Is it better to pay taxis in the UK with cash, or do drivers accept cards or payment apps?
Used Uber everywhere in Manchester and Edinburgh - no cash needed. Tried hailing a cab in York, and the driver only took cash. Mixed experiences, so I now carry £40 in small bills for taxis just in case.
Ex-cabbie here. Legally, all London black cabs must accept cards, but some drivers resist. If they refuse, you can report them to TfL. Outside London, cash is still widely used, especially in rural areas. Apps like FreeNow are good for card payments in cities.
Card payments work fine in official black cabs, but I’ve had drivers claim their machine was "broken" to push for cash (likely for tax reasons). Uber/Bolt are safer for card users. In smaller towns, cash is king keep £20-30 handy just in case.
Most black cabs in London accept cards and contactless payments, but some still prefer cash especially for shorter rides where they avoid card fees. Minicabs (pre-booked via Uber/Bolt) are fully cashless. Outside major cities, cash is more common. Always ask before getting in to avoid awkward moments.Is it better to pay taxis in the UK with cash, or do drivers accept cards or payment apps?