Hackney Carriages/Cabs

These are the big black ones with rounded corners, like London cabs.


• How can I get one?
• If it's driving towards you with its orange light on, it's for hire and you may hail it (by waving!). If you can't see one, try a taxi rank - they're located centrally at Carfax, Gloucester Green, St. Giles and the railway station.
• What will I pay?
• Fares are set by the local authority, and are higher than private hire car fares. Investigate current rates at www.oxford.gov.uk. Expect to pay between three and five times the equivalent single bus fare.
• Why choose a Hackney cab?
• Hackney Cabs are licensed to individuals and limited in numbers by the city council (the shortage is such that licenses are reputed to change hands for £60,000 - £70,000). Cabs are made specifically for their job, are spacious (holding 5-6 people), have fold-down/up as well as fixed seats, large windows and provide easier access for those with mobility difficulties. If you have lots of big suitcases and need to get to the station, or there are 5 of you going to the same place (private cars only take 4 unless you order a minibus), get a cab.

Private Hire Cars

Hire cars (or minicabs) are not licensed individually (but rather, on a per company basis) and are normally not specialised vehicles.


• How can I get one?
• Prebook by telephoning their depot. They will tell you how long it will take the vehicle to reach you, often calling/texting you when it's outside. You will need to order the car to a fixed address (your house, or a pub) - locations like 'on the corner at the bottom of South Park' will not be acceptable. Go into the pub/museum/house and call again. Hire cars can't be hailed in the street (at least, not legally).
• What will I pay?
• Less than a Hackney cab, but still more than the bus - unless there are 4 of you and the car is full, in which case it can actually be cheaper to get a car than public transport!
• Why choose a hire car?
• They are cheap and convenient - it's much like hiring your own smart chauffered vehicle. And if you like pine air freshener in the shape of a small pine tree, all the better.
• Local firms (NB. some of these offer BOTH hire cars and cabs):
• ABC Taxis: 01865 770077 / 01865 775577
  
  Botley Taxis: 07863 281324 / 01865 423264
  001 Taxis: 01865 240000
  RadioTaxis: 01865 242424 / 01865 249743
  Royal Cars (Daily Info's favourite, with a splendid website too): 01865 777333
• Regional firms:
• Star Taxis (ABINGDON): 01865 747600 / 07553 384416
• Click here to read and leave feedback about taxi or minicab experiences in Oxford.

Bicycle Rickshaws

OxonCarts is Oxford's very own bicycle rickshaw firm, with five two-person pedicabs available for hire, seven days a week. It's expensive, but very green and rather stylish. They also do weddings.

Airport Transfer Taxis

If you're visiting the UK, short of time, have lots of luggage or can't manage the bus and can afford it, you may prefer to take a taxi to and from the airport. The following Oxford-based firms offer predominantly long-haul airport transfer services rather than short local journeys. Please note that Daily Information merely lists the following companies - we have not tried them ourselves. If you have, why not review them, here: www.dailyinfo.co.uk/reviews/feature/2836/Oxford-Taxi-Guide

• Oxicars
• Oxford Carriage Company
• CCB Airport Cars
• Airport-Direct

Chauffeur Services

• Findlay Chauffeur Service
• ...will take you to airports in a black E-class Mercedes if you are part of a business, a government or an educational institution.

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