Accessible Taxis

Overview

Taxis in Berlin are regulated by the city and operated by licensed drivers. The standard Berlin taxi is a cream or beige-colored sedan, but wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) with rear ramps or side lifts are also part of the fleet. The main taxi association is Taxi Berlin, which coordinates dispatch across the city.

Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicles (WAVs)

WAVs in Berlin are specially equipped vans with a rear ramp or hydraulic lift. They can accommodate a standard manual or power wheelchair without requiring you to transfer to a seat. The wheelchair is secured with straps inside the vehicle.

WAVs are less common than standard taxis, so you should always book one in advance. Hailing a WAV from the street is unlikely to succeed.

How to Book a WAV

By phone:

• Taxi Berlin: +49 30 202020. Ask specifically for a "Rollstuhltaxi" (wheelchair taxi). Available 24 hours.
• Funk Taxi Berlin: +49 30 261026. Also offers WAV dispatch on request.

Give at least 30 to 60 minutes of advance notice. For airport pickups or early morning trips, book the day before.

By app:

• FreeNow: Available for iOS and Android. You can filter for wheelchair-accessible vehicles in the booking options. Wait times are typically 15 to 30 minutes for a WAV.
• taxi.eu: Another option for booking Berlin taxis. WAV availability varies.

Standard Taxis

Standard Berlin taxis (sedans and station wagons) can work for wheelchair users who are able to transfer to a car seat. The driver is required by law to help load and stow a folded wheelchair in the trunk. Most taxis have enough trunk space for a standard manual wheelchair, but power wheelchairs or large scooters will not fit in a standard taxi.

Cost Estimates

Berlin taxi fares are metered and regulated by the city.

• Base fare: 4.30 euros.
• Per kilometer: 2.30 euros for the first 7 kilometers, then 1.80 euros per kilometer after that.
• Waiting time: About 0.50 euros per minute.
• Short trip flat rate (Kurzstrecke): 6 euros for up to 2 kilometers, but only if you hail the taxi on the street (not from a taxi rank or by phone).

Common Routes

There is no extra charge for a WAV. Wheelchair-accessible taxi rides are metered at the same rate as standard taxis.

Tipping

Tipping taxi drivers in Berlin is customary but not required. A tip of 5 to 10 percent is standard. You can round up the fare to the nearest euro or add a few euros for good service. If the driver helped with your wheelchair or luggage, a slightly larger tip is appreciated.

Ride-Hailing Services

Uber operates in Berlin, but its availability of wheelchair-accessible vehicles is very limited. Standard Uber rides use licensed taxi drivers and follow the same metered pricing as taxis.

Bolt is also available in Berlin with similar limitations for wheelchair users.

Neither Uber nor Bolt reliably offers WAVs in Berlin. For guaranteed wheelchair-accessible transport, use Taxi Berlin or FreeNow with the WAV filter.

Berlkoenig (BVG On-Demand Service)

Berlkoenig is an on-demand ridesharing service operated by BVG in eastern Berlin. It works like a shared shuttle: you book through the BerlKoenig app, and a van picks you up and drops you off at a virtual stop near your location.

Some Berlkoenig vehicles are wheelchair accessible. When booking, select the accessibility option to request a WAV. The service area covers parts of Mitte, Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg, and Prenzlauer Berg. Fares start at about 2.50 euros per trip, making it one of the cheapest accessible transport options in the city.