Even if Vienna's public transport system is great and the city is full of cycling paths, getting a ride directly from where you are to where you want to go can sometimes be more comfortable and save time.
In fact, if you live or want to travel a bit outside of Vienna's most central parts, booking a ride might save you a significant amount of time.
In Vienna, you have several options for enjoying a comfortable ride straight to your location.
If you prefer not to use an app, you can just hail a taxi from the street. If you prefer apps and prefer paying a little bit less, Bolt and Uber are better choices.
Traditional taxis in Vienna
Vienna has around 4,500 taxis ready to give you a ride.
You can book one over the phone, through an app, by going to a taxi stand, or just by flagging one down at the side of the road.
When a taxi is available, the taxi sign on top of the car is illuminated.
The basic fare for taxis in Vienna is €3.80. The first 4 kilometres cost €1.42 per kilometre, the next 5 kilometres cost €1.08 per kilometre, and each additional kilometre €1.05. When ordering a taxi by phone, you need to pay an extra fee of €2.80.
The fare increases during nighttime hours, from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. The basic fee is then €4.30, and the first 4 kilometres cost €1.62 per kilometre, the next 5 kilometres cost €1.28 per kilometre, and each additional kilometre €1.18.
The fixed price for a taxi to Vienna's international airport, Schwechat, is €36 for up to 4 passengers. This price is valid only for a direct journey from an address in Vienna to the airport.
If you want to order your taxi through an app, you can download Taxi 31300, Taxi 40100, and Taxi 60160. If you prefer to call, the numbers are the same as in the app names; just add "01" before.
If you have a baby, it is important to remember that most taxis do not offer baby seats and are usually not equipped for passengers with special needs. When calling up a taxi service, you can always ask if they have a car suited to your specific needs.
In Vienna, all taxis must - by law - accept card payment. Taxis also have a QR code you can scan to get more information about the driver and the drive and to rate the trip vehicle and driver. This QR code should be in an information sheet that contains your rights as a consumer in German and in English.
Taxi drivers in Vienna are also obligated to take the fastest route to your destination, and you can request they use a navigation app for that.
Furthermore, you can always pay by debit card and must receive an invoice. There is also an obligation to provide transportation, meaning that the cab must take you to your destination unless you smoke in the vehicle or appear aggressive or dangerous.
Other points are that the seats, footwell, and trunk of the vehicle must be kept clear for passengers, and the driver must assist with loading and unloading luggage and, if necessary, getting in and out of the vehicle.
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Uber and Bolt
Uber and Bolt are popular alternatives to taxis and are known for being significantly cheaper.
In fact, a ride with Uber or Bolt can be around 20 percent cheaper than a traditional taxi.
You cannot hail a Bolt or Uber from the street, but you can easily book a ride through their apps or websites. In a big city like Vienna, you are likely to find a ride just around the corner.
Uber and Bolt drivers are usually self-employed and use their cars while working for the services. During onboarding, they go through a vehicle inspection and a background check.
Uber is Vienna's most common taxi alternative and has been around the longest, but Bolt is also increasingly popular and often offers slightly cheaper prices.
When booking a ride, you enter your pickup and drop-off locations and can then choose the type of car.
Prices depend on the distance, the driver, the time, and the car. Both apps also use "dynamic prices," when an algorithm takes into account demand to change prices. In practice, this means the cost of an itinerary can quickly shoot up when there are too many people and not enough cars around.
Larger and more comfortable cars, as well as more experienced drivers with good ratings, are usually more expensive.
If you have a child, it can be helpful to know that these car services are more likely to offer baby seats compared to taxis. The uber app also lets you choose a car that will allow pets, or that has a booster child seat - or even call for a metered taxi. Bolt also has different options, including premium, large cars and cars that allow pets.
Check out the website and download the app for Uber here, and do the same for Bolt here.
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