Oxford Taxi Reviews

I ordered a 001 taxi from a village outside Oxford to go to the centre of Oxford on New Year's eve, and to return later in the night. Our house is difficult to find, but the driver (Amir) arrived on time, called when close, and followed my directions. He was polite and friendly, drove well, and left us his mobile number to book the return journey at a convenient time. We left the club earlier than expected (The Living Room - it was terrible, but that's another review!), but Amir came back for us, and was waiting outside as arranged. An excellent service, and the best price we were quoted - even with the well deserved tip we gave.

I have seen many negative reviews of 001 taxis, but based on my experience I would certainly use them again.

Neil (Unverified), 10/01/13

Royal Cars! Lovely experience on my birthday! Transported a massive group - me and my mates! All the cars turned up on time and were Mercedes buses. They charged us normal fare and even gave us a free cab for my birthday - really a lovely start to a night of celebrations! Thanks Royal Cars. Same time next year! ;-)

BeckyS (Unverified), 15/11/12

I used Royal Cars for my son's wedding reception to transport guests around, and found them to be absolutely marvellous. Every driver was ever so polite and patient, the control room were also prompt and very curtious, Thank you to all Royal Cars team - you made my son's day run really smoothly. I will recommend you to anyone I can.

Jane (Unverified), 11/11/12

Mixed review here. I hired 001 taxis 4 times to and fro Gloucester Green bus station to ferry me and my luggage. Found them to be good on all counts thrice, but the last time (incidently the day of my leaving UK permanently) was a huge disappointment.

Called them up early morning at 4am to hire a taxi for 5am, but was told in a clipped manner that 3 pieces of luggage required an estate taxi which was not plying on the roads at the time. The phone operator initially agreed to send a regular taxi (which I've taken thrice earlier, with 5-6 luggage bags all very comfortably!) which would cost £5 extra to accommodate the bags on the backseat but which was at the driver's discretion (again something that worked fine on earlier trips). But after a few seconds he changed his mind and flatly refused to send a taxi at all, saying luggage on the backseat was not allowed for fear of damage to seats....

Most unhelpful and rude, even after I explained that I had travelled with them many times before using the regular taxi and luggage on backseat had never been an issue since £5 was levied to cover the damages. All to no avail, I was told they could not help in this case. He was uncooperative when I attempted to ask for other taxi agencies in the area, and I realised that further requests for help were a waste of precious time.

That left me stranded early in the morning wondering how to reach my coach for Heathrow on time. A call to Radio Taxis was fruitful and they readily agreed to send a taxi within half an hour. Here too £5 extra was charged for back seat use, but they were very polite and helpful.

Had thought 001 to be reliable, but the last experience left a bitter taste. I'd recommend keeping a list of taxi agencies' numbers with you, just incase an unexpected situation like mine arises.

Rmnc (Unverified), 16/10/12

Royal Cars - I booked this firm for the first time a month ago and ever since I have been a repeat user, always on time and provide a friendly service. On one occasion i left my moble phone in the car and the driver came back to my house and drop it off before I realised it was missing, i was truly amazed. I love Royals!

Sara (Unverified), 03/10/12

Oxford City Cars

I've been using this firm regularly since they opened earlier this year - they're fast and reliable, the cars are always clean, the drivers are extremely friendly courteous. They also do student discounts on fares, which is a real money saver!

I'd recommend the company to anyone in town - newcomers, tourists, students - because they really are the best. I used another firm for a long time, they always let me down. OCC never have.

Kandiman (DI User), 21/09/12

Cozier Executive Travel

Cozier Executive Travel Oxford, 01865 436124. Family run business, the drivers are reliable, prompt and courteous. Good value and I would recommend this taxi service to everyone.

Caroline (Unverified), 19/07/12

001 Taxis 

001 Taxis were the worst taxi service I've ever used. We booked in advance and were given a booking reference and confirmation email and then the taxi never turned up. When we tried to ring and find out where the taxi was, the staff were very rude and hung up multiple times and it appeared that they never tried to check out reference number. I would never recommend this service to anyone.

LN (Unverified), 15/07/12

Queen Cars

I have just moved to Oxford and started using the local cab firms, as I regularly need to travel to airports.

I have come to realise that most are reliable except for a few, the only real problem I have had is that the fare is always quoted as different to the previous time.

The only cab firm I have found to be transparent with fares is Queen Cars, which have friendly drivers and online fixed low rates to airports.

I shall be sticking with these guys for a while.

I am writing this review today because the driver refused to take tips and asked me to review the company's site whenever I could so...

"there you are sir!".

Dan (Unverified), 25/06/12

001 Taxis

I've found these to be consistently 30 mins late, especially in the morning. When I rang to find out where my cab was, they always told me that it was 5 mins away, and were sometimes rude. I was told that one should expect to need 30 mins in advance to book a taxi - but my bookings were made 40 mins in advance and this still happened.

