Once upon a time, taxis were easy to find in cities around the world—then rideshare apps changed everything. These days, most travelers instinctively open Uber or Lyft without a second thought. Even I, the Roaming Historian (a lover of all things old-school), usually do the same. But Italy is different. Rideshare doesn’t work here the way it does elsewhere, which can catch first-time visitors off guard. If you’re wondering how to get a taxi in Italy, whether Uber is available, and which apps actually work in cities like Rome or Florence, this guide will walk you through exactly what to expect—and how to get around without the stress.
Is Uber Available in Italy?
Uber is available in Italy, but not in the way most travelers expect. Instead of standard rideshare, Uber primarily operates as Uber Black, connecting you with licensed professional drivers rather than private individuals. In cities like Rome and Milan, you may also see regular taxis offered through the app, but in most cases, traditional taxis or local apps are more widely available and often more affordable.
How Uber is Different in Italy
Uber does not offer its typical rideshare option in Italy. You can use the Uber app but it won’t connect you to a nearby driver in their own car. Uber services are offered through Uber Black, which connects you to licensed NCC drivers. NCC stands for Noleggio con Conducente, which means chauffeur hire. These are professional, licensed operators regulated under Italy’s national transport framework. An NCC license is not easy to obtain. It requires professional driving qualifications and proper registrations and rule following. These are not gig drivers picking up rides between other jobs. They are transport professionals. Consequently, using Uber might be more costly than using a taxi (but the vehicle and driver quality are typically very good).
It might also take a lot longer than you expect. Under the Italian rules for chauffeurs, a driver cannot park on a public street and wait for the next booking to arrive on their app. When a booking comes in through Uber, the driver has to travel from their registered parking area to reach you. The Italian legal framework was designed specifically to protect the taxi system from unlimited informal competition, and it remains in force, so use Uber if it works for you but understand that a taxi might be better.
How to Get a Taxi in Italy
You generally cannot hail a taxi in Italy. Standing there waiving at passing taxis will only tire out your arms. Occasionally, someone might take pity on you, but generally they’re not going to stop unless they’re at a stand or you have called them. Once, the restaurant tried calling for a long time and couldn’t get through, so hubby (with crutches) and I had to try to find a taxi stand. A car passed us on the way and I begged him to take us, but he made us go to the stand.
So, how do you get a taxi in Italy then?
- Walking to a taxi stand is the cheapest and most reliable way to get a taxi in Italy. By law Italian taxis must either respond to a booking or wait at a designated taxi stand. Every major Italian city has them outside train stations, at airports, at key piazzas, and at major tourist sites. Look for a little sign that says “taxi.” This sign might be quite small and hidden, so sometimes it’s best just to look for taxis. By choosing this option, you don’t have a booking fee.
- Book a taxi via the app. If you want the convenience of an app with the legal metered taxi fare, Italy has its own apps that connect to the licensed radio-taxi networks.
- itTaxi is the national app. It operates in many Italian cities and connects thousands of taxis. You book through the app, track the driver on the map, and pay at the end of the journey by the meter. The app does not add a booking surcharge on top of the metered fare.
- FreeNow, now part of Lyft, operates across Europe and functions in Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, and several other Italian cities. It connects you to licensed taxis from the local taxi companies. FreeNow does add a small booking fee to the metered fare.
- In Florence, the taxis use different apps. AppTaxi and TaxiMove are the apps aligned with the two main Florentine taxi collectives. itTaxi coverage in Florence is limited because the cooperatives there chose not to participate.
- The Uber app itself has an agreement with itTaxi in Rome, which means that when you open Uber in Rome you may be offered a standard licensed taxi through the itTaxi network alongside the NCC Uber Black option. If that option appears, it is a regular metered taxi at the regular fare, with a small app booking fee. This is the closest thing to the standard Uber experience you will find in Italy, and it only works in Rome. Otherwise, you can try Uber Black to see if it will work
- Call a taxi. You can always try to call a taxi (they generally have a WhatsApp phone line) to pick you up at your location or have the restaurant owner or hotel concierge do it for you. Not all phone operators speak English and they answer in Italian, so be prepared for that if you make the call.
Pro tip: Don’t accept a ride from someone approaching you inside the arrivals hall at the airport or train station offering to take you. Those are unauthorized drivers. You will be overcharged and have no legal recourse. We almost made this mistake once and got all the way to the parking lot when we realized our error. They will approach you when you’re standing in the taxi line and say they have an official taxi. The taxi line moves at a “first in line” pace, so anyone trying to get you out of line is not an official taxi driver.
Taxi Prices
Italian taxes are quite regulated by the law. Every taxi driver operates under a city license. Prices are set by each municipality and aren’t negotiable. The driver is legally required to use a certified taximeter for every journey. Every taxi in Italy is required by law to display its tariff table inside the vehicle, in a visible location. If you do not see it, you can ask. If the driver refuses to run the meter, or asks for a negotiated price before departure for any journey that is not one of the published flat-rate routes, that is a problem and you should not take that taxi. The taxi is generally white in almost every Italian city. It carries a taxi sign on the roof. The license number is displayed on the doors. The driver is required to issue a receipt on request.
- Fixed Fare—a set rate from one place to the other. For instance, in Rome there is a fixed fare from Fiumicino airport to anywhere within the Aurelian Walls, the historic city center. This price includes all passengers in the car and luggage—regardless of time or day. There is also a fixed fare form Ciampino airport to the city center.
