Quick Summary
From 25 April 2026, the London black cab minimum fare is £4.40 (up from £4.20), with a 2.88% uplift across Tariffs 1, 2 and 3. A typical 3-mile central London trip now costs £12–£18 by metered black cab, £9–£14 on Uber/Bolt off-peak, and £14–£20 in a pre-booked minicab. For airport transfers, Heathrow to Central London runs £75–£110 in a black cab, £55–£85 on Uber, and just £55–£75 fixed in a pre-booked minicab. LondonAirport-Taxi.com is a TfL-licensed Private Hire Operator (rated 4.9/5 across 450+ reviews) offering fixed-fare transfers to all six London airports with meet-and-greet, flight monitoring, and 60 minutes of complimentary waiting time at Heathrow.
Quick Answer — How Much Does a Taxi Cost in London?
For most travellers, the answer depends on three things: the type of vehicle (black cab, Uber/Bolt, or pre-booked minicab), the time of day, and the distance. As a rough guide:
- Minimum black cab fare: £4.40 (from 25 April 2026)
- Per-mile rate: approximately £4.10–£5.25 depending on tariff
- Short central trip (1–3 miles): £8–£18
- Heathrow to Central London: £55–£110
- 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.
2026 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 in February 2026 and approved for change on 25 April 2026. 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 4.8% increase. This is the floor below which the meter cannot drop, regardless of how short the journey is. For a quick hop of 0.5 miles, you will still pay £4.40.
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% inflation indicated by TfL's Cost Index, reflecting a partial protection for passengers.
New £6.00 London City Airport drop-off taxi extra
From April 2026, black cab drivers may add a £6 surcharge to the meter for drop-offs at London City Airport. This mirrors the airport's new barrierless drop-off charge system introduced on 6 January 2026. 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 — now below 17,000 cabbies in London for the first time since 1978. 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.
London Black Cab Tariff Table 2026
London black cab fares operate on three time-based tariffs, with a fourth that applies to the portion of any journey beyond 6 miles. Here is the complete 2026 table:
| Tariff | Days & Times | Up-to-6-mile rate | After 6 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tariff 1 | Mon–Fri 06:00–20:00 | ~£4.10/mile | Tariff 2 rate |
| Tariff 2 | Weekday eves 20:00–22:00; Sat/Sun 05:00–22:00 | ~£4.95/mile | Same |
| Tariff 3 | Daily 22:00–05:00 + public holidays | ~£5.25/mile | Tariff 2 rate |
| Tariff 4 | Any portion of any journey beyond 6 miles | Tariff 2 rate | — |
| Minimum fare | All times | £4.40 | |
The meter switches from charging by distance to charging by time when the cab travels below approximately 10.4 mph — which is why London traffic adds significantly to your fare on metered journeys.
Black Cab Extra Charges & Surcharges 2026
Beyond the meter rate, several extras can be added to your black cab fare. Knowing these in advance helps you compare with fixed-fare options:
| 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 drop-off | £7.00 | Forecourt, 10-min max — see our guide |
| Gatwick drop-off | £10.00 | From 6 Jan 2026 — guide |
| Stansted drop-off | £10.00 | 10-min max — guide |
| Luton drop-off | £7.00 + £1/min | After 10 min — guide |
| London City drop-off | £8.00 + £1/min | After 5 min — guide |
| Southend drop-off | £8.00 | Express zone, 10 min — guide |
| LCY taxi extra | £6.00 | Black cab drop-off only, from April 2026 |
| Christmas/NYE | £4.00 | 24 Dec 18:00 – 27 Dec; 31 Dec 18:00 – 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.
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 in 2026:
| Route | Black Cab (Meter) | Uber X / Bolt | Pre-Booked Minicab |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow → Zone 1 | £75–£110 | £55–£85 (off-peak) | £55–£75 fixed |
| Gatwick → Zone 1 | £90–£130 | £75–£105 | £65–£85 fixed |
| Stansted → Zone 1 | £100–£140 | £85–£110 | £75–£95 fixed |
| Luton → Zone 1 | £85–£120 | £70–£95 | £65–£85 fixed |
| London City → Zone 1 | £35–£60 | £30–£45 | £30–£45 fixed |
| Southend → Zone 1 | £140–£180 | n/a | £95–£120 fixed |
| 3-mile central trip | £12–£18 | £9–£14 | £14–£20 |
| 20-mile London trip | £70–£95 | £55–£85 | £45–£70 fixed |
London Airport Taxi Prices 2026 — Detailed Breakdown
Each London airport has its own typical fare range, drive time, and drop-off charge. Here is what to budget for in 2026:
Heathrow taxi cost
Heathrow to Central London covers approximately 18 miles in 45–75 minutes via the M4 or A4. A metered black cab from the rank costs £75–£110 (plus the £1.60 rank pickup extra). A pre-booked saloon minicab is £55–£75 fixed with meet-and-greet, 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 taxi prices.
