While the modern taxi can be seen in practically any shape or form thanks to the ubiquity of ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Lyft, there are still a handful of vehicles that come to mind whenever people mention the word. These are not the standard kind of taxis for sale or even for lease that you’ll find in a typical showroom. These are the kind of taxis that you’ll only ever be able to drive if you become a part of the local cultural fabric of the cities that they call home.
London – The Black Cab
Driving a black cab in London is not a job, it’s a calling. Such is the esteem the job is held in, in fact, that all official London Cabbies have to pass a legendarily comprehensive test known as “The Knowledge” that quizzes their photographic knowledge of the capitals many many roads. Even to this day, there’s something uniquely iconic about the black cab with its almost bowler hat referencing shape and jaunty nature. You haven’t had a proper trip to London until you’ve taken a trip in a double-decker red bus and a good old fashioned iconic black cab.
Bangkok – The Tuk Tuk
The Tuk Tuk might as well be the national emblem of Thailand, such is their global fame. Dating back to 1933, these humble three-wheeled bicycles have been carrying tourists and locals alike around Bangkok at surprising speed now for almost 100 years. And given the legendarily dense traffic found in the city, it’s no small wonder Tuk Tuks are so popular!
New York – The Yellow Taxi
Now, this is the very definition of iconic. The yellow taxi cabs found in New York City are so synonymous with the taxi that, if you Google the word taxi, it’s more than likely to be the first image that pops up. Of course, it’s not only New York where these simple yellow cabs are found but it’s the Big Apple that made them famous. From the wonderful 70s sitcom to the thousands of films, songs, video games and TV shows since that have featured them, the NYC yellow taxi has become part of our shared pop cultural landscape.
Venice – The Water Taxi
This one is not a car at all but it’s certainly a taxi. The fact that Venice is made up of many miles of canals rather than roads means that water taxis are far more convenient a form of transportation than their conventional counterparts. These are taxis that are also boats, plain and simple. But it still wouldn’t be a visit to the famously water-logged city without it. And it’s much faster than a gondola ride!