Taxi Fare Calculator — London Black Cab & UK Minicab Estimator 2026

How London Taxi Fares Are Calculated

London black cab fares are calculated using the official Transport for London (TfL) tariff structure that came into effect on 25 April 2026, when the minimum fare rose from £4.20 to £4.40 (a 20p increase) and Tariffs 1, 2, and 3 went up by 2.88%. The total fare is built from four components:

1. Distance — measured in miles from pickup to destination. The black cab meter charges per mile based on which tariff applies.
2. Day & Time (Tariff) — black cabs use 3 different tariffs depending on when you travel. Late nights and public holidays cost more.
3. Traffic conditions — when the cab travels under 10.4 mph (slow traffic, traffic lights, congestion), the meter switches to a per-minute charge.
4. Airport extras & surcharges — Heathrow drop-off (£7), London City Airport drop-off (£6, from April 2026), Gatwick/Stansted drop-off (£10), Christmas/New Year (£4), and Heathrow rank pickup (£1.60).

For an instant fixed-fare quote (no meter, no surge, no surprises), use the booking form on this page or our online booking page — typically 30–40% cheaper than metered black cabs for airport transfers and longer journeys.

Official 2026 TfL Tariff Structure for London Black Cabs

Black cab fares in London are regulated by Transport for London and identical across every licensed Hackney Carriage. The meter never surges and never changes for weather or demand:

Black Cab Metered Fares vs Pre-Booked Fixed Fares — Why Both Matter

Estimating taxi fares using the TfL tariffs gives you the black cab metered estimate, but it's important to understand black cab fares are variable — they change based on traffic, route taken, and time of day. The same journey can cost £45 at 10 AM Tuesday and £75 at 7 PM Friday.

For journeys where price certainty matters (airport transfers, weddings, business travel, hospital appointments), a pre-booked fixed-fare taxi is significantly more useful. The price is locked at booking, regardless of traffic or surge.

Rule of thumb: For journeys under 5 miles in central London, a black cab is usually fine — the meter and the fixed-fare are similar. For airport transfers, longer journeys, or any trip during peak surge times, pre-booked fixed fares typically save 30–40%.

Black Cab vs Uber, Bolt, and Minicab Pricing Compared

The "right" taxi pricing model depends on the journey type. Here's how the four options actually compare in 2026:

For deeper comparison, see our Uber vs Black Cab vs Minicab guide.

Quick Fare Estimates for Common London Journeys

Use these as rough guides for the most-searched London routes (Tariff 1 daytime, light traffic):

UK Taxi Fares Outside London — How They Work

Outside London, taxi fares are set by individual local councils, not by Transport for London. Each city or borough has its own minimum fare and per-mile rate, regulated by the local Hackney Carriage licensing authority. Typical 2026 starting fares across major UK cities:

• Manchester: ~£3.20 starting, ~£2.40/mi
• Birmingham: ~£3.20 starting, ~£2.20/mi
• Edinburgh: ~£3.10 starting, ~£2.30/mi
• Glasgow: ~£3.40 starting, ~£2.60/mi
• Leeds: ~£3.10 starting, ~£2.50/mi
• Liverpool: ~£3.30 starting, ~£2.40/mi
• Cambridge: ~£3.40 starting, ~£2.70/mi
• Oxford: ~£3.50 starting, ~£2.50/mi
• Bristol: ~£3.30 starting, ~£2.30/mi
• Newcastle: ~£3.20 starting, ~£2.20/mi

UK black cab fares outside London are typically 20–35% cheaper per mile than London. However, for long-distance UK journeys (city-to-city, airport transfers), pre-booked private hire (minicabs) are typically the best value because they offer fixed prices regardless of distance.

Black Cab Surcharges and Extra Charges (2026)

Beyond the basic meter, several additional charges can apply to London black cab fares:

With LondonAirport-Taxi.com pre-booked fares, all airport drop-off charges are included in the quoted price — no surprises at the airport.

Why Black Cab Fare Estimates Are Approximate (Not Guaranteed)

Even the most accurate taxi fare calculation can only provide an estimate, not a guaranteed price. Several factors cause the actual metered fare to vary from any estimate based on the TfL tariffs alone:

• Route taken — drivers choose routes; longer routes mean higher fares (rare but possible)
• Live traffic — an estimate may assume 5 minutes of slow traffic, but rush hour can mean 20+ minutes
• Time-of-day boundaries — if your journey starts in Tariff 1 but ends after 8 PM in Tariff 2, both rates apply
• Stops and waiting — asking the cab to wait at your destination adds per-minute charges
• Tariff 4 transitions — for any part of a journey over 6 miles, Tariff 4 rates kick in
• Roadworks or diversions — unexpected detours add distance

This is why fixed-fare pre-booked taxis are increasingly popular for journeys where the price matters: you know exactly what you'll pay before you travel, and that price doesn't change for any reason.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a London taxi fare calculator work?

