Ask three minicab firms for a price on the same journey and you can easily get three different answers. Usually nobody is being dishonest. Each firm is pricing a slightly different thing: a different vehicle, a different time window, or a price that includes something another one leaves out.
This guide explains what a minicab quote is made of, the difference between an estimate and a fixed fare, and how to compare two prices fairly.
Estimate, quote and fixed fare: three different things
These words get used loosely, but they mean different things:
- A fare estimate is a calculated figure, usually shown as a range. It's based on the route and your journey details, and it lets you budget before anything is confirmed. Online fare calculators produce estimates.
- A quote is the price an operator offers for a specific journey once it has your details.
- A fixed fare is a quote that won't change if the journey takes longer than expected, for example because of traffic. Many airport transfers are sold this way.
A price you see on screen in a few seconds is almost always an estimate, however exact it looks. The price that counts is the one the operator confirms when it accepts your booking.
What actually drives the price
Most UK private hire pricing, ours included, comes down to a handful of things.
Route distance
Distance comes first. Longer journeys cost more in total, but the price per mile usually falls as the distance grows. A two-mile hop has a fixed cost of sending a driver that a 40-mile run spreads out. That's why a short journey can look expensive per mile and a long one can look like good value. Our long-distance travel guide covers the far end of that scale.
It's the road distance that counts, not the straight-line distance. A river crossing, a one-way system or a motorway junction can add miles to a journey that looks short on a map.
Vehicle size
An estate, executive car, MPV or minibus costs more than a saloon for the same route. Get the size right the first time. Asking for a bigger vehicle after you've booked can mean a new quote, and sometimes no availability at all. The fleet page lists seats and luggage for each class.
Time of day
Late-night and very early pickups usually cost more than daytime ones. For us, the night rate applies to pickups between 10pm and 6am. If your pickup is close to that boundary, the booked time decides which rate you pay.
Passengers, luggage and extras
Extra passengers and bags can add a small amount. Optional extras, such as a child seat or a driver meeting you in the arrivals hall with a name board, are usually separate add-ons. Ask for them when you book rather than on the day.
One-way or return
A return booking covers two journeys, so it costs roughly twice the one-way price. It isn't a discount, but it does secure your return car in advance. That matters most after a late flight or an event.
Why airport prices often behave differently
Airport transfers are where you're most likely to see a fixed price. Many London airport journeys are priced from a list by postcode district rather than calculated mile by mile. There are two reasons. Airport runs are predictable, and passengers want certainty before a flight.
Two things often surprise people:
- Collection from the airport often costs more than drop-off. The driver has to track the flight, wait for you to clear arrivals and pay for airport parking. Our airport transfer pricing guide explains this.
- Drop-off charges. Most London airports charge vehicles to stop at the terminal. Whether that's included varies by operator, so ask. The airport drop-off charges guide lists them by airport.
For more on how all-in airport pricing works, see our fixed-price airport transfer guide.
How to compare two quotes fairly
Before you decide one quote is cheaper, check you're comparing like with like:
- Same vehicle? A saloon price isn't comparable with an estate price if you have four large cases.
- Same time? One firm may have priced a night pickup at the day rate by mistake, and that can be corrected later.
- Fixed or estimated? A slightly higher fixed fare can cost less than a lower estimate that rises in traffic.
- What's included? Airport parking, drop-off charges, tolls and waiting time are the usual differences.
- Is the operator licensed? A low price from an unlicensed operator is no saving. Our guide to checking a minicab is licensed takes a couple of minutes.
App-based services work differently again. Prices can change with demand, which our surge pricing guide explains.
Getting an estimate from us
Enter your pickup, drop-off, time and vehicle on the booking page to see an estimated fare, or a fixed price where your airport journey is on our list. Prices are estimates until we confirm them, and we confirm the final price when we accept your booking.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is a minicab fare estimate the final price? A: Not necessarily. An estimate helps you budget, and the operator confirms the final price when it accepts the booking. A fixed airport fare is a quote for that journey once confirmed.
Q: Why is a minicab from the airport more expensive than to the airport? A: Collecting from an airport usually involves flight tracking, waiting while you clear arrivals and airport parking charges. None of these apply to a drop-off.
Q: Do minicabs charge more at night? A: Many do. Our night rate applies to pickups between 10pm and 6am. Check the time window with any operator you use.
Q: How do I get an instant minicab quote? A: An online fare calculator gives you an estimate in seconds once you enter both addresses, the time and the vehicle size. The operator still has to confirm the booking and the final price.
Q: Are tolls and airport drop-off charges included in a minicab quote? A: It depends on the operator. Ask before you accept a price, because these are the most common reasons two quotes for the same journey differ.