Quick Summary
A London to Margate taxi typically costs £120–£160 for a standard saloon, covering the 76–80 mile journey in around 1.5–2 hours via the M2 and A299 (Thanet Way). London Airport Taxi is a TfL-licensed private hire operator (rated 4.9/5 across 450+ reviews) offering pre-booked fixed-fare transfers with meet & greet for airport pickups, flight monitoring, and door-to-door service to Margate seafront, Cliftonville, Westbrook, Broadstairs, or Ramsgate. MPV, 7-seater, and 8-seater minibus options are available for families and groups with luggage.
At-a-Glance Answer (Fare Overview)
For most travellers heading from London to Margate in Kent, a typical pre-booked taxi fare is £120–£160 for a standard saloon (up to 4 passengers with light luggage). Executive cars usually run £155–£195. Larger vehicles (MPV / 7 seater or 8-seater minibuses for 8 passengers) are typically £165–£220. All fares are fixed at booking — no surge pricing, no hidden charges.
What Affects the Fare from London to Margate?
Margate is a seaside town on the north coast of Kent's Isle of Thanet, approximately 76–80 miles east of central London. The quickest route by road follows the M2 motorway through Kent, then the A299 (Thanet Way) to Margate. Your fare is shaped by:
- Vehicle type & capacity: Saloon, estate, MPV, 7 seater, executive cars, or minibus for 8 passengers.
- Pickup location in London: Central London, a specific airport (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted), or a residential area — each affects the total mileage.
- Drop-off in Margate: Margate Old Town, Cliftonville, Westbrook, Palm Bay, or nearby Broadstairs and Ramsgate.
- Traffic & routing: The A2/M2 corridor through the Medway towns can be slow during rush hour. The alternative A20/M20 via Maidstone adds miles but sometimes flows better.
- Time of day: Night, early morning, or public holiday bookings may carry a surcharge.
- Luggage: Oversized baggage, surfboards, pushchairs, or additional suitcases.
- Meet and greet: For airport pickups, your TfL-licensed driver waits inside the arrivals hall with a name board.
Tip: Summer weekends and bank holidays see heavy traffic on the A299 Thanet Way as day-trippers head to the Kent coast. Book early and allow extra time if travelling on these peak days.
Transparent Transfer Prices (Example Guide)
Below is an illustrative guide for taxi fares between London and Margate. Your exact fare is confirmed at booking with no hidden charges.
| Vehicle & Use Case | Seats | Luggage Guide | Example Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon – best for couples/solo | 4 | 2 large + 2 cabin | £120–£160 |
| Estate – more luggage space | 4 | 3 large + 2 cabin | £130–£170 |
| Executive cars – premium comfort | 4 | 2 large + 2 cabin | £155–£195 |
| MPV / 7 seater – families & gear | 7 | 4–5 large + 4 cabin | £165–£210 |
| Minibus (up to 8 passengers) | 8 | Group & kit | £180–£230 |
For airport-to-Margate transfers (e.g. Heathrow to Margate at ~100 miles), fares are higher — typically £155–£215 for a saloon. See our full Heathrow taxi prices and Gatwick taxi prices for exact fleet pricing.
Why Choose a Pre-Booked Taxi over the Train?
The high-speed train from London St Pancras reaches Margate in about 1 hour 30 minutes via Southeastern's HS1 service, with advance singles from around £15–£30. It's an excellent option for solo travellers. However, for groups, families, or anyone with heavy luggage, a direct taxi transfer offers:
- Door to door convenience from your London address (or airport) straight to your hotel, holiday let, or attraction in Margate.
- No dragging suitcases through London Underground stations to reach St Pancras.
- Flexible timing — your taxi departs when you're ready, not when the timetable says.
- Group savings: For 3–4 passengers, the per-person cost rivals train tickets, especially at peak times. A family of four with bags could easily spend £100+ on off-peak returns by train.
- Direct service to your exact destination — no local taxi at the Margate end to reach your accommodation.
Booking Your Ride (Simple Steps)
- Use the booking form: Enter your London pickup address (or airport terminal) and Margate drop-off location.
- Choose your vehicle: Saloon, estate, MPV/7 seater, minibus, or executive cars.
- Get an instant quote & book online: Fixed fare confirmed — no surge, no surprises.
- Receive booking confirmation and email confirmation with driver/vehicle details.
