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HomeParis TravelWhat You Don't Know About Paris Taxis ⋆ SECRETS OF PARIS

What You Don’t Know About Paris Taxis ⋆ SECRETS OF PARIS


It’s not New York, but taxis are still an important part of city life, and most of us have to use them once in awhile, so here are a few things you should know. Pass it along…

Click here for the most up-to-date information on Paris taxis and ridesharing apps.

Ever see someone trying to hail a Parisian taxi that’s already taken? Or have you yourself tried to get one to pick you up when there’s a taxi stand at the next corner? Or worse, suffered the indignity of being refused a ride for whatever reason? There are actually quite a few things about Parisian taxis that escape the radar of residents as well as visitors. Here’s the lowdown:

Getting One

Taxis with green lights on the roof are “available” or red for “taken”.

Yes, you CAN hail a taxi on the street if you see one (busier streets outside of rush hour is easiest).

If there’s a taxi stand within a block, you have to go there to pick up a taxi. Sometimes if you’re out of eyesight of the stand a taxi may stop, but they’re not supposed to. Most maps show taxi stands.

If you want to guarantee a taxi at a specific location and time, you can call one to come get you (it costs €4 if they come right away, €7 if you reserve one in advance).

Don’t try to steal a taxi that someone called for. They’ll ask for your name. And it’s bad taxi karma. Like stealing someone’s delivery pizza. Pas cool.

Rates

There are three rates: A (Mon-Sat 10am-5pm), B (Mon-Sat 5pm-10am, Sun 7am-midnight, holidays all day), and C (Sun from midnight-7am). If you go outside Paris rate B applies 7am-7pm and rate C applies 7pm-7am. To see what the current rates are see the Official Service Public site.

The rate letter is always seen on the counter at the front of the taxi. If you’re in a private car, there is usually no counter (private limo services, some airport shuttles, etc.). Because the rate is also seen on the bulb on the roof, the driver can’t change it without everyone seeing it, so don’t worry about getting ripped off.

The start rate is €2.60 if you get it on the street, €4, if you called it to pick you up, or €7 if you reserve a specific pick-up time in advance. The extra charge for a fourth passenger is €4 There is NO extra charge for baggage.

The minimum fare is €7.30, even if the meter shows less. Drivers hate doing short rides, so get in and close the door before telling them where you’re going. 

Ever since Uber added new competition, taxis now take credit cards. Sometimes they say the machine is “broken”. And they wonder why Parisians hate taking taxis. They’re used to waiting while you go to a cash machine, so have them drive you to one closest to wherever you’re going or tell them you need to stop at a “distributeur” en route. 

Tip if you want, it’s not required by law (see below). I usually round up to make it easier for the driver to give me change or add a tip if he or she was particularly good at getting me through traffic. If you have no idea where you’re going and don’t speak French, the driver will probably drive the tip into the fee anyway, so don’t go crazy and tip 20%.

Rules and Rights

Most residents already know the info above. But here are some other tips from the Préfecture de Police:

– The bulletin de course (receipt) is required if the client requests it or of the fare is over €15. It has to mention the taxi driver’s number on it. Handy if you lose something or want to complain.

– You’re allowed to pick up or drop off your friends during the ride without any additional “supplement”.

– Seat belts are required for all passengers.

– The driver is not allowed to have anyone besides clients in the taxi.

– The driver is supposed to take the most direct route, but you can ask them to take a specific route of your choice (be prepared for debate, lol!)

– Legal taxi drivers don’t ask for your business. Never get into cars with the guys who hang out at the airports or train stations asking if you need a lift. Get into the line for the official taxis with everyone else.

– The driver may help you put your luggage in the trunk out of courtesy, but is not required to do so.

– Tips are NOT required in France, and I would never tip a driver who actually asked for one.

– Taxi drivers can only refuse to pick you up if they are already occupied or reserved, if you want to go outside the Petit Couronne suburbs (past the airports), if your bags are too heavy for you to lift, if you have a pet (they usually let me with my dogs in a carrier, but are not required except for seeing-eye dogs), if you are so filthy that you would ruin the interior of the car, or if you’re obviously drunk.

– The driver can refuse to wait for you or stop in a place where there is no legal place to pull over.

– If you have a scary driver or are in the middle of a dispute, ask to be taken to the nearest police station to settle the matter immediately. 

If you have any problems or complaints, contact:

PRÉFECTURE DE POLICE
Direction des Transports et de la Protection du Public
Bureau des Taxis et des Transports Publics
36, rue des Morillons – 75732 Paris CEDEX 15
tél. 01 55 76 20 05 – fax 01 55 76 27 01

prefpol.dtpp-sdct-bttp-taxis@interieur.gouv.fr

If you lost something, contact:

PRÉFECTURE DE POLICE
Direction des Transports et de la Protection du Public
Bureau des Objets Trouvés et Fourrières
36, rue des Morillons – 75015 PARIS
tél. 08 21 00 25 25 – fax 01 55 76 17 11

prefpol.dtpp-sdct-botfobjetstrouvesfourrieres@ interieur.gouv.fr

Some Taxi Companies

Airport Taxi 0825–560–320 http://www.central-taxi-parisien.com/ 

Taxi G7 01–47–39–47–39 http://www.taxisg7.fr



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