Can You Use Uber in Italy? The Little-Known Truth About Taxis in Florence

This summer, one of my university friends is coming to Florence for a vacation, and we were talking about her travel plans.

During our conversation, she said,

“I’m not worried about taxis—I can just use the Uber app!”

That made me think,

“Wait a minute!”

The truth is that Uber works a little differently in Italy than it does in many other countries.

If you don’t know how it works before you arrive, you might be surprised and think,

“Why is Uber so expensive?”

That’s why it’s worth understanding the system before your trip.

Why Isn’t Uber Widely Available in Italy?

In Italy, operating a taxi requires a government-issued taxi license, and those licenses are extremely valuable.

Depending on the city, a taxi license can be worth several hundred thousand euros (roughly €200,000–€300,000 or even more), making it very difficult for new drivers to enter the market.

For this reason, services like UberX—where ordinary drivers use their private cars to transport passengers—are not permitted under Italian law.

As a result, the Uber app in Italy primarily offers Uber Black, a professional chauffeur service rather than the low-cost ride-sharing service that many travelers are familiar with.

Typical Prices in Florence

Prices may vary depending on the season and time of day.

Because Uber Black uses professional chauffeur services (known in Italy as NCC), it is generally more expensive than taking a regular taxi.

I recently came across posts on social media from travelers saying things like:

“I paid €114 for an Uber from Milan Malpensa Airport for a 2 km, 15-minute ride.”

and

“Are taxis in Italy really this expensive?”

Many people associate Uber with lower prices, but that isn’t necessarily true in Italy.

When Uber Black or an NCC Service Makes Sense

Although Uber Black and NCC services are more expensive, there are situations where they can be the better option.

In Florence, it can be surprisingly difficult to find a taxi during Pitti Uomo, on major event days, or during heavy rain.

I even remember one day during the FIFA World Cup when the Italian national team was playing. Many taxi drivers chose to watch the match instead of working, and it became extremely difficult to find a taxi.

I’ve also heard of travelers who hadn’t booked a taxi for an early-morning airport transfer. Their taxi never arrived, and they ended up rushing to the airport by tram instead.

For these reasons, many visitors choose to reserve an NCC service in advance when they:

• want a driver waiting for them upon arrival at the airport,
• need reliable transportation early in the morning or late at night, or
• are traveling with a larger group.

While an NCC service costs more than a regular taxi, the driver will typically be waiting in the airport arrivals hall holding a sign with your name. That means you can skip the taxi queue and start your trip with much less stress.

Good to Know Before Your Trip

Many travelers assume that Uber always means lower prices, but that’s not how it works in Italy.

For everyday travel around Florence, a regular taxi is usually the most economical choice. If you need a guaranteed pickup at a specific time or want the convenience of a pre-booked airport transfer, Uber Black or an NCC service is often the better option.

Simply knowing the difference before your trip can help you avoid the surprise of paying much more than you expected.

How to Book a Regular Taxi in Florence

If you want to use a regular taxi in Florence, Taxi 4242 is one of the easiest options.

You can call +39 055 4242, or you can request a taxi through WhatsApp, which has become a convenient option in recent years.

Your hotel can also call a taxi for you, but if you don’t speak Italian, being able to book through WhatsApp is a real advantage.

If you’re planning a trip to Florence, it’s a good idea to save their contact information before you leave home.

Taxi 4242 – Il Taxi a Firenze