A Berlin taxi costs €3.90 to start then €2.00/km — a 5km city ride runs about €14. Uber dispatches licensed taxi drivers in Germany at similar prices. Here's when the S-Bahn at €3.50 beats both.
Berlin has one of Europe's more interesting ride-hailing markets. Uber operates legally but under a significant constraint: German law requires that all for-hire vehicle drivers hold a P-Schein (professional passenger transport licence), which is the same licence required for traditional taxi drivers. As a result, Uber in Berlin dispatches licensed taxi drivers rather than private drivers — making Uber and taxis essentially the same product, dispatched differently. Bolt also operates and competes on price. FREENOW (formerly MyTaxi) is the dominant app for booking traditional taxis. And the S-Bahn and U-Bahn, at €3.50 per single journey, frequently beat both.
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Berlin taxis are cream/beige coloured and operate on a strict metered fare. The meter starts at €3.90 and runs at €2.00/km. There is a night surcharge applied between 22:00 and 06:00, and a short-distance rate (Kurzstreckentarif) of €6.00 for journeys under 2km — useful for very short trips. You can hail Berlin taxis on the street, find them at ranks (Taxistand) outside major stations, hotels, and attractions, or book via the FREENOW app. All licensed Berlin taxis accept card payment.
Uber relaunched in Germany in 2021 after restructuring to comply with the P-Schein requirement. UberX in Berlin dispatches licensed drivers, often in the same type of vehicles as traditional taxis. Bolt operates similarly. The key difference from taxis: upfront pricing (you see the fare before confirming), no night surcharge in the base fare display, and slightly lower prices on average due to fleet partnerships with licensed taxi companies. However, both Uber and Bolt can apply surge pricing during high-demand periods — New Year's Eve, major concerts at Mercedes-Benz Arena or Waldbühne, and peak Friday–Saturday evenings.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is 18km south of Berlin city centre. A taxi to Berlin Mitte typically costs €55–€70. Uber runs €50–€65. Both options work, but the public transport alternative is compelling: the Airport Express (FEX) runs directly to Berlin Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof in approximately 30 minutes with a standard zone ABC ticket (€4.40). For solo travellers or pairs without excessive luggage, the train is almost always the right call.
At BER, both the S45 (slower, stops at Schönefeld and intermediate stations) and the FEX (faster, fewer stops) use the same zone ABC ticket. If you have a Deutschlandticket (€58/month national flat-rate transit pass), both trains are included at no additional cost — making a taxi genuinely hard to justify for solo or couple travel.
Is Uber available in Berlin?
Yes — Uber operates legally in Berlin and dispatches licensed P-Schein drivers. UberX is the standard option. Bolt is also available and often competitive on price.
How much is a taxi from BER airport to central Berlin?
Approximately €55–€70 depending on exact destination. The train (FEX or S45) costs €4.40 with a zone ABC ticket and takes 30–45 minutes — strongly recommended for solo travellers.
What is the Kurzstreckentarif in Berlin?
The "short distance rate" — if you hail a taxi on the street (not pre-booked) and ask for a Kurzstrecke, you pay a flat €6.00 for journeys under 2km. It is not available for pre-booked rides or rides from taxi ranks — only street hails.
Is FREENOW the same as MyTaxi?
Yes — FREENOW was rebranded from MyTaxi in 2019. It is the dominant taxi booking app in Germany and dispatches licensed Berlin taxis with upfront pricing. Many drivers prefer FREENOW bookings over street hails.
Are Berlin taxis expensive?
By European capital standards, Berlin taxis are mid-range — cheaper than Zurich or London, more expensive than Prague or Warsaw. At €2.00/km, a 10km trip costs approximately €23.90. The S-Bahn at €3.50/trip makes taxi costs stand out by comparison.
Do Berlin taxis have a night surcharge?
Yes — a surcharge applies between 22:00 and 06:00. The exact rate varies but adds approximately 15–20% to the metered fare. Plan for this when estimating late-night costs.
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