LOCAL CAB FIRMS
The following firms are have been recommended by Time Out from which this article was adapted. As a rule though you should avoid using minicabs. There have been a number of attacks in cabs.

Essex Cars Islington/Hackney area, N1/E8
020 7241 2001.
Handicars Lewisham, SE13
Tel: 020 8318 4333.
Ladycabs -mainly women drivers, N19 3TD
Tel: 020 7272 3019. Open daily 9am-5pm, but can be booked for pick-up outside these hours.
Panther Oars East Dulwich, SE22
Tel: 020 8693 0101.
Sams Minicab Service
Stoke Newington/Hackney area, N16/E8
Tel: 020 7254 7047

ALTERNATIVE SERVICES
Scooterman rides a 49cc scooter. He drives it to the pub, puts it in your car boot, puts you in the passenger seat, and drives you home. Cost from £15. Scooterman 0870 242 6999. Mon-Wed,Sun 5pm-1am, Thur-Sat 5pm-3. 30am.

One for the Road started out like Scooterman, but now it has become members-only, with a raft of services. The Gold Service costs £25 a year, and then it's £35 to Heathrow, or £12 home after the pub. They check the security of street-parked cars for £2 a day. One for the Road 020 79405060.

U-go is an automated taxi service: you can register online, set up an account then text, phone or book your taxi online to pick you up. The service runs anytime day or night and you can book it in advance or on the spot. Once the taxi arrives at the booked destination they will text you, with their registration number, to tell you they are outside. Payment is all taken care of via your credit card. Register or book at www.u-go.co.uk or call 0870 7485101. To book by text message, send details of where you are to 85101.

OTHER TRANSPORT
TFL gives you updated information about the Underground. It's a useful journey planner which estimates the duration of your journey. You can also check bus and ferry routes from the TfL site.

The RAC Route Planner gives up-to-date traffic information. Input two postcodes, your start point and your finish point, and it will plan your route and estimate your travel time.

PARKING
Park the car somewhere safe. The cheapest NCP car park is at Woburn Place, next to Russell Square, costing £3.50 for up to two hours and £15 for up to 24 hours. It's almost three times as expensive in St Martin's Lane. Russell Court, Wobum Place, WC1 020 7837 6101. Open Mon-Sat. 24 hours.

CABS
If you need a cab, call CABWISE at 0871 871 8710 which puts you straight through to a cab company near to where you are. Or speak to a Transport for London on 020 7222 1234 advisor to check whether your local minicab firm is licensed. There are three main black cab companies. Computer Cab is the largest on 020 7432 1432. It largely serves business accounts. You can book online or through the call centre. Otherwise try Radio Taxis on 020 7272 0272. Dial a Cab on 020 7426 3420 is the most advanced.

Addison Lee is the largest cab fleet in London. With almost 500 cabs it's pretty confident about achieving a 20-minute pick-uptime. Cabs have a satellite navigation system, and can be ordered online. For a niftier ride across town try its Taxi bikes; helmets and all weather clothing are provided. Addison Lee on 020 7387 8888. Airport Direct is pretty reasonable for cabs to the airport: Heathrow (£23), Gatwick (£38), Stansted and Luton (£40). The drag is that you have to book your lift two days in advance. Airport Express is very reliable and competitively priced: Heathrow (£22), Gatwick (£39). The bargain is a five-passenger car to Stansted for £54. That beats the Stansted Express.

Airport Direct on 020 7272 0123
Airport Express on 020 77222700.