Lisbon Taxis

Taxis in Lisbon: Overview

Lisbon taxis are a convenient and comfortable way to move around the Portuguese capital. They are either black with a green roof or cream-colored, always marked with a visible “TAXI” sign on the roof indicating availability. No other vehicles are allowed to use these colors, making Lisbon taxis easy to identify.

Pros & Cons of Lisbon Taxis

Taxis Pros	Taxis Cons
Easy to find due to high availability	Some drivers may attempt to scam tourists
Cheaper than taxis in most European capitals	Heavy traffic during rush hours increases cost and duration
Safe, even for night rides	English is often spoken at a basic level
Door-to-door service
Often faster than public transport

Lisbon Taxi Rates

Lisbon taxi fares are calculated by taximeter and regulated by the Portuguese government. The final fare depends on distance, travel time, and waiting time.

Lisbon Taxi Tariff	Initial Charge	Charge per km	Waiting Time (per hour)
Urban Transfers (Tarifa 1) – Day	3.25€	0.47€	14.80€
Urban Transfers (Tarifa 1) – Night / Weekends / Holidays	3.90€	0.56€	14.80€
Tariff 3 – Outside city (Day, driver returns alone)	3.25€	0.94€	14.80€
Tariff 3 – Outside city (Night / Weekends)	3.90€	1.13€	14.80€
Tariff 5 – Outside city (Day, driver returns with client)	3.25€	0.47€	14.80€
Tariff 5 – Outside city (Night / Weekends)	3.90€	0.56€	14.80€

Extra fees:
* Luggage: 1.60€ (flat fee, regardless of quantity or size)
* Pets: 1.60€
* Phone booking: 0.80€

Lisbon Taxis: Payment Methods

Many taxis accept debit or credit cards, but this is not guaranteed. Always carry some cash, as some vehicles are not equipped with POS terminals.

Our Tip: Taxi drivers are required to provide change for payments up to 20€.

How to Hire a Taxi in Lisbon

Hail a taxi directly from the street
Use official taxi ranks (recommended)
Call a taxi (e.g. Cooptáxis, Radio Taxis Lisboa)
Use apps such as MyTaxi or Uber

Our Tip: Phone operators often speak limited English.

Common Lisbon Taxi Scams & How to Avoid Them

Unnecessarily long routes: Track your ride with GPS.
“Free sightseeing” offers: Usually increases the fare.
Fixed-price offers: Accept only if you know the real cost.
Unlicensed drivers: Always use official taxis or ranks.

Lisbon Taxi to Portela Airport

A taxi ride from Lisbon city center to Lisbon Airport (LIS) takes around 20 minutes and costs 10€–15€ during the day or 18€ at night, weekends, and holidays (luggage included).

Our Tip: Taxis are the best option if departing from Terminal 2, which is not directly connected to the city.

Hints & Tips about Lisbon Taxis

Always check that the taximeter is turned on
Ask for a receipt at the end of the ride
Write down your destination address
Card payments are not always accepted
Luggage and pets incur extra fees
Wheelchairs, strollers, and guide dogs are free
Tipping is optional (rounding up is common)
Expect fast driving—stay alert

FAQ

Are cabs expensive in Lisbon?

Lisbon cabs are certainly not the most affordable transfer option. Still, they are much cheaper than taxis in most of the other European cities.

Do you tip taxis in Lisbon?

You are under no circumstances obligated to tip your taxi driver. Nevertheless, customers who are satisfied with the provided services usually round up the fare.

Are taxis safe in Portugal?

Taxis in Lisbon, and Portugal in general, are considered a safe transportation mode. Cases of scams are certainly being reported from time to time, but on the same frequency as in any other European country. The main draw of Lisbon taxis is that many taxi drivers can’t speak English fluently.