There’s no single answer to “how much is a London taxi?” — but the price is driven by a small number of factors you can understand and plan around. This breakdown explains each one, with illustrative estimates.
Every figure below is an estimate that varies; we set the final fare.
The main cost factors
- Distance — the biggest driver. A £2.60-per-mile rule of thumb gets you in the right ballpark for a private-hire estimate, on top of a base fare.
- Time in traffic — black cabs charge for waiting time on the meter, so a congested route costs more even over the same distance.
- Time of day — a night surcharge (roughly £10) can apply for pickups late at night and early morning.
- Vehicle type — a saloon is the baseline; estates, executive cars and minibuses cost progressively more.
- Surcharges — airport pickups often carry a surcharge (around £8), and central journeys can involve the Congestion Charge or ULEZ depending on the vehicle.
Worked examples (estimates only)
To show how these combine, here are rough estimates for common journeys. Real prices depend on the exact addresses and traffic on the day.
| Journey | Approx distance | Estimated range | | --- | --- | --- | | Short central hop | 3–4 miles | £12–£18 | | Across town (e.g. Paddington → Canary Wharf) | 8–10 miles | £30–£45 | | Heathrow to central London | ~16 miles | £55–£75 | | London to Gatwick | ~28 miles | £80–£110 |
These use our standard estimate model (base fare + per-mile + any surcharges) and are deliberately shown as ranges — never treat them as a quote.
Black cab meter vs private-hire quote
The key distinction for cost control:
- A black cab runs on a regulated meter, so a slow journey in heavy traffic can end up higher than expected.
- A licensed private-hire firm can usually give a fixed quote before you travel, which protects you from traffic risk on longer runs.
For predictable budgeting — especially airport transfers — a pre-agreed private-hire price is usually the safer bet. Our guide to paying and tipping in a UK taxi covers what each type accepts and what the fare does and doesn't include.
How to get an accurate number
The only way to know a realistic price for your journey is to enter the exact pickup and destination. Get a London taxi estimate, then your request goes to us to confirm the final fare.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How much does a taxi cost in London? A: It depends on distance, time in traffic, time of day and vehicle type. As a rough guide, a short central hop of 3–4 miles is around £12–£18 and a cross-town run of 8–10 miles around £30–£45. These are estimates only and vary with the exact addresses and traffic.
Q: How much is a taxi from Heathrow to central London? A: Roughly £55–£75 as an estimate for the 16-mile run, depending on your exact destination and the traffic. London to Gatwick, at around 28 miles, estimates at roughly £80–£110.
Q: What is the per-mile rate for a London taxi? A: A rule of thumb of about £2.60 per mile, on top of a base fare, gets you in the right ballpark for a private-hire estimate. It is a guide rather than a tariff — the final fare is confirmed with your booking.
Q: Is a taxi more expensive at night in London? A: It can be. A night surcharge of roughly £10 may apply for pickups late at night and early in the morning, which is worth factoring into a pre-dawn airport run.
Q: Why do airport taxi fares include a surcharge? A: Airport pickups often carry a surcharge of around £8, reflecting the access and waiting arrangements at the terminal. Central journeys may also involve the Congestion Charge or ULEZ depending on the vehicle.
Q: Does a bigger vehicle cost more? A: Yes. A saloon is the baseline, with estates, executive cars and minibuses costing progressively more. Book on the luggage and passenger count you actually have rather than the cheapest class.
For ways to bring the cost down, see our cheap London taxi guide.
We provide your journey directly, and the prices shown are estimates that may vary.