Quick Summary
From 25 April 2026, the London black cab minimum fare is £4.40. The meter uses time, distance and tariff—not a single per-mile price. TfL’s typical fares are £8.40–£13.20 for one mile, £12.60–£20.40 for two miles and £33–£45 for six miles. Heathrow to Central London is typically £70–£120 by black cab or from £55 fixed by pre-booked minicab.
Quick Answer — How Much Does a Taxi Cost in London?
A London black cab has a £4.40 minimum fare. The meter calculates the maximum fare from time of day, distance and journey time, so there is no single fixed per-mile rate. TfL’s 2026 typical ranges are £8.40–£13.20 for one mile, £12.60–£20.40 for two miles, £21–£35 for four miles and £33–£45 for six miles.
- Minimum black cab fare: £4.40 (from 25 April)
- Meter basis: time, distance and tariff; no single fixed per-mile rate
- Short central trip (1–3 miles): £8–£18
- Heathrow to Central London: £70–£120 by black cab; from £55 fixed by minicab
- Gatwick to Central London: £65–£130
- Card payment: mandatory in all black cabs, no surcharge
- Tipping: 10% or round up — not obligatory
For a guaranteed price with no meter surprises, get an instant fixed-price quote from LondonAirport‑Taxi.com — or estimate any journey with our london cab fares calculator.
London Black Cab Fare Changes — What Changed on 25 April 2026
The London black cab tariff was reviewed by Transport for London's Finance Committee on 25 February and the new fares took effect on Saturday 25 April (per TfL Taxi and Private Hire Notice 04/26). Three key updates affect what you pay:
The new £4.40 minimum fare
The minimum black cab fare rose from £4.20 to £4.40 — a 20p (4.8%) increase. This is the floor below which the meter cannot drop, regardless of how short the journey is. The minimum covers the first 161 metres or 35 seconds of your journey, whichever comes first.
2.88% uplift across Tariffs 1, 2 and 3
Per-mile rates and time-based charges across all three London tariffs increased by approximately 2.88%. This was lower than the 4.01% Cost Index inflation indicated by TfL, with the difference spread across the minimum fare and tariffs to provide partial protection for passengers.
New £6.00 London City Airport drop-off taxi extra
Alongside the 25 April tariff change, black cab drivers may add a £6 surcharge to the meter for drop-offs at London City Airport. This passes through (at a TfL-set lower rate) the airport's £8 drop-off charge introduced 6 January — meaning drivers do not personally absorb the cost. See our full London City Airport drop off charge guide.
Why fares went up
TfL cited rising operating costs (fuel, vehicle financing, insurance) and the steady decline in licensed black cab driver numbers — around 15,978 cabbies as of April (per TfL data), the lowest level since 1975 according to the TfL Finance Committee paper. The peak was 25,538 drivers in 2013/14. The Knowledge of London exam is being reformed (April 2025 announcement) with a published 6,000-point list to make qualifying easier and stem driver attrition.
Official TfL Black Cab Fare Table (from 25 April 2026)
London black cab meters calculate the maximum fare from the time of day, distance travelled and journey time. There is no single fixed per-mile price. TfL publishes the following typical ranges; delays and heavy traffic can increase the fare.
| Journey | Tariff 1 | Tariff 2 | Tariff 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mile 6–13 mins | £8.40–£13.00 | £8.40–£13.20 | £9.00–£13.20 |
| 2 miles 10–20 mins | £12.60–£20.20 | £13.40–£20.40 | £13.60–£20.40 |
| 4 miles 16–30 mins | £21.00–£31.00 | £23.00–£32.00 | £23.00–£35.00 |
| 6 miles 28–40 mins | £33.00–£42.00 | £41.00–£45.00 | £41.00–£45.00 |
Tariff times: Tariff 1 is Monday–Friday 05:00–20:00. Tariff 2 is Monday–Friday 20:00–22:00 and Saturday–Sunday 05:00–22:00. Tariff 3 is every night 22:00–05:00 and public holidays. Tariff 4 applies after approximately six miles and uses the Tariff 2 rate.
Check the official TfL taxi fare card (PDF).
