London's distinctive black taxi cabs are a pleasant (if a little pricey) way of getting around the city and are found in abundance across the city.

Having undergone intensive training (known as 'The Knowledge'), which involves riding around London on a moped learning all the street names, you will find that London's legendary 'cabbies' have a wealth of information for the tourist and most are extremely helpful.

Each taxi has a licence number and badged drivers must comply with official regulations and as all licensed taxis must be wheelchair accessible, this is by far the best choice for the less able.

Tariffs for taxis change during the week. The lowest tariff is in effect Monday to Friday 06:00-20:00 (except public holidays), although fares are higher at night and at the weekend. A tip of 10-15% to 'round up' the bill is customary.

Private hire cars (usually standard saloon cars) can be booked over the telephone or direct from local offices throughout London. To find out the number of a licensed private hire company operating in your area of London you can call Transport for London on the number below who will recommend a licensed operator. Fares for private hire companies are not standardised and are at the discretion of the operator and so we recommend that you get a rough estimate of the cost of your journey when booking. Most operators provide fixed fare services to all London airports.

When your car arrives, make sure the driver knows your name and your destination to ensure this is the taxi you have ordered.

There are numerous illegal and unscrupulous operators in London and so reject any offers of lifts by unlicensed drivers in the street. It is illegal for taxis to stop and offer lifts and because of this you will be travelling in an uninsured vehicle and, quite probably, will encounter confrontation as to the amount of money charged for the journey or route taken.