When you’re traveling in a Spanish-speaking country, arranging private transportation—like a taxi, shuttle, or private driver—can feel a little intimidating if you don’t know what to say. Luckily, you don’t need to be fluent in Spanish to ask for a ride, request prices, or make a reservation. A few key phrases can go a long way.
Here are some essential phrases that will help you communicate confidently when arranging private transportation in Spanish.
🚕 1. Asking for a Taxi or Ride
If you need help finding or reserving a ride, try these:
- ¿Podría reservar un taxi?
Could you reserve a taxi? - ¿Hay taxis disponibles aquí cerca?
Are there taxis available nearby? - ¿Conoce algún transporte de confianza?
Do you know of a trustworthy driver/transport service? - ¿Tiene el contacto de un chofer privado o un taxi confiable?
Do you have the contact info for a private driver or a reliable taxi?
🕒 2. Talking About Time and Place
When explaining where and when you need to be somewhere:
- Necesitamos estar en [lugar] a las [hora].
We need to be at [place] at [time].
Example: Necesitamos estar en el aeropuerto a las 6:00 a.m. - ¿Cuánto tiempo se tarda en llegar a [lugar]?
How long does it take to get to [place]? - ¿A qué hora salimos para llegar a tiempo?
What time should we leave to arrive on time?
💲 3. Asking About Prices and Payment
You’ll want to know how much you’ll be charged and how the pricing works:
- ¿Cuánto cuesta el viaje hasta [lugar]?
How much does the trip to [place] cost? - ¿Usted tiene una tarifa fija o cobra por kilómetro?
Do you have a fixed rate or do you charge by the kilometer? - ¿Cobra por persona o por el viaje completo?
Do you charge per person or for the whole trip? - ¿Se puede pagar con tarjeta o solo en efectivo?
Can we pay with a card or is it cash only? - ¿Está incluida la propina?
Is the tip included?
🚐 4. Booking and Confirming the Ride
Once you’ve agreed on details, here are ways to confirm or arrange it:
- ¿Podemos reservar el transporte para mañana a las [hora]?
Can we book the transportation for tomorrow at [time]? - ¿Puede venir a recogernos aquí?
Can you come pick us up here? - ¿Dónde nos encontramos exactamente?
Where exactly should we meet? - ¿Cómo se llama el conductor? ¿Qué tipo de vehículo tiene?
What’s the driver’s name? What kind of vehicle does he/she have?
💡 Extra Useful Vocabulary
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el chofer | the driver |
| el taxi | the taxi |
| el transporte privado | private transportation |
| la tarifa | the fare |
| el destino | destination |
| el punto de encuentro | meeting point |
| recoger | to pick up |
| dejar | to drop off |
🧳 Final Travel Tip
When traveling in rural or less touristy areas, it’s very helpful to get the contact information of a reliable driver or have your hotel/host arrange transportation for you. You can say:
- ¿Puede recomendarme un chofer o taxi seguro para ir a [lugar]?
Can you recommend a safe driver or taxi to go to [place]?
Learning a few of these phrases before your trip will help you feel more confident and connected. Spanish-speaking locals will appreciate your effort—and you’ll feel more in control of your travel experience.
