Wondering what the best taxi apps in UK are? You have landed in the right place. 

When on the road, transportation mode is an essential part of the things-to-consider list.

Undoubtedly, taxis are the most convenient transportation for travelers and locals alike.

But nowadays, there are so many options for booking apps, with each taxi business differing in various ways.

So, in this guide, you can find the best and most reliable taxi apps in the UK for a smooth trip to the British Isles.

What are the Best Taxi Apps in UK?

✔️ Bolt

Bolt is one of the most popular taxi apps across the country, thanks to its large fleet of 35,000 drivers and plenty of vehicle choices. 

Additionally, Bolt provides several other services, such as micro-mobility, food, and grocery delivery.

Due to this, the app allows you to book online with address choices along with a travel history, which can definitely help when in an unfamiliar area.

Furthermore, with Bolt, you can instantly reserve, track, and pay for taxi services by card or cash, making it easy to look for a transportation mode when in a hurry. 

Currently, Bolt operates in 21 areas across the UK, including London, Birmingham, Edinburg, Manchester, and Cardiff.

✔️ Gett

Gett is a growing taxi services app with the goal to become a carbon-neutral platform.

Specifically, Gett offers a fleet of electric taxis in addition to the standard Black Cab of the UK, setting an example for the future of mobility.

Additionally, Gett provides wheelchair-accessible taxis, expanding their customer reach.

What makes Gett an excellent choice is the option to pre-book or order a cab instantly while also tracking your cab and selecting the type of vehicle you prefer.

Furthermore, with Gett, you can pay either by cash or credit card.

Gett is available in most cities in the UK, including London, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, and Oxford.

✔️ Ola

Ola is another taxi services app that strives to reduce their carbon footprint. That’s why, apart from regular taxi cabs, Ola offers electric taxis, electric scooter sharing, and carpooling.

Similarly to other taxi apps, Ola allows you to reserve and choose your vehicle and receive a price quote. Also, payments can be made either by card or cash. 

Moreover, an excellent feature Ola has is an AI and machine learning-based guardian system, giving you the highest level of security when on potentially challenging journeys.

✔️ Via 

Via is a New York company with the ambition to transform transportation systems into highly efficient digital networks.

In the UK, Via launched in 2018. Since then, it has expanded as a TransitTech platform offering cost-effective, convenient, and equitable transportation.

Via’s best feature is the opportunity for passengers to rideshare with others heading to the same destination as you, allowing you to save money. 

Currently, Via operates in over 20 cities within the UK, with its headquarters at Milton Keynes.

✔️ Wheely

Wheely is a London-based taxi app offering luxurious vehicles and premium services. With British prestige hospitality as its core value, Wheely’s goal is exquisite comfort and exceptional service. 

The taxi app allows you to book a pick-up anywhere within London, while for drop-offs, you can choose anywhere in the country. 

Furthermore, Wheely is known for the shortest wait times in the city center and for the best, cleanest, and well-maintained vehicles in London.

Additionally, with Wheely, you can be provided with umbrellas, phone chargers, and a meet-and-greet airport service with complimentary waiting time.

✔️ Free Now

Free Now is one of Europe’s most popular taxi apps, serving over 150 European cities, including Barcelona, Berlin, Dublin, and Paris. 

In the UK, Free Now was the first taxi service to provide both black cabs and private taxis.

Today, the app offers a sizable taxi fleet of traditional black cabs, independent taxi drivers, e-scooters, e-mopeds, and e-bikes.

The app allows for pre-bookings from four days prior to the trip or instantaneous bookings. Payments are made online by card or cash. 

Furthermore, you can save any address, make booking quick and efficient, and even share your ride’s location with family and friends to ensure your safety.

✔️ Addison Lee

Addison Lee has been a top-notch taxi service for over 40 years, providing car service, courier, and airport transfers. 

Furthermore, you can select a variety of services from premium everyday to high-end executive, making it ideal for any trip, such as family and business trips or a holiday for group tours.

