Costs of Hiring a Taxi in London

 Is Hiring A Taxi to Move Around London a Good Idea?

Visiting the historical city of London is on the bucket list of every traveler. Once you are in London, you figure out the best way to get around London. Public transport is one way to move around the city but bear in mind that public transport is time consuming and tiresome to deal with. London is a metropolitan city and has a huge number of populations which is growing at an alarming rate. Millions of visitors every year put extra burden on its public transport system and especially during the rush hours this system really comes under huge pressure and it’s hard to travel in a comfortable way. While weekends are great to visit and enjoy activities around London, Taxi from Central London to any area of London, its also the worst time to use the public transport that is already feeling the burn of overcrowding in the sprawling city.

How about Hiring a Taxi?

Typically, there are two types of taxi services operating in London.

·         London Black Cabs

·         Licensed Local Mini Cabs

Licensed Chauffered Car Service

While black cabs are similar looking vehicles that are purpose built keeping the needs of the passengers needs and requirements, local mini cabs can be anything from a car to van to a luxury chauffeur driven car or even a mini bus. These vehicles must be pre booked form their base through a TFL licensed private hire operator who must provide certain details to the passenger before the journey starts. The rates that those cabs charge are usually fixed according to the mileage and time and are conveyed by the base before the journey starts. Their drivers are required to pass enhanced disclosure and barring service background check and regular medical checkups.

Current pandemic has changed the way things work and now it is way safer to hire a chauffeur driven vehicle as they are much safer and work according to the advice provided by the health officials. They put extra emphasis on sanitizing and cleaning their vehicles and are more organized and well versed with safety precautions.

You should always take extra care and take responsibility for your own health and safety and insist on keeping a safe distance, covering the face all the time and sanitizing the vehicle and hands before and after use.

London Black Cab

Black cabs are the only taxi service that can be hailed in the street. Black cabs are purpose-built vehicles that carry induction hearing loop, high vis grab handles and wheel chair friendly. These vehicles once came in iconic black color but this has changed since and black cab can be of any color now not just black. Also called hackney carriages, they are available when the yellow taxi sign is lit on the front. Their drivers must pass enhanced disclosure and barring service background checks and regular medical checks and are considered well versed with every single area of the greater London as they have passed knowledge of London exam. Fares are regulated by London authorities. This cab is metered and the minimum fare starts with £3.20 and changes according to different times and occasions. Usually a mile in the Black cab can cost you from £6 to £10 depending on the time and place.