Fix fares, Uber, Alibus and much more: I hope you found the information in this guide useful and that it helps you kick off your journey smoothly
How Much Do Taxis Cost in Naples? How Do You Book Them? And What Do You Need to Know?
I couldn’t find much practical advice online, so here I am to break down the fares, apps, and insider secrets I’ve learned along the way.
I’ve taken my fair share of taxis, both here and abroad, to understand exactly what a tourist -and indeed a local -expects. And let’s be clear: to me, the taxi driver is a mythological figure, much like the traditional innkeeper. They are the very first face you encounter when discovering a new destination. They should provide that warm welcome you desperately need after a journey where everything went wrong, or right at the start of a well-deserved holiday. But they also simply ease the daily lives of those navigating the city without a car.
Over years of arrivals and departures in Naples, I’ve experienced it all, and things haven’t always gone to plan.
I’ve paid for rides with drivers who were lively in both personality and driving style, and met others who were truly zen, as calm as still water. I’ve been dropped off short of my agreed destination, and I’ve had drivers wait for me while I popped into a shop with the meter running, showing a sweetness and patience from a bygone era. I’ve witnessed surreal conversations with foreign tourists carried out entirely through wild gesturing and Italian (do you know the book “Comme te l’aggia dicere”? It means "How on earth do I explain it to you?", written in Neapolitan). Conversely, I've had rides with drivers speaking excellent English, offering brilliant tips about the city.
This is certainly not a job for everyone. I get it, and I can only imagine how intense the days must be for those driving back and forth across this city. A taxi driver has to be a GPS, a psychologist, and a yogi all at once, always ready with a solution to navigate traffic, endless waiting, all kinds of requests, and colleagues who don’t always play fair.
At Garibaldi Station, for instance, on at least one occasion, I watched drivers come to blows in a queue that is never orderly—where you can never quite tell whose turn it actually is, just to snag the best fare.
But now, let’s get moving. Come with me.
Taxis in Naples: Fixed Fares and Golden Rules
Getting around from the main hubs
When you land at Capodichino Airport, your options for reaching the centre split between:
- Taxis (traditional or shared)
- Uber / NCC (private hire)
- Alibus (check the timetable online)
- The Metro (not quite ready yet, though word is it will officially open in 2026)
When it’s time to head back, especially if you have a dawn flight, double-check Capodichino Airport's opening hours on the official website, it doesn't open its doors until 3:30-4:00 AM. Take it from someone who sat on an outdoor bench for two hours, mistakenly thinking it was an all-night airport.
To avoid the brutally early wake-up call, an alternative is spending the night (if the rates are reasonable) in the Benbo capsule hotel right inside the terminal. Just bear in mind they aren't suitable if you suffer from claustrophobia or don't fancy the idea of shared bathrooms.
The perspective shifts slightly for those travelling by train and arriving at the Central Station (Piazza Garibaldi). Here, you can choose from
- the Metro (Line 1 and Line 2)
- taxis
- Uber / NCC
A piece of heartfelt advice: do not walk if it’s late, if you have heavy luggage, or if it’s boiling hot. As with almost every major railway station in the world, the surrounding area isn't the safest, so it’s always better to opt for the comfort of a vehicle that takes you straight to your destination.
How do I book a taxi?
Naturally, if you’re leaving from the Airport or Garibaldi Station, you won’t need to pre-book. Taxis will be waiting right outside the exit. However, if you are out and about and don’t have a taxi rank nearby (such as Teatro San Carlo, Piazza Municipio, Piazza del Gesù, or Piazza Dante), you can call the main radio taxi consortia:
- Consorzio Taxi Napoli: +39 081 8888
- Radio Taxi Napoli: +39 081 5564444
- Radio Taxi Partenope: +39 081 0101
On the phone, they will ask for your address and a surname, and they’ll give you a nickname (e.g., "Bari 42" or "Vienna 10", which you’ll usually see printed on the car door) so you can recognise your driver when they arrive.
If you prefer a digital approach, I’m told that using the GoXGO app (the official taxi app for the Municipality of Naples) or FreeNow allows you to hail a taxi and pay directly through the app with a credit card, exactly as you would with Uber. If you give them a try, leave me your feedback so I can update this guide.
Consider asking for the fixed fare and watch the meter
"Where are we heading?" When a driver asks this, it’s not always to break the ice or set up the sat-nav, especially if you’re still in the queue and about to get in.
A taxi is a public service, not a private chauffeur!
A fare to Sorrento might be far more lucrative than my ride or yours to the city centre, but what can we do if that’s exactly where we need to go? If a driver makes you feel like an inconvenience because of your destination, don’t engage. Just get in and state your destination firmly.
