Is there a night surcharge in Berlin?
No. Berlin’s taxi tariff has no night surcharge and no weekend surcharge. A journey at three in the morning costs exactly the same as the identical journey at three in the afternoon, and the same on a Sunday as on a Tuesday. If you’re used to a city where late-night travel carries a premium, this is one of the things Berlin does differently.
Berlin’s taxi tariff at a glance
All prices apply across the whole of Berlin, around the clock — there is no night surcharge and no weekend surcharge.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Base fare | €4.30 |
| 0–3 km | €2.80 / km |
| 3–7 km | €2.60 / km |
| From 7 km | €2.10 / km |
| Waiting time | €39.00 / hr |
| Short-trip fare (up to 2 km, hailed on the street only) | €6.00 |
| Large-vehicle surcharge (5–8 passengers) | €6.00 |
| Payment by invoice or voucher (dispatch centres) | €1.50 |
Current as of 20 December 2022 (Twelfth Regulation amending the Regulation on Taxi Fares in Berlin). The fixed-price provision has applied since 28 May 2024 (Thirteenth Regulation).
The short-trip fare — €6 for up to 2 km
The short-trip rate applies only if you flag down a moving taxi at the kerb. It does not apply at a taxi rank, and it does not apply to a phone or online booking. If you call or book with us, a short journey is charged at the normal tiered meter rate. That’s why the calculator above shows both prices side by side for journeys under 2 km, with this condition attached.
Surcharges
Berlin’s tariff has no night surcharge and no weekend surcharge — the price is the same at every hour of the day and night. Our calculator includes the €6.00 large-vehicle surcharge that applies from the fifth passenger. For groups of five or more, a large taxi seating up to eight is usually the better option anyway. Paying through the dispatch centres’ invoice or voucher system, rather than by cash or card, adds €1.50.
Taxi fare to BER airport
A journey from Berlin-Mitte to BER comes to roughly €61 to €78 on the meter under this tariff, depending on traffic and the route taken — the normal city tariff (Tariff 2) applies, exactly as in the calculator above. If you book in advance we agree a fixed price instead, within the legally permitted range — details on our Berlin airport transfer page.
Taxi from BER into the city — cheaper than the trip out
The return journey falls under its own, cheaper tariff band. Journeys starting inside BER’s mandatory service area are charged at Tariff 3 — the same €4.30 base fare, but €2.60 per kilometre up to 5 km and only €2.00 per kilometre beyond that. Over the same distance as above (about 28 km) that works out at roughly €58 to €73 instead of €61 to €78. Select "From BER into the city" in the calculator to work it out for your own journey.
Tariff 3 applies only within the airport’s mandatory service area (Berlin and the Dahme-Spreewald district). It does not cover every journey that begins at BER — a trip to Potsdam or beyond falls outside it.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Base fare (Tariff 3) | €4.30 |
| 0–5 km | €2.60 / km |
| From 5 km | €2.00 / km |
Still deciding between a taxi, Uber and Bolt? We've put the prices side by side: Calling a taxi in Berlin — numbers and Uber compared.
Common questions about taxi fares
How is a taxi fare calculated in Berlin?
Within Berlin and for journeys to BER (Tariff 2), from a €4.30 base fare plus a tiered per-kilometre rate: €2.80 for the first 3 km, €2.60 for km 3 to 7, then €2.10 per kilometre. Waiting time is added at €39.00 per hour from the second minute of each stop — the first minute is free — for example when you’re stuck in traffic. Paying by invoice or voucher adds €1.50. The return journey from BER falls under its own, cheaper Tariff 3.
What does the short-trip fare cost in Berlin?
A flat €6.00 for up to 2 km. The short-trip fare applies only if you flag down a moving taxi at the kerb — not to a phone or online booking, where the normal meter rate applies.
What does a large taxi cost for more than 4 passengers?
From five passengers, a €6.00 surcharge is added to the normal fare. Details and vehicles on our group taxi page.
Why is the return trip from BER cheaper than the trip out?
Because a different tariff band applies. Journeys to BER are charged at the normal city tariff (Tariff 2). Journeys starting at BER inside the mandatory service area are charged at the cheaper Tariff 3: €2.60 per kilometre up to 5 km, then only €2.00 per kilometre. The €4.30 base fare is the same either way.
Is the calculated price binding?
The calculator shows a price range under the official taxi tariff, not a binding fixed price. Traffic and waiting time can move the actual amount. We agree a binding fixed price when you book in advance, within the legally permitted range of −10% to +20% around the metered fare.
Do Berlin taxis accept credit cards?
Yes. Every licensed Berlin taxi is required to accept common credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and often Amex. It's still worth mentioning you'll pay by card when you book, so the driver has the terminal ready.
Is tipping expected in Berlin taxis?
It's customary, not mandatory. Most passengers round up to the nearest euro or add around 5–10% for good service — on a €29.40 ride, €30–32 is perfectly normal.