London is a big city with lots of things to do and see. Despite its huge size, it is largely complicated to take a car into the city center because of the limited parking space. However, you have the most convenient option of hiring a London taxi. Once you hire a London taxi, it means that you get all the amenities and transportation needs at the lowest price. After hiring a taxi, you need not pay extra taxes for parking and toll roads. It is also important to understand that there are two major types of taxis in London: a minicab and a black cab. The process of hiring and the prices of the taxis are different. If you want to travel across London by black cab, you can easily hail it in the street or find it in taxi ranks. On the other hand, if you want to book a minicab, you can only book it in advance.
What Are The Prices For London Black Cabs?
It depends on the choice you have for the type of cabs you like to hire as black cab prices are different from the minicab. Pricing strategies of the two taxi services are different in the sense that minicab taxis are privately owned and it is the discretionary power of the company to decide the price of your journey. Comparatively speaking, minicab applies flexible pricing solutions for London taxi services. On the other hand, London Transport regulates and controls the pricing of black cabs. That’s why, black cab prices are always uniform and standardized. There is a transparent system in place that all London taxis follow in the shape of a taximeter that calculates the number of miles you traveled or the number of seconds your journey took. Based on that calculation you pay the fee. In addition to that, pricing strategies for peak hours of the minicab are different to those of the rest of the day. The fare structure for London taxi rides varies from time to time and location to location. And companies also consider customer satisfaction with dynamic pricing of the taxis.
What Are The Criteria For Getting Taxi In London?
It is an extremely easy task to hire a taxi bustling around London. You can easily choose one as it passes by or you can walk to the designated place that has been particularly specified for taxis or you can simply contact the local London taxi company. If you are standing on a busy street, the best way for you to get a taxi is to wait for a few minutes for an empty taxi to pass by and simply stick out your arm. It is important to understand that all taxis in London are called black cabs but all cabs in London are not in black.
If you like walking and have time then you should go to the taxi designated rank. These can be found outside of shopping centers, along shopping streets, at the airport, along the major roads, train and bus stations and outside the most popular tourist attractions.
Which Option Is The Most Convenient One To Book A Taxi?
Although there are lots of taxis bustling around the city, during peak times and bad weather, it can take longer to get an empty taxi on the road. Instead, we suggest you book a taxi in advance.
If you are traveling from Luton Airport, Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport or Stansted Airport, the best option is to book your taxi in advance because lines in the taxi rank are extremely long and roads become quite congested. It can take up to an hour if you call a company at the last minute.
There are a few important tips to know when traveling in a London taxi.
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London black cabs can carry up to 5 passengers as they are a little larger.
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Your traveling will be calculated based on either time or distance, whichever is the best option.
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There are no extra charges for assistance dogs, luggage or number of passengers.
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Compared with black cab drivers, minicab drivers are more experienced. So your traveling might take longer on their chosen route.
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Real-time fare adjustment for London taxis varies from taxi to taxi and location to location.
Safety And Complaints About Taxi Services
The taxi services in London are considered to be the most monitored and safest taxis in the world. There are two reasons behind that: firstly they have to comply with the strict rules of the Public Carriage Office and secondly, Transport For London authorities regulate taxi services. Most of the drivers undergo extensive training and feel proud of their profession.
Conclusion
As a consequence of the above discussion, we can say traveling across London by taxi is the most convenient option. Both in terms of affordability and feasibility, hiring a taxi is the option one should necessarily consider to travel across London at the most suitable price. Customer-centric pricing models for London taxis are in the best interest of the public. Once you hire a taxi you need not pay extra taxes for parking, booking fees, road tolls and being stuck in the hectic traffic of London. Highly experienced and competent drivers who are well-familiar with the routes of London safely take you to your desired destination.
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