Taxi Extras, Airport Charges & Surcharges
TfL permits a small number of black cab meter extras, while airports separately set forecourt charges for private vehicles. The table distinguishes these costs so you can compare them with an all-in fixed fare:
| Extra | Amount | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Phone/app pre-booking | up to £2.00 | When you don't hail |
| Heathrow rank pickup | £1.60 | Boarding at LHR rank |
| Heathrow taxi meter extra | £6.00 | TfL-authorised terminal drop-off extra |
| Heathrow vehicle drop-off | £7.00 | Airport forecourt charge from 1 Jan 2026, 10-min max — see Heathrow drop-off charge guide |
| Gatwick drop-off | £10.00 | From 6 Jan 2026 — Gatwick drop-off charge guide |
| Stansted drop-off | £10.00 | From 19 Mar 2026 — Stansted drop-off charge guide |
| Luton drop-off | £7.00 + £1/min | After 10 min — Luton drop-off charge guide |
| London City drop-off (vehicle) | £8.00 + £1/min | From 6 Jan, after 5 min — LCY drop-off charge guide |
| LCY taxi meter extra | £6.00 | Black cab drop-off only, from 25 April |
| Southend drop-off | £8.00 | Express zone, 10 min — Southend drop-off charge guide |
| Christmas/NYE | £4.00 | 20:00 24 Dec – 06:00 27 Dec; 20:00 31 Dec – 06:00 2 Jan |
| Card payment | £0 | No surcharge — required by TfL |
| Soiling charge | up to £60 | Vomit/heavy mess |
When you book a fixed-fare minicab with LondonAirport‑Taxi.com, all drop-off charges are included in the quoted fare — no surprises at the terminal. See the full UK airport drop-off charges compared aggregator for a side-by-side view of every London airport.
Average Taxi Fares for Popular London Routes
Here is how black cabs, Uber/Bolt, and pre-booked minicabs compare on the most popular London routes:
| Route | Black Cab (Meter) | Uber X / Bolt | Pre-Booked Minicab |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow → Zone 1 | £75–£110 | £55–£85 (off-peak) | from £55 fixed |
| Gatwick → Zone 1 | £90–£130 | £75–£105 | from £79 fixed |
| Stansted → Zone 1 | £100–£140 | £85–£110 | from £74 fixed |
| Luton → Zone 1 | £85–£120 | £70–£95 | from £74 fixed |
| London City → Zone 1 | £35–£60 | £30–£45 | from £51 fixed |
| Southend → Zone 1 | £140–£180 | n/a | from £107 fixed |
| 3-mile central trip | £12–£18 | £9–£14 | £14–£20 |
| 20-mile London trip | £70–£95 | £55–£85 | £45–£70 fixed |
What Tourists Pay for Popular Central London Journeys
Visiting London? Here are realistic metered black cab fares for the most popular sightseeing journeys. All prices are Tariff 1 daytime weekday estimates — add 20–30% for evenings and weekends, 30–50% late at night. Approximate USD figures use £1 = $1.27 and vary daily.
| Journey | Distance | Black Cab £ | Approx $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-mile ride in Central London | 2 mi | £12–£19 | $15–$24 |
| Trafalgar Square → Tower of London | 2.5 mi | £14–£22 | $18–$28 |
| Buckingham Palace → London Eye | 1.5 mi | £10–£16 | $13–$20 |
| Covent Garden → Piccadilly Circus | 0.6 mi | £7–£12 | $9–$15 |
| King's Cross → Westminster | 3 mi | £15–£25 | $19–$32 |
| Kensington → Shoreditch | 5 mi | £25–£40 | $32–$51 |
Important for visitors: Only black cabs can be hailed on the street. Private hire vehicles (including Uber, Bolt, and minicabs) are banned by law from picking you up if you flag them down — they must be pre-booked. Anyone who pulls up offering you a ride on the street is operating illegally and uninsured. Always look for the licensed black cab 'TAXI' sign on the roof or pre-book a licensed service. Prefer a black cab but don't want to hail? See how to book a black cab in London.
