By Taxi in Naples and Pompeii

By Taxi

Maligned and mistrusted for decades, Neapolitan taxi drivers are now beginning to shake off their somewhat tarnished image. However, tricks of the trade are still used (taking you from the airport to your seafront location in Naples via the Tangenziale exit of Agnano and failing to switch on the meter are two favorites). Never take an "unofficial taxi" (the people who accost you at the airport and train station, offering you a taxi: real taxi drivers wait at a taxi stand). Do make sure that the meter has been turned on. It will start at EUR 2.60, although the minimum fare is EUR 4.50. Regular supplements are charged for the following services: EUR 1.60 for Sunday and holidays, EUR 2.60 for nighttime service (10 PM-7 AM), EUR 0.60 for each bag, EUR 2.60 for service to or from the airport, and EUR 0.80 for a radio call. Expect to pay EUR 6-EUR 15 for most trips in town during the day, and EUR 20-EUR 25 to or from the airport. If taking a taxi to a location outside the city boundaries, you'll have to pay double the fare on the meter, in addition to any supplements like autostrada tolls.

Taxis in Naples rarely cruise, but if empty they will stop if you flag them down. Taxis wait at stands (stazionamento) or can be paged by telephone. Radio taxi numbers are listed below. When you phone, you should wait until you're given the taxi's ID (always the name of a city combined with a number). Obviously it's cheaper and occasionally quicker to reach a nearby taxi stand. The principal ones are: in the center, Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza Carità; near the seafront, Via Partenope, Piazza Vittoria, Piazza Amedeo, and Piazza Mergellina; and on the hills, Piazza Medaglie d'Oro and Piazza Vanvitelli in the Vomero.

Taxi Companies

Radio taxi (081/5707070, 081/5525252, 081/5560202, 081/5564444, or 081/5515151. www.consorziotaxinapoli.it).