Taxis in Helsinki
Taxis in Helsinki are reliable, but taxi riding can become expensive if you select the wrong service provider. While most taxis in Helsinki are excellent and overseen by the government, there have been concerns about a few companies not following all regulations. This might include issues like proper insurance coverage or tax compliance. Overall, the Helsinki taxi system remains reputable. Boarding a taxi is a practical and comfortable way to get around the Helsinki region.
Taxis can be hailed on the street or ordered through many taxi mobile apps in Helsinki. They accept cash and major credit card payments, and the good news is that most taxi drivers can speak English—even better than Finnish.
Every taxi company in Finland needs a license, and a driver needs a permit to operate legally. When the latest taxi regulation in Finland was implemented, the taxi fares in the Helsinki region went down, but unfortunately, the variance in quality increased dramatically. A savvy traveller may order a budget taxi, like a ride from Uber, and those who wish for better quality service may opt for premium taxi brands that local taxi companies operate.
It is necessary to understand that the maximum price for a taxi ride is not regulated, so some unethically priced taxis can be surprisingly expensive. Every cab must have a price sticker on the window, and you can always ask for a price estimate. Be informed that most taxi meters charge simultaneously for time and distance. There may be a minimum charge, too.
Traditional Taxis
We mean traditional taxis that you can hail on the street or pick up from taxi stations around the city. They have a yellow taxi sign on the roof and a meter inside. Hailing a traditional taxi is simple but often the most expensive way to get a ride.
We recommend comparing taxis and their fares at stations rather than hailing them on the street. Check the price stickers on the window and evaluate the quality of the car. You can choose any taxi from the line, so there is no need to take the first one. Drivers may insist you take the first one from the line, but that is not mandatory or even recommended. Since you pay for the ride, you are the boss.
Below, we list the most reputable taxi brands in Helsinki.
Kovanen
Kovanen is a premium taxi brand in Helsinki. It has premium cars and well-trained drivers. You can hail a Kovanen taxi on the street, but if you want to be sure to get one, we recommend checking the ordering instructions on Kovanen’s website. Kovanen is an excellent choice for business rides.
Taksi Helsinki
Taksi Helsinki is a traditional taxi company in Helsinki. They have good cars and professional drivers. It is easy to spot Taksi Helsinki cars in the city, but unfortunately, some low-quality companies use similar colours and a slight variation of this taxi company’s name. In that sense, they can easily confuse customers into thinking they are also Taksi Helsinki cars. As the rule applies, quality always comes with a price, so prepare to pay a little more while taking a taxi ride with Taksi Helsinki.
You can read more about Taksi Helsinki on its website. The company also has a mobile app. Taksi Helsinki is a good option for business travellers and holiday-makers who appreciate quality and want to avoid challenges with budget taxis.
Lähitaksi
Lähitaksi is another respected taxi brand in Helsinki. You can expect to get good-quality cars and well-mannered drivers. The price is not the cheapest as with other premium brands.
You can read about Lähitaksi on the company’s website and install their mobile application. Also, Lähitaksi is a good choice for business travellers and quality-conscious holiday-makers.
Fixutaxi
Fixutaxi is a low-cost Kovanen brand, so the fares are lower. Still, despite the low-cost brand of a premium taxi company, you can expect good cars and stable quality. Fixutaxi’s logo is easily distinguishable from either its white or black cars.
Fixutaxi does not have an English website; it is only in Finnish. It is a mobile application.
Other Taxis
There are countless small private taxi companies in the Helsinki region. The majority of them operate only one or two cars. These companies can be affordable, but some may have surprisingly high fares. Also, the quality varies.
Suppose you board a taxi which does not belong to the previously listed premium brands. In that case, we advise checking the window’s price sticker, the car’s quality and the driver’s behaviour. Be aware that they may have supplemental charges or a high minimum charge.
We once saw a funny tip on recognising a good taxi: if they write the word in Finnish way, TAKSI, the chances of getting a good taxi are higher. Newer companies tend to use the form TAXI. However, please do not trust this tip too much since it is just a rough generalisation.
Affiliated Taxi Stations
To ensure a smooth taxi experience in Helsinki, the city and a few commercial premises partner with reliable taxi companies. For example, only partner taxi companies can pick up passengers from the Port of Helsinki, Main Railway Station and Mall of Tripla. More and more protected taxi stations are appearing. However, these partner taxis tend to be pricey.
For a more budget-friendly option, consider booking a taxi through a ride-hailing app rather than using the ones at the stations. If you respect quality, stick to the partner companies because they have been carefully selected.
Read about the taxi system at Helsinki Airport.
Taxi Apps in Helsinki
Installing local taxi apps onto your phone is perhaps one of the wisest decisions when travelling in Helsinki. If you book a ride with any taxi app, you will know what the journey costs. You can also get a taxi in your preferred quality class. The apps are free to use. Adding payment options like payment cards is advisable for ease of use. Indeed, you can also pay the driver directly at the end of the journey.
Below, we list our taxi app recommendations. Although almost every big taxi company has an app, we recommend installing only a few major ride-sharing apps. Getting a phone SIM card is also crucial.
Uber
Uber is familiar to everyone, and this taxi app works in Helsinki, too. Uber’s taxi companies and drivers are licensed, making Uber a safe choice.
