Lisbon has introduced fixed taxi fares for journeys from its airport to stop drivers from overcharging visitors, but some local passengers say the new rules make short trips more expensive. For years, tourists and residents reported taxi scams at the airport, including drivers turning off taximeters, taking longer routes, and refusing card payments.
Under the new rules, which came into force on Thursday, passengers pay a set fare based on destination zones. A daytime journey between 7:00 and 22:00 costs 16 euros for Zone 1 and 19 euros for Zone 2. At night, as well as on weekends and public holidays, the fares rise to 20 euros for Zone 1 and 23 euros for Zone 2. The prices now include luggage, removing an extra fee of 1.60 euros that was previously charged for large bags.
Officials, airport operators, and taxi associations created the fixed-fare agreement to improve transparency and stop drivers from refusing passengers. Supporters say having pre-set prices protects travellers from dishonest drivers and makes airport arrivals simpler, similar to systems used in other international cities.
However, the new price list has received criticism on social media, especially from people who take short trips from the airport. Residents noted that a ride to nearby neighbourhoods like Parque das Nações used to cost between 7.50 and 10 euros on the meter. Some passengers now complain that the fixed rates act as an expensive "tourist price" that forces locals to pay more for short journeys.