Mon, 28 May 2012
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There are lots of transport options for getting to and around Amsterdam: by bicycle or car, by public transport and, of course, by taxi.Most taxis also have a roof light.
Where can you find a taxi?
You can find taxis at the taxi ranks close to tourist areas such as the Dam, Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. There are 50 official ranks in the city, which are identified by the blue signs. You can hail taxis that driving on the roads but remember that the taxi cannot or may not be able to stop everywhere. You can also book a taxi instead by telephone. Taxi company phone numbers can be obtained by calling the information number 1888 or via www.1888info.nl.
Not all taxis are allowed to drive on the tram and bus lanes. Only taxis with an exemption may do so. This exemption must be clearly placed in the windscreen, on the passenger side. The advantage of taxis that are allowed to use the tram and bus lanes is that they can arrive at their destination quicker than other taxis.
Only licensed taxis are allowed to offer their services at Central Station. This licence (shown below) should be clearly displayed behind the windscreen. This licence makes extra demands of the drivers and their vehicles. The drivers have an exemption for the tram and bus lanes as standard, have good street knowledge and a well maintained vehicles, no older than six years. If it is a diesel vehicle, it must be fitted with a soot filter. These drivers also have a nationally valid TX mark of approval – look for the blue sticker – and they are not permitted to refuse short trips.
What does a taxi ride cost?
When travelling according to the meter, the price of a taxi ride consists of
To transport five of more people (minibus):
The flag-down rate includes the first two kilometres. After that, you pay for each extra kilometre covered (or part thereof). Taxi drivers can set their own flag-down and kilometre rates, up to the maximum prices shown. The taxi meter does not charge any extra as a result of delays in traffic or tailbacks. All rates are indicated on the tariff card in the taxi.
By law, the taxi meter must always be switched on. There are two ways of being charged for the journey. Firstly, you can be charged by the regular flag-down rate and the travelled kilometres. You may prefer to agree on a total price beforehand (zone tariff). In this case the meter is still switched on, with the zone tariff displayed. When you agree on a zone tariff, be advised to take note of the distance to your destination and the charge for this journey. If you do not agree on a price beforehand, you will be charged by the meter, according to the above rates.
Ordering a taxi via your hotel? Normal price!
If you request your hotel to order a taxi, there will be no extra charge for the taxi ride. Sometimes drivers charge a higher fee for this hotel service. You are not obliged to accept this price and are advised to request the regular metered price.
Possible additional charges
Waiting rate
The driver is legally permitted to charge a waiting rate prior to commencing the journey, e.g., if the taxi you ordered has to wait for you to show up or if you ask the driver to wait during the journey. The waiting rate is a maximum EUR 33 per hour (EUR 0.55 per minute).
Special services
The driver can request additional rates for special or supplemental services, e.g., carrying baggage or if you want a pet to ride with you. These supplemental prices must be visible on the tariff card; take careful note.
Some distance indications
Approximate distance in kilometres. Note that road works and/or diversions may increase distances.
Need to make a complaint?
If you are unhappy about your taxi journey (e.g., the service or the price), you should first address your complaint to the driver. If you cannot arrive at a solution with the driver then you can submit a written complaint to the taxi company. You can obtain a complaint form from the driver or from the website www.taxiklacht.nl.
Always make note of the licence plate or registration number of the taxi (on the taxi tariff card and beginning with the letter ‘P’), the date and the time of your journey. If you do not have sufficient information of the taxi company, you can submit your complaint to the National Taxi Complaints Office on 0900 202 18 81 (EUR 0.13 per minute); your complaint will be forwarded to the relevant taxi company.
For more information, visit www.taxi.amsterdam.nl or (in English) here.
Photo credit: Amsterdam taxis by ceris42 (Flickr.com, Creative Commons license)
This information is not correct. There are huge problems with drivers overcharging and refusing short fares. Just read this article: http://www.pipelinenews.org/index.cfm?page=vermaat7.16.09.htm "Talking to the Amsterdam based newspaper De Telegraaf, a Dutch Turkish taxi driver recently criticized his Moroccan colleages severely: "All of them are burglars and criminals.""
Don't just trust a sticker on a taxi. The supposed mark of quality doesn't mean anything. Unsuspecting visitors are seriously overcharged and women harassed.
Reliable transportation is done by the company I always use: Ambassador Taxi Services in Amsterdam. They give you a fixed rate and their service is perfect.
It shocks me to hear a nice report about Taxis in Amsterdam. I travel around the world every few weeks and am very accustomed to taxis, it amazes me how many taxi drivers in Amsterdam suffer with Amnesia and to be honest are the biggest load of bandits I have come across. Yes they have a knowledge of taking foreigners the longest route and your report on Taxis does not show the scrupulous thieving drivers they are. They do refuse short journeys and make there own prices up. Central station is the worst place for these cowboys and it is a shame for the honest decent drivers trying to make a living. I am afraid to say that the problems are not with the Dutch drivers but more the Turkish and Moroccan drivers.
the both times i used tca too, the first one insisted i put my small bag away in the boot, then did not return tol me when i got out, company pleaded ignorance, the second time drove me all over the place to charge double it should of cost, both morroccan and turk, if the fez fits wear it, before you start screaming racist......
Never ever take a TCA taxi in Amsterdam unless you wanna pay money for nothing. Ask your hotel or hostel for a reliable driver, get his mobile number and keep in touch. At night the minimum fair is € 35, even for short distances, so avoid Central Station, Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. Arrange a rendez-vous with your 'personal taxi driver' before you start to party and there will be no issues.
This information is not correct. There are huge problems with drivers overcharging and refusing short fares. Just read this article: http://www.pipelinenews.org/index.cfm?page=vermaat7.16.09.htm "Talking to the Amsterdam based newspaper De Telegraaf, a Dutch Turkish taxi driver recently criticized his Moroccan colleages severely: "All of them are burglars and criminals.""
Don't just trust a sticker on a taxi. The supposed mark of quality doesn't mean anything. Unsuspecting visitors are seriously overcharged and women harassed.
Reliable transportation is done by the company I always use: Ambassador Taxi Services in Amsterdam. They give you a fixed rate and their service is perfect.
It shocks me to hear a nice report about Taxis in Amsterdam. I travel around the world every few weeks and am very accustomed to taxis, it amazes me how many taxi drivers in Amsterdam suffer with Amnesia and to be honest are the biggest load of bandits I have come across. Yes they have a knowledge of taking foreigners the longest route and your report on Taxis does not show the scrupulous thieving drivers they are. They do refuse short journeys and make there own prices up. Central station is the worst place for these cowboys and it is a shame for the honest decent drivers trying to make a living. I am afraid to say that the problems are not with the Dutch drivers but more the Turkish and Moroccan drivers.
the both times i used tca too, the first one insisted i put my small bag away in the boot, then did not return tol me when i got out, company pleaded ignorance, the second time drove me all over the place to charge double it should of cost, both morroccan and turk, if the fez fits wear it, before you start screaming racist......
Never ever take a TCA taxi in Amsterdam unless you wanna pay money for nothing. Ask your hotel or hostel for a reliable driver, get his mobile number and keep in touch. At night the minimum fair is € 35, even for short distances, so avoid Central Station, Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. Arrange a rendez-vous with your 'personal taxi driver' before you start to party and there will be no issues.
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