What is the difference between a black cab, a minicab and Uber in London?

The difference is legal, not just the car. London licenses two kinds of vehicle: taxis (black cabs) and private hire vehicles. Minicabs, Uber, Bolt and chauffeur cars are all private hire. Both are licensed by Transport for London (TfL), but they have different rights on the road.

What is The Knowledge, and why do black cab drivers rarely use sat-nav?

To drive a London black cab, drivers pass The Knowledge, a test of roughly 25,000 streets within six miles of Charing Cross that usually takes three to four years. Private hire drivers, including Uber drivers, take shorter TfL tests and normally rely on navigation apps. In heavy central London traffic or around road closures, a black cab driver's route knowledge, and access to bus lanes, can make a real difference.

What is the difference between a green badge and a yellow badge cab driver?

All London drivers hold a green badge and can pick up passengers anywhere in Greater London, including central London and Heathrow. Suburban drivers hold a yellow badge: they have passed a shorter Knowledge for one or more outer London sectors and can only be hailed in those areas, although they can take you anywhere. TfL figures reported in September 2025 showed just over 14,800 All London drivers and around 1,600 suburban drivers.

What is a hackney carriage, and where does the word minicab come from?

The legal name for a London black cab is a hackney carriage. Horse-drawn hackney coaches were first licensed in London in 1654, and cab drivers have had to pass The Knowledge since around 1865. The word minicab dates from the 1960s, when smaller private hire cars that could not be hailed appeared on London streets. Licensing of London private hire operators, drivers and vehicles was introduced in stages from 2001 under the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998, and Uber arrived in London in 2012 as one of those licensed operators.

How many black cabs and minicabs are there in London?

London has around 14,200 licensed black cabs and roughly 96,500 licensed private hire vehicles, according to TfL licensing figures reported in September 2025. Private hire drivers outnumber taxi drivers by more than six to one, at about 105,700 against 16,500. That is one reason an app car is often close by when you open the app, while black cabs are concentrated in central London, at stations and at Heathrow.

Is Uber in London the same as Uber at home?

The Uber app works the same in London, but the rules are different: Uber is legally a minicab, so you cannot hail one, prices include 20% VAT since January 2026, and drivers cannot use bus lanes or taxi ranks. If you use Uber in another country, a few things in London may surprise you:

• It is legally a minicab. Uber is a TfL-licensed private hire operator, and every driver holds a private hire licence. A driver cannot pick you up without a booking in the app.
• Prices include 20% VAT. Since 2 January 2026, Uber, Bolt and other London private hire operators can no longer use a special VAT scheme and charge 20% VAT on the full fare.
• No bus lanes or ranks. In central London traffic, an Uber sits in the same queue as private cars.
• Airport pickups are in designated areas. App drivers wait at set pickup points, often in airport car parks, not at the arrivals door.
• Black cabs are in the app too. Uber and other apps can also dispatch licensed black cabs, which charge the regulated meter rather than a surge price.

What Uber options are there in London: UberX, XL, Exec or Uber Taxi?

Uber in London offers several ride types, and only one of them, Uber Taxi, sends a licensed black cab. The others are private hire cars of different sizes and price levels. Names and availability change from time to time, so check the options and the price of each in the app before you confirm.

Is Uber licensed in London?

Yes. Uber holds a TfL private hire operator's licence, renewed for 30 months in September 2024 and running to March 2027. TfL refused to renew Uber's licence in 2017 and again in 2019 over safety concerns. Uber kept operating while it appealed, and a court restored its licence in 2020. Every Uber driver and car in London must also hold its own TfL licence, just like any other minicab.

How are London taxi and Uber fares worked out?

London black cab fares are set by TfL and charged by a meter that counts time and distance, Uber and Bolt use dynamic app prices that rise with demand, and a pre-booked minicab charges a fixed price agreed when you book. Each model suits different trips, so the cheapest option changes with the time of day, the traffic and the distance.

What are the London black cab tariffs in 2026?

TfL sets black cab fares. From 25 April 2026, the minimum fare rose from £4.20 to £4.40 and Tariffs 1, 2 and 3 rose by 2.88%. Which tariff the meter uses depends on the time:

Extras can be added to the meter, such as a £1.60 charge for journeys starting at a Heathrow rank and a £6 London City Airport drop-off extra introduced on 25 April 2026. Christmas and New Year extras also apply.

