The London Traveler

Flickr photo by Patrick Mayon.

One of the best things about visiting or living in London is having the opportunity to take a Black Cab. They are an efficient way to get around the city, particularly if you need to get somewhere in a hurry.

What’s great about taking a Black Cab?

• Space for 5 people, and everyone has leg-room. (Trust me, at 6′4″ I care about this!)
• They know everything about Central London. The exam to become a driver is actually called “The Knowledge.”
• They’re easy to catch, and drivers are friendly.
• Black cabs have permission to use Bus-only lanes, getting you through congestion much easier.

My best story involving a black cab involved me going to meet some friends at a restaurant off of Covent Garden. I had a text message with the name of a non-existant street, and no restaurant name. I just read that off to the driver and he said, “Oh, you mean [restaurant] on [actual name] Street?” Sure enough, he was 100% correct. I was amazed, and am now convinced that drivers are mind-readers, too.

The reality is that it takes between 2-4 years of studying in order to become a Black Cab driver. Yes, you read that right… 2 to 4 years. They need to know streets, landmarks, hotels, hospitals, churches, restaurants, pubs, theatres, important buildings, and the fastest route to get between all of them. It takes a serious commitment, but then they’ve got a job they can do the rest of their life.

What’s not so great about Black Cabs?

• They can be expensive. £2 minimum charge, and the total goes up quickly. (Don’t take a cab from the airport unless you absolutely must.) A ride from central London to a Zone 2 destination can easily be £20-30.
• Depending on where you’re going, public transportation may be more efficient. London roads are rarely straight, while Tube lines can go under the chaos of streets.
• Each driver is an independent operator, and chooses when they work. That means there aren’t that many out late at nights or on holidays, even with the extra surcharges they get to charge customers.

How to get a Black Cab

• Find a street and raise your hand to hail one. If they’re driving in the opposite direction, some may turn around to get you. (They’ll signal that they’re pulling over to you in either case.)
• The cabbie will roll down his window; just tell him (or her) where you want to go.
• Sit back and enjoy the drive. Some drivers are chatty, others aren’t, but most are certainly willing to talk if you initiate a conversation.

One final note, very few cabs are still 100% black. The basic cab now comes in a variety of colours, and a majority now sport advertising. But they are all still referred to as black cabs.

If you visit London, make sure you take at least one ride in a cab. Compared to nearly any other city on earth, we’re spoiled with room and comfort!

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