Introduction
Whether you’re an occasional rider, a tourist in need of an airport transfer, a daily commuter or a business traveler, knowing which taxi app to use can save you time and money. The UK’s ride-hailing scene is crowded with options: international giants like Uber and Bolt, local favourites like Gett (London’s black cab app) and Addison Lee, and even niche services. We’ll compare them head-to-head – looking at coverage (London, Manchester, etc.), pricing (base fares and surge), user ratings, safety features, vehicle types, and more – and also touch on services such as airport transfers (“Sky transfer taxi services”) and London’s traditional black taxis.
Spoiler: Uber dominates by usage, Bolt often wins on price, Gett/black cabs win on reliability, and Addison Lee caters to business and premium travellers.
Nationwide Giants: Uber vs Bolt
Coverage & Usage
In the UK, Uber and Bolt are the two big ride-hailing apps. Uber covers almost every major city (London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, etc.), and Bolt now also operates in dozens of cities – notably London and Greater Manchester. According to app analytics (March 2023), Uber’s UK user base (Android monthly actives ~1.7 million) still dwarfs Bolt’s (~378 k), although Bolt has been growing. In practice, Uber will usually find you a car faster simply because it has many more drivers on the road. For seamless ride‑hailing across the UK, explore Uber’s global ride options to see real‑time availability and pricing.
Pricing
Pricing: Both Uber and Bolt charge a base fare plus per-mile and per-minute rates. In London, typical fares start around £2.50 base + £1.25/mile + £0.15/min. In general, Bolt’s lower commission allows slightly cheaper fares. For very short rides, Uber’s minimum fare (£5) is actually a bit lower than Bolt’s (£5.50), but beyond that Bolt often undercuts Uber by a few pence. Riders should note both apps use dynamic surge pricing: during rush hours or high demand, prices can spike (especially on Uber) and multiply the fare. Addison Lee and Gett (below) do not surge, but Uber and Bolt do. For example, Uber’s app lets you see a surge multiplier before confirming a ride, and Bolt has similar “high demand” pricing. As one traveller put it, “Uber and Bolt tend to hike prices in big queues…so many prefer to wait or try local black cabs.”
Booking and Features
Booking and Features: Both apps offer on-demand hailing or pre-booking, cashless payment, driver and passenger rating systems, and in-app support. Uber’s safety toolkit is strong – it now lets you record audio, verify PIN codes with the driver, and share live location during a trip. Bolt offers similar features: an Emergency Assist button and optional audio recording are built into the app. Both let you share your trip status with friends. Uber’s interface is highly polished (many tourists have it pre-installed), whereas Bolt’s app is simpler. Bolt sometimes runs promotions/discount codes more often, helping the “cheapest ride” case. Compare city‑by‑city coverage on Bolt’s official cities page before you travel.
Pros and Cons (Uber vs Bolt)
Uber
Pros – widest availability, many car types (economy, UberX, XL, Exec, Green EV, etc.), fast pickups and payments, robust safety tools.
Cons – surge pricing can make it costly at peak; has faced criticism over driver vetting (though new safety features are adding checks).
Bolt
Pros – often cheaper base rates, good deals and low commission; also offers Bolt XL (larger vehicles) and some electric options.
Cons – fewer drivers than Uber (so waits can be longer in off-peak or outside big cities), and it still surges (though usually less drastically than Uber).
Gett and the Black Cab Experience
London (and a few other cities) have a unique option: the iconic black cab, which you can hail on the street or book via an app. Gett is the main “black taxi app” – it bills itself as “London’s black cab app.” Gett operates in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and many other UK cities. When you order a Gett taxi, you get a licensed London cab with a driver who has passed the Knowledge (arguably the toughest taxi exam in the world). These drivers know the city inside-out, can use bus lanes, and all vehicles are fitted with card readers by law.
Gett does not use surge pricing; fares are metered (plus a small booking fee). In central London the minimum fare is roughly £3.20 (£2.40 + 80p TFL tax) – higher than Uber’s £5 minimum, but you only pay the meter and fixed fees. Typical base fares start higher than Uber/Bolt, but black cabs may be faster in heavy traffic because of bus lanes. Gett touts an “average waiting time of under 4 minutes in central London.” The fleet includes wheelchair-accessible cabs and the newer TX electric black cabs. Perks: you can book a taxi on-demand or in advance, and Gett’s app claims 24/7 support and carbon-neutral rides (it offsets CO₂ and donates per ride).