How much is a black cab in London? TfL's typical fares for 2026

A one-mile black cab ride in London typically costs £8.40 to £13.20, and a black cab from Heathrow to central London typically costs £70 to £120, according to TfL's 2026 taxi fare card. The exact fare depends on traffic, the time of day and the route, because the meter counts both distance and time.

Black cabs do not charge extra for luggage, extra passengers or paying by card. If you book a black cab by phone or app, a booking fee of up to £2.00 can be added. Inside London, a driver must accept a hiring of up to 12 miles, or up to 20 miles from Heathrow. For journeys ending outside Greater London, the fare can be agreed before you set off; if it is not, the driver cannot charge more than the meter shows.

How does Uber surge pricing work in London?

App prices are calculated by algorithm and rise when demand is high, for example in rain, after events or when many flights land at once. The price you see includes VAT. Some extras, such as airport charges or the Congestion Charge, may appear on the final receipt; check the fare breakdown in the app.

How do pre-booked minicab fares work?

A pre-booked minicab quotes one price when you book. With Global Airport Taxi, the full fare is shown before you pay, so traffic, delays or busy periods do not change it.

Do black cabs, Uber and minicabs pay the Congestion Charge?

Licensed black cabs are exempt from London's Congestion Charge, but Uber, Bolt and minicabs are not. From 2 January 2026 the daily charge rose to £18, and electric private hire cars lost their full exemption: they now get a 25% discount on Auto Pay, paying £13.50 a day. Only wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles carrying out a booking stay exempt. Private hire drivers pay the charge, so for trips into the central zone during charging hours it can feed into app and minicab prices. Licensed black cabs are also exempt from the ULEZ charge, and every newly licensed London taxi has had to be zero-emission capable since 2018, which is why most cabs you see today are electric with a small petrol range extender.

What changed for London taxis and Uber in 2026?

Three changes made London rides more expensive in 2026: Uber, Bolt and other private hire apps started charging 20% VAT on 2 January, black cab fares rose by 2.88% with a £4.40 minimum on 25 April, and airport drop-off charges went up, including £9 for 12 minutes at Luton. The Congestion Charge also rose to £18 a day in January.

Airport drop-off charges now apply at every major London airport. In 2026, reported charges were £7 at Heathrow, £10 for 10 minutes at Gatwick, £10 for 15 minutes at Stansted and £9 for 12 minutes at Luton. See our Luton drop-off charges guide for how they work.

Which is cheapest: Uber, black cab or minicab?

Uber or Bolt is usually cheapest for short trips at quiet times, a black cab is often better value in rain, late at night or when the app surges, and a pre-booked minicab is usually cheapest for airports, long journeys and groups. It depends on distance, time and group size, not on the brand. As a rule of thumb:

• Short central hops off-peak: app rides are often cheapest; a black cab can be close on very short trips.
• Busy times, rain and late nights: app prices can surge; the black cab meter and a fixed quote do not.
• Airports and long journeys: a fixed pre-booked fare is usually the most predictable, especially once airport charges and possible surge are counted.
• Groups: one larger pre-booked vehicle usually costs less per person than two cars.

Compare like with like. Before choosing, check four things for each option: the base fare, whether VAT is included, whether airport or congestion charges are added, and whether the price can change before you arrive.

When does Uber cost more than a black cab?

Uber usually costs more than a black cab when surge pricing is high, at night, in heavy rain and after big events, and the 20% VAT added in 2026 means that point now comes sooner. An older UK analysis by ValuePenguin found a standard Uber was cheaper than a black cab until surge reached roughly 1.7 times the normal price. That study was carried out before VAT was added to London app fares, so the crossover today is likely to be lower; we have not found an up-to-date study that measures it.

The simplest check takes a minute. Open the app and note the quoted price, then compare it with TfL's typical black cab fare for the same distance and time of day, for example £8.40 to £13.20 for one mile. If the app price is near or above the top of the black cab range, a cab from a rank or a hail is likely to be the better deal, and it will not change while you travel. For airport journeys, also compare both with a fixed pre-booked fare, which includes the drop-off or pickup charge.

Which has more room for passengers and luggage: a black cab, Uber or a minicab?

A black cab has the most passenger space for its size, an app car is usually a standard saloon, and a pre-booked minicab lets you choose the vehicle to fit your group and luggage.