Once inside, you can ask -before setting off- for the tariffa predeterminata (fixed fare). This is a flat rate set by the Municipality of Naples for specific routes (such as Airport to City Centre, or Station to Piazza Municipio).
This fare is completely all-inclusive: it covers luggage, night or holiday surcharges, and any radio call fees. It cannot be rounded up, and no extras can be added. (You can check all the details on the official Municipality website and on the rate card that should be clearly displayed inside the cab).
If your destination doesn’t fall into one of these fixed categories, or if you don’t want the fixed fare (a choice that depends entirely on traffic and the time of day), your ride will be on the meter. In this case, discreetly check that the meter is turned on when you start moving.
To keep track of where you are, my top tip is to download Google Maps offline in advance so you can keep an eye on the route (with the audio muted). It’s a fantastic trick for future exploring too, if you don’t have internet access or are running low on data.
The card machine taboo
Here we are, end of the ride. Time to pay, either in cash or by card.
It sounds obvious, considering that having a working POS card machine is a legal requirement in Italy, it cannot be "out of battery", "broken", or mysteriously stashed away in the boot. Yet, one day I’ll tell you about the time I had to stop at an ATM to withdraw cash because the machine "wasn't working". I didn't have a single cent in my purse, and I really didn't want to cause a scene because it was late and I was completely exhausted.
That said, if you’re a tourist, only have foreign currency cash, and insist on paying by card, you’ll find that the card machine usually miraculously reappears.
What to do if something goes wrong
Let’s be completely clear: if you encounter an untrustworthy or dishonest driver, you have every right to file an official complaint.
Unfortunately, the procedure feels stuck in the 1980s and isn’t exactly user-friendly. You have to download a PDF form from the Naples Municipality website, fill it out by hand, and send it—and I quote verbatim—"via fax or email".
I’ve always wondered: how many people actually bother? The forms aren’t even translated into English, but if you're angry enough, I’m sure you’ll find a way. (To identify the taxi, you will need the CP number, which is usually found on the car door, or failing that, the registration plate).
How do I spot unlicensed taxis?
So far, so good. But how do you spot the rogue, unlicensed drivers?
Remember that an official, legal taxi is strictly white and has a luminous TAXI sign on the roof. It will also display a licence number, the emblem of the Municipality of Naples on the doors, and a clearly visible taximeter inside. Furthermore, a licensed driver will never approach you on foot inside the station or airport terminal to offer you a ride at a "special cash-only price".
If anyone does this, walk straight past them towards the official taxi ranks.
Alternatives to Traditional Taxis
- Shared Taxis (Taxi Collettivi): If you arrive at Capodichino and want to save money without sacrificing convenience, you’ll find the shared taxis just a short distance from the main taxi queue. They run to central areas of the city (like the Station or the Port of Naples) for a fixed price of around €6 per person. They set off as soon as they are full and are an excellent middle ground between the Alibus and a private taxi.
- Uber and NCC: Uber does exist in Naples, but it doesn't work the way it does in the rest of the world. The service is operated by licensed NCC (private hire) drivers and a small fraction of taxi drivers. It faces heavy opposition from traditional taxi drivers, not just in Naples. It tends to be more expensive than a standard taxi, and on high-demand days, you might struggle to find any availability at all. If you prefer the peace of mind of a private driver waiting for you at arrivals with a sign, you can book an NCC, though it will be the most expensive option.
- Alibus: If you are looking for sheer practicality, there is the Alibus. This is the official shuttle bus connecting Capodichino Airport to Garibaldi Station and Piazza Municipio (near the port for ferries to Capri, Ischia, and Procida). It costs €5 each way, takes about 40 minutes, and you can pay directly on board with your contactless card via Tap&Go.
- Metro in Progress: A Little Patience required. Finally, a quick nod to the L1 Metro line, which in 2026 will open the section that finally connects the city centre directly with Capodichino Airport. When it opens, it will be a brilliant alternative, allowing you to buy tickets at the machines or simply tap your contactless card at the barriers.
While we wait for the construction work to wrap up, I can safely confirm that Naples' metro stops are genuine underground art stations. I'm thinking of Toledo or Chiaia, for example, masterpieces that are well worth a visit regardless of whether you actually need to travel.
Once you reach the heart of Naples, my only real advice is this: explore on foot. Allow yourself to get lost in the narrow alleys and the endless stories of this wonderful city.
I hope you found the information in this guide useful and that it helps you kick off your journey smoothly. If you have any questions, curiosities, or want to share your own experiences, drop me a line, I’d love to hear from you.