Uber often offers the lowest rate, making it an excellent choice for budget travellers. Premium taxi companies usually operate for Uber when they have fewer direct orders.
Bolt
Bolt is similar to Uber, but the Estonian company has an excellent app. Bolt taxis are reliable and of the same quality as Uber’s.
Bolt sometimes offers excellent deals. Before placing your taxi order, we recommend comparing the prices on Uber and Bolt.
Menevä
Menevä is a reliable Finnish taxi company with a modern app. While their fares use surge pricing similar to competitors like Uber and Bolt, Menevä might be slightly pricier on average. The app offers easy booking and the peace of mind of supporting a local brand.
Yango
Yango is a Russian taxi app. As Google shows, Yango’s drivers have received bad complaints and reviews.
Other Taxi Apps
The previously listed premium taxi companies also have apps. If you prefer premium rides, consider installing the Kovanen, Taksi Helsinki Lähitaksi, or Fixutaxi apps on your phone. On the other hand, if you wish to keep things simple and appreciate low prices, consider starting with popular options like Bolt or Uber. These are known for offering competitive rates.
Where to Install Taxi Apps?
You can install Finnish taxi apps from your mobile device’s app store.
Compare Prices
Some third-party apps and websites connect you with multiple taxi companies in Helsinki, but these services are not very popular yet. We’ll look for reliable options and update our recommendations soon.
Call Taxi by Phone
You can also call a taxi directly by phone. While some companies charge for phone bookings, Menevä offers a free call option. For the most up-to-date phone numbers, check the websites of the taxi companies you’re considering. However, we recommend taxi apps because dealing with Finnish addresses can be confusing.
They will call you a taxi if you stay in a premium hotel. Expect to get a premium one, which is not the cheapest.
Read also: Where can you buy a SIM card in Helsinki?
Read about the transfer options at Helsinki Airport
Costs
There is a significant price difference between budget taxis and premium taxi brands. Here are estimated prices for your reference:
Budget Taxis
Budget taxis typically cost around 25 euros for a short ride of approximately 20 minutes covering 10 kilometres. Please note that the exact fare may vary depending on demand. To book budget taxis, we recommend using the Bolt or Uber apps.
It is essential to understand that you may pay a much higher fare if you hail a budget taxi from the street. A street-hailed budget taxi may be expensive at the end.
Premium Taxis
Premium taxi brands usually charge around 40 euros for the same duration and distance. However, additional charges may be made outside regular hours, resulting in a higher overall fare. Negotiating the price with the driver is acceptable to avoid any surprises. For example, we sometimes negotiate prices with premium taxis at the airport and get a 20-30 percent discount.
Safety
Helsinki has a good public transport network so often that you do not need a taxi.
Regarding safety concerns while travelling in a foreign country, it is essential to note that no one can guarantee 100% safety. However, we can provide you with insights from the local perspective.
Driving Habits
In Finland, traffic safety is generally good, and taxis are known to drive cautiously. While occasional accidents may happen, they are not common. Therefore, there is no need to worry about taxi drivers’ driving habits.
Solo Travellers
For solo travellers, both males and females, there may be some risks involved, especially if you are intoxicated. A few incidents have occurred where drivers have behaved inappropriately or even committed crimes. To mitigate these risks, opting for reputable taxi brands when travelling alone, particularly during nighttime, is advisable. Additionally, ordering taxis through an app ensures a record of your ride.
Frauds
Instances of fraud are not prevalent in Finland. However, to minimize any potential risks, it is recommended that you use taxi apps for your transportation needs. We would say that the risk of fraud is shallow.
It is good to know that before a taxi journey begins, the customer must be informed about the total fare or the basis for calculating the fare, regardless of whether the taxi was ordered by phone, app, or at a taxi rank.
If a fixed price for the journey has not been agreed upon in advance, the customer must be given information about the fare for a sample journey before the taxi journey begins. This sample journey is 10 kilometres long and takes 15 minutes, and no additional charges are applied for the number of passengers or luggage. If a starting fee is applicable, it must be included in the price of the sample journey. Usually, this information can also be found on the price sticker on the rear right window.
If the fare for the sample journey exceeds 40 euros, the taxi fare or the basis for calculating the fare must be agreed upon separately with the customer.
Unfortunately, we have never experienced any taxi driver following these rules, but as a customer, we encourage you to ask for these details
Tips for Taxi Riders
Hailing a taxi is a simple way to move around Helsinki. We list the most important advice for first-time taxi riders.
- To ensure your safety, it is advisable to use licensed taxis exclusively. Don’t hesitate to ask to see the driver’s permits. They are generally visible on the dashboard without asking. If you do not feel good, choose another taxi.
- If you are worried about your safety, minimise risks using the well-known taxi companies listed earlier.
- For added security, it is recommended that you book a taxi through a reliable app, as it maintains a record of your driver’s information in case any issues arise during your journey.
- Using taxi apps also simplifies the payment process and reduces unexpected price surprises.
- Do not take a taxi for short trips in the centre. A tram is a much more practical way to move around.
- When hailing a taxi from the street, always check the price sticker on the window, as prices are not regulated. We recommend avoiding hailing a cab on the street.
- In the event of an unfriendly driver, it is best to opt for another taxi.