What are the pros and cons of a black cab, Uber and a minicab?

No option wins every time: black cabs win on certainty and access, apps on convenience for short trips, and pre-booked minicabs on fixed prices and planning.

Uber, black cab or minicab? Six real London situations

The best choice depends less on the brand and more on the situation: who is travelling, how much luggage you have, the time of day and whether demand is high. These are the situations visitors ask us about most often.

Which is best for your kind of trip?

First-time visitors and solo travellers at night usually do best with a black cab, families and groups with a pre-booked car, and budget travellers with public transport plus an app for short hops. Here is what usually works best for different kinds of visitor:

• First-time visitors: a black cab from a rank or a pre-booked car is the easiest start, with no app, local number or data needed.
• Families with young children: a pre-booked car with the right child seats fitted; see our child seat guide.
• Business travellers: Uber Exec or a pre-booked executive car for a set pickup time and an emailed receipt. App receipts for London trips now show VAT; ask your accountant whether your business can reclaim it.
• Solo travellers late at night: a black cab from a rank or hailed with its light on, or an app ride with trip sharing switched on. Never take a car that has not been booked.
• Older travellers and anyone with limited mobility: a black cab, with its high roof, ramp and grab handles, or a pre-booked car with help with luggage.
• Budget travellers and students: the Tube and buses for most trips, an app for short off-peak hops, and a shared pre-booked car when a group splits the fare.
• Visitors without a UK SIM: black cabs need no phone at all. Uber works with a foreign number and card but needs mobile data or Wi-Fi, so an eSIM helps.

Which is best from London airports?

For most arrivals, a pre-booked car is the simplest; black cabs are best if you have not booked; apps work if you are happy to walk to a pickup area and accept the price on the day.

Book airport transfers from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend. If you are choosing between airports, see Heathrow vs Gatwick vs Stansted.

Where can I get a taxi at London stations, events and on a night out?

All major London stations have official black cab ranks, while app cars pick up from nearby streets or set pickup points. At King's Cross, St Pancras, Paddington, Euston, Waterloo, Victoria and Liverpool Street, follow the taxi signs to the rank, where cabs queue and the meter starts when you set off. Eurostar passengers arriving at St Pancras International can use the rank beside the station.

After big events at venues such as Wembley Stadium or The O2, app prices often surge and nearby roads close, so the pickup point can be a long walk away. Walking a few streets before booking, taking public transport, or pre-booking a pickup point and time usually works better.

For nights out, the Night Tube runs on some lines on Friday and Saturday nights and night buses run every night. If you take a car, use a rank, hail a black cab with its light on, or book through a licensed app or operator.

Do you need a taxi at all? Taxi vs the Tube and trains

For one person with light bags, the Tube, the Elizabeth line or an airport express train is usually cheaper than any taxi. For families, groups, heavy luggage and very early or late journeys, a taxi is usually easier and can cost less per person.

How do I know a London taxi or minicab is licensed?

A licensed black cab has a TAXI sign on the roof and a TfL licence plate, while a licensed minicab or Uber shows a TfL private hire disc in the windscreen and must match the car and driver in your booking. Every legal ride in London is TfL-licensed, and each type shows it differently.

• Black cab: a TAXI sign on the roof (lit yellow when free), a TfL licence plate, a visible meter and a driver's badge.
• Minicab and app cars: a TfL private hire licence disc in the windscreen, and a driver with a TfL photo badge.
• Check before you get in: for app and pre-booked rides, match the car registration and driver name to your booking.
• Never accept an offer from a stranger. Anyone approaching you in an arrivals hall or outside a station offering a "taxi" or "Uber" without a booking is touting, which is illegal, and the car is not insured for you.

Is it safe to take a taxi alone at night in London?

Share your trip with a friend using the app's sharing feature or your booking confirmation, sit in the back, and wait inside until the car arrives. Black cabs from a rank and pre-booked cars with confirmed driver details are the easiest to verify.

Which option is best for wheelchair users?

A black cab. Every licensed London black cab is wheelchair accessible, with a built-in ramp and room for a wheelchair in the passenger area, so you can take one from a rank or the street without booking. Under the Equality Act, licensed drivers must carry assistance dogs and must not charge wheelchair users extra. For pre-booked journeys, request a wheelchair-accessible vehicle when you book.

