Quick Summary
You can get a taxi in London five ways: hail a black cab on the street (an orange light means it's free), pick one up at a taxi rank, book a TfL-approved app like Gett or FREENOW, phone a licensed minicab, or pre-book online for a fixed price. Only black cabs can be hailed or ranked — minicabs (private hire) must always be booked first, and an unbooked minicab is illegal and uninsured.
Five Ways to Get a Taxi in London
There are five reliable ways to get a taxi in London: hail a black cab on the street, take one from a rank, book through an app, phone a licensed minicab firm, or pre-book online. The right choice depends on where you are, whether you're in a hurry, and if you want a fixed price.
The key rule underpinning all of them: only black cabs can be hailed or picked up at a rank. Minicabs — also called private hire vehicles — must be booked in advance every time. Knowing which is which keeps you legal, insured, and safe. For a black-cab-specific walkthrough, see our guide on how to book a black cab.
Hailing a Black Cab on the Street
To hail a black cab, look for one with its orange "TAXI" roof light lit — that means it's available. Raise your arm clearly from the pavement and the driver will pull in when it's safe. Either arm works; just stand where the cab can stop legally.
You can't hail a cab everywhere: drivers can't stop on motorways, on red routes (marked by double red lines), or at bus stops. If you're near a restricted spot, walk a short way to a safe stopping point. Once you're in, the meter starts, and every London black cab must accept card and contactless payment with no surcharge.
Using a London Taxi Rank
Taxi ranks are official stands where licensed black cabs queue for passengers. You'll find them outside major hubs — railway and Tube stations such as King's Cross, Victoria, and Paddington, the airports, big hotels, and busy high streets. Just join the queue and take the next available cab.
Ranks are a dependable option when the streets are quiet or it's raining and cabs are scarce to hail. They're also the safe, legal way to pick up a cab at a station or airport — far better than accepting an offer from anyone approaching you, who is almost certainly an unlicensed tout.
Booking a Taxi by App
Apps are the easiest way to summon a cab to your exact location. Gett books licensed black cabs only; FREENOW offers both black cabs and private hire; and Uber and Bolt book private hire cars. All show the driver, vehicle, and an ETA, and you pay in-app.
App availability and pricing shift over time, so it's worth having more than one installed. For a current rundown of which app suits which trip, see our guide to the best London taxi app. Whichever you choose, make sure it's a TfL-approved, licensed operator.
Calling a Minicab by Phone
If you'd rather not use an app, you can phone a licensed minicab (private hire) office and book a car. Most high streets have a local firm, and hotels keep a list of reputable, licensed operators — ask reception. You'll usually be quoted a price or a per-mile rate when you book.
Always make sure the operator is licensed by Transport for London before you travel. A booked minicab from a licensed firm guarantees a licensed driver in an insured vehicle. Never accept a ride from a driver who approaches you in the street or outside a club — those are unbooked, uninsured, and illegal.
Pre-Booking Online for a Fixed Price
For trips where you want a guaranteed car and a known cost — especially to or from an airport — pre-booking online is the simplest option. You enter your pickup, destination, and time, and get a fixed fare confirmed up front, with no meter and no surge whatever the traffic or demand.
LondonAirport‑Taxi.com pre-books fixed-fare cars across London and all six airports, with meet-and-greet on airport arrivals. A Heathrow airport taxi is the most popular example. You can also pre-book a London taxi for any journey, and our guide to London taxi costs shows what to expect to pay.
Black Cab or Minicab: Which Can You Hail Safely?
The single most important safety rule: only black cabs can be hailed or taken from a rank. A black cab is a TfL-licensed hackney carriage with a meter and a driver who has passed The Knowledge. Minicabs (private hire) are licensed too, but legally must be pre-booked — they can't lawfully pick you up off the street.
Check the licensing: black cabs carry a TfL badge, and private hire vehicles display a TfL licence disc in the front and rear windscreen. Avoid anyone touting for fares at stations or outside clubs. For a full comparison of your options, see our Uber vs black cab vs minicab guide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I call a taxi in London?
