The London taxi or black cab is a great British icon. A true classic, it’s become a symbol of the capital, a popular collector’s item, and even a star of the silver screen. It adds a touch of class to any event, but how do you know if this prestigious vehicle is right for your promotional campaign?
Read on to find out! This guide looks at the benefits and considerations of London taxi hire, and provides a peek at some of our favourite projects.
Why should I hire a London taxi for my event?
Although smaller than other vehicles in our fleet, the branded taxi is among the most popular. Here’s why…
A symbol of London
The black cab stands alongside the double-decker bus as a representation of British style. Everyone around the world knows this vehicle at a glance, making it hugely familiar and a welcome sight that people genuinely respond to. As such, it’s great for amplifying your message and attracting an audience.
Built for city driving
With London taxi hire, you’re getting a vehicle that was literally built for city roads. Its drivability and tight turning circle make it highly nimble, so it’s ideal for city-wide tours, influencer days, and on-the-road giveaways. This also means it’s easier to park than some alternatives, which can help with impromptu photoshoots and gifting events.
A multi-purpose vehicle
If you’re after a mobile centrepiece, you can’t go wrong with a black cab / London taxi rental. Brand it in your colours and imagery, then take it around famous landmarks and welcome guests inside for a cosy VIP experience. When you’re ready, you can quickly drive to the next location. In turn, there's a wonderful amount of flexibility.
With this in mind, London cab hire is one of the more practical options for indoor events, shopping centre displays, storefront promotions and even film premieres!
Classic style, modern design
Our cabs are just as reliable as any other modern vehicle, so you won’t have to choose between function and form. And despite their compact size (which can be a real blessing for hard-access venues), there are virtually no downsides to London taxi hire. We even have electric options, so you can run a greener campaign your audience will love.
What do I need to consider?
Drive your message home by thinking about the following as early as possible.
Creating a personal yet sharable experience
Only a few people can fit in a branded taxi at once, so you'll need to focus on private experiences rather than massive group activities. Many brands choose to create small yet impactful displays that make clever use of the space and encourage photo sharing.
Want to know how we can make your ideas happen? Visit our bespoke design and build guide to see how we can turn your vehicle into something unique to your brand.
Below: A Photo-op inside a taxi for Elemis and QVC, with ring light and signage.
Making the most of your time
Brands love our London taxi hires because they’re quick and agile, allowing campaigns to take place in central locations. However, city-wide tours work best when you think carefully about start and travel times. Traffic can spell trouble, especially at rush hour, and you’ll need to leave plenty of time for customer engagement.
If you’re unsure about logistics and timings, we can help. Our campaign logistics guide explains how we can take the stress out of logistics and minimise issues on the day.
Support materials and staffing
A taxi rental is great for promotions, but it’s even better when you compliment the vehicle with signage, engagement pieces, freebies, or all of the above. If you need anything custom-made for your event, you can always head to the Raccoon online store to see what’s available. All products are printed and cut to your specifications.
There’s also staffing to consider. Getting curious guests excited isn’t always easy, so you’ll need friendly faces who can encourage the public to get stuck in. Take it from us; it's worth investing in professional event staff to ensure guests get the best experience.
What types of London taxi can I hire?
Find the perfect campaign taxi to suit your brand image.
The classic London TX series
Introduced in the late 90’s, the TX series is exactly what people imagine when they think of London. With its timeless design and superb drivability, it’s used by a variety of industries for PR stunts, brand awareness and even doorstep activities.
You could also make it a statement backdrop, distribution vehicle, stylish VIP transport, or immersive one-to-one experience. This iconic vehicle can do it all.
The all-electric LEVC TX taxi
Want to advertise your brand in an environmentally responsible way? Our electric taxi provides the same smooth driving experience and a similar classic TX style, but with the benefit of lithium power. Eco-friendly for a reduced carbon footprint, it’s the perfect choice for green campaigns.
We recommend this model for brands who care for the environment, especially when pushing sustainable products and initiatives.
How London taxis helped brands succeed
See how other companies have used taxis to take their events to the next level.
Ted Baker
Known for high-quality fashion, this designer label chose to advertise its fall range with a classically British taxi hire. The external wrap and floral interior paired nicely with the store window displays, while the re-upholstered seating encouraged guests to jump right in. The cab toured select UK cities before heading to mainland Europe.
Learn more about Ted Baker’s Botanical taxi
Tindle
This food company wanted to advertise its plant-based chicken alternative, while making it easy for guests to snap pictures and upload them online. The outside wrap featured bold white lettering, while the inside was adorned with LED lights, atmospheric signage, comfortable seating, and social handles for easy social media sharing.
Sticki Rolls
The upcoming sticker brand wanted a decorative taxi rental to spread awareness around built-up areas. Not content with a simple landmark tour, they also held an influencer event and gave free toys to Great Ormond Street Hospital. With a multi-stop tour and plenty of good press, this proved a winning way to advertise.
How much does taxi hire cost?
Prices for taxi hire start at around £7,400 for a 7-day activation. This estimate excludes VAT, but includes the branded wrap and standard logistics. If you’d like any other campaign services, check out this costs and services guide to find out how much we charge to deliver extra support. You may be pleasantly surprised!
Hit the button to get an on-screen estimate and see if a branded taxi is right for you.
