London taxis

Reasons I’d never get in an Uber:

Taken from the independent 2019.

Uber’s ​lax approach to safety has resulted in a necessary and repeated backlash against the service. When the ride-hailing app lost its licence in 2017, it was because (among other concerns) it was failing to report sexual assaults, putting passengers at terrible risk. Police estimated that there were 48 attacks involving Uber drivers between February 2015 and 2017

But it wasn’t enough. This week Uber had its licence revoked once again by TfL, after it concluded that at least 14,000 journeys in the capital were conducted by unauthorised drivers – an alarming statistic

I Just don’t trust them.

welbeck

bus would be better than tube, with luggage.
will you be able to walk with the luggage from the coach station to the front of victoria station.
why not just bite the bullet and pay for a proper taxi.
will still take much longer than 10 mins though.
but i think that is the safest option esp for out- of -towners with luggage.
less stressful. and that matters too.

👍🏻
That’s what I’d do.

I’m with you on that Riverwalk - the one I found the most expensive was that (well-known) London mini-cab firm Addison Lee that I used once to get to Hackney Empire from Walthamstow where there were no black cabs to be seen and I had not yet installed the Uber app.
Never again!

I've used Uber for a few years now and find them very reliable with pleasant drivers

You're told the cost of the journey beforehand, see a photo of the driver who is on the way, plus his/her name, make and registration number of the car so you can be sure you're getting into the right car.

No financial transaction with the driver so you don't have to worry about cards/cash.

Agree that a black cab is the best choice - I’d never use an Uber, heard too many horror stories.

I recently used a black cab from Paddington to Royal Albert Hall. Only used it because it was raining and I had my 4yrs old grandson with me. It cost £12 for a few minutes and what a rude driver! I asked where I paid whilst waiving my credit card he said at the front window so out we got in the pouring rain and he said he wanted cash I said I didn't have that much in change. I then had to get back in his cab with the little boy and use the machine on the door which I hadn't noticed and he deliberately didn't tell me about. And the machine indicated a tip on the first screen! NO my tip is don't try to rip people off who you are aware will pay by a credit card! I got the bus back.

You may pay a few pounds extra but for peace of mind and excellence you cannot go wrong with a black cab.

I travel from Manchester to London about once a month. I get a taxi from Euston to Hatton Garden or Euston to the V&A and they are usually about £20.
I would say depending on the time of day you should be OK at 20-25
It takes all the stress out of the tube or a bus.
Enjoy your holidays.

It really depends on the time of day, as traffic is heavier at certain times, and consequently would cost you more, but I would advise you to travel in comfort and get a black cab.

We used Uber to travel from s Kensington to Kings Cross March this year. Cost £20 but took us longer to complete 4.5 mile journey because it couldn’t use bus lanes. Took black cab from S Kensington to Buckingham Palace which cost £11 for the 1.6 mile journey.
I’d Definitely recommend choosing the black cab to avoid being stuck in traffic. And I wouldn’t travel with luggage on the tube or bus - why make life harder for a small saving? Enjoy your trip

Wise decision. The underground and the buses can both be quite difficult with luggage. And the step free access for the underground can be very hard to find! The black cabs, although more expensive, can use the taxi and bus lanes and can get to your destination quicker than some of the Ubers or other private taxis.

PS Someone said a pre-booked Uber would have cost £40.00 and one that was just telephoned for, ie not pre-booked, was about half that. that’s been our experience too and the difference between booking an Uber and just hoping one will turn up.

Hope you have a fabulous holiday.

Black cab Waterloo to King's Cross £20 March last year

Sounds about right. £20. What date?

Thanks all, I think we will shell out for a black cab to save a stressful start to our holiday.

It looks like we were very lucky with our £8 Uber price, plus the driver and car were very good.
We had intended getting the tube but when we descended the stairs there was an announcement about the crowds. Passengers were being held back and not allowed through the turnstiles until the platforms had eased. We only had shopping bags with us but didn’t fancy the crush.

Buses are terrible with luggage -nowhere to put your case except squash it by your legs or stand up in the buggy space - I’d much rather get the tube - I travel on the train and tube all the time , often taking a wheelie case. Plus the bus takes longer. At least with the tube you know 4 stops is only going to take 10 minutes tops.

Uber prices vary according to current demand. Recently to prebook an Uber for a trip the cost was set at £40. We booked a local cab firm instead for £19. Out of interest I looked at Uber again around the time I would have called them, one 2 minutes away £17. You just can't tell. Black taxis are incredibly expensive, especially if you get caught in traffic, but are easy to find in central London.

bus would be better than tube, with luggage.
will you be able to walk with the luggage from the coach station to the front of victoria station.
why not just bite the bullet and pay for a proper taxi.
will still take much longer than 10 mins though.
but i think that is the safest option esp for out- of -towners with luggage.
less stressful. and that matters too.

Uber isn’t as good as it used to be, far fewer cabs available, If you don’t want to brave the tube, I’d just go for a black cab and treat it as part of the holiday experience. If it’s not peak time and you are able bodied the tube is ok just squash on for a few stops, people with luggage get on it all the time.

Depending on how much luggage you have would a bus work for you? Service 390 goes from Victoria Bus Station towards Archway via Hyde Park, Oxford Street, Tottenham Court Road and Euston Road.

tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/390?direction=inbound

The underground is now very busy all day long. Disconcertingly so, when you haven't used it for sometime.

Thanks all. Never used Uber but just checked their prices and it came up as 21-23 pounds. Underground would be okay as long as it isn't super busy, not sure how busy it gets these days it's so long since I last used it.

Uber

Kings Cross to St John's Wood cost £17 three weeks ago.

Depends how desperate you are to avoid the tube. Rome2Rio says a taxi will take 10 minutes and charge you £40. Have you thought of Uber?