Visit London’s American tour is set to begin this weekend as the five specially-commissioned black cabs head off on a 3,800-mile tour to promote the city to tourists.

During the 12-city campaign, called London. It’s a different city every day: The Tour, the five drivers, chosen via a televised public vote, will offer free taxi rides alongside conducting media interviews and public appearances to encourage Americans to visit London.

David Campbell, chief executive of Visit London, said: “Black taxi cab drivers are considered invaluable sources of information by tourists to the capital.

“The taxi cab is considered one of the most iconic images of London and our research shows that American visitors cite them as one of the city’s major benefits. Their knowledge, status and recognition make them the ideal ambassadors to remind Americans of London’s heritage and inform them of the range of experiences that can be enjoyed in the constantly evolving City of London.”

The tour will start in Boston and take in New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Des Moines, Omaha, Denver, Las Vegas and Los Angeles before completing the trip in San Francisco on 3 October.