London Taxi
London's complete taxi ecosystem — the iconic Knowledge-tested black cab (Hackney Carriage), the 80,000-strong minicab/PHV fleet (Uber, Bolt, Addison Lee, Wheely, FREE NOW, Gett, local firms), every fare rule, taxi rank, airport pickup and accessibility option, regulated by Transport for London.
Topics
London Black Cab
Hackney Carriage · Icon
London's iconic black taxi — the only vehicle in the UK whose drivers pass The Knowledge (3–4 years memorising 25,000 streets). Hackney Carriages may be hailed in the street, use bus lanes, and are exempt from the Congestion Charge and ULEZ.
Read guide →Hackney Carriage
Regulatory Term · Black Cab
The formal legal name for licensed London taxis ('hackney' = 17th-century English for a horse-drawn cab for hire). All London Hackney Carriages are the iconic black cabs — Knowledge-tested drivers, plying-for-hire rights, TfL-set metered tariff.
Read guide →London Minicab
Private Hire Vehicle (PHV)
Minicab is the everyday name for a Private Hire Vehicle in London — any licensed taxi that is NOT a black cab. Minicabs must be pre-booked via a licensed PHV operator (Uber, Bolt, Addison Lee, local firm) and may not be hailed in the street.
Read guide →London Taxi Ranks
Where to Find Black Cabs
London has 570 marked taxi ranks where black cabs queue for fares — at every mainline rail terminus, every major hotel, hospital, shopping centre and transport hub. Ranks are first-come-first-served (no calling specific cabs).
Read guide →London Taxi Fares
TfL Metered Tariff
Transport for London sets all London black-cab fares — three tariffs depending on time of day and journey distance. Every fare is metered, contactless-payable and shown on the receipt-printer screen. There is no surge, no surcharge, no negotiation.
Read guide →London Airport Taxi
Black Cab & PHV · Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, City
Every London airport has a dedicated black-cab rank (metered fare to anywhere) and Private Hire pickup zones (Uber, Bolt, Addison Lee, Wheely). No tout in the terminal is legal — always use the marked rank or pre-booked PHV pickup.
Read guide →Wheelchair Accessible Taxi
100% Accessible Fleet
Every London black cab is wheelchair accessible by law — ramps, intercoms, hearing loops, swivel seats and high-visibility grab handles are mandatory under TfL Conditions of Fitness. The world's only major city with a 100% wheelchair-accessible licensed taxi fleet.
Read guide →FAQs
What types of taxi are there in London?
Two regulated categories: Hackney Carriages (the iconic black cabs — flag in the street, metered, Knowledge-tested drivers) and Private Hire Vehicles (minicabs — pre-booked only, includes Uber, Bolt, Addison Lee, Wheely, FREE NOW Match and thousands of local firms). Both are licensed by Transport for London.
Can I hail a taxi in London?
Only black cabs (Hackney Carriages) may be hailed in the street — look for the yellow 'TAXI' light on. Minicabs (Uber, Bolt, local firms) must be pre-booked through a licensed PHV app or operator — flagging a minicab is illegal and uninsured.
How much is a London taxi?
Black cab: TfL-metered, ~£3.80 minimum, typically £10–£14 for a 3 km central trip, £75–£95 Heathrow to central. Uber/Bolt: dynamic, typically £8–£25 for a central trip. Wheely/Addison Lee: from £35, fixed prices. No London taxi has surge in the black-cab sense — only PHV apps.
Are London taxis safe?
Yes — every black-cab and minicab driver is TfL-licensed (DBS criminal-records check, medical, English language test). Black cabs additionally require The Knowledge. The biggest risk is illegal touts outside clubs/stations — never accept a kerbside 'minicab' offer; always pre-book.
Are all London taxis wheelchair accessible?
All black cabs — yes, 100% by TfL law since 1989. PHV/minicabs — book the operator's WAV (wheelchair-accessible vehicle) category. The London Taxicard scheme offers subsidised door-to-door rides for eligible disabled Londoners.
Can I pay London taxis by card?
Yes — every black cab has had a mandatory contactless card reader since October 2016 (Apple Pay, Google Pay, chip-and-pin, no surcharge). All PHV apps (Uber, Bolt, FREE NOW) are card-only by default. Local minicab firms vary.
What is the best app to book a London taxi?
For black cabs: FREE NOW (largest fleet, ~14,000 cabbies) or Gett (corporate). For minicabs: Uber (largest PHV fleet), Bolt (typically 10–15% cheaper), Addison Lee (premium, employed drivers), Wheely (chauffeur). See our ride-sharing guide for a full comparison.