Pros and Cons (Gett/Black Cabs)
Pros
High professional standards – “only the very best [drivers] pass the Knowledge.” Black cabs can be hailed anywhere (no need to “meet” the driver), use bus lanes, and accept luggage on the spot. No surge pricing (if you pre-book, the price is fixed from point to point). Safe and licensed (all drivers and vehicles are regulated by TfL; you can share your trip in the app).
Cons
Often the most expensive per-mile (meter runs up quickly in slow traffic). Fewer cars outside London (so longer waits or limited coverage in smaller cities). Some users note added “smart” or “technology” fees on top of the meter, so check final quotes. Also, Findt or pre-booking apps like Free Now (formerly Hailo) compete similarly, but Gett is London’s best-known black cab network.
Addison Lee: London’s Premium Taxi Service
Addison Lee is a homegrown brand, long the go-to for business and airport transfers in London. Its app offers “taxis, minicabs, and executive vehicles” with both on-demand and pre-book (even up to a year ahead). Addison Lee boasts a fleet of over 7,500 vehicles and brands itself as “London’s premium car and taxi app”. The fleet includes black cabs, eco-friendly electric cars, people carriers, and high-end executive sedans. You can choose anything from a standard minicab to an eco Tesla or a stretch limo. Addison Lee emphasizes convenience: “taxis in under 10 minutes in central London” and flight tracking for airport rides.
Unlike Uber/Bolt, Addison Lee uses fixed postcodes-to-postcodes pricing (no meter). There is no surge pricing – you see the exact fare upfront when you book. It even offers cheaper off-peak and capped airport transfers. The trade-off is that Addison Lee’s fares start out higher than meter prices; it’s often 20–30% more than black cabs or Uber on similar routes. That said, business customers like it for reliability and service. Addison drivers must have special licensing (PSV/PCO), and the company markets “DBS-checked” professional drivers with 24/7 UK support. Addison also runs a large same-day courier fleet, plus business accounts with invoicing.
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Pros and Cons (Addison Lee)
Pros
Premium experience – clean newer cars, professional drivers, and consistent quality. No surge pricing and free cancellations (you only pay what was quoted). Easy scheduling for events or airports (monthly invoicing). Good choice of vehicles (EVs, people carriers, black cabs on platform).
Cons
Higher fares (often the most expensive option) and limited to bigger cities (mainly London, with some national affiliates). Not the fastest at finding a ride compared to Uber, but usually reliable.
Ola: The Short-Lived Entrant
Ola (Indian ride-hailing) launched in the UK in 2018 (starting in Bristol and expanding into Wales and the South West). It promised low commissions for drivers and both minicabs and licensed taxis in one app. In practice, Ola saw modest uptake outside its launch cities. In April 2024, Ola announced it would shut down UK operations (as well as Australia/New Zealand). The company said it was refocusing on India ahead of an IPO. In other words, Ola taxi app – UK is effectively gone as of 2025. We include it here only because it’s often mentioned in searches. Before closing, Ola’s UK fares were roughly similar to Uber’s, with surge. If you still have the app installed, it won’t find UK drivers anymore.
Coverage & Regional Notes
London
London: All apps above work in London. Uber and Bolt are everywhere. Addison Lee and Gett (black cab) are London-born and strongest here. Black cabs are on virtually every street; tourists often hail one for convenience and nostalgia. People also use Free Now or Gett for black cabs by app. Addison Lee and taxi apps (like Addison Lee Taxi Service) are popular for airport pickups (heavily marketed for Heathrow/Gatwick). For example, niche Sky Transfer taxi services advertise themselves as “premier airport transfer” with “transparent” all-inclusive pricing, catering to inbound travellers willing to pay a fixed rate.
Manchester (and other regions)
Manchester (and other regions): Uber and Bolt are available in most big cities. Bolt in particular advertises coverage in Greater Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, and beyond. Taxi apps tied to black cabs are scarce outside London; Manchester has its own black cab fleet but no nationwide app like Gett (Taxiapp UK is London-only). Addison Lee has little presence outside London. In Manchester, locals often rely on Uber, Bolt, or traditional minicab companies.
