London’s black taxi is an icon of the city. Black taxis are extremely reliable but are considered more expensive, although their ride is charged by one meter and not a flat fee. Some travelers overpay, so make sure you don’t make a common travel mistake. Plus, black taxi drivers know a ton about London as they drive the streets every day – you can ask them for advice and discover a bit of London history or just chat with a local who likes to talk. All drivers must pass The Knowledge, which means they have studied and memorized 25,000 London streets within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross, proving they know the most direct route for their journey.
These studies take between two and four years to complete, so it’s basically like your driver has a college degree in all things London.
Rent a cabin
Taxis available for hire have a light at the top that shows the word ‘TAXI’. Once hired, the light goes out.
To hail a taxi, simply reach out when you approach and they will stop for you. Talk to the driver in the front window and explain where you need to go, then jump back. Black cabs can carry five passengers: three in the back seat and two in the folding seats in front. If you have a lot of luggage, ask the driver to store your bags in the space in front of him.
Think about where you are standing when you stop a taxi, as they cannot stop at crosswalks or places that could be a hazard to other road users.
Minicabs
Minicabs are considered a cheaper alternative to black cabs as they should give you a price for the ride before you leave, but drivers don’t know the streets of London the way black taxi drivers do. Most minicab drivers use SatNav (GPS) technology to get directions. Some minicabs are painted a bright color with taxi signature details, but most look like private cars. It is illegal to call a minicab on the street, so only use a minicab licensed from a minicab office.
Unlicensed taxis
Unlicensed taxis wait outside popular nightspots like theaters and nightclubs, promoting for business, but using them is not recommended for two reasons: 1. It is illegal, and; 2. To be honest, you could put your life in danger. Horror stories abound of poor unsuspecting passengers who are injured or never reach their destination.
More information about the taxi in London
You can choose from a selection of mobile applications available to book a taxi safely. You may want to check out the best free London apps.
If you’re looking for a London taxi tour, try a city sightseeing tour like the London Black Cab Tour (there’s even a Harry Potter-themed black cab tour!) Or a private tour in a Mini Cooper.
