Lisbon airport sets fixed taxi fares to curb overcharging
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Passengers arriving at Lisbon airport in Portugal can now pay fixed fares for taxi rides, following years of reports of inflated prices and scams.
Tourists and local residents alike had complained about drivers manipulating meters, demanding cash only, and taking unnecessarily long routes. These issues prompted a September agreement between Lisbon City Council, airport authorities, tourism groups, and taxi federations to establish set prices.
The new system, launched on Thursday, sets fares at 16 euros for daytime trips within “zone 1” and 19 euros for “zone 2”, with higher rates applying at night. Luggage fees are now included in these prices. While the system is active for all drivers, full operation, including setting prices for areas outside the capital, will begin in November. Some social media users have criticised the fixed fares as too high for short distances, while others welcome the increased transparency.
Authorities also conducted inspections in August, finding 67 violations among 100 taxis, including issues with taximeters and required documentation, which reinforced the need for regulation.