London Airport Transfer Prices — Detailed Breakdown
Each London airport has its own typical fare range, drive time, and drop-off charge. Here is what to budget for:
Heathrow taxi cost
Heathrow to Central London covers approximately 18 miles in 45–75 minutes via the M4 or A4. A metered black cab between Heathrow and Central London typically costs £70–£120 (with a £1.60 rank-start extra or a £6 terminal drop-off meter extra where applicable). A pre-booked saloon minicab is from £55 fixed (typically £55–£75) with meet-and-greet — and if you're weighing up airports, see our Heathrow vs Gatwick: which is cheaper comparison, flight monitoring, and 60 minutes of free waiting. The £7 drop-off charge is included in fixed fares — see our Heathrow drop off charge guide and full Heathrow airport taxi prices listings.
Gatwick taxi cost
Gatwick to Central London covers approximately 30 miles in 60–90 minutes via the M23/M25/A23. Black cab £90–£130; pre-booked minicab from £79 fixed. The £10 Gatwick drop-off charge applies at both North and South Terminals — included in fixed fares. See Gatwick drop off charge guide and Gatwick airport taxi prices listings.
Stansted taxi cost
Stansted to Central London covers approximately 37 miles in 50–80 minutes via the M11 (Junction 8 from south, Junction 8a from north). Black cab £100–£140; pre-booked minicab from £74 fixed. The £10 Stansted drop-off charge (10-min max, from 19 March) is included. See Stansted drop off charge guide, Stansted Airport taxi cost guide, and Stansted airport taxi prices listings.
Luton taxi cost
Luton to Central London covers approximately 33 miles in 55–85 minutes via the M1. Black cab £85–£120; pre-booked minicab from £79 fixed. Luton uses a barrier-based drop-off system with a £7 base + £1/min charge — included in fixed fares. See Luton drop off charge guide and Luton airport taxi prices listings, or compare every budget option in our cheapest way from Luton to London guide.
London City taxi cost
London City Airport to Central London covers approximately 8 miles in 25–45 minutes. Black cab £35–£60 (now plus the new £6 LCY taxi meter extra); pre-booked minicab from £51 fixed. See London City drop off charge guide and London City airport taxi prices.
Southend taxi cost
Southend to Central London covers approximately 50 miles in 75–110 minutes via the A127/A13. Black cabs do not typically run from Southend — pre-booked minicab is from £107 fixed. See Southend drop off charge guide and Southend airport taxi prices.
Black Cab vs Uber vs Bolt vs Minicab — Which Is Cheapest in London?
The VAT change
From 2 January 2026, ride-hailing platforms (Uber, Bolt, FREE NOW) in London must apply 20% VAT to the full fare on every ride. This followed the Autumn Budget 2025 (Chancellor Rachel Reeves, 26 November 2025) which legislated to exclude private hire vehicle operators from the Tour Operators' Margin Scheme (TOMS). Previously, ride-hailing apps had used TOMS to charge VAT only on commission. HM Treasury expects the change to raise around £700 million by 2027-28. The closure means Uber and Bolt prices in London jumped roughly 15–20% overnight — narrowing the gap with black cabs significantly. Outside London, an agency model means most rides remain VAT-free (drivers below the £90,000 VAT registration threshold). See our deeper Uber vs Black Cab vs Minicab comparison.
Why Uber surge can flip the result
Uber's dynamic pricing increases fares during peak demand: 17:00–21:00 weekdays, 22:00–02:00 weekends, rain, and bank holidays. Multipliers of 1.5x to 3x are common. During surge, a black cab meter (which is regulated and never surges) frequently beats Uber — especially in central London where availability is high. The private hire vs taxi cost comparison covers more scenarios in depth.
| Service | Pricing Model | Booking | Hailable? | VAT Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black cab | Metered (TfL regulated) | Hail/rank/app | Yes | None (already included) |
| Uber X | Dynamic + £2 booking fee | App | No | +20% on full fare (London) |
| Bolt | Dynamic | App | No | +20% on full fare (London) |
| FREE NOW | Metered (mostly black cabs) | App | No | None on metered black cab fares |
| Pre-booked minicab | Fixed at booking | Phone/web | No | Already inclusive |
Vehicle Type Pricing — Saloon, MPV, Executive & Minibus
Larger groups and more luggage need bigger vehicles. Pre-booked minicab pricing scales as follows:
| Vehicle | Passengers | Suitcases | % vs Saloon | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon | up to 4 | 2 large | baseline | 1–4 passengers, normal luggage |
| Estate | 4 | 3 large | +5–10% | Extra luggage |
| MPV / 7-seater | 6–7 | 4 large | +20–30% | Family + luggage |
| 8-seater minibus | 8 | 6 large | +40–55% | Group transfer |
| Executive (E/S Class) | 4 | 2 large | +60–90% | Business / VIP |
Browse our full fleet of vehicles for specifications and capacities. Families can request free child and baby seats at booking.
