London Taxis

Taxis in London

London is a big, bustling city, with lots to see and do. Despite its size, driving around the city center isn’t very convenient as the parking is quite limited and there are many toll roads. However, taking a London taxi means you can have all the convenience of a car without having to worry about the extra charges or parking. It’s important to note that there are two different types of taxis in London, black cabs and minicabs. Black cabs can be hailed in the street or found at taxi ranks, whereas minicabs can only be booked in advance.

Metered taxis are available 24 hours a day and you can easily grab a black cab from the street, call a phone dispatch company, use a taxi app, walk to the nearest taxi rank or pre-book a ride, such as your London Airport taxi journey, in advance.

What are the London cab prices?

London taxi fares vary, depending on whether you take a black cab or a minicab. Minicabs are privately owned, so it’s up to the company to decide on the price of your journey, which isn’t standard and can be more expensive than a black cab, especially for short journeys.

However, London black cab fares always remain the same as they are fully regulated and controlled by Transport for London. Taxis in London use a taximeter which calculates the fare based on distance or the time traveled.

London taxi fares are calculated as follows:

• Base fare: £3.20 (€3.40)
• Price per mile Tariff 1 (day 05:00 to 20:00): £6.20 (€7.30)
• Price per mile Tariff 2 (weekends and evenings 20:00 to 22:00): £7 (€8.25)
• Price per mile Tariff 3 (night 22:00 to 05:00): £7 (€8.25)

It’s worth noting that once your journey reaches six miles, the taximeter rate will change. If your driver is using Tariff 1 or Tariff 2, the cost per mile will increase. Whereas, if your driver is using Tariff 3, the price per mile will decrease slightly.

Extra Charges:

There’s an airport surcharge of £2.80 (€3.30) for all pick-ups from Heathrow Airport, an extra £2 (€2.30) if you book a taxi over the phone with an official operator and a £4 (€4.50) fee for journeys over Christmas and New Year. However, unlike in most other major cities, there is no extra charge for luggage or large items if you choose to take a London black cab.

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How to get a taxi in London

Getting a London black cab is extremely easy as there are thousands of them in the city center. You can hail one in the street, walk to a designated taxi rank, use a London taxi app, or call a local taxi company. Note that although London taxis are called “black cabs”, not all of them are black. It’s best to look out for the ‘TAXI’ sign on the roof of the vehicle.

Designated taxi ranks can be found in most shopping streets, outside shopping centers, along major roads, at all 5 London airports, at train and bus stations and outside popular tourist attractions. To find the complete list of taxi ranks in London, check out Transport for London’s taxi rank booklet. 

How to get a taxi from Heathrow Airport

All 4 terminals at Heathrow Airport have a taxi rank. You’ll find a long queue of black cabs outside the Arrivals Hall exit doors 24 hours a day. All of the black cabs at the airport use a taximeter to calculate the cost of your journey and are fully wheelchair-accessible.

How to get a taxi from Gatwick Airport

There are two taxi ranks at Gatwick Airport: one in the North Terminal and one in the South Terminal. To reach the North Terminal taxi rank, exit the Arrivals Hall on the ground floor and head towards the long-term car parks which are close to the lifts and the Special Assistance Help Point. For the South Terminal, exit the Arrivals Hall on Level 2 and you will find the taxi rank just past the ATMs and Moneycorp Bureau De Change.

How to get a taxi from Luton Airport

Luton Airport has a taxi rank located outside the Arrivals Hall on the ground floor. You will see the queue of black cabs waiting just past Bus Bay A. All taxis available at this London taxi rank use a taximeter to calculate the cost of your journey.

London taxi app options

There are many different London taxi apps to choose from, to suit every style and budget. Most local apps are connected to black cabs, while international apps, such as Uber, Bolt, Ola and Lyft, work with private drivers. Some of the top local apps are:

— Taxiapp UK

— London Taxi Peja

— Unify London

— BlackCab

— Free Now

However, it’s worth noting that there can be very long waits for your taxi to be allocated or to arrive during rush hour or bad weather. To avoid any disappointment or delay, we suggest you pre-book your London taxi ride with a reliable private company such as Welcome Pickups.

Useful London taxi numbers

You can hail both a London black cab and a minicab by phone. This is a great option if you’re traveling late at night or in bad weather, so you can stay inside and wait for your London taxi service. There are many companies to choose from, but some of the top-rated ones are:

• One-Number Taxi: +44 0871 871 8710
• Dial-A-Cab: +44 0207 253 5000
• Computer Cab: +44 0207 908 0207

Booking your taxi in London in advance

Although there are many different types of taxis in London, it can take a long time to find an empty taxi on the street during peak times or in bad weather. Note that the waiting times also increase for orders via phone on taxi apps. At these times, we recommend you book your London taxi in advance.

Pre-booking your taxi service in London with a company like Welcome Pickups not only eliminates the long waiting times but also guarantees a flat rate with no hidden costs or booking fees.

If you’re traveling from Heathrow Airport or Gatwick Airport, it’s also a good idea to book your airport transfer in advance as the queues at the local taxi rank can be extremely long.

London taxi tips

Wheelchair-accessible taxis in London

One of the best things about taking a black cab in London is that they are all wheelchair-accessible. The standard TX4 London taxis all have a wheelchair ramp that folds out from the floor and a large central space that fits a wheelchair along with other passengers. So, there’s no need to book or wait for a special vehicle when travelling around London.

London taxi safety and complaints

Traditional black cabs in London are considered some of the safest and most monitored taxi services in the world. Not only do they have to operate under the strict rules of the Public Carriage Office, but they are also regulated by the Transport for London. Most London black cab drivers have undergone extensive training and take great pride in their profession. However, if you notice any inappropriate behaviour during your journey, you can report it to Transport for London by calling +44 0343 222 4000 or by emailing [email protected].

Frequently asked questions

How much is a taxi in London?

London taxi fares are calculated using a taximeter based on distance or the time traveled. There is a minimum fare of £3.20 (€3.40) for each journey and then a price per mile based on a tariff system. Tariff 1 (daytime 05:00 to 20:00) is £6.20 (€7.30) per mile, while Tariff 2 (evening and weekends from 20:00 to 22:00) and Tariff 3 (night 22:00 to 05:00) are £7 (€8.25) per mile.

Do taxis in London take credit cards?

Yes, every black cab in London should accept credit card payments. However, sometimes the POS system can crash, so it’s worth carrying cash in the local currency (GBP) just in case. There’s no charge for using a credit card in a London taxi.

Are taxis in London safe?

Absolutely. London’s black cabs are some of the safest in the world. They are highly regulated and monitored by the Transport of London and a special department called the Public Carriage Office.

How do you call a London taxi?

There are many different London taxi numbers you can call. However, here are some of the better-rated phone dispatch taxi companies: One-Number Taxi: +44 0871 871 8710, Dial-A-Cab: +44 0207 253 5000, and Computer Cab: +44 0207 908 0207. Note that there is an extra charge of £2 (€2.30) for phoning a cab in London.

How to get a taxi in London?

There are thousands of black cabs roaming around London, available 24 hours a day. You can easily get a taxi in London by hailing one in the street, walking to a taxi rank, calling an official taxi operator, using an app or pre-booking with a private company.