Additionally, you can pre-book your car service three months in advance, so you won’t have to worry anxiously over last-minute transportation modes or airport transfers.

Lastly, the Addison Lee allows you to select various payment methods, including cash, card, or through your personal Addison Lee account. 

✔️ Taxiapp UK

Taxiapp UK is an innovative platform created by drivers providing black cab services, hoping to remain one of the top taxi choices for passengers. 

Unlike other apps, Taxiapp all the meter fare goes to the driver, but there’s a charge of a £3 booking fee for the convenience of a cab coming to you.

But with this small fee, you are sure to have a black cab instantly to take you wherever you desire.

Or you can pre-book an airport transfer where a licensed black cab driver with excellent service and attitude will wait for you at any time you desire.

✔️ Arro

Arro is a London-based taxi service known for its fast pick-ups, making it a favored app for those looking for immediate car services. 

A favorite feature of the Arro app is its payment methods. Specifically, it offers various tools for hailing and paying taxis, making the experience fast, easy, and straightforward. 

For instance, when hailing a taxi the traditional way, you can pay through the app, so no cash or cards are necessary.

Does the UK have Uber or Lyft?

Uber and Lyft are both enormous taxi service apps in the US, but only Uber has expanded to the UK. 

Uber is, in fact, one of the most popular ridesharing platforms in the UK. It has offices all over the country and has the largest fleet, with 45,000 drivers only in London.

The app allows for price predictions before booking a ride, giving you the chance to estimate costs.

Furthermore, you can pre-book, select your vehicle, from electric scooters to executive luxury cars, track your driver, and choose various payment methods. 

Additionally, Uber’s location sharing and SOS safety feature, make it an excellent app for those seeking a safe and reliable taxi service. 

How to Get a Taxi in the UK

Getting a taxi in the UK can be a relatively straightforward and convenient process. Still, there are quite a lot of options.

One option is to book a taxi in advance through various taxi companies, either by calling a local taxi company directly, booking online, or using one of the above taxi apps.

Alternatively, hailing a taxi from the street is also a common practice. So, if you see a free taxi on the street, try signaling for it to stop.

Otherwise, in many UK cities, designated taxi ranks are available where you can find a line of taxis waiting for passengers.

If you need a taxi that offers quick service but doesn’t have the means to call for one, then ask your hotel reception to help you arrange it.

In fact, often hotels have a direct line to a taxi company, making the endeavor to get a taxi even easier.

What Are the Rates of Taxi Rides in the UK?

The rates of taxi rides in the UK vary depending on several factors, but in general, taxis charge a base fare, which is the minimum amount you pay when you enter the cab.

This is followed by a per-mile or per-minute rate, which increases as the distance or duration of the ride gets longer. 

Additional charges may apply during peak hours or late-night journeys. Furthermore, taxi rates can differ from city to city. 

For example, London taxis have a separate pricing system regulated by Transport for London (TfL). So, let’s have a glimpse of London’s fares.

💰 Transportation for London

TfL has four different tariff rates with a minimum fare of £3.80 at all times.

These four tariffs are:

👉🏽 Tariff 1 is from Monday to Friday between 5 am and 8 pm, except on public holidays. 

👉🏽 Tariff 2 is from Monday to Friday between 8 pm and 10 pm or on the weekends between 5 am and 10 pm, Except on public holidays.

👉🏽 Tariff 3 applies to every night between 10 pm and 5 am the following morning or at any time on public holidays.

👉🏽 Tariff 4 applies for any journey over six miles.

💰 Private Hires

Fares for private hires are not set by the local authorities. Therefore, most private taxi companies can choose their initial meter or use the same fares as hackney carriage vehicles.

Nevertheless, the average minimum fare for a taxi is between £2 and £6. 

Additionally, most private taxi companies might charge extra for excess luggage, as well as bicycles and furniture, additional passengers, airport transfers, and if the car is soiled.

Other Ways to Get Around UK

🚆 Trains

Train travel is one of the most efficient and convenient ways to get around the UK.

With an extensive network of railway lines, trains provide easy access to various cities, towns, and tourist destinations across the country. 

