Tourist raising a hand to stop a black and yellow Barcelona taxi on a sunny city street.

My first night in Barcelona started with a small transport panic. I landed late, came out of El Prat with a backpack hanging off one shoulder and that tired airport face. A long line of black and yellow taxis waited outside. People walked in every direction. My brain kept asking the same thing. How does this work here. Am I going to mess it up in Spanish.

If you feel similar, relaxed. Ordering a taxi in Barcelona is actually simple once you understand a few basics. After some years living here I use taxis often. Airport runs, late nights when the metro closes, rainy days when the bus feels too slow. In this guide I will walk through how to order a taxi in Barcelona step by step, the easy way visitors can follow.

First things first: how official taxis look in Barcelona

Official taxis in Barcelona are easy to see.

Black car with yellow doors
Green light on top when free
Taxi sign on the roof

Inside you see a meter, license information and usually a small screen showing price and supplements. If the car is missing all of that, better walk away.

There are private transfer companies as well, usually pre booked, that use normal cars without the yellow doors. Those are fine when reserved in advance, but the simple street taxi always has that black and yellow style.

Quick overview of your options

There are a few ways to order a taxi in Barcelona:

Walk to a taxi rank
Raise your hand and stop one in the street
Call a radio taxi number
Use a taxi app
Pre book an airport or hotel transfer

Let us look at each method slowly so you can choose what fits your situation.

1. Ordering a taxi from a taxi rank

Taxi ranks are official lines, usually near busy places. You see them at:

Airport terminals
Main train stations
Big squares like Plaça Catalunya
Major hospitals and shopping centers

You just join the queue and wait for the next free car. The driver will pull up to the front of the line and signal to you. Tell your destination, put luggage in the trunk and you go.

This is the most stress free way for many visitors because there is no need to shout in the street. Perfect when you arrive with suitcases or travel with kids.

Small tip. While you wait, open Google Maps, search your hotel or apartment and keep the map ready. Showing the driver the pin helps a lot if the street name is hard to say.

2. Stopping a taxi in the street

In many parts of the city you can flag a taxi just by raising your arm.

How to know if the taxi is free

Green light on top means free
Red numbers in the window usually mean busy or on a booking

Stand somewhere safe, not on a corner where the car cannot stop. Raise your arm clearly and make eye contact with the driver. If the driver nods or turns toward the curb you are good.

For visitors this works well around Eixample, parts of Gràcia, near the beaches and in many central areas. Late at night in very busy streets the taxi may already have a customer so you just try again with the next one.

3. Ordering by phone

If you stay outside the very central area, a radio taxi call can help. Most large taxi companies in Barcelona have a central number. The operator usually speaks Spanish and often simple English as well.

You say:

Where you are
How many people
If you have big luggage or functional needs

They send the closest free taxi. You may receive an estimated arrival time. This works well from apartments in local neighborhoods where passing taxis are less frequent.

If you feel nervous about the language, you can ask your hotel reception or restaurant staff to call for you. People in Barcelona are very used to helping with that kind of thing.

4. Using taxi apps

Several official taxi apps exist in Barcelona. There are also ride platforms that connect with licensed taxis or private cars. The general flow is similar:

Open the app
Share your location
Choose destination
See the estimated fare and arrival time
Confirm pick up

The advantages are clear. You see the car coming in the map and know roughly what you will pay. Payments through card in the app feel simple and you avoid counting coins at the end.

For visitors who feel shy speaking Spanish, apps remove some stress. You can type the address instead of saying it out loud. You also have a history of your rides if you need to check prices later.

5. Pre booked transfers for airport and long rides

For airport transfers or long day trips some people prefer to pre book. Companies like Taxxilo and others arrange a fixed price ride. The driver waits for you with a small sign, usually right after arrivals.

When does this make sense:

You land very late or very early
You travel with children and many bags
You are a group that wants one van instead of two taxis
You prefer to know the price before you arrive

I personally like pre booked transfers when I travel with my parents. Less walking with luggage, less confusion. They feel calmer when they see someone waiting for them with their name.

