In Calella, the practical difference between a taxi and a VTC lies in where they can pick you up and how they are hired. A licensed Calella taxi picks you up in the town, via telephone, WhatsApp, or at a taxi rank, and takes you to any destination. A VTC always operates via pre-booking at an agreed price, and is used for journeys between municipalities, such as an airport transfer or a pick-up outside Calella. At Taxi Calella, we work with both options to cover all journeys.
In summary
- Around Calella: taxi. This is the only service permitted to perform journeys within the town.
- From Calella to any destination: taxi or VTC, always picking you up in Calella.
- Pick-ups outside Calella (airport, port, stations): by pre-booking only.
- VTC: does not stop on the street or wait at taxi ranks; it must be hired in advance.
- Advice: for long transfers, book 24 hours in advance.
What is a taxi and what is a VTC
Both are chauffeur-driven cars to take you from one place to another, but they have different permits:
- Taxi: holds a municipal licence, in our case from Calella. It can pick up passengers on the street, at a rank, or by request within the municipality, and uses a taximeter for local journeys.
- VTC (private hire vehicle): holds a transport authorisation and always works via pre-booking. It cannot circulate looking for clients or wait on public roads, and the price is agreed before the trip.
Where a Calella taxi can pick you up
Catalan taxi regulations establish that the service begins where the passenger is picked up, and that this pick-up must take place in the municipality of the licence. Therefore, a Calella taxi:
- Picks you up at any point in Calella: your home, your hotel, the Renfe station, the promenade, or the tourist area.
- Can take you to any destination: Barcelona, Girona, the airport, Andorra, or the neighbouring town.
- Cannot pick you up on the street in another municipality. For that, a service booked in advance is required.
When a VTC is suitable
A VTC is the natural choice for journeys between municipalities booked in advance. For example:
- Pick-up at Barcelona or Girona airport to return to Calella.
- Pick-up at the Port of Barcelona when disembarking from a cruise.
- Return from an event or dinner in another town, at an agreed time.
What a VTC cannot do is a journey with both origin and destination within Calella. To go from the hotel to the beach or the health centre, the appropriate service is a taxi.
Why long transfers are booked in advance
Whether the service is provided as a taxi or a VTC, anything involving a pick-up outside Calella must be hired beforehand. Furthermore, Catalan taxi and VTC regulations are under review and booking periods may change. Our recommendation is simple: book transfers to the airport, port, AVE stations, and return pick-ups at least 24 hours in advance. This ensures the car is waiting when you arrive.
Which option to choose according to your journey
| Journey | What to book |
|---|---|
| Within Calella (hotel, station, hospital) | Taxi, via telephone, WhatsApp or at the rank |
| From Calella to the airport, Barcelona or Girona | Taxi or VTC, with pick-up in Calella |
| From the airport or port to Calella | Pre-booking with flight or cruise number |
| Return trip with waiting time (La Roca Village, Andorra) | Booking with 24h notice, fixed price |
If you are unsure which option suits you best, call us or message us on WhatsApp at +34 631 360 520 and we will organise it for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a taxi and a VTC?
A taxi has a municipal licence, can pick up passengers on the street or at a rank in its municipality, and uses a taximeter for local journeys. A VTC only works via pre-booking and at an agreed price; it cannot pick up clients on the street and is designed for journeys between municipalities.
Can a Calella taxi pick me up in another town?
Not from the street: a taxi can only start a service in the municipality of its licence. If you need us to pick you up at the airport, the port, or another municipality to return to Calella, it must be booked in advance. We can organise this for you via telephone or WhatsApp.
Can I request a VTC to move around Calella?
No. VTCs with interurban authorisation cannot perform journeys with both origin and destination in the same municipality. To move around Calella, the appropriate service is a taxi, with a minimum fare of £8 and a taximeter for local journeys.
How far in advance do I need to book?
For journeys around Calella, you can call us at the time. For transfers to the airport, port, AVE stations, return trips, or pick-ups outside Calella, we recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance, with more notice during high season.
Is a VTC more expensive than a taxi?
Not necessarily. For long transfers, we work with fixed prices, for example £125 from Calella to Barcelona Airport or £100 to Barcelona city. You know the price before departing, regardless of traffic. Consult all fares on our website.
Do you have a journey in mind? Check our fares or book your taxi in Calella and we will confirm the service.
