The Best Ride-Hailing Apps in London

As London is one of our base cities, we’re always going to put you on some helpful tips for both visitors and locals in London. Here are some of the best ride-hailing taxi apps to help you get around London.

N.B: Of course, walking is best for your health and the brilliant @tranportforlondon has a brilliant and extensive transport network and is better for the environment when you’re not in a mad rush.

Note: The Tube is often faster when going to certain places, often beyond 3 miles – certainly for the docklands and the city, the tube regularly beats the traffic.

Getting Around London in Style – The Best Ride-Hailing Apps

Ever considered switching from Uber? For most of us, Uber is the industry leader that we default to practically on reflex. I’m sorry but personally, the bolt is only my backup, I find the app’s GPS/location tracking tech to be weak, it seems to find me with a greater margin of error and it takes more effort and guile to adjust my location to a place that I know the driver will find me. They always seem to be 2 minutes’ walk away from where I said I was. These minor quibbles make a difference to busy people who need effective convenience.
Plus, slightly lower quality control on drivers or maybe it’s just by chance, the odd weirdo I’ve had was on Bolt, not Uber. Bolt – feel free to contact me and change my mind. 90% of the time exactly like Uber and save drivers, so worth comparing prices as an arbitrage exercise between the two.

For when one eventually has room to venture outside of being a creature of habit, especially when you need something a bit more of market, luxury, executive or a ride for a parent or situation that requires a bit more “care”, Here are some alternative ride-hailing taxi apps to try:

1) Addison Lee:
Addison Lee is the classic mainstay. Tried, tested and approved. Mega reliable. The quality is reflected in the price, we’ve all come to expect the markup to be evident. Booking provides some guarantee of better and accessible customer support and a commitment to the job, which gives reassurance when things don’t go smoothly or to plan. They claim to offer in-car wifi, but this isn’t always the case.

Cons – any long time London I will tell you that you can’t just call Addison Lee last minute you need to give them at least 30 minutes’ notice. You’ll be lucky on a relaxed day. If you can get them to arrive in 20 minutes when you said the ASAP function, I find they work best when you’re not in a hurry and you don’t have to meet a specific deadline when you do it’s best to book well in advance when you know you have a fixed time you have to leave House and primarily use it for such fixed pre-bookings and it’s a great way to keep you organised and on time by booking it at least a couple hours or even days in advance for me off the day before
Visit Addison Lee Website

2) Black Lane:
Operating in the last few years, with a more luxury and high-end feel for executives and jet setters. Notable relationships with influencers who attract a clientele that’s middle class upwards.
Visit Black Lane Website

3) Wheely:
Wheely has been operating for over a decade but also switched to attract a more discerning customer.
Visit Wheely Website 

4) Gett:
Gett is the black cab-hailing app. Nothing like a black cabbie for professionalism, and knowledge of streets and routes around town. If you’re not a long-term London visitor you might not have had or opened, the knowledge which is the exam that Black tabbies are known to have taken thereby certifying them as having the knowledge and skills to drive you around London. That means they have an innate knowledge of London Street and navigating them, thereby best qualified (over an everyday person turned Uber driver wanting to make a big buck. No offense to Uber drivers/ once they’ve logged lots of trips they start to become specialists but certainly not at the start of their driving careers or side hustles) on how to get you around.
Visit Gett Website 

5) Ouno App:
Ouno is New on the scene. emerging app that still seems to be a small operation but is being used/promoted by some well-heeled popular London influencers.
Visit Ouno App Website 

6) Free Now – Hail & Ride, the Black Cab & Private Hire Hybrid:
Free Now isn’t afraid to play both sides. This app lets you choose between iconic black cabs and modern private hire vehicles, giving you flexibility and choice. Plus, they offer fixed-price fares, so you know exactly what you’re paying before you book. No nasty surprises here!
Visit Free Now Website 

7) Ola – Budget-Friendly Rides with a Spicy Kick:
Ola brings a taste of India to London’s streets. This app is known for its competitive fares, making it a budget-conscious traveler’s dream. But don’t let the low prices fool you – Ola offers a wide range of vehicles, from classic taxis to rickshaw-inspired tuk-tuks (yes, really!). Just imagine cruising through London in a bright yellow tuk-tuk – Instagram gold!
Visit Ola Website 

Remember, these are just a few highlights. Each app has its own set of features and promotions, so be sure to compare before you ride.