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Taxi/Rideshare in The Cotswolds?

Posted by on

I've read through dozens of posts about this, but many are older so I am hoping for some updated help:

I have a meandering Scotland to London trip and decided to make a quick stop in The Cotswolds. We'll be taking a train from Edinburgh and arriving in Cheltenham late afternoon on a Sunday.

We need to get to an Inn located in Bourton-on-the-Water from there, and would like to spend the next day (Monday) exploring a bit, before heading to London on Tuesday morning.
Renting a car is something we can do if needed, but the posts I've read indicates Sundays aren't ideal for that. I've done a test Uber request and it seems to be feasible- but also have a slew of websites/phone numbers for local taxi services if not.
For Monday's exploring I'd love to use local car services vs renting our own car or waiting for buses- but would love to know if that is inadvisable?

Any input in terms of itinerary or which train station to depart from on Tuesday are welcome as well!

Posted by
33991 posts

local taxis with local knowledge instead of miscellaneous folks from who knows where who have to send a chunk of their income off to a faceless US company? Local every day of the week. Every time.

Local taxis are just that and they will know the area, what's on, where to go.

You are right about the rentals on Sunday evening.

Posted by
176 posts

Adding a vote for a local car service. We regularly visit friends in a smallish town in Sussex (I know, not the Cotswolds, but please bear with me) and to get around, if the bus isn’t convenient, we rely on a local taxi firm.

Our preferred taxi company has recently gotten an app, and have an option to book online if you navigate to their website - but they still take phone calls, and we have found that is the Golden Ticket to getting a car when we need it, to where we need it.

Uber when not in a big city is NOT reliable at all. Using the app for any car service is soulless. Calling and talking to a local dispatcher can make all the difference!

When the app says “no drivers available!” based on an algorithm, Davina or Pat in the office may say, “Of course we can fit you in, love!” and get a car dispatched. In a small town, local and personal can win the day.

Posted by
2816 posts

I just wanted to add that when we were in the Cotswolds doing part of the Cotwolds Way we needed a taxi. We found out there was an Ap to call a taxi that everyone in town used but the problem was that the drivers only took cash. And the town we were in did not have an ATM. We ended up getting a ride to the train station from our B and B owner but my cautionary tale is meant to encourage you to have cash available. This was five years ago so things may have changed. But I didn't expect this then either.

Posted by
176 posts

BethFL - yes! We ran into a cabbie just last week who could only accept cash!

Other cab drivers simply prefer it, so we always ask. We also always have a handful of pound coins with us, so we can tip.

Yes, I know - tipping is not expected in Blighty. But every driver is always grateful, and we can afford it, so where is the harm?

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