Safe through the night: Women's night taxis in German cities at a glance

In many German cities, there are now special night taxi services aimed at safely transporting women and girls from one place to another during the late hours. These programs, usually organized through voucher systems or reduced fares, address the specific safety needs of women traveling at night.

Particularly in areas of harassment and assault, which statistically occur more frequently at night, the women's night taxis offer a targeted protective measure. This article provides an overview of various models in German cities such as Munich, Heidelberg, Mannheim, Cologne, and Freiburg.

Munich: Voucher System for Night-time Taxi Rides

In Munich, there is the so-called "Women's Night Taxi," where women are supported by a voucher system between 10 PM and 6 AM. The voucher, worth ten euros, can be redeemed per ride when women request transportation to a residential address. One voucher can be submitted per ride, even if multiple women share a taxi. The use of the voucher is intended for all women, including trans* women and non-binary individuals with the gender entry "diverse."

The demand for the vouchers has increased by almost 600 percent in recent months, exceeding the annual budget of 230,000 euros, provided all vouchers are redeemed. Currently, no new vouchers are being issued. According to Bayerischer Rundfunk, which inquired at the district administration department, there is hope that new vouchers may become available with the start of the Wiesn: If it becomes foreseeable that not all taxi vouchers will be redeemed, and the budget is thus not completely exhausted, new ones should be issued.

"Of course, we all hope that this will be the case again at the Wiesn,"

says district administration officer Hanna Sammüller-Gradl.

Since the end of May, women in Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin can select the "Preferred Female Driver" option in the Uber app to be driven by a female driver. Female drivers who receive jobs through the Uber app can now be paired exclusively with female passengers upon request.

To the information page of the city of Munich »

Heidelberg: A Proven Concept Since 1992

Since 1992, Heidelberg has offered the Women's Night Taxi. The project is a cooperation between the city and the Radio Taxi Center Heidelberg and was introduced to ensure that women can return safely to their own homes. As of July 1, 2025, the fare is seven euros. Old, previously purchased tickets can still be used and remain valid until the end of 2028. Women with a valid certificate of residence in Heidelberg can purchase the tickets at the city's citizen offices and the citizen service at the town hall.

The offer is valid only within Heidelberg's city limits. It is particularly noteworthy that the offer is also open to trans* women without completed civil status changes, provided they present a dgti ID. The voucher can be redeemed from 10 PM to 6 AM, except for women over 60 years of age, who can use the opportunity from 8 PM, if they prove their age with an ID card or passport. If two to four eligible users travel in the same direction, only one ticket is needed.

The Taxi Center Heidelberg has been a cooperation partner of the project from the beginning and can be reached at telephone number 06221 302030. Not all taxis in Heidelberg have joined the Women's Night Taxi. It is recommended to ask before boarding whether the voucher is accepted. At the end of the ride, the user confirms the accuracy of all details on the fully completed ticket with her signature. Drivers wait at the destination until the passengers have reached their destination or accompany them to the front door upon request.

In 2019, a total of 11,160 rides were conducted with the Women's Night Taxi, illustrating the high demand for this service.

To the information page of the city of Heidelberg »

Mannheim: With New Subsidies for More Safety

Mannheim introduced the women’s night taxi in 2019, and the service quickly became an important part of the city's safety concept. Since June 2024, the subsidy for the taxi program from the city of Mannheim has been increased to ten euros per ride (nine euros from the city, one euro from the taxi center), which strengthens the financial incentive for its use.

Women, girls aged 14 and over, and trans* women can use the service between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM, with prior registration required. Users must register through the city’s citizen portal and can use up to 20 rides per year at discounted rates. Again, the offer is exclusively available to women, with the term "woman" including all gender identities that fit into the woman security concept. The start must be within the city area of Mannheim, the destination is freely selectable. It is also important that when ordering, a women’s night taxi is specifically requested.

In 2024, the service was further digitized by introducing a mobile website for registration. This allows users to conveniently log in before the ride to verify eligibility.

The registration process is as follows:

1. Register online or alternatively via the alternative procedure (authority number 115)
2. Call the taxi center (0621 2 18 18 or 44 40 44) and order a women’s night taxi.
3. Before the ride, log in on the FNT website www.fnt.taxi-mannheim.de/ and inform the taxi driver of the displayed number. There are 20 rides available per calendar year.
4. Rebate of up to 10 euros per ride.

To the information page of the city of Mannheim »

Cologne: Voucher System Since December 2024

In Cologne, the women’s night taxi project was only started in December 2024. Here, women aged 16 and over receive a maximum of three vouchers worth 10 euros each, which can be used for rides between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Rides must start within the city limits of Cologne, but the destination can be outside the city limits.

The vouchers can only be redeemed with TAXI RUF Cologne. There, 1,100 vehicles are available at 141 stops throughout the city. The city of Cologne recommends informing the taxi driver about the use of the voucher before starting the ride. Only one voucher can be used per ride, regardless of the number of passengers.

The value of the voucher adjusts to the lower fare, meaning the voucher value is identical to the fare. For example, if the ride costs 7 euros, the voucher value is 7 euros. If the taxi ride costs more than 10 euros, the 10-euro voucher is deducted directly against the fare. The remaining amount is paid by the user either in cash or, by prior arrangement, with a card.

Men are excluded from using the service, as it is reserved exclusively for women, in groups or with their children (under 18 years). It is emphasized that the women’s night taxi voucher offer does not discriminate against men, as it is based on the specific safety needs of women and does not cause structural disadvantage to men. It is a targeted protective measure to reduce the higher risk of harassment for women in the late-night hours.

The project is still in the evaluation phase, and the vouchers are valid until August 2025. Another aspect currently being discussed in Cologne is the possible continuation of the project after the pilot phase. Due to high demand, it is already being examined whether the project can be permanently established and whether an increase in the budget is necessary to maintain the service in the future.

Teresa De Bellis-Olinger (CDU) is advocating for an increased budget in budget negotiations, according to Kölnischer Rundschau:

“I hope that we will get a majority for a higher budget within the alliance (Greens, CDU, and Volt). Just like other cities do.”

In Munich or Freiburg, where the project is firmly installed, between 40,000 and 50,000 euros are needed annually for this. However, taxi companies also participate in the costs there.

To the information page of the city of Cologne »