Plovdiv has around 2,200 taxi permits and dozens of companies. Most journeys go without a hitch, but when they don’t, the cause is almost always one of the seven below: an unclear price, a car with no roof sign, a driver who doesn’t know the address, or simply a dirty car. Here is what to check — before you get in, during the journey and afterwards.
In short: 7 signs of a reliable taxi
- The prices are displayed on the car. The fare sticker is on the rear side window and matches the one on the company’s website.
- There is a roof sign with the company’s name and phone number.
- The meter starts when you set off — not earlier, and not with a price “by eye”.
- You get a receipt without having to ask for it.
- You can pay by card.
- You know which car is coming — number plate, make and where it is right now.
- The car is clean and doesn’t smell of cigarettes.
If one of these is missing, it doesn’t necessarily mean a scam. If three are missing, you are better off ordering another car.
The price: what to look for before you sit down
The most common complaint about taxis in any city is “they charged me double”. One thing protects you: knowing the fare in advance and seeing it on the window. At One it is the same everywhere — on the website, in the app and on the car:
| Day 06:00–22:00 | Night 22:00–06:00 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting fee | €1.60 | €1.80 |
| Per km in the city | €0.80 | €0.90 |
| Per km outside the city | €0.80 | €0.90 |
| Per minute of waiting | €0.16 | €0.16 |
| Booking fee | €0.50 | €0.50 |
The night rate applies from 22:00 to 06:00 — check that the meter shows the right rate for the time of day. Airport and intercity journeys have fixed prices that you know before you book. All prices are on the Taxi services page.
Safety: the driver, the car and where you are
A safe taxi is one you know more about before it arrives. When you book through One App, you see the car’s number plate and make, then watch it move towards you on the map. That way you don’t get into “some taxi that pulled over”, and you don’t wait in the dark not knowing whether a car is coming at all.
When you call 032 22 22, the dispatcher tells you the car’s number and how long it will take to reach you. If it is running late, call again — you should get an answer rather than wait without explanation.
Every driver must hold a taxi driver certificate and a psychological fitness certificate. The taxi operating permit belongs to the company, not the driver — so the company is responsible for every journey and you can complain to it directly.
Cleanliness is no small matter
The smell of cigarettes, crumbs on the seat and a dirty boot tell you how closely the company looks after its cars. If it doesn’t keep an eye on cleanliness, it probably doesn’t keep an eye on the tyres, brakes and meter either. If a car is unacceptable, you have the right not to get in. If you have already ridden in one, give the company the car’s number — that is the only way it will be checked.
How a driver earns your trust
A good driver says hello, asks which route you prefer and doesn’t talk on the phone while driving. They stop at the exact address, not “just before it because it’s convenient”. If you are travelling with children, they ask whether the air conditioning is reaching the back. It seems simple, but it has to be learned — which is why One trains its drivers free of charge at its Academy.
By phone or through the app?
Both routes lead to the same car. The difference is in what you know:
- By phone (032 22 22) — quickest when you are in a hurry or booking for someone else. Available day and night.
- Through One App — you see the car on the map, know exactly when it will arrive, can book for a specific time and pay by card. Useful at night and when you are somewhere unfamiliar.
At night and on public holidays
The safest way to get home at night is to book a car to your door and wait inside until you see it has arrived. One works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including public holidays. More about night journeys in Is there a taxi at night?
Why we are telling you this
One is the successor to the oldest taxi company in Plovdiv, founded in 1963. Over six decades we have seen every way a journey can go wrong. That is why our prices are on the window, the receipt comes automatically and you can pay by card — Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Apple Pay or Google Pay. If something isn’t right, call 032 22 22 and give the car’s number.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a taxi cost in Plovdiv?
At One the starting fee is €1.60 during the day and €1.80 at night, and each kilometre is €0.80 or €0.90. A journey of about 5 km in the city during the day comes to around €6.
Can I pay by card?
Yes — with a debit or credit card, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay. More in Can you pay for a taxi by card?
How do I know when the car will arrive?
In One App you see the car on the map in real time. By phone, the dispatcher tells you the car’s number and how many minutes it will take to arrive.
I left something in a taxi. What should I do?
Call 032 22 22 with the time and address of the journey and, if you remember it, the car’s number. Drivers check the car after every journey, and most lost items are returned the same day.