Private Hire Taxis vs Black Cabs in Edinburgh – What’s the Difference?

In Edinburgh, finding the right kind of taxi can be confusing — especially with so many terms like “black cab”, “private hire”, and “pre-booked taxis” floating around. At Kay’s Cabs, we want to make it easy for you to understand the difference so you can choose the service that suits you best.

 

This page explains how private hire taxis (like us!) compare to black cabs in Edinburgh, and why pre-booking with Kay’s Cabs can be the smarter, more affordable choice.

🚖 What Is a Black Cab in Edinburgh?

“Black cab” refers to licensed hackney taxis. In Edinburgh, these are often operated by firms like City Cabs or Central Taxis. You can hail a black cab on the street, or hop in at a taxi rank — they display a roof light and a taxi meter.

 

Key features of black cabs:

 

Can be hailed without a booking

 

Charge metered fares (based on distance and time)

 

May have higher costs during traffic or long journeys

 

Often queue at train stations and busy areas

 

 

While black cabs are a convenient option for spontaneous travel, they’re not always the most economical — especially for airport transfers or longer journeys.

🚗 What Is a Private Hire Taxi?

Private hire taxis — like Kay’s Cabs — operate on a pre-booked only basis. This means you must reserve your journey in advance, but in return, you get fixed pricing and a personalised service.

 

What you get with a private hire taxi:

 

Must be booked by phone, app, or online

 

Fixed price agreed at the time of booking

 

No roof light, no taxi meter

 

Clean, comfortable, and modern vehicles

 

Often cheaper for long-distance and airport travel

 

 

All our drivers are fully licensed and insured, and we operate 24/7 across Edinburgh and beyond.

💡 Why Choose Kay’s Cabs Over a Black Cab?

While black cabs work well for short city trips, many travellers prefer the reliability and value of a private hire service like Kay’s Cabs.

 

✅ Fixed fares – no surprises

✅ Professional, friendly local drivers

✅ Clean, modern vehicles with space for luggage

✅ Great for families, groups, or airport runs

✅ No waiting at taxi ranks – we come to you

 

Whether you’re going to the airport, the theatre, or out for dinner, we’ll get you there on time and in comfort.

📞 How to Book Your Private Hire Taxi

Booking with Kay’s Cabs is easy — and we always confirm your fare in advance.

 

Call us on 0131 629 2129

 

Book online at www.kayscabs.co.uk

 

Or use our webbooker for fast and secure bookings

 

 

Pre-booking means your car will be ready when you are — no stress, no waiting.

🔍 Summary: Black Cab vs Private Hire