How London taxi pricing works
There are two main types of taxi in London — and they price very differently.
Black cabs use a taximeter regulated by TfL. The meter runs based on both time and distance, so your fare rises with traffic. London has three tariff levels: Tariff 1 (Mon–Fri, 6am–8pm), Tariff 2 (evenings, weekends) and Tariff 3 (nights and public holidays). A black cab from Heathrow to central London can cost anywhere from to over depending on time and traffic.
Pre-booked minicabs like Get London Transfer use fixed fares agreed before the journey. The price doesn't change if there's traffic on the M4 or the M25 is at a standstill. What you see at booking is what you pay.
Typical London taxi fares by route — 2025
Comparing metered black cab estimates against our fixed pre-booked fares.
| Route | Black cab estimate | Get London Transfer (fixed) | Your saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central London → Heathrow | – | From | Up to |
| Central London → Gatwick | – | From | Up to |
| Central London → Stansted | – | From | Up to |
| Central London → Luton | – | From | Up to |
| Central London → London City | – | From | Up to |
| Heathrow → Canary Wharf | – | From | Up to |
| Gatwick → West End | – | From | Up to |
| Stansted → Liverpool St | – | From | Up to |
What affects your London taxi fare?
Whether you're in a black cab or a pre-booked car, these factors influence price.
Time of day
Black cabs charge higher tariffs evenings, nights and weekends. Our fixed fares don't change by time of day.
Traffic conditions
A metered cab's fare rises in slow traffic. Our fixed fare is guaranteed regardless of journey time.
Vehicle type
Saloon, estate, MPV or executive — our pricing is clear per vehicle category at the time of booking.
Number of passengers
More passengers usually means a larger vehicle. Our MPV rates are often cheaper per person than individual Tube tickets for groups.
Fixed fare vs metered — the airport run comparison
Where the difference really adds up.
Airport runs are where fixed pricing matters most. Consider a journey from central London to Heathrow Terminal 5 during the morning rush. A metered black cab will run the clock for every minute you're stationary on the A4 or M4. At Tariff 1 rates, a 90-minute journey instead of a planned 60 minutes can add – to your fare.
With Get London Transfer, your fare is fixed at booking. Whether the journey takes 45 minutes or 2 hours, you pay the same agreed price. For families and business travellers especially, this predictability is invaluable.
Frequently asked questions
A pre-booked fixed-price transfer with Get London Transfer starts from for central London. A metered London black cab will typically cost –+ depending on traffic and time of day. Get your exact fixed quote using the form above.
Black cabs do not offer flat rates — they are metered. Get London Transfer offers fully fixed fares agreed before you travel, with no surcharges for traffic or delays.
Black cabs are most expensive on Tariff 3 — between 10pm and 6am, and on public holidays. Our pre-booked fixed fares do not apply time-of-day surcharges.
Black cab Tariff 1 starts at .80 for the first 191 metres, then approximately .20 per 91 metres. In practice, for an airport run the total is typically –+. Our fixed fares are transparent — get your exact quote above.
Yes, all licensed London black cabs are required to accept card payments. Our pre-booked service also accepts all major cards, and payment is taken securely at the time of booking.
See your exact fixed fare
Enter your journey below and get an instant fixed price — no card required to check.