Have your fare with the right change ready when you get on the bus. The main departure point is at Eccleston Bridge, SW1 - near Victoria Station. You can take a Black Cab where safety, knowledgeable driving and fair-pricing is assured. The 20,000 London cabbies are independent owners of their cabs and also provide a cheerful source of information on London and the state of the nation. Hail them in the street when their yellow For Hire notices are illuminated or follow the queue system at Taxi ranks .
Fares begin with a standard charge on the meter and are charged by the mile.
Additional charges are made for luggage, the number of passengers and waiting time. If you re travelling a distance, ask the driver for a quote. Or use a Minicab , these are generally cheaper than Black Cabs, especially at night and weekends, but the drivers are unlicensed. This service is useful in the suburbs where there are far less Black Cabs but the cars are not metered and a quote is essential when booking, which you should confirm when the driver arrives. Car Hire requires a full and current drivers license and at least a year s driving experience.