"24-hour" means more than taking bookings around the clock. It means a car actually arrives at 3:40am on a Tuesday for a 6am flight from Heathrow. Most of the time we need a car in the middle of the night, it's for something that can't move, like a flight, a train or a shift.
We run minicabs 24 hours a day, every day. This guide explains what's different about booking overnight and how to make sure the car is there.
What changes overnight
Running around the clock doesn't make 3am the same as 3pm. A few things change:
- Fewer cars are working. There are fewer drivers on the road overnight than in the daytime, so a car booked ahead is much more reliable than one requested at the last minute.
- Roads are quicker, mostly. Empty roads make overnight journeys faster, but that's also when major roads and tunnels close for maintenance. Our early-morning airport guide explains how to allow for both.
- Public transport is limited. The Night Tube runs only on certain lines on Friday and Saturday nights, and night buses don't serve the airports well. If your journey depends on them, check first. The late-night London guide covers what runs.
- Night pricing applies. Pickups between 10pm and 6am are charged at our night rate. The estimate shows this before you book.
How far ahead to book a night pickup
| Pickup | Suggested notice | | :--- | :--- | | Evening, before midnight | A few hours is usually fine for a saloon | | Midnight–5am | Book the day before | | Before 6am for a flight | Book at least a day ahead, earlier in school holidays | | Larger vehicle or child seat at night | Book as early as you can, as these run out first |
Short-notice overnight bookings are often possible, but they're the hardest to guarantee. If your journey is planned, book it as soon as you know.
Booking at 2am
Not every overnight journey is planned. If you need a car right now:
- Use the booking page. It's available at any time, and you'll see an estimate straight away.
- Message us on WhatsApp for an urgent request or a change to an existing booking.
- Give us everything at once. Exact pickup address, destination, number of passengers, bags and any flight number. Each back-and-forth message adds time.
Our last-minute booking guide explains what's easiest to arrange at short notice.
Who uses a 24-hour minicab
- Early flights. The most common overnight booking. Departures from 6am mean leaving central London around 3am or 4am. Our guides to Heathrow and the EC1–EC4 airport transfers cover the routes.
- Late arrivals. A delayed evening flight that lands after the last train. See late-night airport arrivals.
- Shift workers. Hospitality, healthcare and transport staff start and finish at times public transport doesn't serve.
- Getting home after a night out. A pre-booked car avoids waiting in the street. Our safety tips cover checking the car at night.
Staying safe at night
A pre-booked minicab is a safer choice late at night, because there's a booking record, a licensed driver and a licensed vehicle. Check the car before you get in: the registration should match your booking, and the driver should know your name and destination without being told. Never get into a minicab that wasn't booked. Our guide to unlicensed touts explains why.
Book a car for any time
Enter your journey on the booking page for an estimated fare at any time of day or night. We confirm the final price when we accept your booking.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I book a minicab in London at 3am? A: Yes. We run 24 hours a day, every day. For a planned journey, book the day before, as fewer cars are working overnight.
Q: Do minicabs cost more at night? A: Yes, our night rate applies to pickups between 10pm and 6am. The estimate shows it before you book.
Q: How do I contact a 24-hour minicab service urgently? A: Use the online booking page or message us on WhatsApp on +44 7341 522089, with your pickup address, destination and passenger numbers in a single message.
Q: Can I get a 24-hour minicab to the airport? A: Yes. Airport transfers run around the clock. Include your flight number when booking an airport pickup so the driver can track the flight.
Q: Is it safe to take a minicab late at night? A: A pre-booked minicab from a licensed operator is the safer choice. Check that the registration matches your booking before you get in, and never accept an unbooked ride.