Ordering a Taxi in Switzerland: All Methods at a Glance

Method 1: At the Taxi Stand

The simplest method in cities: go to a taxi stand and get into the first waiting taxi.

Where do I find taxi stands?

Typical locations:

• Train stations (main exit)
• Airports
• Large hotels
• Shopping centers
• Main squares
• Nightlife districts

Advantages

• Available immediately (usually)
• No app or phone needed
• Taxi directly visible

Disadvantages

• Not available everywhere
• Fewer taxis at night
• Long queues at events

Method 2: By Phone

The classic method: call a taxi central and give your location.

Important taxi numbers

Zurich:

Geneva:

Basel:

Bern:

What you should say

1. Exact address or location
2. Name (for identification)
3. When you want to be picked up (immediately or advance booking)
4. Special requests (large taxi, child seat)

Advantages

• Works everywhere
• Personal contact
• Special requests possible

Disadvantages

• Number must be known
• Waiting time not always clear
• No price information in advance

Method 3: By App

Modern and convenient method: order a taxi via smartphone app.

Available apps

Uber and Bolt

How it works:

1. Download the app
2. Create an account and add payment method
3. Enter pickup location
4. Enter destination
5. See price and book
6. Driver comes to you

Advantages:

• Price known before the ride
• Cashless payment
• Driver ratings
• GPS tracking

Disadvantages:

• Only in major cities
• Surge pricing possible
• No phone support

taxi.eu

Connects you with local taxi centrals:

1. Download the app
2. Allow or enter your location
3. Request a taxi
4. App shows waiting time and license plate
5. Payment in app or to driver

Method 4: Book Online in Advance

For planned trips, you can book taxis online.

When to book in advance?

• Airport transfers
• Early morning hours
• Important appointments
• Group trips
• Events (when taxis are scarce)

How to book in advance?

Via website:

• Many taxi companies have booking forms
• Fixed price often possible
• Confirmation by email

Via app:

• Uber: "Schedule a ride" feature
• Taxi apps: advance booking option

By phone:

• Call the central
• Give date, time, address
• Ask for confirmation

Method 5: Hailing on the Street

In larger cities, you can hail free taxis:

How to recognize a free taxi

• Roof sign lit: Taxi is free
• Roof sign off: Taxi is occupied or off duty
• Simply raise your hand

Where does this work?

• Well in: Zurich city center, Geneva center, Basel city
• Difficult in: suburbs, rural areas, at night

Advantages

• Spontaneous and fast
• No app or phone needed

Disadvantages

• Only possible in city centers
• Not reliable
• Waiting time uncertain

Which method for which situation?

Step by step: Ordering a taxi

By phone

1. Find taxi number: Google "[city] taxi" or on taksi.ch
2. Call
3. Give your location: "I'm at Bahnhofstrasse 10, Zurich"
4. When: "Immediately" or "At 2 PM"
5. Give your name
6. Wait: Taxi arrives in 5-15 minutes

By app

1. Open the app (Uber, Bolt, taxi.eu)
2. Confirm or enter pickup location
3. Enter destination
4. Choose vehicle type (if available)
5. Book
6. Track the taxi and get in

At the taxi stand

1. Go to the stand
2. Take the first taxi (don't choose!)
3. Get in
4. Give destination
5. Go

Tips for ordering

Clear address

Always give:

• Street and house number
• Town/city
• Additional info ("courtyard entrance", "in front of the restaurant")

Minimize waiting time

• In the morning: Book the evening before
• Events: Order 30 min. earlier
• Airport: Advance booking with fixed price

Special requests

Specify when ordering:

• Large taxi (5+ people)
• Child seat
• Wheelchair accessible
• Pet

Summary

Recommendation: For most situations, an app is the easiest. For reliability: phone. For spontaneity: taxi stand.