What colour are taxis around the world?

Taxi colours around the world change from one city to the next and work almost like a badge of identity: yellow in New York, black in London, black and yellow in Barcelona and Buenos Aires, pink and white in Mexico City, white with a red stripe in Madrid or red, green and blue in Hong Kong, depending on the area they work in. Behind each colour there is usually a practical reason, such as being visible from a distance or distinguishing authorised taxis, and often a long tradition too.

It is no coincidence that all the taxis in a city share the same colour. The authorities impose it for very specific reasons:

• Visibility. Travellers need to recognise a taxi from a distance, in traffic, to be able to hail it.
• Control. A compulsory colour distinguishes licensed taxis from vehicles trying to pass themselves off as taxis.
• Organisation. In some cities, different colours indicate different working areas.
• Tradition and image. Over the years, the colour of the taxi ends up becoming part of the city's postcard image.

New York: the most famous yellow

Few taxis appear in as many films as New York's yellow cabs. The colour was chosen because it can be seen very well from a distance, and over time the city made it compulsory for taxis that can pick up passengers in the street in Manhattan. The more recent green taxis mainly serve the outer boroughs.

London: the black cab

The London taxi is famous as much for its shape as for its colour. Its tall design with plenty of interior space reflects the city's requirements for these vehicles. Although it is associated with black, today there are black cabs in other colours and carrying advertising.

Mexico City: from green to pink

For years, the taxis of the Mexican capital were the popular green and white Beetles. Today the official livery is pink and white, a makeover that also aimed to modernise the fleet.

Hong Kong: three colours, three areas

This is the best example of colour with a practical purpose: red taxis work in the urban areas, green ones in the New Territories and blue ones on Lantau Island. At a glance, passengers know where each one can take them.

Tokyo and Havana: no single colour

Not every city gives its taxis a uniform look. In Tokyo each company has its own colours, and in recent years a purpose-built taxi model in dark blue has become widespread. In Havana, classic American cars of every colour share the streets with small yellow coco-taxis. You will find more curious examples in the world's most unusual taxis.

In Spain, most cities have opted for white, often with a coloured stripe that identifies the municipality. Madrid's is red, with the city's coat of arms, and we tell you its history, from black to white, in the colour of taxis in Madrid. Seville, for example, combines white with a yellow stripe. The great exception is Barcelona, whose black and yellow is as recognisable as New York yellow.

If you enjoy this subject, in the most recognisable taxis in the world we look at the models and not just the colour, and in our holiday special: taxis of the world you will find tips for getting around by taxi when you travel abroad.

If you land at Barajas from any of these cities, look for a white taxi with a red stripe at your terminal's official taxi rank, or book one before you land. With our airport pickup you give us your flight number, we check the terminal and confirm the meeting point. And to get home or catch your next flight, the fixed price for each area is on our airport fares page: from inside the M-30, €33.