Comforts in a taxi that go unnoticed: what you can ask for during the journey

In a taxi you can ask for more than you might think: to adjust the temperature or open the window, to turn the radio down or off, to travel in silence, to choose the route, to get help with your luggage, to be dropped off at a particular spot on the street, to pay by card and to take a receipt. These are comforts that many passengers do not ask for so as not to be a bother, and that any good professional will happily provide as long as they are reasonable and safe.

The air conditioning is the most common request and the one people most often keep quiet about. If you are cold or hot, say so when you get in: it is easier to adjust it at the start than halfway through the journey. The same goes for the window, especially if you get car sick.

Something similar happens with the radio. You can ask for it to be turned down, for the station to be changed or for it to be switched off if you need to make a call or simply rest. And if you would rather not chat, a quick “I’m going to take the chance to rest for a bit” is enough to set the tone without seeming abrupt.

Some comforts are not asked for because they are taken for granted: a clean car with no strong smells. If you want to know why smell matters so much in an enclosed vehicle, we explain it in taxi smells.

You can say which route you prefer; if you say nothing, the driver will choose the one they consider most suitable. This is useful if you know a route that is usually clear at that time or if you want to pass by a particular place. We explain it in did you know you can choose the route?

Another comfort that goes unnoticed is exactly where you are dropped off. The street number is not the same as the garage door, the side entrance of a hospital or the side of the pavement that saves you crossing. Ask as you approach your destination, as long as it is possible to stop safely.

If you are travelling with young children, the child seat must be requested when booking; you will find the details in our guide to taxis with a child seat.

Courtesy works both ways. A driver cannot agree to requests that affect safety or break the rules: double-parking on an avenue, carrying more passengers than allowed, travelling without a seat belt or using a lane they should not. If you want to know the limits, the details are in what a taxi driver can and cannot do with customers.

The last comfort is for yourself: a glance at the seat and the boot before closing the door. Phones, glasses, keys or umbrellas are often left behind, as we explain in the items most often forgotten in taxis. If you paid by card or have a receipt, getting an item back is much easier.

This is the trip where these details are most appreciated: you have suitcases, sometimes it is the early hours and your mind is on your flight. When booking you can specify the passengers, luggage and child seat, and the price is fixed by area (€33 from inside the M-30; the rest on our fares page). If you are looking for a door-to-door transfer arranged in advance, see our Madrid airport transfer.