Hi
I was wondering if taxis run 24 hours in the LOndon? I got a really good fair to go to Paris on the Eurostar but the train leaves at 6:30 am and I need to be at the station at around 515/530am. I was wondering if I will be able to get a taxi that early in the morning and also make sure it is licensed?
Thanks in advance for the help. These boards have been great in planning my trip and I am sure I will have many more questions before I go.

Are there really fares that require you to be at the station 75 minutes before departure?

Checkin is through ticket gates: I've never seen the queue take over a couple of minutes even at the peakest of times.

There are rarely black cabs on the streets at that time, but virtually every phone-based cab company will be operating, and is more likely to turn up on time at 0530 than during the day. Your hotel can usually be relied on to book one for you: or try the approved list for the borough you're in at www.tfl.gov.uk/pco/findataxi/privaHire.asp.

DO NOT hire an unmarked taxi on the street.

Hi I just checked with eurostar they said I have to be at the station an hour before. I just have to figure out how long of a ride it will be. I am staying in kensington near the whitwleys shopping complex. I am gald to know the hotel will be able to help me get a taxi that early. They will definately call a licensed cab right?
Thanks

If you're not averse to riding the Tube, the first train from South Kensington departs at 5:17, change at Westminster, and arrive Waterloo at 5:30.

The first train from High Street Kensington is at 5:07, change at Baker Street, arrive Waterloo at 5:30.

Hi Robespierre
The station closest to me is bayswater. I am not opposed to riding teh tube as I plan on riding it every day I am in London, I was just concerned about safety that early in the morning, so I figured a taxi would be best. that brings up another question, if i get back to waterloo station at 8 or 9 pm is that still an ok time to take the tube?
Thanks

Bayswater at 5:11 Circle Line to Baker Street, Jubilee Line to Waterloo 5:30.

Oh - and the Tube is safe any time. There are 30,000,000 security cameras in London, many of them in the Underground.

Check and make sure the Bayswater station is functioning. I stayed near there and I am drawing a blank trying to remember if it was the one shut for repairs in July.

Even it was shut in July, it could be open now.

We had a taxi for an early departure from Euston Station about as early as you describe. The hotel engaged it for us the night before and it was right there on time to take us to our train.

Unless you have to pick up your tickets, I can't see why they are telling you to be there an hour in advance. The cut off is 30 minutes, and I'm not even sure the check-in staff would be there at 5.30. In Paris, for the 6.30 train the check-in only opens at 6, and staff aren't there before that (except the ticket booths).

The reason that they are saying be earlier than usual is because he's a yank - they can encounter longer passport procedures than we europeans endure.

Hi Everyone Thanks agian for the info. That is true they told me and hour because I am purchasing the tickets online and I believe I have to get the actual tickets at the station. And also being a yank the passport procedures are longer, my cousin lives in Madrid and she is a citizin of italy, and when she went on a trip with a friend who is a us citizen my cousin checked in a lot quicker. There is a train that leaves at 530 am too so I am sure the staff will be there early. This is my first trip to Europe and I will be alone, so I just want to make sure I know everything I have to do ahead of time. The day I go on the eurstar to Paris will be the only day I will be nervous about getting someplace in enough time, the rest of teh days I am in London I plan on taking the tube and walking at my liesure, I have been looking at their webpage and the public transit seems fantastic.
Thanks again!

Another option you have is to pick up the train ticket a day or two before. If you are going to the Eye, or the Globe or anywhere on the south bank or Trafalgar Sq or Covent Garden. You would either be walking distance or one tube stop from Waterloo. So you can take a short detour to collect your ticket. Then you won't have to worry about it at 5:30 a.m. and can afford to get to the station a bit later.

To answer your question, I don't think you should have any problem hailing a cab. I just returned from a London stay and saw many cabs out early in the morning when I took my "jet lag stroll", especially on weekdays. But to be on the safe side, call for a Black cab. My guide books lists the following numbers of different black cab companies:7286 0286; 7727 7200; 7253 5000; 7272 0272. The edition isn't current, but I'm sure most of the numbers are the same. Your hotel can also book you a minicab. They're cheaper and the hotel/b&b usually has a relationship with the minicab company. If you're a good customer, ask for the "staff rate," which exludes a tip, usually 5 GBP to the hotel/host.

Roundtrip thanks for the reply to my post, I emailed my hotel and asked them and they said they have a cab company they work with that can get me to the station that early. I am assuming since they work with the hotel the cab will be safe and licensed.
Thanks for all the replies everyone.

Does anyone know the approximate cost and travel time of a cab from Victoria Station to Paddington Station around 5am?

£5, 10 minutes.

Many thanks, Robes.

What was the good fare on the Eurostar, where did you get it, and when are you going?
By the way, anyone know anything about the Mayfair Chesterfield?

I found the fare on the eurostar webpage and it is $94.00 round trip, but I had to leave on a friday and leave on the 630am train and not come back till late.