
Italian taxis have made significant strides in accepting various payment methods, making it easier for tourists and locals alike to get around the country.
Most Italian taxi drivers accept major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
However, it's essential to note that not all taxi drivers may accept credit cards, especially in smaller towns or rural areas.
Cash is still the preferred payment method, and many drivers may not have change for large bills.
For more insights, see: Do Bermuda Taxis Accept Credit Cards
Do Italian Taxis Accept Credit Cards?
Italian taxis are required by law to accept card payments, but you might still encounter some issues. Since 2014, businesses, including taxi drivers, have been required to accept at least one type of credit card, one type of debit card, and prepaid cards.
You should be able to pay with a credit card in a Rome city taxi, as they are required to have POS machines. However, these machines might be "out of order" sometimes.
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The law requires taxi drivers to accept card payments, but many drivers are not fond of the idea and might try to convince you to pay in cash. Don't let them get away with it, as you have the right to pay by card.
If you're denied the right to pay by card, you can report the issue to the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) and the Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza). They are responsible for enforcing the rules involving electronic payments.
Tipping in a white metered taxi in Rome is not necessary, but rounding up to the nearest Euro is appreciated. If you take a private car service to the airport, you can tip 5-10 Euros max.
Payment Options in Italian Taxis
In Rome, you should be able to pay with a credit card in a taxi, as all city taxis are required by law to have POS machines. However, it's not uncommon for these machines to be "out of order", so it's a good idea to have cash on hand.
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To avoid any surprises, it's a good idea to ask the driver if they accept credit cards before getting in. You can also use an app to pay with American Express, but this may not be an option if you're paying directly to the driver.
Some taxi drivers may charge an additional fee for credit card payments, so be sure to ask about this before deciding to pay by card. You can also tip by rounding up to the nearest Euro, but anything above that is overly generous.
Taxis in Rome
Taxis in Rome are a convenient way to get around the city, but it's essential to know what to expect when it comes to payment.
All Rome city taxis are required by law to have POS machines, so you should be able to pay with a credit card. But be aware that sometimes these machines can be mysteriously out of order.
A fresh viewpoint: City Cash Card

You don't need to tip white metered taxi drivers in Rome, not even a penny. However, rounding up to the nearest Euro is a kind gesture that's now expected by some drivers.
Taking a private car service to the airport is a bit different, and you can tip up to 10 Euros maximum.
Taxis in Other Cities
In Paris, you can pay for your taxi ride with credit cards, just like in Rome.
In London, you'll need to pay with cash or a contactless payment card, as credit card payments are not accepted.
In Barcelona, you can pay with cash, credit cards, or even mobile payments like Google Pay.
Taxis in Berlin accept cash, credit cards, or mobile payments, making it easy to pay however you like.
In Madrid, you can pay for your taxi ride with cash or credit cards, and some taxis may even accept mobile payments.
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Alternative Payment Methods
If you're planning to use a credit card to pay for your taxi fare in Italy, it's a good idea to ask the driver first. According to the law, all Rome city taxis are required to have POS machines, but you might still encounter a "out of order" sign.
If you're using an app to hail a taxi, you may be able to pay with American Express, but this is not always the case with traditional taxi drivers, who often prefer to avoid the high fees associated with accepting this card.
You don't need to tip white metered taxi drivers in Rome, but a small round-up to the nearest Euro is considered polite. For private car services, a tip of 5-10 Euros max is acceptable.
To avoid any issues with card payments, it's a good idea to have cash on hand as a backup. Some taxi drivers may charge an additional fee for credit card payments, so be sure to ask about this before deciding to pay by card.
Here's a summary of what to do if you're denied the right to pay by card:
Sources
- https://www.romewise.com/taxi-in-rome.html
- https://banksofitaly.com/do-taxis-in-italy-take-credit-cards/
- https://www.thelocal.it/20220824/reader-question-are-italian-taxi-drivers-required-to-accept-card-payments
- https://www.rome.info/transport/taxi/
- https://www.vaia.com/en-us/explanations/italian/italian-vocabulary/italian-taxi-phrases/
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