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There is no single Swiss taxi fare: compare official Geneva and Basel caps and learn how to check the price before boarding.
Taxi prices
Taxi prices in Switzerland do not follow one national tariff: official caps are set at city or canton level. Budget in CHF and check the local rules first. Geneva and Basel publish specific caps, while in Zurich the practical approach is to check an app estimate immediately before requesting a ride.
Budget range
An internal price dataset provides a secondary planning reference: about CHF 6.50 to start, CHF 3.80 per kilometre and CHF 65 per waiting hour. Its respective ranges are CHF 5.50–10.00, CHF 2.60–5.00 per kilometre and CHF 45–80 per hour.
The dataset gives no observation date or methodology. These figures were converted from USD using a ratio embedded in the same dataset, not a current exchange rate, so they are only a rough budget check. Use city caps and the price shown before booking to make a decision.
Fare components
The basic model is start fee + distance + waiting + permitted local surcharges. Each component depends on local rules. A published maximum does not mean every trip will cost that amount.
VTC pricing works differently. In Geneva, the maximum price is agreed before the journey and cannot be raised afterwards. Uber's Swiss page says the app shows an upfront estimate before a ride is requested.
City fare comparison
| Market | Start | Distance and waiting | What the figure means |
|---|---|---|---|
--- | ---: | ---: | --- |
Geneva | CHF 6.30; CHF 7.80 when boarding within Geneva Airport | CHF 3.20/km on tariff 1; CHF 3.80/km on tariff 2 | Official caps |
Basel | CHF 6.50 | CHF 4.00/km on tariff 1; CHF 4.50/km on tariff 2; CHF 74/hour waiting | Official caps; VAT and tips included |
Basel, Taxi-Zentrale Basel | CHF 6.50 + CHF 2.80 booking surcharge | CHF 4.00/km or CHF 4.50/km; CHF 1.23/min waiting | One operator's published tariff, including 8.1% VAT |
Zurich | No verified static figure in the dossier | Upfront estimate before requesting a ride | App estimate, not a city tariff |
Calculation
For a 5 km journey without congestion, the published Basel caps produce this calculation:
This is an arithmetic example, not a quote for a specific route. It excludes the booking surcharge and waiting.
Airport
Maximum fixed fares connect Geneva Airport with four canton zones: CHF 25 for the adjacent zone, CHF 35 for the international-organisations zone, CHF 50 for the centre and right bank, and CHF 60 for the centre and left bank. When the meter is below the fixed cap, the passenger pays the lower amount.
The zone boundaries and non-taxi options are covered in the guide to getting from Geneva Airport to the city centre. For other airports, compare the guides for Zurich Airport to the centre and Basel Airport to the centre; this article does not assign an unverified fixed taxi price to either route.
Surcharges and timing
In Basel, tariff 1 applies from 06:00 to 20:00 within Basel, Riehen and Bettingen. Tariff 2 applies from 20:00 to 06:00, on Sundays and public holidays, and outside those municipalities.
In Geneva, the surcharge is capped at CHF 1.50 for luggage weighing 5–30 kg, a pair of skis or a dog, and CHF 3 for luggage over 30 kg. Luggage under 5 kg, an assistance dog, and mobility aids for older people or people with disabilities do not incur this surcharge.
Price check
Before any booking, Taxi-Zentrale Basel's English page shows CHF 6.50 to start, a CHF 2.80 booking surcharge, CHF 4.00/4.50 per kilometre and CHF 1.23 per waiting minute. The screenshot below shows the original English table. No passenger address or personal data is entered at this stage, and no payment is made.
Compare options
Checklist
Before boarding, save the displayed estimate or agreed maximum and check which tariff applies. After the ride, compare the total with the conditions shown in advance. If you need to challenge a charge, retain the available trip and pricing details.
FAQ
Is there one taxi tariff for Switzerland?
No. Official rules and caps vary by canton and city.
How much does a 5 km taxi ride cost in Basel?
An arithmetic example using the published caps gives CHF 26.50 on tariff 1 or CHF 29.00 on tariff 2. It excludes the booking surcharge, waiting and route-specific conditions.
Is there a fixed fare from Geneva Airport?
Yes. The four canton zones have caps of CHF 25, 35, 50 and 60, but a lower meter reading takes precedence.
Can I see an app price before requesting a ride?
Yes. Uber's Swiss page says the app displays an upfront estimate before the request.
Can a Geneva VTC raise the agreed price after the ride?
No. The maximum is set before the journey and cannot be increased afterwards.
Summary
Calculate in CHF and ignore claims of one average national tariff. Use this order: local rules, tariff period and zone, surcharges, then an app estimate or agreed VTC maximum before boarding.
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