What you need to know about getting a taxi in Zurich

What's the taxi situation like in Zurich? 

Switzerland’s financial capital is well served by taxis, with roughly 1,500 vehicles at last count. 

These comprise many companies, from small private firms to larger names such as Uber, the Swiss Vertt and new arrival Bolt. 

While services such as Uber require you to order a ride using a smartphone app, taxis can be hailed in the street if their top lights are illuminated - just stick your hand out.

If ordering a cab, a wait of between 5 to 10 minutes is around the norm. 

Taxis can usually be taken immediately from signposted taxi ranks - there'll be a queue of vehicles.

How much do they cost? 

That will depend on the service, but the official Zurich homepage suggests that you’ll pay a base fare of 6 francs and around 3.80 francs. 

Of course, many readers will be aware that services such as Uber have introduced ‘surge pricing’, meaning you will pay more at peak times. 

So, say I need to ride from the airport to the city centre - how much? 

This depends on several factors, but you can expect to pay between 45 to 70 Swiss Francs for a ride from Zurich’s international airport. 

This could be added to, if you've got a lot of luggage - some companies add a surcharge for this. 

There is a distinct advantage, however - you'll be in the city centre in around 20 minutes, as opposed to 35 minutes by tram. 

Where am I most likely to find taxis around Zurich? 

There is, of course, a large taxi rank out the front of arrivals and departures at the airport.

Large, signposted taxi ranks can also be found out the front of Zurich's central train station, at Bürkliplatz and along Lake Zurich. 

Any scams I need to be aware of? 

Readers may have been victim to scams (tell us below) but it seems Zurich doesn't have the same problems reported in other big European cities, where non-licensed taxi drivers hustle for pickups at airports and passengers have reported being charged astronomical sums for rides. You'll note that the basic fares above are fairly high, with many online joking that Zurich taxi drivers don't need to overcharge their riders. 

That said, drivers of regular taxis are required by law to use the meter, so do insist that the driver turns it on at the start of the journey. 

Anything else to keep in mind? 

While Zurich is very much a ‘world city', don't expect that every taxi driver will speak English - you may have to have Google Maps ready to show them where you need to go. 

You can also expect that Zurich’s taxis are some of the safest means of transport around - but if you don't feel comfortable when riding, don't hesitate to call the police. Apps such as Uber also have an ‘emergency button’ that you can use. 

Have you had any bad experiences of getting a taxi in Zurich or other tips that are worth sharing with readers? You can use the comments section below.