England is one of the oldest countries in the world with a rich and vibrant history that dates back to thousands of years. From the Royal Empire to the most modern startups, you can see it all. But travelling in the country can be a daunting experience if you aren’t familiar with the most popular cities, travel routes, cultural hotspots, and more. Historic sights, spectacularly green and lavishly charming villages, and bustling cityscapes, what else do you want to see?
With so many options to choose from, it is time to know the best local taxi company and how you can hire a private hire taxi in the country. Moreover, we will also answer questions in this guide such as “is taxi expensive in the UK”, “what is a reliable taxi company near me?” and many more. Let’s study to find out more.
What are the Different Types of Taxis in the UK: Knowing Your Options?
Here are the different types of taxis available at your service in the UK:
- Black Cabs: Black labs are the iconic definition of travelling in style within the country. Black cabs are what gives the UK its identity. The classical and the most popular method of travelling, black cabs use a metered fare to calculate the cost of travel. You can hail them at almost any popular tourist spot in most cities of the UK.
- Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs): Mostly pre-booked, these offer an added option of convenience and comfort as they can be booked online either via app or through the website.
- Minicabs: Minicabs are not much different than the pre-booked ones, with the exception that these offer low rates, but may not provide the same level of comfort.
- Airport Taxis: Airport taxis are offered by drivers and airport taxi companies at various terminals of international airports throughout the Kingdom.
How Do I Get an Elite Taxis in the UK?
Let us understand the various ways through which you can book an Elite taxis:
- Pre-booking Apps: Addison Lee, Gett, and Hailo are widely used pre-booking ride hailing apps that you can use to book your rides, offering sleek interfaces for booking premium cars. Everything is mentioned crystal clear before placing the order such as pricing, car, facilities, and so on.
- Direct Company Bookings: ComCab and LeCab and Elite Airport Transport service are some of the companies with an online booking option, specialising in economy and luxury vehicles.
- Hotel Concierge: Most high-end hotels offer premium concierge services that allow you to make the bookings for taxis at your requested time.
Things to Consider When Booking
Here are a few things to consider before booking your ride:
- Luggage and number of riders: Ensure that the vehicle you have selected comfortably fits all people and the luggage.
- Travel Distance and Time: Take into account the potential travel bottlenecks, specifically in the UK traffic that has a lot of traffic jams.
- Payment Method: Consider the multiple options of payment. Not all companies offer credit card payments and some only offer either one of these two.
How to Pay for a Taxi in the UK?
There are multiple ways to pay when you book your ride. Here are the most common ones:
Cash
Black Cabs, unlicensed taxis, minicabs and even registered airport taxis all accept cash as a method of payment. However, ensure that you have cash always in hand before booking your ride.
Card
The most common and popular option is by using a credit card or a debit card. Almost all companies offer this service, and when you pre-book using a card, you get peace of mind as you don’t have to negotiate with your taxi driver on fares.
What Popular Taxi Apps Do People Use in England?
Here is a glance at the most commonly used apps that people use for travelling purpose in England.
- Addison Lee: Established for over 4 decades, Addison Lee is a premium car booking service that provides luxurious hybrid, fuel, and electric vehicles.
- Gett: Book cabs and taxis in London at affordable rates. Ranges from normal to luxurious vehicles.
- Uber Black: Tailored to meet the exclusive needs of business travellers, it offers a premium range of vehicles to choose from.
Choosing an elite taxis shouldn’t be hard. Elite taxis drivers are well-trained, highly experienced, and knowledgeable about the city routes. They can take you from point A to point B in no time. Expect well-maintained, and luxurious cars with facilities like air conditioning, ports, and ample interior space.
Conclusion
Regardless of the type of taxi you book, we would recommend to take into account some of the following factors for your own safety:
- Only book licensed taxis or cabs. Elite Airport Transfer is one of many reputed taxi companies operating legally, with a licence number, in the UK. And any other registered company is highly unlikely to commit to unfair pricing or frauds.
- Verify the fare before placing the order. This coincides with point #1. The price you see on the screen as the time of booking, is what you pay at the time of getting in the ride. This is usual with many companies, but not all are upfront honest and provide transparent pricing structure.
Nevertheless, always search for a company that has good reviews on Facebook, Google and other sites like Tripadvisor. This way you can ensure the authenticity of the service provider. We hope that the tips shared above were valuable enough to help you navigate the complex traffic and roads of Great Britain. Always look for a service provider that caters to your needs such as budget and comfort. A private hire taxi is always a great option than others as it provides upfront pricing, and premium vehicles suiting your requirements. To find out more about the premium vehicles that we offer, visit Elite Airport Transfer to know more.
