At the end of their trial, black cabs worked out faster, taking on average 88 per cent of the time an Uber did – although they were also around 35 per cent more expensive.

London's Black Cabs are often faster than ride-hailing services like Uber, specifically because they are legally allowed to use most of London's dedicated bus lanes. In a city notorious for its gridlock, being able to bypass lines of traffic in a bus lane can save 10 to 20 minutes on a cross-town trip. Furthermore, Black Cab drivers must pass "The Knowledge," a legendary test requiring them to memorize every street in a six-mile radius of Charing Cross; this means they can navigate around sudden road closures or accidents without relying on a GPS that might lag. However, at peak times in 2026, "fastest" also depends on availability. While you can hail a Black Cab instantly on the street in central areas, an Uber might take 5 to 10 minutes just to reach your pickup point. For short, time-sensitive hops through the city center, the Black Cab’s access to restricted lanes almost always makes it the more efficient choice compared to private hire vehicles.