Taxi (Unverified), 15/02/12

I had a great time and journey with Elite Cars Oxford, I booked their service online before I travelled to the UK. They are very helpful, friendly and cooperative. I highly recommend every body to use their service if you are travelling from UK airports to your destinations or for UK attractions. I used them for these services and I found them very very good.

Al-Shafi (Morocco, 01/09/11) (Unverified), 22/09/11

Elite Cars It was my first time to use taxi services in oxford and I chose Elite Cars. I thought I lost my mobile iphone4 but as soon as I rang the office they told me their driver found the phone and they returned it to me at no extra charge. I would like to say a Big Thank You to All the Elite cars team.

JamieMac (Unverified), 10/08/11

Tonight will be probably be the first and last time I use 001 Taxis.

The first phone operator, after taking down my name and point of departure, hung up when I attempted to inquire about the pricing details. I had to call again, and when I attempted to verify if my booking had been taken down, the second phone operator told me that it hadn't - and we had to start from the beginning.

The first phone operator had told me the cab would arrive in 30 minutes, the second, in 15 minutes, and the actual cab arrived in 10. This company certainly needs to improve its estimates.

Finally, there is a 5 pound surcharge for "any" luggage on the backseat, regardless of size, which is simply ridiculous. Might we soon be seeing a 5 pound surcharge for every extra passenger in the future?

Gab (Unverified), 24/06/11

I recently organised a party in the Oxford area and used this site to work out which was the most reliable taxi service to use. I decided to use Royal Cars to pick 11 of us up from near Witney to take us into Oxford. I pre-booked the cars several days beforehand, rang an hour before to ensure there was no problem. The first driver arrived a few minutes late, but otherwise no problem. The second driver arrived 30 mins late, called several times to ask for directions and when he did eventually turn up said we'd given him incorrect directions. We then had an argument with him about payment as we had agreed a discount with his controller - he was trying to charge a different price and was rude to us. 10 mins later he came to find us in the restaurant to complain a bit more. I was VERY unimpressed with their service in general and cannot recommend them at all. Granted, the house was in the countryside, but several other taxi firms had managed to drop us off at the location so this didn't seem like a reasonable excuse. I decided to use another firm to drive us back to the house and the driver overcharged us. I explained that £30 had been agreed with his controller but to no avail. I later complained to the controller who said they would organise a refund. I am still waiting for him to ring back... :(

cazzaroonie (Unverified), 22/02/11

Oxford Cars

I would not use again. I ordered this firm for the first time, 20 mins late with no apology, driver could not understand me. Very poor service.

johny (Unverified), 07/11/10

Kitmobility.com (01865 435105). I recently found out there was a new service in Oxford for mobility users, called Kit Mobility Taxis. The service was excellent. I was picked up from my house on time and there were no problems getting on board - I didn't have to get out of my wheelchair. For the drive I was securely fitted in and the driver was lovely. He made sure I got to my destination in comfort and opened doors for me when I got to the building. I felt safe. I would highly recomend the service to anyone.

Maria Maria! (Unverified), 01/11/10

RadioTaxis (01865 242424)

I once had to move from one room to another one just two blocks away. The taxi driver didn't really help me with loading my stuff and also couldn't get to the door of my destination, so left me with the items at the end of the street, so I had to move them half way up the street. For this, the charge was £26 for the 2-minute trip - because it included the extra time that it took ME to load and unload the taxi!!

MC (DI User), 25/10/10

Royal Cars (01865 777333)

A few weeks back, I helped a friend move, and she called Royal Cars. The driver was extremely polite, and helped us load the stuff into the van, and even refused to let us help, and said that that was his job. He also didn't clock until everything was loaded into the car, all passengers on board and the van had pulled out into the street. Brilliant! Highly recommended.

MC (DI User), 24/10/10

Oxford Cars

Me and my partner have pretty much tried every taxi company in Oxford but recently we have found a new company called Oxford Cars. They are undoubtedly our best. They are friendly and reliable. Try them!

Mel and James (Unverified), 25/08/10

Royal Cars

We got a black cab to London Heathrow it cost £100- on return we had a look on the net and booked a local firm www.royal-cars.com and it cost £60. I recommend this firm.

nichola (Unverified), 28/06/10

We only use Royal Cars, very friendly drivers. 778866

john (Unverified), 22/06/10

Calling all cars !
Having had the misfortune to leave a bag in a taxi at the end of a journey to Kidlington, I would like to praise ALL the companies I contacted for their help and advice which meant the driver was informed and had the missing item ready for me.
So equal marks for all Oxford firms !

Much Relieved (Unverified), 06/05/10

Royal Cars I was amazed with prompt service this company provides, the driver was wearing an official uniform. I recommend this firm - very cheap to London Heathrow.