What about children and car seats?

Book ahead if you need a child seat. Black cabs and app cars rarely carry them. UK law lets children travel in a licensed taxi or minicab without a car seat in limited circumstances, but it is not the safe choice. Our taxi with child seat guide explains the rules and which seat to book.

How do I pay, and should I tip?

All London black cabs must accept cards, including contactless, with no surcharge; apps charge your card automatically; and pre-booked minicabs are usually paid online in advance. Tipping is optional, and around 10% or rounding up is common for good service.

• Black cabs must accept card payments, including contactless, and cannot add a card surcharge.
• Apps charge the card on your account automatically at the end of the trip.
• Pre-booked minicabs are usually paid online when you book.
• Tipping is optional. Many passengers round up a black cab fare or add around 10% for good service; nobody should expect it.

What if I leave something behind or need to complain?

Contact whoever you booked with first. For black cabs, items handed in by drivers go to TfL's Lost Property Office. For app rides, use the lost item option in the app to contact the driver. For pre-booked rides, contact the operator, who can reach the driver directly. If a complaint is not resolved, both taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed by TfL, which handles complaints about licensed drivers and operators.

Which apps book which type of ride?

Uber and Bolt mainly book private hire cars, Uber Taxi, FREENOW and Gett can book licensed black cabs on the meter, and pre-booked operators such as Global Airport Taxi book cars, vans and minibuses at a fixed price.

What mistakes do visitors make with London taxis?

The most common mistakes are accepting a ride from a tout, trying to hail an Uber or minicab, confirming an app ride without checking the surge, and forgetting airport drop-off charges. These are the ones we see most often:

1. Accepting a ride from a stranger who offers a "taxi" in an arrivals hall, outside a station or a club.
2. Trying to wave down an Uber or minicab. Only black cabs can stop for you.
3. Hailing a black cab with its light off. It is already hired or not working.
4. Confirming an app ride without checking the price, including any surge and the fare breakdown.
5. Forgetting airport drop-off and pickup charges when comparing prices.
6. Booking a car too small for the luggage. A standard car usually takes only two large cases.
7. Getting into the wrong app car. Always check the registration, the driver's name and photo.
8. Thinking you need cash. Every licensed black cab takes cards, including contactless.

What do London taxi terms mean?

In London, a taxi or hackney carriage means a black cab that can be hailed, while a minicab or private hire vehicle (PHV) must be booked; Uber and Bolt are private hire. These are the other terms you will see on signs, apps and booking pages.

Black cab (taxi, hackney carriage)

A TfL-licensed taxi that can be hailed in the street, use ranks and bus lanes, and charges a regulated meter.

Minicab (private hire vehicle, PHV)

A licensed car that must be pre-booked through a TfL-licensed operator. Uber and Bolt cars are private hire vehicles.

Private hire operator

The licensed company that takes your booking, such as an app or a minicab firm. Every private hire journey must be booked through one.

The Knowledge

The test of London streets, routes and landmarks that black cab drivers must pass before they are licensed.

Green badge and yellow badge

Black cab driver licences: green for All London drivers, yellow for suburban drivers limited to outer London sectors.

Taxi rank

An official place where black cabs queue for passengers, found at stations, airports and busy streets.

TAXI sign

The light on a black cab roof. When it is lit yellow, the cab is free to hail.

Private hire licence disc

The TfL licence shown in the front and rear windows of a minicab or app car.

Tariff

The rate the black cab meter uses, set by TfL according to the time of day and the length of the journey.

Surge or dynamic pricing

An app price that rises when demand is high, for example in rain or after events.

Fixed fare

A price agreed when you book that does not change with traffic or delays.

Meet and greet

A service where the driver meets you inside the arrivals hall, usually with a name board.

Touting

Offering a ride without a booking. It is illegal in London, and the car is not insured for you.

Congestion Charge

A daily charge for driving in central London during charging hours, £18 from January 2026. Licensed black cabs are exempt.

So which should you choose in London?

Use a black cab when you are on the street, need a ride right now, need wheelchair access, or want a price that will not surge. Use Uber or Bolt for short on-demand trips when the app price looks normal. Use a pre-booked minicab for airports, early or late journeys, groups, luggage and child seats, when knowing the price and having a car confirmed matters most.

Uber vs black cab vs minicab: frequently asked questions