Taxis in Helsinki
Taxis in Helsinki are reliable but riding a taxi can become expensive if you select the wrong service provider. While the majority of taxis in Helsinki are perfectly fine and overseen by the government, there have been concerns about a small number of 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 move around in the Helsinki region.
Taxis can be hailed on the street or ordered through many taxi mobile apps in Helsinki. Taxis accept cash and major credit card payments, and the good news, the majority of taxi drivers can speak English – even better than Finnish.
Every taxi company in Finland needs a license and a driver needs a permit to legally operate. When the latest taxi regulation in Finland was implemented, the taxi fare prices in the Helsinki region went down but unfortunately, the variance in the quality increased dramatically. A savvy traveller may order a budget taxi, like a taxi ride from Uber, and those who wish for better quality service may opt for taxi premium brands which are operated by local taxi companies.
It is necessary to understand that the maximum price for a taxi ride is not regulated so some of the unethically priced taxis can be surprisingly expensive. Every taxi must have a price sticker on the window and you can always ask for a price estimate from the driver. Be informed that taxi meters charge simultaneously for the time and distance. There may be a minimum charge too.
Regular Taxis
By regular taxis, we mean 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 regular taxi is simple but often the most expensive way to get a ride.
We recommend comparing taxis at stations and not 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 from the line but that is not mandatory and not even recommended. Since you pay for the ride, you are the boss.
To ensure a smooth arrival experience in Helsinki, Helsinki City partners with reliable taxi companies at the Port of Helsinki. However, these taxis may come at a premium compared to app-based taxis. For a more budget-friendly option, consider booking a taxi through a ride-hailing app upon arrival rather than using the ones directly at the port. If you respect quality, stick to the taxis that Helsinki City recommends.
Below we list the most reputable taxi brands in Helsinki.
Kovanen
Kovanen is a premium taxi brand in Helsinki. They have premium cars and well-trained drivers. It is possible to hail a Kovanen taxi on the street but if you want to be sure to get one, we recommend checking ordering instructions from 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 small variation of this taxi company’s name. In that sense, it can easily confuse customers 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 their website. The company has also a mobile app. Taksi Helsinki is a good option for business travellers and for those 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.
On the company’s website, you can read more about Lähitaksi 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 brand of Kovanen therefore the fares are lower. Still, you can expect good cars and stable quality despite the low-cost brand of a premium taxi company. Fixutaxi’s logo is easily distinguishable from either their white or black cars.
Fixutaxi does not have an English website but they have a mobile application.
Other Taxis
There are countless private taxi companies in the Helsinki region. The majority of them are operating only one or two cars. These companies can be affordable but some of them may have surprisingly high fares.
If you board a taxi which does not belong to the previously listed premium brands, we advise checking carefully the price sticker on the window and evaluating the car’s quality and the driver’s behaviour. Be aware that they may have supplemental charges or a high minimum charge.
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 be sure to get a taxi in your preferred quality class. The apps are free to use. Adding payment options like payment cards is advisable for ease. Surely, you can also pay directly to the driver at the end of the journey.
Below, we list our taxi app recommendations. Almost every big taxi company has its app but we recommend installing only a few major ride-sharing apps.
Uber
Uber is familiar to everyone and this taxi app works in Helsinki, too. All of Uber’s taxi companies and drivers are licensed. Uber is a safe choice in Helsinki.
Quite often, Uber offers also the lowest rate. Hence, Uber is an excellent choice for budget travellers. It is not uncommon for premium taxi companies to operate for Uber when they have fewer direct orders.
Bolt
Bolt is similar to Uber but the company comes from Estonia. The company has a well-working and nice app. Also, Bolt taxis are reliable and quality is at the same level as with Uber.
Bolt has sometimes great offers and based on our experience, their taxi cars are usually more expensive than that of Uber’s. We recommend comparing the prices on Uber and Bolt before placing your taxi order.
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, on average, Menevä might be slightly pricier. The app offers easy booking and the peace of mind of supporting a local brand.
Yango
Yango is a Russian taxi app. Yango’s drivers have received quite bad complaints and reviews as seen in Google.
Other Taxi Apps
The previously listed premium taxi companies have also their apps. If you prefer premium rides, consider installing 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 so popular yet. We’ll keep an eye out 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, for example, 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, our recommendation is to use taxi apps because dealing with Finnish addresses can be confusing.
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
For a short ride of approximately 20 minutes covering 10 kilometres, budget taxis typically cost around 25 euros. 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 important to understand that if you hail a budget taxi from the street, you may end up paying a much higher fare. A street-hailed budget taxi may be super expensive.
Premium Taxis
For the same duration and distance, premium taxi brands usually charge around 40 euros. However, there may be additional charges outside regular hours, resulting in a higher overall fare. Negotiating the price with the driver is acceptable to avoid any surprises. For example, we have sometimes negotiated prices with premium taxis at the airport and got a 20-30 per cent discount.
Safety
When it comes to safety concerns while travelling in a foreign country, it is important 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. There have been a few incidents where drivers have behaved inappropriately or even committed crimes. To mitigate these risks, it is advisable to opt for reputable taxi brands when travelling alone, particularly during nighttime. Additionally, ordering taxis through an app ensures there is a record of your ride.
Frauds
Instances of fraud are not prevalent in Finland. However, to further minimize any potential risks, it is recommended to use taxi apps for your transportation needs. We would say that the risk of fraud is really low.
Helsinki has a good public transport network so often, you do not need a taxi at all.
Tips for Taxi Riders
Hailing a taxi is a simple way to move around Helsinki. We list the most important advice for people riding a taxi for the first time in Helsinki.
- To ensure your safety, it is advisable to exclusively use licensed taxis and don’t hesitate to request to see the driver’s permits. They are normally visible on the dashboard without asking. If you do not feel good, choose another taxi.
- If you are worried about your safety, minimise your risks by using the well-known taxi companies listed earlier.
- For added security, it is recommended to 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 in the centre.
- When hailing a taxi from the street, always check the price sticker on the window as there is no regulation on prices. We recommend avoiding hailing a taxi on the street.
- In the event of an unfriendly driver, it is best to opt for another taxi.