Taxis at European Airports Increasingly Expensive

Almost 50 euros for a taxi from the airport to the city centre

LONDON, AUGUST 23, 2024. Travellers at European airports have never paid as much for a taxi as they do now. A study by AirMundo.com shows travellers at European airports pay an average of 49 euros for a taxi ride to the centre of the city this summer. Compared to a year ago, the price increased by an average of +6.6%. The most expensive taxis can be found at airports in London (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton) and Milan (Malpensa, Bergamo). Amsterdam Airport Schiphol falls just outside the top 10 most expensive airports in Europe. The cheapest taxis are available at airports in Turkey, Portugal, Poland and Romania.

El Informe sobre taxis de los aeropuertos del verano de 2024 ‘Tarifas de taxi en aeropuertos europeos’ compara las tarifas de los taxis de los 50 aeropuertos más transitados de Europa. Este informe da a conocer a los viajeros el precio medio de un trayecto en taxi desde el aeropuerto al centro de la ciudad. Los precios de los taxis reservados con antelación no se incluyen en la comparación.

Taxi Ride for 49 Euros

In 2022, inflation and the war in Ukraine caused a significant increase in taxi fares at airports in Europe. In 2023, prices for taxis at airports in Europe appeared to stabilise. However, this summer, taxi fares increased sharply once more. At 20 of Europe’s 50 busiest airports, costs have risen compared to a year ago. In Europe, the price for a taxi from the airport to the city centre is now 49 euros, for an average taxi ride of 31 minutes. Compared to a year earlier (Airport Taxi Report Summer 2023), taxis at airports have become +6.6% more expensive.

Rising Costs

In Europe, the 50 busiest airports are responsible for approximately 60% of the total number of passengers (2.3 billion passengers in 2023). Every day, many people at these airports choose a taxi to get from the airport to the city. Travellers taking a taxi are facing rising costs, paying more than ever before for a taxi at European airports. Out of the 50 airports examined, 10 have fixed rates for taxi rides to the city centre, examples include Rome Fiumicino Airport (55 euros, 2023: 50 euros) and Madrid Barajas Airport (33 euros, 2023: 30 euros).

Expensive Vacation

“Taxis at airports in Europe are becoming increasingly expensive, an annoying but unsurprising trend. In general, holiday expenses have risen, with top prices being demanded for airline tickets and accommodations this summer,” says Guus Wantia, owner of AirMundo.com. “Taxis naturally provide a high level of comfort and are the only transportation option offering a door-to-door solution. However, saving on taxi costs is possible through apps like Uber, Bolt, and FreeNow, which are increasingly available at European airports. In fact, Uber is now the official taxi partner at Prague Airport in the Czech Republic.”

Taxi fares at top 50 busiest airports in Europe

* Taxi prices checked at 05-08-2024, exchange rate of 05-08-2024

Airport Taxi Report Summer 2024 ‘Taxi fares at European airports’
AirMundo.com compares the taxi rates at the 50 busiest airports in Europe, every year in the summer. Comparisons are made based on both the taxi ride fare and the price per kilometre. For airports close to the city centre, the taxi fare is a preferable comparison, since the prices are lower due to the shorter distance travelled. For airports that are further from the city centre, the price per kilometre is a more favourable comparison, because the price per kilometre decreases as the distance increases.