Black taxis
For over 300 years, taxis have been part of London life and both the vehicle and driver are licensed to carry passengers. The famous London 'black taxi' still exists but they now come in a variety of colours. There are currently over 20,000 licensed taxis in London, and over 25,000 licensed taxi drivers. Black cabs are also now common in most towns and cities throughout Britain.
You can hail a taxi in the street when its yellow 'For Hire' sign is illuminated. Taxis can also be found at taxi ranks outside or near most major rail stations and London airports. They are licensed to carry 4 or 5 people. A meter registers the fare and it is customary to tip the driver about 10% of the fare.
Traintaxi (www.traintaxi.co.uk/) gives information on whether there's a taxi rank at train, tram or underground stations.
Minicabs
Minicabs are a cheaper alternative to black taxis, but can't be hailed in the street. Generally they carry up to 4 passengers, but some are able to seat up to 7 people. You can ask for a larger taxi when you book.
You can book a cab by phoning or visiting a local minicab office (telephone numbers can be found in the Yellow Pages telephone directory or at www.yell.com (www.yell.com/)). You can book a minicab a day in advance, or as and when you need it.
Minicabs look like regular cars and don't have a meter, so it's advisable to agree a fare with the driver before your journey. All minicab operators must hold an operating licence issued by the Public Carriage Office (PCO), and for your safety, we recommend you only use licensed companies. Licensed minicabs will display a PCO disk in their front or rear window.