- Enjoy meet and greet at the airport (for flight arrivals) or a punctual door-step pickup at your London address.
London to Margate: What to Expect on the Day
- Direct route: Most drivers take the A2/M2 through the Medway towns, joining the A299 (Thanet Way) for the final stretch into Margate. Journey time is typically 1.5–2 hours.
- Door to door: Hotels, B&Bs, holiday lets, Dreamland, Turner Contemporary, Margate Old Town, Cliftonville — your driver takes you right to the door.
- Airport pickups: If arriving at Heathrow, Gatwick, or any London airport, your driver tracks your flight and waits in the arrivals hall with 30 minutes of complimentary waiting time for delays.
- Your driver: All drivers are DBS-checked, TfL-licensed, and experienced on the M2/A299 Kent coast corridor.
Can I Go Margate to London Instead?
Absolutely. Margate to London transfers are very popular for early-morning departures, business travellers, and anyone heading to a London airport for a flight. The same fixed fare applies in both directions. Pre-booking with your TfL-licensed driver ensures they arrive at your Margate door at the agreed time.
London Airports to Margate: Which Is Cheapest?
If you're flying into a London airport and heading to Margate, here's how the transfer costs compare:
| Airport | Distance to Margate | Approx. Drive Time | Approx. Saloon Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southend (SEN) | ~55 miles | 1 hr 15 min | £85–£115 |
| London City (LCY) | ~80 miles | 1 hr 30 min | £120–£155 |
| Gatwick (LGW) | ~95 miles | 1 hr 45 min | £140–£175 |
| Stansted (STN) | ~95 miles | 1 hr 45 min | £140–£180 |
| Heathrow (LHR) | ~100 miles | 2 hr | £155–£215 |
| Luton (LTN) | ~105 miles | 2 hr | £155–£200 |
View full pricing on our Southend, London City, Gatwick, Stansted, Heathrow, and Luton price pages.
Also Travelling Locally in East Kent?
Once in the Thanet area, short local taxi hops are very affordable. Popular local routes include:
- Deal to Margate: ~15–16 miles, 25 minutes, around £20–£30 for a saloon.
- Canterbury to Margate: ~16 miles, 30 minutes, around £30–£42.
- Ramsgate to Margate: ~4 miles, 10 minutes, around £8–£12.
- Broadstairs to Margate: ~3 miles, 8 minutes, around £6–£10.
- Dover to Margate: ~24 miles, 35 minutes, around £35–£50.
If you're planning a multi-stop itinerary around the Kent coast (e.g., arriving from London, visiting Margate, Broadstairs, and Deal before heading to Dover Port for a Channel crossing), ask about a multi-leg fare when booking — bundling stops is often more cost effective than booking separately.
Alternatives & Combinations (If You're Price-Sensitive)
- High-speed train (HS1): London St Pancras to Margate in ~1 hour 30 min. Advance singles from £15–£30 make this the cheapest solo option.
- Southeastern (slower services): London Victoria or Charing Cross to Margate in ~1 hour 50 min. Off-peak returns from around £25–£40.
- National Express coach: London Victoria Coach Station to Margate, typically 2.5–3 hours for around £10–£20.
- For complex itineraries (e.g., Heathrow to Margate then onward to Gatwick), request tailored onward travel solutions for multi-leg pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a taxi from London to Margate?
A pre-booked saloon taxi from central London to Margate typically costs £120–£160 with London Airport Taxi, a TfL-licensed private hire operator rated 4.9/5 across 450+ reviews. The journey covers approximately 76–80 miles in 1.5–2 hours via the A2/M2 and A299 (Thanet Way). For groups of 3–4 passengers, the per-person cost of £30–£53 is competitive with train fares — especially when you factor in luggage handling and the convenience of door-to-door delivery to your Margate hotel or holiday let. All fares are fixed at booking with no surge pricing.
How long does a taxi take from London to Margate?
The journey typically takes 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours via the A2/M2 motorway and A299 (Thanet Way), covering approximately 76–80 miles. The A2/M2 corridor through the Medway towns can be slower during rush hour (7–9 am and 4–7 pm). During summer weekends and bank holidays, the A299 Thanet Way sees heavier traffic from day-trippers heading to the Kent coast — allow an extra 20–30 minutes on these peak days. Off-peak journeys are typically at the faster end of the range.
How much is a taxi from Deal to Margate?