You can hail a black cab, use a taxi rank, book a TfL-approved app, phone a licensed minicab office, or pre-book online.
Black cabs can be flagged down on the street when their orange light is lit, or taken from a rank at stations, airports, and hotels. Minicabs (private hire) must be booked in advance by app, phone, or office — they can't be hailed. For a guaranteed car and a fixed price, especially to an airport, pre-booking online is the simplest option. Never get into an unbooked minicab.
Can I hail a minicab on the street in London?
No — minicabs must always be pre-booked and cannot legally be hailed or wait at a rank.
Only black cabs can be stopped in the street or picked up at a rank. A minicab (private hire vehicle) that accepts your fare without a booking is breaking the law, and it won't be insured for you as a passenger. If a driver approaches you outside a station or club offering a ride, decline — that's an unlicensed tout. Book through a licensed operator instead, by app or phone.
What is the best app to get a taxi in London?
Gett books black cabs only, FREENOW books both black cabs and private hire, and Uber and Bolt book private hire cars.
All show the driver, vehicle, fare estimate, and ETA, with in-app payment. The best choice depends on availability and price at the time, so many Londoners keep more than one installed. Whichever you use, check it's a TfL-approved operator. Our dedicated best London taxi app guide compares them in detail to help you pick the right one for your trip.
How do I get a black cab in London?
Hail one with its orange light lit, take one from a rank, or book it through an app or by phone.
Raise your arm from a safe spot on the pavement — not on a motorway, red route, or bus stop. Ranks outside stations, airports, and hotels are a reliable alternative when cabs are hard to hail. Apps like Gett and FREENOW summon a licensed black cab to your location. Every black cab takes card and contactless with no surcharge, so you don't need cash.
How do I book a taxi to a London airport?
Pre-book a fixed-fare car online or by phone — it's usually cheaper and simpler than a metered cab.
For airport trips, a pre-booked fixed price won't move with traffic or demand, and a good operator monitors your flight and offers meet-and-greet on arrival. LondonAirport‑Taxi.com covers all six London airports with fixed fares and 60 minutes of free waiting at Heathrow. Just enter your pickup, destination, and flight details to confirm a price before you travel, with luggage space for your group.
How do I know a London taxi is licensed and safe?
Black cabs carry a TfL badge; private hire cars display a TfL licence disc in the front and rear windscreen.
For minicabs, only travel in a car you booked through a licensed operator, and check the driver and vehicle details match the booking. Avoid anyone touting for fares in the street or outside venues, as unbooked minicabs are illegal and uninsured. If in doubt, use a black cab from a rank or a pre-booked car from a known operator. You can verify an operator's licence with TfL.
Can I pay by card in a London taxi?
Yes — every London black cab must accept card and contactless payment with no surcharge.
This is a TfL requirement, so you never need cash for a black cab, though you can still tip if you wish, usually by rounding up. App bookings are paid in-app by card or a linked wallet, and pre-booked minicabs typically take card, contactless, and bank transfer. It's always worth confirming the payment method when you book a minicab, especially with a small local firm.
Is it cheaper to call a black cab or a minicab?
For longer trips and airport runs, a pre-booked minicab is usually cheaper; for short central hops, a black cab is often comparable.
Black cabs run on a regulated meter that never surges but keeps ticking in traffic. A pre-booked minicab quotes a fixed price up front, which protects you from the meter climbing on a long journey. Apps like Uber and Bolt can be cheaper off-peak but surge at busy times. For an airport transfer, a fixed pre-booked fare is typically the best value.
Summary
To call a taxi in London you can hail a black cab when its orange light is lit, take one from a rank, book a TfL-approved app such as Gett or FREENOW, phone a licensed minicab office, or pre-book online for a fixed price. The golden rule is that only black cabs can be hailed or ranked — minicabs must always be booked in advance, and an unbooked minicab is illegal and uninsured.
For everyday city trips, an app or a hailed black cab is quick and easy; for airports and longer journeys, a pre-booked fixed fare is usually the cheapest and most predictable choice. LondonAirport‑Taxi.com pre-books fixed-fare cars across London and all six airports. Get an instant quote for any airport or London journey.
