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

How to Calculate London Black Cab Taxi Fares

London black cab fares are calculated using the official Transport for London (TfL) tariff structure that came into effect on 25 April 2026 under TfL Notice 04/26, 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:

• Distance — measured in miles from pickup to destination. The black cab meter charges per mile based on which tariff applies.
• Day & Time (Tariff) — black cabs use 3 different tariffs depending on when you travel. Late nights and public holidays cost more.
• Traffic conditions — when the cab travels under 10.4 mph (slow traffic, traffic lights, congestion), the meter switches to a per-minute charge.
• Airport extras & surcharges — Heathrow drop-off (£7), London City Airport drop-off (£8), 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 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%. For the full official fare reference, see our London cab fares guide.

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:

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 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

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. For a full breakdown of every UK airport's drop-off fees, see the UK airport drop-off charges compared guide.

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 (same as Tariff 2 per TfL Notice 03/24)
• 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 do I calculate black cab taxi fares in London?

To calculate black cab taxi fares in London, multiply your journey distance by the per-mile rate for the time of day, then add the per-minute charge for any slow traffic below 10.4 mph plus any airport or holiday surcharges. Under the 2026 TfL tariffs (from 25 April 2026), the minimum fare is £4.40, with Tariff 1 (Mon-Fri daytime) at about £4.10 per mile, Tariff 2 (evenings and weekends) at £4.95 per mile, and Tariff 3 (nights and public holidays) at £5.25 per mile. The booking form on this page gives an instant fixed-fare quote that locks the price with no meter and no surge.

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.

Why is a fixed Heathrow fare cheaper than the calculator estimate?

The metered black cab estimate for Heathrow to central London is about £75 to £110 (plus the £7 drop-off) because the meter runs on distance, time, and traffic across the 17-mile route via the M4. A pre-booked fixed fare with LondonAirport-Taxi.com locks the same trip at £45 whatever the traffic or surge, which is why it works out £30 to £65 lower. The fixed price also includes meet-and-greet inside arrivals 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. Uber and Bolt now add 20% VAT to London fares since 2 January 2026 (PHVO principal model); outside London the agency model keeps most rides VAT-free.

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, using the same rates as Tariff 2 per TfL Notice 03/24. 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 TfL tariffs (£4.40 minimum from 25 April 2026 per TfL Notice 04/26, £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. Key changes include higher airport drop-off charges across Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City, plus a new LCY black-cab meter add-on — all detailed in the surcharge table above. 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 how much is a black cab in London and the cheapest way Heathrow to Central London.