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 £65–£85 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 taxi prices.
Stansted taxi cost
Stansted to Central London covers approximately 40 miles in 50–80 minutes via the M11. Black cab £100–£140; pre-booked minicab £75–£95 fixed. The £10 Stansted drop-off charge (10-min max) is included. See Stansted drop off charge guide and Stansted taxi prices.
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 £65–£85 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 taxi prices.
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 extra from April 2026); pre-booked minicab £30–£45 fixed. See London City drop off charge guide and London City 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 £95–£120 fixed. See Southend drop off charge guide and Southend taxi prices.
Black Cab vs Uber vs Bolt vs Minicab — Which Is Cheapest in London?
The 2026 VAT change
From 2 January 2026, HMRC required Uber and Bolt to apply 20% VAT to the full fare on every London ride. Previously, ride-hailing apps used the Tour Operators' Margin Scheme (TOMS), which limited VAT to their commission. The closure of TOMS for ride-hailing means Uber and Bolt prices jumped roughly 15–20% overnight — narrowing the gap with black cabs significantly.
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.
| Service | Pricing Model | Booking | Hailable? | 2026 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 |
| Bolt | Dynamic | App | No | +20% on full fare |
| FreeNow | Metered (mostly black cabs) | App | No | None |
| 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 / 6-seater | 6 | 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 |
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 rated 4.9/5 across 450+ verified reviews — 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 25% 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 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.
- 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 London is appreciated but not obligatory. The standard is 10% or simply rounding up to the nearest pound. There is no fee for using a card in any TfL-licensed black cab — this is a regulatory requirement. Pre-booked minicabs accept card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, contactless, and bank transfer. Black cabs cannot charge extra for luggage carried inside the vehicle, and assistance dogs travel free of charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum London taxi fare in 2026?
The minimum London black cab fare is £4.40 from 25 April 2026, 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.
How much is the per-mile rate for a London black cab in 2026?
After the 2.88% uplift on 25 April 2026, expect approximately £4.10 per mile under Tariff 1 (weekday daytime), £4.95 per mile under Tariff 2 (weekday evenings and weekends), and £5.25 per mile under Tariff 3 (late night and public holidays) for journeys up to 6 miles. Beyond 6 miles, Tariff 4 applies at the Tariff 2 rate regardless of time.
How much does a taxi from Heathrow to Central London cost in 2026?
A metered black cab is £75–£110 daytime (£90–£130 evenings and weekends) including the £1.60 rank-pickup extra. A pre-booked minicab from LondonAirport-Taxi.com is fixed at £55–£75 with meet-and-greet, flight tracking, and 60 minutes of free waiting time. Uber X is typically £55–£85 off-peak but can spike during surge.
How much does a taxi from Gatwick to Central London cost in 2026?
£90–£130 by black cab; £75–£105 via Uber or Bolt off-peak (now including 20% VAT); £65–£85 fixed from a pre-booked minicab. The £10 Gatwick drop-off charge is included in pre-booked fixed fares but added separately to black cab and ride-hailing fares.
Did London taxi fares go up in 2026?
Yes. On 25 April 2026, 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 Uber and Bolt fares from 2 January 2026.
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.
Why is Uber more expensive in 2026 than in 2025?
Since 2 January 2026, HMRC has required Uber and Bolt to charge 20% VAT on the full fare following the closure of the Tour Operators' Margin Scheme for ride-hailing. Heathrow's £7 drop-off charge also now appears as an itemised line on receipts. Together, these changes added approximately £10–£15 to typical airport-related Uber rides.
Do London black cabs accept card payments in 2026?
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.
Summary
London taxi fares rose again in April 2026, 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 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, rated 4.9/5 across 450+ verified reviews, 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, and our Stansted Airport taxi cost guide. Get an instant fixed-price quote now.