How TfL Regulates London Taxi Fares
The Knowledge of London
Every London black cab driver must pass The Knowledge — a 3–4 year exam covering approximately 25,000 streets, 320 standard runs, and thousands of points of interest within a 6-mile radius of Charing Cross. This is why a London cabbie can navigate a road closure or unexpected detour without sat-nav. In April 2025, TfL announced a Knowledge reform programme with a published 6,000-point list to make qualifying more accessible.
Private hire operator licensing
Minicabs (Private Hire Vehicles) are licensed under the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998. Three separate licences are required: an operator licence for the company taking bookings, a driver licence for the person driving, and a vehicle licence for the car itself. Drivers must pass the Topographical Skills Assessment, an enhanced DBS check, a medical, and an English-language SERU assessment.
How LondonAirport‑Taxi.com complies
LondonAirport‑Taxi.com holds a current TfL Private Hire Operator licence. All drivers are DBS-checked and TfL-licensed, all vehicles undergo TfL inspections twice yearly, and the operation is fully insured. The service is covering all six London airports 24/7 with fixed-fare pricing.
7 Ways to Save Money on a London Taxi
- Pre-book a fixed-fare minicab for airport runs — typically 25–35% cheaper than a metered black cab from the rank.
- Avoid Tariff 3 if possible — late-night surcharges add roughly 28% on every mile compared to daytime.
- Travel just outside surge windows — Uber/Bolt surge typically peaks 17:30–19:30 weekdays. A 30-minute shift can save 30–60%.
- Use Long Stay / Mid Stay drop-off zones at Heathrow/Gatwick to avoid the £7/£10 forecourt fees if you have time. See our Heathrow and Gatwick guides for the free alternative locations, or compare all six on the UK airport drop-off charges aggregator.
- Group up — an 8-seater minibus per-head cost often beats train tickets for 6+ passengers, especially for airport transfers.
- Compare apps and a fixed quote in 60 seconds — open Uber and Bolt simultaneously and grab a fixed-fare quote from a licensed operator. Pick the cheapest with no surge risk.
- Book online with LondonAirport‑Taxi.com — fixed pricing, all surcharges included, free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Get an instant quote.
London Taxi Tipping & Payment Etiquette
Tipping in the UK is not obligatory like in the United States, but it's appreciated. The standard practice is to round up to the nearest pound for short journeys (a £14.20 fare becomes £15), or 10% of the fare for longer journeys or excellent service. If the driver helps with heavy suitcases, £1–£3 per bag is a kind gesture; for airport transfers, £3–£5 total is generous. There is no expectation of 15–20% tipping like in New York or Los Angeles — drivers do not expect a tip the way US drivers do.
On payment: there is no fee for using a card in any TfL-licensed black cab — this is a regulatory requirement, and drivers can add a tip on the card machine before processing. Pre-booked minicabs accept card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, contactless, PayPal, and bank transfer. Black cabs cannot charge extra for luggage carried inside the vehicle, and assistance dogs travel free of charge. Pre-booked LondonAirport‑Taxi.com fixed fares have no automatic service charge added — what you see at booking is what you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a black cab in London?
A London black cab has a £4.40 minimum fare. The meter uses time of day, distance and journey time rather than a fixed per-mile price. TfL’s typical 2026 fare is £8.40–£13.20 for one mile, £12.60–£20.40 for two miles, £21–£35 for four miles and £33–£45 for six miles. Heathrow to Central London is typically £70–£120.
What is the minimum London taxi fare?
The minimum London black cab fare is £4.40 from 25 April, up from £4.20. It applies at all times across all three tariffs and is the floor below which the meter cannot drop, regardless of how short the journey is. The minimum covers the first 161 metres or 35 seconds of your journey, whichever comes first.
How much is the per-mile rate for a London black cab?
There is no single fixed per-mile black cab rate. The meter combines distance and time under Tariffs 1, 2 and 3; after approximately six miles, Tariff 4 applies at the Tariff 2 rate. Use TfL’s typical journey ranges in the table above for realistic budgeting.
