A Deutsche Bank report ranks Zurich as the most expensive city for a 5 km cab ride at Rs 2409, followed by Paris and Luxembourg. Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru offer some of the cheapest fares globally.
Booking cabs while travelling can be a tough task. Taxi rides in most countries abroad are more expensive than our travel budget allows. Once you hop in, the metre starts to rise like crazy and by the time you reach the destination. But cabs are still the most convenient option for commuting, especially when travelling abroad. Recently, Deutsche Bank released a report, 'Mapping the World's Prices 2025', where they revealed what a 5 km local cab ride costs in the top 20 cities around the world.
Before we delve into the details, it's important to mention that cab rides in India are typically pocket-friendly. For example, a 5 km ride in Delhi takes approximately Rs 176, followed by Rs 185 in Mumbai and Rs 256 in Bengaluru, making them the second, third, and sixth cheapest cities in the world, respectively.
Here Are 5 Of The Cities With The Most Expensive Taxi Fares
1. Zurich, Switzerland:
Zurich is the costliest city to book a cab, costing approximately Rs 2409 ($27.3). The Swiss city ranks the most expensive for goods, everyday expenses and housing. Not only are the average salaries of the people high, but the underlying rates, including driver wages, vehicle maintenance, parking, insurance and fuel, are equally high.
Zurich tops the list of cities with highest taxi fares.
2. Paris, France:
Parisian cities fall next in the list, with a 5 km ride amounting to around Rs 2339 ($26.5). Being Europe's most expensive city, taxi services are subject to strict regulation such as licensing, driver training and city-oriented fees. Another reason for the high cab fare is the densely built, high-traffic zones.
3. Luxembourg
Hopping into a cab in this European city comes with a price tag of Rs 2295 ($26) due to regulatory frameworks, higher fixed costs in central areas and minimum fare thresholds. Idle time in traffic, fuel, insurance, pickup fee and metering all add up to the cause.
4. Geneva, Switzerland:
Next in the list is another Swiss city, aka Geneva, where you have to spend about Rs 2215 ($25.1) to travel via a cab for 5 km. The reason is simple: a high cost of living. Since trains and buses frequently run here, it is advisable to book a taxi only in an emergency.
5. London, United Kingdom:
Yes, we cannot imagine London without the yellow vehicles wheezing past the vintage streets. Although these taxis are often romanticised in films, in reality, they will charge you roughly Rs 2039 ($23.1) for covering a distance of 5 km. An alternative is to use licensed mini-cabs or prebook airport transfers to avoid surprise fares.
Also Read: 10 Countries Where Indian Rupee Is Stronger - Travel More, Spend Less
Here's The Rest Of The Cities In The List Released:
6. Milan, Italy: $22.4 (Rs 1977)
7. Brussels, Belgium: $22.1 (Rs 1950)
8. Amsterdam, Netherlands: $21.7 (Rs 1915)
9. Munich, Germany: $20.9 (Rs 1844)
10. Copenhagen, Denmark: $20.9 (Rs 1844)
11. Japan, Tokyo: $19.8 (Rs 1747)
12. Stockholm, Sweden: $19.2 (Rs 1694)
13. Berlin, Germany: $19.1 (Rs 1685)
14. Sydney, Australia: $18.6 (Rs 1641)
15. Edinburgh, United Kingdom: $18.4 (Rs 1624)
16. Barcelona, Spain: $17.9 (Rs 1580)
17. Oslo, Norway: $17 (Rs 1500)
18. Dublin, Ireland: $16.9 (Rs 1491)
19. Frankfurt, Germany: $16.5 (Rs 1465)
20. New York, United States: $15.8 (Rs1394)
