London’s distinctive black cabs are a pleasant – if pricey – way of getting around the city, as well as meeting the legendary ‘cabbies’. Fares start at £1.40 and increase by 20p per minute up to £8.60, then by 20p every 30 seconds. A tip of 10-15% to ‘round up’ the bill is customary. Each taxi has a licence number and badged drivers must comply with official regulations. London cabbies have undergone intensive training – known as the ‘Knowledge’ – which involves riding around London on a moped learning all the street names, followed by a gruelling examination.

Black cabs can be booked through Dial-a-Cab (tel: (020) 7251 0581; website: www.dialacab.co.uk ) and Radio Taxis (tel: (020) 7272 0272; website: www.radiotaxis.co.uk ). London taxi drivers’ unsurpassed understanding of the city has been tapped by a tour company, who offer black cab tours (tel: (020) 7289 4371, website: www.blacktaxitours.co.uk ). Any complaints about black cabs should be directed to the Public Carriage Office, 15 Penton Street, London N1 9PU (tel: (020) 7941 7800).

Mini-cabs (usually standard saloon cars) can be booked over the telephone or direct from offices throughout London. Although generally cheaper than black cabs, there are numerous illegal and/or unscrupulous operators, so it is always wise for travellers to check that the company is registered. In particular, offers of lifts by unlicensed drivers off the street, late at night in the West End, should not be accepted.