In both London and Manchester, apps typically let you pay by card (some accept cash). All apps allow a tip via app (not mandatory). Driving times can vary: in heavy London traffic, a savvy black cab or Addison Lee driver might pick faster routes; in the sprawling suburbs of Manchester, apps find multiple drivers quickly.
Feature Comparison Table
| App / Service | Coverage (Example Cities) | Approx. Base Fare (London) | Surge Pricing | Vehicles / Options | Notable Safety/Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uber | Nationwide (London, Manchester, Leeds, etc.) | ~£2.50 + £1.25/mile, £0.15/min | Yes (dynamic during peak) | Economy cars, XL (larger), Exec, Green (EV), etc. | Ratings system; real-time tracking; SOS button; PIN verification |
| Bolt | Major cities (London, Manchester, Birmingham, Brighton) | ~£2.50 + £1.25/mile, £0.15/min | Yes (less extreme surges than Uber) | Standard cars, XL; some EV vehicles in London | Emergency assist button; audio trip-recording; share-trip feature; 24/7 support |
| Gett | London + other big cities (Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow) | Metered (min ~£3.20 London) | No (meter only; no multipliers) | Iconic London black taxis (5-6 seater, wheelchair-accessible; many now electric) | All drivers licensed by TfL (passed the Knowledge); in-app live tracking & sharing |
| Addison Lee | London (7,500 vehicles); limited nationwide franchise | Fixed pricing (no meter) – quoted on booking | No (fixed fares; 25% off off-peak) | Premium sedans, people-carriers, EVs, black cabs | Professional drivers (PSV licensed); business accounts with invoices; 24/7 UK support; flight tracking |
| Ola (UK) | Exited UK (April 2024) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Key Insights & Recommendations
- Fastest Pickup: Uber. With the largest driver pool, Uber usually finds a car quickest, especially in cities. Bolt is a close second where it’s popular.
- Cheapest During Peak: Addison Lee (and Black Cabs). Because Addison Lee never surges and often includes discounts, it can beat an Uber when demand spikes. Similarly, hailing a black cab or using Gett at rush hour avoids surge. For budget travel in normal times, Bolt often offers lower fares or promo codes.
- Best for Tourists: Gett/Black Cabs or Uber. Tourists often appreciate the black cab experience and can simply hail on the street (or book via Gett). Black cabs know London inside-out, so they might route faster than navigation apps. Uber is familiar to international visitors and easy for airports if you have data.
- Best for Business Trips: Addison Lee. Corporate accounts, invoice billing, and consistent service make it ideal for business travellers. Drivers are trained, cars are clean, and you can pre-book corporate rides (even months ahead). Its airport service with flight tracking is also handy.
- Safety-Focused: London’s black cabs are among the safest – drivers are fully licensed professionals. All major apps now have safety tools: Uber’s updated safety toolkit (audio recording, PIN, SOS) is a plus, and Bolt’s emergency and recording features give peace of mind. All platforms share your ride with contacts.
- Vehicle Variety: If you need special vehicles (wheelchair-accessible, kids seats, large groups), Addison Lee has a large fleet including minibuses and specially-equipped cars. Gett’s black cabs also include roomy 5-6 seaters and wheelchair cabs. Uber and Bolt offer XL-size cars (up to 6 seats) but availability may be limited at times.
- Regional Tip: Outside London, black cabs are harder to find. In Manchester, for example, you’ll rely on Uber or Bolt. Both apps have solid coverage there. Addison Lee won’t help outside London, so local minicab firms or the app Free Now (license-hailing alternative) might be options.
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Conclusion
In summary, there’s no one-size-fits-all “best” taxi app – each has its strengths. Uber is king of coverage and convenience, Bolt often gives you the cheapest fares, Gett/black cabs promise the most experienced drivers and no surprises, and Addison Lee offers reliability and luxury (especially for business and airport runs). Apps like Sky Transfer illustrate a growing trend of specialty taxi services with fixed pricing for things like airport shuttles. To pick the right app: think about your priorities. If you want speed and ubiquity, go with Uber (perhaps with Bolt as a backup for price).
If you’re price-sensitive or traveling in a group, Bolt or a booked black cab can save cash. For peace-of-mind, Addison Lee’s fixed-fare bookings or a licensed black taxi are solid. No matter where you are – be it central London or Greater Manchester – a taxi app is a few taps away. Safe travels!