So, whether you are exploring the vibrant streets of London, admiring the historical landmarks in Edinburgh, or taking in the picturesque landscapes of the English countryside, the UK’s train system allows you to easily plan your journey and experience the beauty and diversity of the UK’s urban and rural landscapes. 

🚍 Buses

The bus is both a convenient and an affordable mode of transportation for getting around the UK.

Generally, the UK has an extensive network of routes connecting cities, towns, and even rural areas, making the bus an excellent choice for experiencing various parts of the country. 

Furthermore, whether you want to visit famous landmarks, experience the vibrant culture of bustling cities, or simply enjoy the scenic countryside, the bus allows you to do so at your own pace, as well as easily plan ahead since buses are known for their punctuality. 

So, if you’re looking for an efficient and budget-friendly way to travel across the UK, give the bus a try!

🚇 Underground 

Underground transportation is definitely a convenient and efficient way to navigate through bustling cities. 

Surely, the London Underground, commonly known as the Tube, takes center stage as it’s one of the world’s oldest and most renowned subway systems.

It has an extensive network of lines stretching across the capital, providing quick access to top attractions, business districts, and residential areas. 

Beyond London, other cities with underground systems are the Tyne and Wear Metro in Newcastle, the Docklands Light Railway, and the Glasgow Subway.

🚊 Trams

Trams offer a charming and nostalgic way to travel within various cities across the UK. They are efficient and eco-friendly, contributing to reducing congestion on the roads while also providing a smooth journey for passengers. 

Cities in the UK with well-established tram networks include Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, and Sheffield. 

Each tram system offers a reliable and convenient way to explore urban areas, linking popular tourist destinations, shopping districts, and residential neighborhoods. 

Furthermore, with their sleek and modern designs, trams effortlessly blend into the cityscapes, providing a unique sightseeing experience and a comfortable means of transportation.

🚙 Driving

Driving in the UK can be both exhilarating and challenging. But despite that, it is undoubtedly one of the most unique ways to explore this beautiful country. 

The UK boasts a comprehensive road network spread across the four nations, providing flexibility and the opportunity to discover hidden gems off the beaten path. 

However, it is essential to note that driving in the UK follows certain rules and regulations that may differ from other countries.

For instance, for some, it could be a challenge to drive on the left side, so understanding and familiarizing yourself with the Highway Code is crucial for a safe and enjoyable journey. 

Nevertheless, with proper preparation and a willingness to adapt to the country’s driving customs, exploring the UK by car can enhance your travel experience and allow you to create unforgettable memories.

🚴🏻‍♀️ Cycling

Cycling is a fantastic way to get around the UK, as it offers a unique and eco-friendly way to explore its cities, countryside, and coastal areas.

Generally, the country has a well-developed network of cycle paths and dedicated cycling lanes. 

So, from leisurely rides through picturesque villages to urban cycling adventures in bustling cities like London and Edinburgh, there are endless opportunities to pedal your way through the UK’s diverse landscapes.  

It is crucial, however, to familiarize yourself with cycling laws and safety guidelines, such as wearing a helmet and obeying traffic rules, to ensure a safe and enjoyable cycling experience.

🚶🏼‍♀️ Walking

Walking is a delightful and popular way to get around the UK.

In fact, with the UK’s well-maintained footpaths, scenic trails, and extensive network of public footpaths, you can fully experience the charm and character of this diverse country.  

Whether you’re strolling through historic cities, hiking along stunning coastal paths, or trekking through national parks, there are plenty of walking routes to immerse yourself in the rich history and natural beauty of the UK, as well as stumble upon hidden gems, local pubs, and charming villages off the beaten path. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Taxi Apps in the UK

Final Thoughts: British Taxi App

Generally, taxi apps in the UK are an excellent way to find a taxi instantly or reserve one in advance, so you don’t have to worry about finding one in the UK’s busy cities and airports.

Also, all apps are easy to use, providing convenience, affordability, and reliability, and cater to all preferences, making your transportation experience seamless and enjoyable.