TIMMY (Unverified), 21/04/10

001 Taxis I specifically ordered a dog-friendly driver but got one who, while not happy about dogs, did take us to the railway station. The car was not a black cab so it was difficult fitting 2 medium-sized dogs in on the floor in front of the seats. Does anyone know of a dog-friendly cab firm?

star (DI User), 26/12/09

Metro Taxis

I ordered a taxi the night before last with this company to the train station. When calling to find out where they were in the morning (as they were already late) they were "5-6 minutes away". 10+ minutes later and still no show. Because of them I missed my train. I recommend NOT to use this company.

Libby (Unverified), 20/12/09

Royal Cars (01865 777333) I have been using Royal Cars for some years - they have very friendly drivers and are the cheapest firm I've found in Oxford. If you call from a mobile you get a text back to let you know the make & model of the car that will be coming (and they tell you this on the phone from a landline) and they're always really quick to arrive. They recently started special offers to all major airports too.

lu (Unverified), 15/10/09

Radio Taxis (01865 242424) I have tried Radio Taxis as well, the driver is very, very helpful and extremely polite. If you order taxis in an emergency the quickest arrival time I got was 3 minutes outside my door. To me they are the best taxi company in Oxford. It may be a little pricey but you pay what you get. You pay peanuts and you get monkeys.

Stan (Unverified), 04/09/09

Radio Taxis (01865 242424) I have used Radio Taxis for a few times because I cannot order any taxi from the other companies. It seems to me that they have improved. The drivers are very polite and know where they are going. It seems like they not only come on time but also arrive early. The main thing is that they will call you prior to arriving. So I advise people fed up with other taxi companies to give this one a try.

Pat (Unverified), 31/08/09

Radio Taxis (01865 242424) Have been using Radio Taxis for 10 years now and have only known them to be late when in rush hour times. Pretty common to all the companies. They charge the same rates as all the other companies, except Royals and 001.

Danny Boy (Unverified), 27/11/08

I have been in Oxford for a few years. When I first arrived I used the small minicabs (private hire) but I found the drivers' general lack of street knowledge to be very poor. I had to take a black cab (hackney carriage) once and the contrast was amazing, the driver was on the ball. That is all I use now. It is nice to be driven and not have to explain the route to the driver.

DOBBO (Unverified), 23/11/08

Royal Cars (01865 777333)
I have used this company to work, and also I have arranged a chauffeur service for my boss. You can book online, text or telephone your bookings.

nick (Unverified), 17/06/08

001 Taxis (01865 240000) I use them regularly. I found them to be safe and reliable, the drivers pleasant. They have a new service that I think everyone should know about: when you become a frequent customer you can book automatically without talking to anyone. They know your last 10 pickups so you just select, they text you your car's details immediately and again when they arrive. It's great!

Anon02/06/08

I've had problems with Radio Taxis (01865 242424) too. The controller will agree to almost anything you ask and then fails on a regular basis to communicate your requirements to the driver. The drivers don't seem to be able to deal with turning up at a particular time, which is a bit of a problem. They're OK when you want one right away though.

The last time we used them we asked if they would take a (medium-sized) dog and were told we'd be sent a driver who would. On arrival, the driver emphatically wouldn't. We were a bit miffed, having taken the trouble not to spring it on them. Unfortunately, they have a very memorable number, so I keep using them! I must update my phone.

LovePuppet (DI User), 17/04/08

Royal Cars (01865 777333) Private hire cars (not hailable). I always use this firm. Cabs usually arrive within 10 mins (often sooner - but that may be because of my location in east Oxford). They're cheap and the drivers are pleasant. If you use a mobile to call them, they text you to say they've arrived, with a vehicle description too. And you can book them online. Brilliant.

Su (Unverified), 20/03/08

Radio Taxis (01865 242424) Mainly (if not entirely) hailable Hackney cabs. In my opinion, this is the worst service in Oxford. The controllers are impolite and unfriendly, the cabs are late 90% of the time and sometimes the controllers even forget to send a cab (especially if you book in advance). They also charge a lot, sometimes I have an impression that they start counting even before they arrive to pick up the customer!

Whether you'll be informed of their arrival is a mystery and a bit of Russian roulette. If you try to complain, the controller will say that you didn't ask to be informed when you booked the cab! I think calling the customer to inform of the arrival should be automatic. Another thing is that they often don't seem to know where they should drive: they are unfamiliar with the neighbourhood.

Anna (Unverified), 20/03/08

Regarding 2 very different firms:

RadioTaxis (01865 242424) - We used these guys for some weeks since it was the only number we had 'handy' with the card on the wall. However that's where the convenience ended. Their controller was rude on the phone, their drivers were (sometimes rude) and they charged double what another firm charged to get to the same destination. On and off I've used most taxi cabs in Oxford but these guys are the worst.

001 Taxis (01865 240000) - Massive contrast to the previous entry about Radio Taxis. Not only were they on time they automatically assumed you need a call/text on arrival. They described the vehicle and licence plate of the driver. Polite and efficient, I couldn't believe it when they were half the price (on meter) compared to the other firm mentioned previously.

Dac (Unverified), 20/03/08