiotaxi 3570 call center, itTaxi app, Taxi Click online, SMS Taxi | FreeNow app |
| Maximum number of passengers | 6 people | 7 people | 8 people |
| Initial fixed fee | None | Yes | Yes |
| Wait time fee | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Driver rating system | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Airport ride fares | Varies | Fixed price | Fixed price |
| Family car | Uber van | NPV, Minivan, Wagon | Taxi XL |
| Eco-friendly vehicle | None | Option available for eco-friendly vehicle | Eco Taxi |
| Accessibility for handicapped people | None | Options available for wheelchair access, limited mobility, and deaf passengers | Wheelchair accessible Taxi |
| Carpooling | None | None | Yes |
| On-board Wi-Fi connection | None | None | None |
| English-speaking driver option | None | Yes | None |
| Pets allowed | Depends on the driver | Option available for animal transport | Depends on the driver |
| Memberships | None | itTaxi Business | None |
| Availability | Available at night and during rush hours, but fares increase when demand is high | Long waiting time during rush hours, discounts for unaccompanied women and young people coming out of dance clubs at night | Long waiting time during rush hours, discounts for unaccompanied women and young people coming out of dance clubs at night |
| Geographic Coverage | Rome and major Italian cities, worldwide availability | Nationwide operation, vast network all over Italy | 100 cities in 9 different countries across Europe |
| Customer Service | Professionally trained drivers arrive on time
All cars are high-end and more comfortable The app provides a clear and reliable fare amount |
Customer service hotlines can sometimes be unresponsive
Some phone operators don’t speak English In-app fare estimates tend to fluctuate after booking |
Limited availability of English-speaking drivers
Drivers are friendly but often delayed In-app fare estimates tend to fluctuate after booking |
Other Ride-Sharing Platforms in Rome
Rome offers plenty of ways to get around if you want to reach your destination quickly and prefer to avoid public transit. In addition to the ones mentioned above, here are a few other popular and highly recommended ride-sharing and taxi options for your trips:
📱 Wetaxi
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Wetaxi is a free smartphone app that works in collaboration with local Italian radio taxis to make ride-sharing easier and more transparent for users. Its partner operators include Taxi Blue Milano, Consortaxi Napoli, and TaxiTorino.
Users of Wetaxi are also able to buy and validate public transport tickets through the app and locate the nearest bus, metro line, and public transport options available.
📱 Samarcanda Plus
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Samarcanda is a reputable taxi service in Rome, and its app, Samarcanda Plus, allows you to request a taxi, reserve a taxi, or book a city tour in just a few taps.
The Samarcanda Plus app is also useful for getting fare quotations, talking directly with a taxi driver, paying in-app, and requesting a receipt. Samarcanda’s taxis all have free Wi-Fi on board as well as a charger for your smartphone.
📱 Pronto Taxi
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Pronto Taxi is a taxi cooperative established in 1974. Currently, it has 1,300 taxi cars in operation all throughout Rome, completing around 10,000 trips per day.
In addition to traditional taxi services, Pronto Taxi offers specialized services for senior citizens, school children, weddings with hostesses, businesses, and passengers with limited mobility. Pronto Taxi accepts bookings through SMS, its website, hotlines, and the InTaxi app.
