5 Unique Taxis Around the World

You’re almost guaranteed to take a Taxi at some point in Coventry or any other UK city centre. They’re reliable and always ready to take you to your destination. You’ll find taxis in nearly every corner of the planet, so what kind of vehicle would you hop into if you were in Bangkok or Mexico City?

Here are 5 unique taxi rides you can take around the world:

Bangkok - Tuk Tuk

While Bangkok does have normal metered taxis, the Tuk Tuk is a memorable experience for anyone visiting Thailand. Also known as an auto rickshaw, a Tuk Tuk is a three-wheel motorised version of a cycle rickshaw. Riding in one of these will be an exciting experience, expect fast driving, bumps, weaving in and out of traffic and no seatbelts!

Cuba - Coco Taxi

In the cities of Havana, Varadero and Trinidad, you’ll find an auto rickshaw-type taxi called a coco taxi due to its resemblance to a coconut. Established in the 1990s, it was originally considered a way of transporting tourists. Fitting two or three passengers, coco taxis are an affordable method of transport in Cuba, you’ll recognise them by their shape and bright yellow colour.

New York City - Yellow Cabs

Another iconic yellow taxi is the New York City taxi cab. The history of the colour of these taxis goes back as far as the early 1900s, but in the 1960s, New York City ordered all ‘medallion taxis’ to be painted yellow so they could be easily identified as official taxis. This was in an attempt to cut down on unofficial taxis picking up passengers on the street. Only official New York City taxis could be painted yellow.

Japan - Turtle Taxi

If you’re not in a rush, Japan has a unique taxi service that deliberately goes slowly. When you get into one of the designated ‘turtle taxis’ you press a button labelled ‘yukkuri’ which means slow. This alerts the driver that the passenger would like to go at a leisurely speed and they have been trained to accelerate and decelerate as gently as possible. It’s a popular service amongst senior citizens, pregnant women and tourists.

Mexico City - VW Beetle

The classic VW beetle is no longer in production and the final Beetle rolled off the assembly line in 2019. Despite it being a German creation, in 1980s Mexico City, you would find hundreds of these vintage Type 1 Beetles in the heart of the city used as taxi cabs due to their simple design and cheap upkeep. Although retired from the road today because of safety concerns, these cars were once found everywhere in Mexico.

Lewis Taxis is Coventry’s favourite taxi company offering private hire travel across the West Midlands. Providing a professional 24-hour service, we are a reliable choice for all your transport needs. Get in touch today to find out more.