New York City's yellow cabs might be world famous, but with a 98 percent chance of getting a driver who's on the phone 100 percent of the time, they're far from the world's best. Or coolest, even.
But where on Earth can you catch a cab that you'll be telling your friends about when you get home? From top-hatted chauffeurs to vintage Cadillacs, here are 5 of the world's sickest taxis.
Tokyo, Japan
The Japanese are a notoriously polite/tidy people, so it's no surprise that their cabbies would be as well. Japanese drivers wear chauffeur's hats, freshly pressed shirts, and white gloves. Even better, they have a weird hand crank device with which they can pop open the back door. See for yourself here (you can stop after :02). Also, they refuse tips!
Mumbai, India
While uniformly black and yellow on the outside, it's the inside of Mumbai's famous Premier Padmini cabs that really shine. Local drivers are able to showcase their personality/sense of style with plush, personalized interiors decorated with colorful logos and images painted onto the rear window. Unfortunately, these older, non-air conditioned cars (many of which've been around since the '70s) are slowly being phased out.
Bangkok, Thailand
These colorful, three-wheeled Tuk Tuks (or auto rickshaws) consistently lure guileless tourists into paying more for a ride than they would in a metered cab. And then they proceed to scare the crap out of them by weaving through traffic, flying over potholes, and narrowly avoiding pedestrians and larger vehicles. That said, it's a Thailand experience!
London
London's hackney cabs are as British as their ubiquitous red phone booths, and are consistently ranked among the world's best. Not only do the cabbies deftly navigate London's 25,000 twisted roads, but sitting in the back of one of these bad boys makes you feel like Jay Z.
Munich, Germany
In the land of fast cars and the autobahn, why shouldn't cabbies get to indulge their need for speed? Surprising no one, even the most mundane cab ride around Munich will be in the back of a BMW, Audi, Mercedes, or even a Porsche. And you may even pass one of the city's six urban naked zones.
Follow Thrillist on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Thrillist
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.