Costa Brava Taxi Guide 2026: Prices, Booking & Tips for Tourists
Planning a holiday in the Costa Brava and wondering how taxis work? This guide covers everything you need: how Catalan taxis are regulated, typical fares, how to book, and which routes are best served. No surprises.
How taxis work in Catalonia
Taxis in Catalonia are regulated by the Generalitat de Catalunya and must carry an official licence (licencia VT). All fares are set by the regional government and displayed on the taximeter inside the vehicle. Unlike in the UK or USA, there is no tipping culture in Spain — rounding up is appreciated but not expected.
In the Costa Brava, taxis are not hailed on the street: you book by phone, WhatsApp or at a taxi rank. For airport transfers and inter-city routes, most drivers offer an indicative flat price agreed before the journey — useful for budgeting.
Official tariff structure
There are two official tariffs in the Baix Empordà (the area around Palafrugell):
- Tarifa 1 (Night, weekends, holidays): Higher rate, applies 21:00–08:00 and all day on Sundays and public holidays.
- Tarifa 2 (Day, weekdays): Standard rate, applies 08:00–21:00 Monday to Saturday.
For popular fixed routes (airports, Barcelona, Girona), drivers typically quote an all-in indicative price that covers both tariffs, VAT and luggage — so there are no surprises at the end of the journey.
Typical prices from Palafrugell (2026)
- Palafrugell → Girona Airport (GRO): from €95 (40 min, 50 km)
- Palafrugell → Barcelona Airport (BCN): from €235 (100 min, 145 km)
- Palafrugell → Barcelona city: from €225 (90 min, 130 km)
- Palafrugell → Girona city: from €100 (35 min, 45 km)
- Palafrugell → Begur & coves: from €30 (15 min, 9 km)
- Palafrugell → Tossa de Mar: from €90 (55 min, 50 km)
- Palafrugell → Cadaqués: from €140 (80 min, 75 km)
All prices above are indicative for up to 8 passengers, including VAT and luggage. For the full list, see our Costa Brava taxi price table.
How to book a taxi in the Costa Brava
There are three ways to book:
- WhatsApp (recommended): Send us a message with pick-up point, destination, date and time. We confirm in under 10 minutes.
- Phone: Call us directly. Useful for immediate pick-up requests.
- Online form: Fill in the booking form on this website and we'll get back to you within minutes.
For airport pick-ups, share your flight number so we can track any delays at no extra charge.
What to expect on the day
Your driver will arrive at the agreed time and location. For airport arrivals, look for a personalised name board in the arrivals hall. Vehicles are air-conditioned MPVs seating up to 8 passengers with ample boot space. Child seats are available on request at no extra cost. Payment by cash, card or Bizum (Spanish mobile payment) is accepted.
Getting to the Costa Brava from the airports
If you're flying in, Girona Airport (GRO) is the closest option — just 50 km from Palafrugell and served by Ryanair and other low-cost carriers. Barcelona El Prat (BCN) is further (145 km) but has more flights. For a detailed comparison of all transfer options, see our guide to getting from Barcelona Airport to the Costa Brava.
Conclusion
Taxis in the Costa Brava are safe, regulated and the most practical way to move around for visitors without a hire car. Booking by WhatsApp is quick and confirmation is near-instant. With one vehicle for up to 8 passengers, groups often find it cheaper per person than public transport for many routes.