Taxis in London

If for some reason the city of London is known, in addition to the mythical red telephone booths and double-decker buses, it is for its taxis. The taxis in London off elegance and class wherever it circulate but are not suitable for the pockets of many.

Curiosities of taxis in London

One of the most striking features found in taxis when we arrive in London is that, in addition to seeing many everywhere, they are all the same color and the same model and manufacturer. In Spain we are used to seeing that in each city the taxis are one color and that taxi drivers buy the model they like the most.

At the moment of taking a taxi in London, it is quite striking how spacious they are and that passengers always go in the back, with capacity for 5 occupants, in addition to the driver. And if that was not enough, in the back there is also space for our luggage, although if it were too big, we can make use of the large trunk of the taxi. 

The reason why there are so many taxis in London is that there the number of licenses is not limited, there are around 21,000 taxis currently operating.

Another aspect that makes the taxis of the capital of the United Kingdom so popular is that to acquire a taxi license, taxi drivers have to perform a very rigorous test. The name and location of 25,000 streets, 20,000 landmarks and 320 predefined routes through the city center should be memorized. In the exam, the taxi driver must recite to the person in charge of the examination, each and every one of the streets through which he must pass to go from point A to point B.

As a curiosity, there are statistical data that indicate that on average, taxi drivers who have passed the test are submitted to about 12 calls before obtaining their license. And with a preparation behind the back of almost 3 years.

Rates of taxis in London

The elegance, the space and the effort to acquire a license make the taxi one of the most expensive means of transport in London, not to mention that it is the most expensive of all. London taxis are at the head of Europe, along with those of Amsterdam, because they are the most expensive on the continent.

Depending on the day and time, there are different rates. They are the following:

• Rate 1: from Monday to Friday, from 6 to 20 hours. It is the cheapest fare, being able to do, for example, a 3-kilometer route for approximately £ 8.60.
• Rate 2: it is applicable from Monday to Friday from 20 to 22 hours, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 6 to 20 hours. For the same 3-kilometer route we would spend £ 11.
• Rate 3: every day of the week including holidays, from 22 to 6 hours. It is undoubtedly the most expensive fare, so it is better not to have the need to make use of a taxi at this time. It would cost us 13 pounds the same way.

Making use of taxis in London can be quite an experience, although taking into account the rates we have mentioned and what they will charge us for relatively short journeys, it is better to go with your legs ready or take the subway.