- Metered Fare—the taximeter starts at a fixed initial amount when you get in, then increases based on distance and time. That starting amount varies by city, by time of day, and by day of the week. Night rates are higher than day rates. Weekend and public holiday rates are higher still. Luggage may cost extra per bag. These surcharges are fixed by the municipality, not invented by the driver. There may be reductions for disabled people and for women at certain times.
How to Get a Taxi in Rome, Milan, Florence, or Naples
- In Rome taxis are plentiful. Use the stands at Termini, at major piazze, and at both airports. For app bookings use itTaxi first, FreeNow as an alternative. Uber Black is available and might connect you to itTaxi.
- In Milan taxis are also abundant. Taxi stands are numerous across the city. FreeNow has strong coverage in Milan. itTaxi also works. Uber Black operates here.
- In Florence, there is less of a need for taxis due to the compact size of the city but you will find taxi stands at the train station and at some major piazza. Use AppTaxi or TaxiMove for app-based bookings or call.
- In Naples, there are taxis but there are also more scams by unlicensed drivers at the port and the train station. Use official taxis. Do not accept offers from individuals approaching you. Naples has Uber and you can also try itTaxi.
Taxi vs Uber in Italy
| Feature | Taxi | Uber Black |
| Price | Regulated | Higher |
| Availability | High | Limited |
| Wait Time | Short | Longer |
| App Option | Yes | Yes |
| Payment | Metered | Fixed via app |
🚖 Skip the Stress: Book Your Transfers in Advance
If you prefer not to deal with apps or taxi stands after a long flight, consider pre-booking a private transfer. It’s especially helpful for airport arrivals in cities like Rome or Naples. I recommend looking at Viator or GetYourGuide.
GetYourGuide Rome bus transfer: https://www.getyourguide.com/rome-l33/fiumicino-airport-fco-bus-transfer-fromto-rome-termini-t214938/?partner_id=CMSFGKK&utm_medium=online_publisher
GetYourGuide Rome private taxi: https://www.getyourguide.com/rome-l33/rome-private-taxi-transfer-in-the-city-center-t63357/?partner_id=CMSFGKK&utm_medium=online_publisher
GetYourGuide Milan private transfer: https://www.getyourguide.com/milan-l139/milan-malpensa-mxp-airport-to-milan-city-private-transfer-t597604/?partner_id=CMSFGKK&utm_medium=online_publisher
GetYourGuide Naples private transfer: https://www.getyourguide.com/naples-l162/naples-private-airport-transfer-tofrom-naples-city-t784987/?partner_id=CMSFGKK&utm_medium=online_publisher
GetYourGuide Venice water taxi: https://www.getyourguide.com/venice-l35/venice-marco-polo-airport-transfer-shared-water-taxi-t6849/?partner_id=CMSFGKK&utm_medium=online_publisher
Frequently Asked Questions About Taxis in Italy
Can you use Uber in Italy?
Yes, but only Uber Black, which connects you to licensed drivers. Standard rideshare (like in the U.S.) is not available.
Can you hail a taxi in Italy?
Usually no. You must go to a taxi stand or book one through an app like itTaxi or FreeNow.
What is the best taxi app in Italy?
itTaxi is the most widely used. FreeNow is also reliable in larger cities. Some cities have their own taxi apps.
Are taxis expensive in Italy?
Prices are regulated by each city. They’re generally reasonable, but airport transfers and night rides cost more.
Do Italian taxis take credit cards?
Yes, most do—but always confirm before the ride or use an app to avoid issues.
Is there a flat rate from Rome airport?
Yes, from Fiumicino Airport or Ciampino Airport to central Rome there is a fixed fare that includes luggage and passengers.
How do I avoid taxi scams in Italy?
Only use official taxis, avoid drivers approaching you, and make sure the meter is running.
Plan Your Italy Trip: Helpful Guides to Get You Started
How to Plan a Trip to Italy: https://roaminghistorian.com/2026/03/08/how-to-plan-a-trip-to-italy/
Packing Light Guide: https://roaminghistorian.com/2025/09/07/the-definitive-guide-to-packing-light/
How to Choose a Hotel: https://roaminghistorian.com/2026/03/17/how-to-choose-a-hotel-when-traveling/
Tipping in Italy: https://roaminghistorian.com/2026/03/03/guide-to-tipping-in-italy/
How to Get to Rome from Airport: https://roaminghistorian.com/2020/02/09/how-to-get-to-the-rome-airport-fco-airport/
Essential Italy Travel Tips: https://roaminghistorian.com/2025/04/06/essential-italy-travel-tips/
When to Buy Travel Insurance: https://roaminghistorian.com/2026/03/13/when-to-buy-travel-insurance/
Travel Insurance: How to Protect Your Trip: https://roaminghistorian.com/2024/02/04/best-travel-insurance/
How I Find the Cheapest Flights: https://roaminghistorian.com/2025/12/07/use-ai-google-flights-flight-deals/
How to Find the Best Authentic Restaurants in Italy: https://roaminghistorian.com/2026/03/30/how-to-find-the-best-authentic-restaurants-in-italy-rome-florence-venice/
Rome 3 Day Itinerary + One Day Option: https://roaminghistorian.com/2026/04/12/3-days-in-rome-itinerary-the-perfect-first-timers-guide-1-day-option/
Florence 3 Day Itinerary: https://roaminghistorian.com/2025/03/09/top-attractions-in-florence-a-3-day-itinerary/
Amy French, Ph.D., is the voice behind Roaming Historian. A professional historian and seasoned traveler, she shares stories that blend history and travel to give readers a deeper understanding of the places they explore.
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Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