How much does a taxi from Heathrow to Central London cost?
TfL lists a typical metered black cab fare of £70–£120 between Heathrow and Central London, depending on traffic and time. A pre-booked LondonAirport-Taxi.com saloon starts from £55 fixed, with the airport fee included in the quoted total.
How much does a taxi from Gatwick to Central London cost?
Black cab journeys between Gatwick and London leave Greater London, so the fare may be agreed before travel; otherwise the meter is the maximum. A pre-booked LondonAirport-Taxi.com saloon starts from £79 fixed, including the Gatwick airport fee.
Did London taxi fares go up this year?
Yes. On 25 April, the minimum fare rose to £4.40 and Tariffs 1-3 increased by 2.88%. A new £6 London City Airport drop-off taxi extra was also introduced. Earlier in the year, all six London airport drop-off charges were finalised, and 20% VAT was applied to all London Uber and Bolt fares from 2 January after the Autumn Budget 2025 closed the Tour Operators' Margin Scheme for ride-hailing.
Are black cabs cheaper than Uber in London?
For short central trips under 3 miles, Uber and Bolt are typically 15-25% cheaper than black cabs. During Uber surge periods (17:00-21:00, late-night, bad weather), the meter usually wins because black cab fares are regulated and never surge. For airport transfers, pre-booked minicabs beat both — typically 20-35% cheaper than a metered cab.
Do London black cabs accept card payments?
Yes — every TfL-licensed black cab must accept contactless and chip-and-PIN payments with no surcharge. This is a mandatory requirement. Pre-booked LondonAirport-Taxi.com minicabs also accept card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal with no fees.
Are London taxis expensive compared to other cities?
London taxis are mid-range internationally — more expensive than most US cities outside New York, similar pricing to Paris and Sydney, but cheaper than Tokyo, Zurich, or Oslo. A typical 2-mile central London journey costs £12 to £19 ($15 to $24), roughly 30 to 50 percent more than the same distance in New York City but 30 to 50 percent less than Zurich. London black cabs are world-renowned for quality — drivers must pass The Knowledge, which takes 3 to 4 years to complete.
How do I tip a London taxi driver?
Tipping in London is not obligatory but appreciated. The standard practice is to round up to the nearest pound for short journeys, or 10 percent for longer journeys or excellent service. For airport transfers, £3 to £5 is a reasonable tip if the driver helps with luggage. There is no expectation of 15 to 20 percent tipping like in the United States. Pre-booked LondonAirport-Taxi.com fixed fares have no automatic service charge added.
Can I hail an Uber on the street in London?
No. Uber, Bolt, Free Now, and all minicabs/private hire vehicles are legally banned from picking up passengers hailed on the street in London. They must be pre-booked through their app or website. Only black cabs (Hackney Carriages) can be hailed on the street with the orange 'TAXI' light on the roof. Anyone who pulls up offering you a ride on the street is operating illegally and uninsured. Always look for the licensed black cab 'TAXI' sign or pre-book through a licensed service.
Are London black cabs safe?
Yes. London black cabs are among the safest licensed taxi services in the world. All drivers must hold a TfL Hackney Carriage licence, pass criminal background checks, complete enhanced DBS checks, and pass The Knowledge — a 3 to 4 year examination of London's streets. Vehicles undergo regular safety inspections, and all black cabs are wheelchair accessible by law. For added safety at night, pre-booking through a licensed service like LondonAirport-Taxi.com gives you the driver's name, photo, and vehicle registration before pickup.
Summary
London taxi fares rose again in April, with a new £4.40 minimum and a 2.88% tariff uplift. Black cabs remain the only vehicles that can be hailed on the street; Uber and Bolt now include 20% VAT on every London fare; and pre-booked minicabs continue to offer the most predictable pricing — especially for airport transfers, where the typical saving versus a metered cab is 25–35%. LondonAirport‑Taxi.com is TfL-licensed, and covers all six London airports 24/7 with our full fleet of vehicles across all UK areas we serve. For related reading, see our Is private hire cheaper than a taxi? guide, our Uber vs Black Cab vs Minicab comparison, or calculate black cab fares for any specific journey. Get an instant fixed-price quote now.
