London's official taxis, black cabs can be hailed in the street or at designated ranks located in prominent places, including many train, Tube and bus stations.

In 2026, taxis remain a ubiquitous and iconic part of London’s transport landscape, though the market is split between traditional Black Cabs and Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) like Uber. Black Cabs are the only vehicles that can be legally hailed on the street or picked up at designated taxi ranks (like those at Heathrow or Waterloo Station). They are easily identifiable by the yellow "TAXI" light on the roof; if the light is on, the cab is available. For most of Central London, you can find a cab within seconds. However, in 2026, the rise of apps like FreeNow, Gett, and Uber has changed how Londoners book rides. While Uber is often cheaper for longer journeys, Black Cabs are favored for their use of bus lanes—which allows them to bypass heavy traffic—and the legendary "Knowledge" required by their drivers to navigate the city without GPS. Since the 2024–2025 expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), almost the entire taxi fleet in London is now electric or hybrid. While availability is high in Zones 1 and 2, it can be scarcer in the outer suburbs late at night, making app-based booking the safer bet for those traveling outside the city center.