What is the FreeNow app?

FreeNow is a European mobility app that books licensed, metered taxis from your phone — the same regulated cabs you'd hail on the street, but ordered, tracked, and paid for in the app. Formerly known as mytaxi, it now also offers private-hire cars, e-scooters, and e-mopeds in some cities. Lyft acquired FreeNow in 2025, so it's the European arm of a major global player.

Which countries does FreeNow work in?

FreeNow operates in 150+ cities across nine European countries: Germany, the UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Greece, Austria, Poland, and Portugal. It's especially dominant in Germany, Ireland (Dublin), and the UK, where it's the go-to app for black cabs and licensed taxis. It does not operate in the US, and it pulled out of France.

Is FreeNow cheaper than Uber?

Usually not cheaper, but more transparent. Because FreeNow mostly books licensed taxis, you pay the official metered fare plus a small booking fee — there's no surge multiplier inflating the price during busy times, which can make it cheaper than a surging Uber at peak. For everyday off-peak trips Uber or Bolt is often a touch cheaper, but FreeNow wins on predictability and regulated drivers.

How do I pay for FreeNow?

You add a card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal in the app and the fare is charged automatically at the end of the trip — no cash needed, though many drivers still accept it. FreeNow charges in the local currency, so use a travel card with no foreign-transaction fees to avoid extra charges. You can also tip and request a receipt in the app.

Is FreeNow just licensed taxis or private drivers too?

Both, depending on the city. In markets like London, Dublin, and most of Germany, FreeNow books licensed, metered taxis (including London's black cabs). In some cities it also offers private-hire 'Ride' cars at upfront prices, plus e-scooters and e-mopeds. The app shows which options are available wherever you open it.

Do I need a separate FreeNow account in each country?

No. One FreeNow account works across every country where the app operates. It detects your location and shows the local taxi and ride options automatically. You just need mobile data or Wi-Fi and location services switched on to book and track your ride.

Does FreeNow work from the airport?

Yes, in most of its cities you can book a licensed taxi from the airport rank through the app, with the fare set by the local meter or a fixed airport tariff. That said, in well-connected cities the train or metro from the airport is almost always faster and far cheaper than any taxi — worth checking before you book.

Is FreeNow the same as Uber or Bolt?

They work similarly — book, track, and pay in-app — but FreeNow focuses on regulated, metered taxis rather than private gig drivers, which appeals to travelers who want licensed cabs. Uber and Bolt lean toward private-hire cars with upfront pricing. In cities where private ride-hailing is limited or banned, FreeNow is often the most reliable app to have.

How to Use FreeNow: The Licensed-Taxi App for Europe (2026 Guide)

If you're traveling in Europe and want the reassurance of a licensed, metered taxi without standing on a curb waving your arm, FreeNow is the app to know. It books the same regulated cabs you'd flag down on the street — black cabs in London, the cream-colored taxis of Dublin — but lets you order, track, and pay from your phone.

Here's what FreeNow is, how to use it, and exactly where it works.

What is FreeNow?

FreeNow (once called mytaxi) is a European mobility app built around licensed taxis rather than private gig drivers. You request a cab, see the driver and plate, and pay through the app at the official metered fare. In many cities the same account also unlocks private-hire cars, e-scooters, and e-mopeds. After Lyft acquired it in 2025, FreeNow became the European side of a major global network.

For travelers, the appeal is simple: regulated drivers, transparent meter pricing, and no surge games.

How to use FreeNow

Download the app and sign up with your phone number and a payment method.
Open it where you land — FreeNow detects your city and shows local taxis and ride options.
Set your destination so the app can estimate the fare and route.
Pick your option — licensed taxi, private-hire "Ride," or a scooter where offered.
Pay in-app by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal, and grab a receipt automatically.

Great where private ride-hailing is restricted

In cities that limit or ban private ride-hailing, a regulated-taxi app like FreeNow is often the most reliable thing on your phone. It's the dependable backup when Uber or Bolt coverage is thin.

Where FreeNow works

As of 2026, FreeNow runs in 150+ cities across nine European countries:

Strongest in: Germany, Ireland, and the UK — in Dublin it's effectively the taxi app, and in London it books licensed black cabs.
Also in: Spain, Italy, Greece, Austria, Poland, and Portugal — useful in Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Athens, Berlin, Munich, and Vienna.

FreeNow is Europe-only

There's no FreeNow in the United States, and it left France. If you're traveling outside its nine countries, you'll want Uber, Bolt, or the local app instead — always check your city in the app before relying on it.

What FreeNow costs

Because most FreeNow trips are licensed taxis, you pay the official metered fare plus a modest booking fee:

No surge multiplier on metered taxi trips — a real advantage during rush hour or rain, when a ride app's price can spike.
Private-hire "Ride" options, where offered, show an upfront price like Uber.
From airports, expect the local taxi tariff — but a train or metro is almost always cheaper.

Mind the foreign-transaction fee

FreeNow charges in the local currency, and many bank cards add a 1–3% FX fee. A travel card with no foreign-transaction fees quietly saves money on every trip.

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FreeNow vs Uber and Bolt

All three book a car from your phone, but they're built differently:

FreeNow → regulated, metered taxis (plus some private hire). Best for travelers who want licensed cabs and predictable, surge-free pricing.
Uber → widest global reach, mostly private drivers, upfront pricing with surge.
Bolt → often the cheapest in Europe, private drivers, also scooters and bikes.

Many travelers in Europe install all three and compare the quote before each ride.

The bottom line for travelers

FreeNow is the app to have when you want a licensed European taxi without the curbside lottery: regulated drivers, meter pricing, and no surge surprises. It shines in Germany, Ireland, and the UK, and it's a dependable backup wherever private ride-hailing is restricted.

But the cheapest ride is still often a tram, metro, or short walk. Working out when a FreeNow taxi is genuinely worth it — and when local transport wins — is exactly the kind of call Arrived helps you make the moment you land.