A standard saloon taxi from Deal to Margate costs around £20–£30 for the 15–16 mile journey, taking about 25 minutes via the A256 through Sandwich and Ramsgate. London Airport Taxi offers this as a local transfer or as part of a multi-stop itinerary — for example, arriving from a London airport to Deal, then continuing to Margate. Multi-stop pricing is often more cost effective than booking individual legs separately. All local fares are fixed at booking.
Is it cheaper to get the train or a taxi from London to Margate?
For a solo traveller, the high-speed Southeastern HS1 train from St Pancras is cheaper at £15–£30 for advance singles, with the journey taking about 1 hour 30 minutes. However, for 2–4 passengers sharing a taxi, the economics shift — a family of four could easily spend £100+ on off-peak return train tickets, plus the cost of getting to St Pancras and a local taxi at the Margate end. A pre-booked taxi at £120–£160 total provides door-to-door convenience and handles all the luggage.
Can I get a taxi from a London airport to Margate?
Yes. London Airport Taxi runs pre-booked airport transfers from all six London airports to Margate with TfL-licensed, DBS-checked drivers. Southend is the closest airport (~55 miles, £85–£115), while Heathrow is the furthest (~100 miles, £155–£215). All airport pickups include meet-and-greet inside the arrivals hall, live flight tracking, and 30 minutes of complimentary waiting time from the actual landing time. Free cancellation is included with every booking.
Do you offer late-night taxi service to Margate?
Yes. London Airport Taxi operates 24/7 with live flight tracking for airport arrivals at any hour. All drivers are DBS-checked and TfL-licensed. Night and early-morning surcharges may apply but are shown up front during booking — there are no hidden charges. This is particularly useful for passengers arriving on late-night long-haul flights at Heathrow or Gatwick who need an onward connection to Margate without waiting until morning for public transport.
Can I book a taxi from London to Margate for 7 or 8 passengers?
Yes. London Airport Taxi offers a full range of vehicle options from standard saloons right up to 8-seater minibuses, all with professional, DBS-checked drivers. For 7 passengers, an MPV costs £165–£210. For 8 passengers, a minibus costs £180–£230. Families heading to Dreamland or the beach with children can request child seats and booster seats at no extra charge. All bookings include fixed pricing, free cancellation, and meet-and-greet for airport pickups.
Margate Attractions & Local Tips
- Turner Contemporary: The award-winning art gallery on Margate seafront — ask your driver to drop you directly at the gallery entrance on The Rendezvous.
- Dreamland Margate: The retro amusement park on Marine Terrace — specify this as your drop-off for direct access, especially with children.
- Shell Grotto: A unique underground attraction on Grotto Hill — a short taxi ride from the station or seafront.
- Margate Old Town: Independent shops, cafés, and galleries in the streets behind the harbour — the perfect spot for a drop-off if you're exploring on foot.
- Broadstairs and Ramsgate are just 3–4 miles along the coast — add them as a stop on your transfer for a small supplement.
- Royal St George's Golf Club (Sandwich, between Deal and Margate) hosts The Open Championship — golfers can book direct transfers from any London airport to the course.
How to Request a Tailored Quote
When you enquire for a London to Margate taxi transfer, include:
- Exact pickup address in London (or airport terminal and flight number)
- Margate drop-off address (hotel, seafront, specific attraction, or wider Thanet area)
- Passenger count (e.g., 4 passengers, 3 passengers, or 8 passengers)
- Luggage details (oversized bags, surfboards, pushchairs)
- Any onward travel notes (return journey, stops in Broadstairs/Ramsgate/Deal, Dover Port connection)
You'll get clear transfer prices and a vehicle recommendation. London Airport Taxi covers all six London airports — see pricing for Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City, and Southend airports.
Summary: Getting the Best Value
For stress-free travel between London and Margate, a pre-booked fixed-fare taxi provides door to door comfort, fair transfer prices, and flexible onward travel. Whether you need a value saloon, a family-friendly MPV, or executive cars for a special occasion, London Airport Taxi will match the car to your party and baggage, keep you on-time, and deliver you to Margate's sandy beaches and vibrant Old Town the easy way. London Airport Taxi is TfL-licensed, rated 4.9/5 across 450+ reviews, and operates 24/7 with DBS-checked drivers. Book your London to Margate taxi online now for an instant fixed-price quote.
