I went to avoid Uber and such. Is there a way besides flagging one down on the street to get a taxi?

I use the GETT app for black cabs.
Watch out for their surge pricing though, which is a fixed fee, 15 pounds when I wanted to use them last year. This can make them much more expensive than Uber during busy times.

GETT is the official app

Thank you! It was looking like poor reviews for GETT online. I tend to love the bus normally, might just stick with that since we'll be in Bloomsbury.

You will find taxi ranks all around London, often by train stations, large hotels etc.

tfl-taxi-ranks-booklet.pdf

I've never found need to use an APP -- between hailing cabs on the street, buses and the tube there are almost always transport options immediately at hand.

Haven’t been to London since November 2019 but in previous years, black cab was twice the cost of an Uber from Heathrow into city. Have no idea if that’s still true. Going to London next month and arriving at Heathrow so need to figure that out.

Only the rich and famous would take a cab or uber from LHR into London

If one wants to be driven -- a car service like justairports can be half the cost of either uber or a black cab. Otherwise the Elizabeth Line is quick / cheap depending on to which part of the city. And there is always the tube. But really a car service is often the best option.

Here’s a good overview of options to get from Heathrow to city center. Uber is cheaper than cab but more of a hassle to connect with even though we have done that a few times. We will have been traveling for around 15 hours so no hassle usually sounds good.
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/the-b...t-to-london-2/

The Points Guy isn't all that reliable - plus that 'review' is from three years ago long before the Elizabeth Line opened. Uber is not always cheaper than a cab -- since they use surge pricing. Plus neither uber nor black cab drivers can meet you inside the terminal.

A car service -- the article cites Addison Lee which a good one but also more expensive than justairports -- parks in the car park and meets you right as you exit Customs and takes your luggage to the car. No question a car service is more convenient than uber -- and cheaper too.

https://www.justairports.com