How to tell the driver where you are going

Many visitors worry about the moment inside the car. They sit down, driver turns and asks something in Spanish or Catalan, and their brain goes blank.

Here is a simple method that works nearly every time.

Open your hotel or address in Google Maps
Save it as a favorite or keep it at the top of your recent searches
When you enter the taxi, say the area first. For example “Sagrada Família” or “Barceloneta”
Then show the map on your phone and point to the address

Drivers in Barcelona work all over the city and know the big landmarks. Once they see roughly where you want to go they can use their own GPS if needed.

If you prefer words, a simple sentence like “Hotel Jazz, carrer Pelai” or “Aeropuerto, Terminal 1” works fine. Accent is not a problem. People are used to tourists.

What to expect during the ride

Meter and supplements

The taxi meter starts when the ride begins. The screen shows:

Start price
Price per kilometer
Time cost in traffic
Supplements such as airport fee, night timetable or luggage

There is usually a printed card in the car with this information. If you feel curious you can check it, but in general taxi prices in Barcelona follow clear rules set by the city.

Payment

Most taxis accept both card and cash. For card payment drivers often hold a small terminal, or the screen near the meter connects to one.

Have some smaller notes too in case a very old car has issues with the card terminal, although this is less common now.

Tips

Tipping is not as strong as in some other countries. Many locals round up to the next euro or add one or two euros for good service. For example if the ride is 13.40 you can say “make it 14”. Drivers will understand.

Quick phrases that help in Barcelona taxis

You do not need perfect Spanish, but a few words feel nice:

“Buenos días / buenas tardes / buena nit” – Hello and good morning / afternoon / night
“Al aeropuerto, Terminal 1 por favor” – To the airport, Terminal 1 please
“Aquí está bien, gracias” – Here is good, thank you
“Pago con tarjeta” – I pay with card
“Puede ir por la ruta más rápida” – You can take the fastest way

Using even a small phrase makes the interaction feel warmer and drivers often smile when visitors try.

Simple safety tips for visitors

Ordering a taxi in Barcelona is generally safe, yet a few habits keep things smooth.

Use official black and yellow taxis or reputable transfer companies
Check that the meter is on, especially for longer rides
Keep your bag close to your legs, not lost on the seat
When you pay, put wallet and phone away before opening the door

Most drivers are professional and want you to feel comfortable. A little attention from your side is enough.

Personal opinion after many rides

After years moving around Barcelona I use different options depending on the day.

For airport arrivals with heavy luggage I like pre booked transfers. For normal nights out with friends in Gràcia or Eixample I just flag a taxi in the street. And For late returns from local fiestas when everyone calls a car at the same time, I often open an app first to see if any taxi is already nearby.

The main thing I learned. Ordering a taxi here is just another part of city life, not a complicated mission. Once you order one or two rides the process feels natural.

FAQs – How to Order a Taxi in Barcelona

Can I pay a Barcelona taxi by card?
Yes. Most taxis accept card payment with a small terminal. If you plan a very long ride you can still ask before the trip just to feel sure.

Are taxis in Barcelona available all night?
In general yes. At night there are fewer cars on the street but around busy zones like the center, the beach or main clubs you still see them. For very late airport trips a pre booked transfer feels safer.

Is it better to call a taxi or stop one in the street?
In the inner city stopping one in the street often works faster. In residential areas or during heavy rain calling or using an app may save waiting time.

How much Spanish do I need for a taxi ride?
Very little. A combination of one or two simple words, the name of your hotel and a map on your phone is enough. Many drivers understand basic English and are used to visitors from everywhere.

Are taxi apps safe in Barcelona?
Well known taxi apps that work with licensed drivers are generally safe. Read reviews, check that the plate number in the app matches the car and use the in app payment for extra security.

shabir Ahmed / Barcelona Taxi Guide, Barcelona Taxi Service / Airport Transfers / Urban Transport, Barcelona Transport /

How to Order a Taxi in Barcelona: Quick Steps for Visitors