A London taxi fare calculator estimates black cab fares using the official Transport for London (TfL) tariff structure. The calculator multiplies your distance by the per-mile rate for the time of day (Tariff 1, 2, or 3), adds per-minute charges for slow traffic below 10.4 mph, and adds any applicable airport extras or surcharges. Since 25 April 2026, the minimum fare is £4.40, with Tariff 1 (Mon-Fri daytime) at approximately £4.10/mile, Tariff 2 (eves/weekends) at £4.95/mile, and Tariff 3 (nights/holidays) at £5.25/mile. Real fares vary based on actual traffic and route taken.

What is the minimum London black cab fare in 2026?

The minimum London black cab fare is £4.40, effective from 25 April 2026. This is a 20p increase from the previous £4.20 minimum that had been in place since the previous tariff review. Transport for London (TfL) Finance Committee approved this change on 25 February 2026, alongside a 2.88% uplift to Tariffs 1, 2, and 3. The minimum fare applies to all journeys regardless of distance — even very short rides will be charged at least £4.40 plus any applicable extras.

How much is a black cab from Heathrow to Central London?

A London black cab from Heathrow to central London on the meter typically costs £75 to £110 depending on traffic and time of day, plus a £7 Heathrow drop-off charge included on the meter. The 17-mile journey takes 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes via the M4. By comparison, a pre-booked private hire (minicab) saloon for the same journey is £45 fixed with LondonAirport-Taxi.com — saving £30 to £65 with no surge pricing risk. Pre-booking also includes meet-and-greet inside the arrivals terminal with a name board.

Are London taxi fares regulated by TfL?

Yes. London black cab (Hackney Carriage) fares are fully regulated by Transport for London and are identical across every licensed black cab in the city. The meter never surges, never changes for weather or demand, and never charges more for app booking than street hailing. Fares are reviewed annually by TfL's Finance Committee following public consultation, with changes typically taking effect in April. Private hire vehicles (minicabs, Uber, Bolt) are not regulated on price — they set their own pricing structures, with Uber and Bolt now adding 20% VAT to all fares since 2 January 2026.

Why is my actual taxi fare different from the calculator estimate?

Taxi fare calculators give estimates based on assumed average conditions. Real fares vary because of live traffic (slow moving traffic adds per-minute charges), the route the driver takes, time-of-day boundaries crossed during your journey, stops or waiting time you request, and unexpected detours due to roadworks. Tariff 4 also applies to any part of a journey over 6 miles, increasing the per-mile rate. Calculator estimates are typically accurate within 10-20% of the actual metered fare for predictable routes in light traffic, but can vary by 30-50% during rush hour or with significant detours.

Is a fixed-fare taxi cheaper than a black cab in London?

For airport transfers and longer journeys, yes — typically by 30-40%. A pre-booked LondonAirport-Taxi.com Heathrow to central London transfer is £45 fixed versus £75-£110 metered in a black cab. For Stansted (37 miles) the saving is even larger: £75 fixed versus £130-£180 metered. For short central London hops under 5 miles, black cab and fixed-fare prices are similar — black cabs win on speed (no booking required, hail one immediately) while fixed-fare wins on certainty (no surge during peak times). Use the booking form on this page to compare a fixed-fare quote against the metered estimate.

Do London taxis charge more at night?

Yes. Tariff 3 applies between 22:00 and 05:00 every day, plus all day on public holidays — charging approximately £5.25 per mile compared to Tariff 1's £4.10. This is a 28% increase per mile for late-night journeys. Additionally, a £4 Christmas and New Year surcharge applies between 8pm Christmas Eve and 6am 27 December, and 8pm New Year's Eve and 6am 2 January. Pre-booked private hire fares are typically the same regardless of time of day — no late-night surge — making them significantly cheaper for unsocial hours.

Can I calculate fares for UK cities outside London?

Outside London, taxi fares are set by individual local councils, not Transport for London — so each city has its own tariff structure. Typical UK city minimum fares are £3-£3.50 with per-mile rates of £2.20-£2.70, generally 20-35% cheaper per mile than London. However, calculators specific to non-London UK cities are less common because each council's rates are different. For UK long-distance journeys (city-to-city, regional airport transfers), pre-booked private hire (minicabs) is usually best — fixed prices regardless of distance, with operators covering routes from £150 (London-Manchester) to £350+ (London-Edinburgh).

Summary

London black cab fares are calculated using the official 2026 TfL tariffs (£4.40 minimum, £4.10–£5.25/mile depending on time of day). Black cab fares are metered and variable — they change based on traffic, time of day, and route. For fixed-fare guaranteed prices, particularly on airport transfers and longer journeys, pre-booking with LondonAirport-Taxi.com is typically 30–40% cheaper. Use the booking form on this page for an instant fixed-fare quote. We're a TfL-licensed Private Hire Operator rated 4.9/5 across 450+ reviews, with fixed Heathrow fares from £45, meet-and-greet at all UK airports, automatic flight monitoring, and 24/7 service. Most importantly: no surge pricing, no time-based charges, no surprises at the meter. Get an instant fixed-fare quote. For more reading, see our London taxi fares 2026 guide, Uber vs Black Cab vs Minicab, how much are taxis in London (with USD), and cheapest way Heathrow to Central London.