Fares & paying
Taxi Fares
Taxi fares change depending on time of the day, speed and distance. Fares and any extra charges are always displayed on the meter next to the driver.
The following details the current tariff for licensed taxis; it is intended for reference only and should not be used to calculate possible journey costs. Drivers must, unless they have a reasonable excuse, accept any hiring up to 12 miles (20 miles if at Heathrow Airport), or up to one hour's duration, if the intended destination is in the Metropolitan or City police districts (this includes Central and Greater London). Fares are as follows:
1. For any hiring during Monday to Friday* between 06:00 and 20:00:
- For the first 321m or 69 seconds a minimum charge of £2.20
- For each additional 160.5m or 34.5 seconds (or part thereof) if the fare displayed is less than £14.00, a charge of 20p
- Thereafter for each 112.5m or 24.2 seconds (or part thereof), a charge of 20p
*except on public holidays including Christmas and New Year.
2. For any hiring during Monday to Friday* between 20:00 and 22:00 and for any hiring during Saturday or Sunday between 0600 and 2000:
- For the first 260.4m or 56 seconds, a minimum charge of £2.20
- For each additional 130.2m or 28 seconds (or part thereof) if the fare displayed is less than £16.80, a charge of 20p
- Thereafter for each 112.5m or 24.2 seconds (or part thereof), a charge of 20p
*except on public holidays including Christmas and New Year.
3. For any hiring between 22:00 on any day and 06:00 the following day, and at any time on public holidays including Christmas and New Year:
- For the first 210.6m or 45.2 seconds a minimum charge of £2.20
- For each additional 105.3m or 22.6 seconds (or part thereof) if the fare displayed is less than £20.20, a charge of 20p
- Thereafter for each 112.5m or 24.2 seconds (or part thereof), a charge of 20p
Extra Charges
1. Christmas and New Year:
For any hiring beginning or ending within the following periods:
- Between 20:00 on 24 December and 06:00 on 27 December and
- between 20:00 on 31 December and 06:00 on 2 January, a charge of £4.00
2. Telephone bookings:
For any hiring which is arranged by telephone, a charge of £2.00
3. Bank cards:
Where credit or debit cards are accepted, there is a typical surcharge of 10%, and 15% on the metered fare. Not all drivers will accept cards, so it's best to check before you get into the taxi.
4. Soiling:
For soiling that requires the taxi to be taken out of service for cleaning, a charge of up to £40.00.
Note: No extra charges should be made for extra passengers, luggage, or guide dogs.
For more information visit www.tfl.gov.uk/pco/ (www.tfl.gov.uk/pco/).
Minicab fares
Minicab fares are set by the cab firm, and should be agreed before the journey. Most minicabs charge by the mile. An estimated fare is about £2.50 per mile with a minimum fare of about £5. Ask for the fare when booking your minicab, and again before starting your journey with the driver.
Most minicab firms charge from pick-up point, but some charge from the minicab office, meaning you're being charged before the cab reaches you, so be sure to check. Like taxis, minicabs can cost more at night and on public holidays.
Here's what you should expect to pay for the following journeys:
Heathrow Airport - Paddington: £45
Victoria Station - Clapham: £22
Waterloo Station - Battersea: £20
Euston Station – Camden Town: £8
Liverpool Street Station - Angel: £15
Note: These prices are estimates; prices vary depending on operator.