It is almost impossible to avoid taking a taxi during a stay within Lisbon; the public transport services are reliable and great value but a taxi journey provides convenience for either tired tourist or late night party goers. All of Lisbon taxi are metered; always agree on the meter as a set price will usually be more expensive than the metered journey.

There is a €2.00 euro minimum price for hailing a taxi with the fare increasing be a combination of distance and time (traffic), these journeys are 20% more expensive during the night hours of 9pm-6am.Taxi can be hailed from the road, if the light on top of the taxi is on it indicates that the taxi already has a fare. The two largest taxi companies within Lisbon are; Autocoope (Tel: 217932756) and Radio Taxis (Tel: 21811900) thou it is very unlikely that a tourist or visitor is unable to locate a taxi.

All of Lisbon’s taxis are painted in a cream colour but there are still a few very old taxis painted in the black and mint green. This colour scheme prevents illegal taxi from operating but the identity badge in the taxi may not always match the drivers face.

Lisbon’s taxis are usually Mercedes or large Peugeot with plenty of room for three passengers and space in the boot for a good amount of luggage. Lisbon’s taxis are only insured to carry up to 4 passengers (3 back 1 front) but late at night drivers may refuse front seated passengers if the taxi has a protective screen installed.

Lisbon’s taxis are much better value in comparison to many other European capitals but due to the inflation of fuel prices fares are on the increase. As with all other countries taxi drivers are always on the look out for a way to make an extra euro or two and there is a small proportion who are completely dishonest.The larger concern once stepping into a Lisbon taxi is the erratic nature of the Portuguese drivers with their excessive use of both the accelerator and brakes.

While in a Lisbon taxi it is highly recommended that a seat belt is worn, as Portugal has the highest traffic mortality rate in Europe. There is a supplement for luggage but this is for all of the luggage and not per piece as often claimed by the taxi drivers collecting from the airport.

Fares originating from the airport may persuaded to provide a set price but this will always be more expensive than the metered price. There is a very good airport bus service (the Areo bus) which connects the airport to the Baixa/Rossio district the main historic district of Lisbon and where most of the hotels are located.

Lisbon Taxi drivers have a tendency to drive off very quickly after the collection of the fare so ensure all belongings are with you before exiting the taxi, I always hear so many stories of travelers loosing cameras and wallets in the backs of taxis. Another slight con is for the meter to start while the driver plugs the destination into the sat-nav and plans the route.

The introduction of sat navigation has made it significantly easier to communicate with taxi drivers, if staying at a hotel take the post code/zip code (a string of 6 numbers) and get the driver to enter this into the system if language proves to be an issue.

While attempting to catch a taxi from the road look for a taxi without a green light on the roof, this light indicates that the driver has a fare. I would like to end this article by recommending the use of the public transport in Lisbon; it is very good and connects all of the districts well into the night. Purchasing tickets from buses and metro station is very easy and the use of taxi should only be used as a final option.