The world’s best designed taxis

Jeepney, Philippines 

Halfway between a cab and a bus, jeepneys are the camp-show offs of the taxi world: brightly coloured and often covered in garish decorations. When US troops quit the country after World War II, they left behind thousands of Jeeps, soon converted by locals into impromptu taxis. In 1953, the Sarao Motor Company began making ‘jeepneys’, later outnumbering all other brands by seven-to-one, though there are many other manufacturers today. Unlike a bus, jeepneys can pick up/drop off wherever they like, which often causes increased congestion in the already jam-packed streets. But payment is simple: If the jeepney has a ‘conductor’ they’ll take it, otherwise the fare is passed by other passengers to the driver. Anthony Teasdale 

Minicab, Tokyo 

Japan. A land of contradictions – not least in the minicabs of its sprawling capital, Tokyo. The city’s squeaky-clean taxis – identifiable by their distinctive roof-mounted company logos – are so futuristic that passenger doors open and shut automatically (just don’t touch them whatever you do, cabbies hate that) yet so traditional that their drivers refuse to use GPS to navigate. Their owners are also too polite to tell you if they don’t understand a word you’re saying, that their fares are eye-wateringly expensive, or worse, that they’re hopelessly lost – yet they’re also so confident of their impeccable service that tipping is considered an insult. Good luck! Matt Reynolds

Padmini, Mumbai

In Mumbai, most of the taxis are tiny Fiats (AKA Premier Padminis) in yellow and black, and they’re everywhere: just approach the driver and give him your destination. You might find the door is held open for you with a beaming smile and he’ll probably greet you with that enchanting wag of a head that only exists in India. The physical state of the car might be somewhat lacking, however. Ripped vinyl seats and a cramped backseat are the order of the day, while spitting is de rigeur for drivers, so expect your ride to be accompanied by endless coughing and spluttering out of the window. Naomi Kay

“Ripped vinyl seats and a cramped backseat are the order of the day, while spitting is de rigeur for drivers”

Taxicab, Berlin

Obviously, Berlin’s public transport system is absurdly efficient (though that doesn’t include the years-overdue construction of Berlin-Brandenburg airport). Like other German cities, its  taxis are are mix of Mercedes-Benz models: interestingly, the world’s first dedicated taxi was invented by Merc’s cofounder Gottlieb Daimler in 1897, albeit in Stuttgart. The price for this extravagant form of transport is surprisingly reasonable, as Berlin’s taxi drivers have to offer a low fare of €4 for distances less than two kilometres. Reliable and luxurious, true comfort is slouching in the supple leather seats as an S-Class takes you back to your hotel safely, after a weekend stomping away in Berghain. Elliott Lewis-George

Songthaew, Chiang Mai

Forget the enclosed, private concept of the European taxi: In Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second city in the north, things are different. Here, the streets are packed with songthaews plying for trade. These big red trucks are open at the back with bench seating for passengers along either side (‘songthaews’ means ‘two rows’) covered in protective plastic like your nan’s sofa when you were a kid. Songthaews are flexible, too: you can grab one for you and your pals or hitch a lift with existing passengers if they’re going the same way, and all usually for the equivalent of a quid. It’s like Uber Pool but without the controversy. Alexandra Haddow

Tesla Model S, Amsterdam

Amsterdam has a reputation for being eco-friendly – just don’t mention the red light-jumping cyclists – but its taxis are high-polluters, expensive and often unwilling to take on low-paying journeys. Step forward Schiphol Airport. In 2014, it bought 167 Tesla Model S saloons, allowing three companies to use the cabs to ferry people into the city centre. At first there were some problems: a lack of speedy Superchargers meant these electric cabs often ran out of power or had to use older, slower models, but with efficient chargers multiplying, it’s less of a problem. Good job, too. By 2025, the city council is demanding all cabs are zero-emission. Anthony Teasdale

Boda-Boda, Uganda and Kenya

Unlicensed and unregulated, boda boda motorcycle taxis are an incredibly efficient way to get around the cities of east Africa. It’s simple: passengers hold their hands out until a boda-boda rider approaches you, beckoning you onto the back seat. After paying the tiny fare beforehand (usually around 20p) your boda-boda will make light work of clogged city streets and muddy country tracks, offering a traffic-busting alternative to the minibuses that run between major towns. A tip: the natural inclination of the new passenger is to grab on for dear life, but you’ll soon find that leaning with the bike makes for a far easier ride. Just be ready for the potholes! Sean Mackin

“Your boda-boda will make light work of clogged city streets and muddy country tracks”

Beetle Type 1, Mexico City

In 1970, Mexico City launched its cab service, choosing the VW Sedan (Beetle Type 1) as the standard taxi car. Originally painted yellow and white, in the early ’90s the colour was switched to green (as it was on buses) to project an eco-friendly image. In 2003, the VWs were gradually replaced by the likes of the Nissan Platina or Hyundai Atos. However, the Beetle refuses to go away, and they’re still a regular sight on the city roads. However, with the likelihood of being ripped off high among the street or libre cabs, the only thing that doesn’t change is that calling a cab is far safer than hailing one. Anthony Teasdale

Crown Comfort, Hong Kong

It may be one of the most futuristic cities on the planet, but HK has some refreshingly old-school taxis. Unexpectedly for Asia, the service is highly regulated, a relic of its former status as a British colony. The largest group are red ‘Urban’ taxis, which serve the New Territories, Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, as well as the airport. The New Territories also play host to green cabs, which are only allowed to pick up fares there. Leafy Lantau island, meanwhile, has its own blue cabs, though with only around 50 in existence, they’re a rare sight. While the Toyota Prius is making inroads, the most popular model is the Toyota Crown Comfort, built originally as a Japanese minicab. Anthony Teasdale

Illustrations by Peter O’Toole