Best Taxi Apps: Finding You A Taxi In London – Pocket-lint

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(Pocket-lint) – You’ve probably heard of Uber, but Uber isn’t the only taxi app service you can use in London. In fact, there are several.

Many customers want to be able to request a ride through an app and pay for it with a stored card rather than standing on the sidewalk waving your arm up and down trying to flag an unoccupied cab, and taxi apps allow that.

Here are the best taxi apps for getting around London. You might also find a few working in other locations in the UK so it’s worth checking out if you’re outside of London.

Uber

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Uber is available across the UK – not just London – and allows users to choose from a number of different vehicles, including company cars and larger cars for more people.

You can share the fare with anyone traveling with you who has an Uber account and plan a ride so you know you always have a way home. Cash is not an option with Uber – you must use a stored card for payment, but you can store multiple cards, as well as use services like Apple Pay.

As with the other apps on this list, once you request a taxi through the Uber app, you will be able to see your driver heading to your location in real time.

Free now

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You may already know Free Now because it was called Hailo before it became MyTaxi and now Free Now. It is available in several cities in the UK and in over 100 cities across Europe.

Card information can be saved in the app so payments are quick and easy, and you receive an email receipt straight to your inbox as soon as you reach your destination, which is convenient for those business expenses.

The Free Now app will also show you where your taxi is on its way to pick you up and your driver will even wait a few minutes for you to arrive without charging, perfect for saying goodbye to friends.

Get

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Gett is available in eight cities across the UK and works the same as Free Now. Like its rival, you request a ride from a London Black Cab and Gett promises some of the fastest pickup times.

Several different types of cars are available on demand, from regular Black Cabs to electrics and those designed to carry disabled passengers.

You can even book a future ride – like you can with Uber – and you’ll also be able to track your taxi to you with the real-time tracking map so you know when to start saying goodbye. While you can store your card information to pay your driver if you don’t have cash, you are also free to use any spare currency you have in your wallet.

Lock

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Bolt, like many of its competitors, is easy to use. Once you’ve configured it, you type in where you want to go and the app will find a ride for you, offering a number of vehicle options, as well as estimated prices for your ride – very similar to Uber.

You can store any number of maps in the app which allows for easy payment and you can also view your trip history in your profile, so you know exactly where you have been.

It is also possible to add personal and work addresses to the Bolt app and you can toggle calendar events to get destination shortcuts based on them. As with other taxi apps, you can also see your driver’s location in real time after they are on their way to pick you up.

Addison lee

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You will no doubt have seen Addison Lee taxis in London. The private taxi hire company offers 4G Wi-Fi in all its cars as well as phone chargers, and always offers fixed prices and at no extra cost.

Pickup times may be a bit longer than some of its competition, but Addison Lee takes pride in the quality of service you receive when your car arrives.

Taxis can be booked up to three months in advance and the company also offers its own same day and next day courier service.

Wheely

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Wheely is a luxury transportation service, instead of looking for taxis, it offers chauffeured rides. Drivers are selected through an accreditation process and each ride takes place in a brand new Mercedes-Benz to ensure you arrive in comfort and style.

Otherwise, it works much like Uber, letting you book a ride in the app and pay by credit or debit card.

Three levels of service are available: Exec which is the standard service, VIP which offers even higher levels of comfort and Plus for journeys requiring more passengers or luggage space.

Ola

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Ola was launched in London in early February 2020 with more than 20,000 drivers on the app. The service promises a better deal for drivers, sharing a larger portion of the fare with them, while providing passengers with a good deal.

The company has smart safety features such as its gatekeeper system, which uses AI and machine learning to detect irregular activity by its drivers.

In practice, the use of Ola is very similar to other carpooling applications. You can book a taxi, track your journey and pay for everything from the app.

Xooox

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Xooox is a little different from some of the other apps on this list. Rather than just offering your own cars, the app brings together information from taxi companies and private hire companies across the UK, helping you get the best deal on taxi journeys.

Built-in safety features allow quick and easy reporting to regulators. Xooox says its technology allows drivers to see where the most fairs are located, avoiding unnecessary wanderings in search of fairs and thus reducing emissions.

Plus, you can compare the size of the car and even the emissions before you book, making it one of the most environmentally friendly options. We’re sure you’re wondering, and it’s supposed to be pronounced “zooks”.

Written by Britta O’Boyle. Originally published on September 22, 2017.