Quick answer: the cost of a Barcelona taxi starts at €2.80 on the meter (€2.80 at night too, but the per-km rate is higher after 8pm). Daytime per-km is €1.35, rising to €1.66 at night, weekends, and holidays. A short ride across the center runs €10–15. The airport supplement is €4.60, added to any ride starting or ending at El Prat, and a fixed €46 rate applies between the airport and the cruise terminal. These are the official 2026 rates set by the Institut Metropolità del Taxi (IMET), the regulator for the whole metropolitan area.
Published July 14, 2026 · Part of the transferbcn.es Taxi & Transport Guides
In This Guide
- Official Barcelona taxi tariffs
- Base fare and per-kilometer rate
- Airport, cruise, and other supplements
- Typical fares for common routes
- Fixed-price apps vs the meter
- How to avoid being overcharged
- FAQ
Official Barcelona Taxi Tariffs
Every fare is set by the Institut Metropolità del Taxi (IMET), part of the Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona, and reviewed annually. Four tariff categories cover every ride:
| Tariff | Applies to | Flag fare | Per km | Waiting time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-1 | Weekdays, 8:00–20:00 | €2.80 | €1.35 | €27.75/hour |
| T-2 | Nights, weekends, holidays | €2.80 | €1.66 | €27.75/hour |
| T-3 | Fixed price via approved taxi apps | €8.00 minimum | Distance + time based | Includes 5 min pickup wait |
| T-4 | Airport ↔ cruise terminal | €46 flat, all-inclusive | — | — |
T-3 is worth understanding on its own: it only applies when you book through an approved taxi app (not a private ride-share), the price is fixed before the car arrives, and it already includes the driver’s travel to your pickup point plus five minutes of waiting. T-4 is a flat, all-inclusive rate specifically for cruise passengers connecting between Moll Adossat and the airport — useful to know if you are arriving or leaving by ship.
Base Fare and Per-Kilometer Rate
Both daytime and nighttime rides start with the same €2.80 flag fare. What changes is the per-kilometer rate: €1.35 during the day (weekdays, 8am–8pm) versus €1.66 at night, weekends, and public holidays. A typical short ride across the city center costs €10–15; a longer cross-town trip runs €15–20. Drivers are legally required to run the meter, so the fare you see is the fare set by regulation — not by the driver.
The meter does three things at once: it tracks distance (the per-km rate), it tracks time when the car is stationary or moving under about 20 km/h in traffic (the waiting-time rate), and it adds the flag fare the moment the ride starts. That is why two rides covering the same distance can cost differently — a ride stuck in Eixample traffic accrues waiting-time charges a free-flowing ride along the seafront does not.
Airport, Cruise, and Other Supplements
Supplements are added on top of the metered fare, not built into it:
| Supplement | Amount |
|---|---|
| Airport (El Prat) origin or destination | €4.60 |
| Cruise terminal (Moll Adossat) origin or destination | €4.60 |
| Fira Barcelona (exhibition center) origin | €3.30 |
| Barcelona Sants station origin | €2.55 |
| 5–8 passenger vehicle | €4.60 |
| Luggage | €1 per bag |
For the full breakdown of what an airport ride specifically costs door to door, see our Barcelona airport taxi price guide.
Typical Fares for Common Routes
These are representative ranges based on the official per-km rate and typical traffic — your exact fare depends on the route taken and time of day.
| Route | Typical fare |
|---|---|
| Short ride within the center | €10–€15 |
| Cross-town trip | €15–€20 |
| City center to Sagrada Família | €10–€15 |
| City center to Camp Nou | €15–€20 |
| El Prat Airport to city center | €35–€45 (supplement included) |
| Airport to cruise terminal (T-4 flat rate) | €46 |
Fixed-Price Apps vs the Meter
A metered ride (T-1 or T-2) is the most flexible option — no booking needed, hail one anywhere. But you will not know the exact total until you arrive. A T-3 fixed-price booking through an approved app, or a pre-booked private transfer, locks in the number before the car leaves. For most visitors budgeting a trip, that predictability is worth more than the small amount of flexibility it trades away — see our full guide to getting a taxi in Barcelona for hailing, ranks, and booking methods. See our comparison of taxi apps in Barcelona for which one to use.
Tipping is not expected in Barcelona — rounding up to the nearest euro is a common courtesy, not an obligation. Most taxis accept card or contactless payment, though it is worth confirming with the driver before the ride starts if you are relying on card only, since a small number of older vehicles still only take cash.
How to Avoid Being Overcharged
- Confirm the driver starts the meter as soon as the ride begins.
- Check the vehicle is an official licensed taxi — black with a yellow stripe, roof sign, visible licence number.
- Ask for a receipt at the end of the ride; it carries the driver’s licence number, which you need for any complaint.
- Know the flat rates in advance (T-4 airport-cruise is €46, full stop) so no one can quote you something higher.
FAQ
A short ride in the center typically costs €10–15, based on a €2.80 flag fare plus €1.35 per km during the day (€1.66 at night, weekends, and holidays).
Typically €35–45, which includes the mandatory €4.60 airport supplement, for a 25–35 minute ride.
Not particularly by Western European standards — fares are set and capped by the regional regulator (IMET), so prices are consistent and metered rather than negotiated.
Yes — licensed taxis are regulated, insured, and required to run a meter. The main risk is unlicensed drivers approaching tourists directly near the airport or major stations; only use taxis with a roof sign and visible licence number.
Yes, the large majority accept card or contactless payment, though it is worth confirming with the driver before the ride if you are relying on card only.
Yes — book through an approved taxi app for a T-3 fixed price, or pre-book a private transfer, and the total is agreed before the car arrives.