How do I call black cabs in London?

London Black Taxis +44 (0)20 3984 4515.



As of 2026, there are three primary ways to secure a London black cab. First, you can use the traditional method of hailing one on the street; if the yellow "Taxi" light on the roof is illuminated, the driver is available. Simply raise your arm clearly as they approach. Second, you can use specialized mobile apps like Gett or FREENOW, which allow you to e-hail a licensed hackney carriage to your exact location, often providing a fixed price and the ability to track the driver in real-time. Third, you can call a dedicated Radio Taxi line such as +44 20 7272 0272 (Computer Cab) or +44 20 3929 3786. Black cabs are the only vehicles in London allowed to use bus lanes, making them significantly faster during peak traffic. They are also universally wheelchair accessible and have drivers who have passed "The Knowledge," a legendary test requiring them to memorize 25,000 streets and 100,000 landmarks within a 6-mile radius of Charing Cross.

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London's famous taxis (black cabs) can be: Booked in advance - by phone, app or website. Hailed on the street (when the yellow light is showing) Picked up from designated taxi ranks.

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London's famous taxis (black cabs) can be:
  1. Booked in advance - by phone, app or website.
  2. Hailed on the street (when the yellow light is showing)
  3. Picked up from designated taxi ranks.


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The only black taxi app run by London cab drivers, Taxiapp puts all the capital at your fingertips.

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Taxis in London, best known as black cabs, are spacious, comfortable and elegant. They are, however, one of the most expensive in Europe, and similar in price to the taxis in Amsterdam. Different from many taxis around the world, black cabs in London can carry 5 people, as well as the driver.

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Hailing a cab If you've ever hailed a taxi before, then doing so here in London is effectively the same thing – just stand on the curb, raise and hold out your arm towards a black cab that's approaching and will pass you and wait for it to stop (you don't have to whistle!).

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Getting a London black cab is extremely easy as there are thousands of them bustling around the city centre. You can choose to take one from the street as it passes by, walk to a designated taxi rank or call a local London taxi company.

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The distance you are travelling should impact your choice. Hiring a cab in London is quite economical if you are travelling small distances within the city. The fares will usually stay under your budget for short distance travelling. However, for longer routes, the prices can go a little higher when compared with Uber.

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You can book your taxi or the iconic black cab anytime from our booking portal. We are available 24/7 for your service. Pre book your cab anytime of the day for any date, we are available round the clock to pick you up from your door and drop you at your desired destination.

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Can black cabs say no? Taxi drivers are within their rights to refuse a fair – but only if they have a “reasonable excuse” or the passenger wants to travel outside of the controlled district.

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First, you should know that all black cabs take credit or debit cards and contactless payment methods. While cash remains the standard form of payment, every black taxi carries card payment devices. The device can be fixed or handheld, but most taxis have it installed in the passenger compartment.

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Transportation Tipping Cab driver: 15 percent to 20 percent tip of the fare. (Find out ahead of time if your cabbie accepts a credit card. If he or she doesn't, make sure you have enough cash for both fare and tip.)

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When you call up the taxi company, you can ask to book a taxi at a certain time by saying “May I book a taxi at (time)?” or if you would like one right away, you can say “When is the soonest I could book a taxi for?” Next, you need to tell the taxi operator where you are by saying “I'm at (address)” or “Could you send ...

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To put it simply, taxi meters measure distance and time. They then convert those measurements into a fare.

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Can I pay for Uber with cash? Yes, you can pay with cash. Before requesting a ride, go to the Payment section in the app and select Cash. At the end of your trip, pay cash directly to your driver.

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As a rule, yes, the Black Taxis will charge more since they are licensed to pick up fares, the drivers are vetted and the taxis have to be clean and in good road condition. Are the Black Taxis in London more expensive than other cabs? London taxi fares are regulated by Tfl — check their website for details.

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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.

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