“How much is a London taxi?” has no single answer — it depends on distance, vehicle, time and how the fare is priced. This guide breaks down what drives the cost, shows real airport-fare examples, and explains how to get the best value.
What affects the price
- Distance and route — the main driver of any fare
- Vehicle size — saloon, MPV, 8- or 16-seater; bigger costs more but splits cheaper
- Time & demand — with metered/app pricing; a fixed fare ignores this
- Extras & charges — tolls, Congestion Charge, ULEZ — included in a RushXO fixed fare
- Waiting & stops — airport free waiting is included; extra stops may add a little
Fixed vs metered vs surge pricing
The pricing model matters as much as the distance. A fixed fare is agreed upfront and never moves. A meter runs up with time and traffic. Surge (apps) multiplies on busy or hot days. For predictability, fixed wins — the full comparison is in our fixed vs surge guide.
Example airport fares
| Route | Saloon from |
|---|---|
| Heathrow → Central London | £70 |
| Gatwick → Central London | £96 |
| Stansted → Central London | £122 (from £29 across Essex) |
| Luton → Central London | £111 (from £29 across Herts) |
| London City → Canary Wharf | £29 |
Indicative fixed fares — confirmed at booking. See each airport page for detail.
How to get the best value
Share the fare — one minibus split between a group beats several cars per head. Book a fixed fare to avoid surge on busy days. Choose the right vehicle size so you’re not overpaying for space you don’t need. And remember the fixed fare already includes A/C, tolls and airport meet-and-greet — there’s nothing to add at the end.
FAQs
How much is a London taxi?
What makes a taxi fare go up?
Are tolls and the Congestion Charge extra?
How can I get the cheapest London taxi?
Book a fixed-fare taxi
Send us the train, flight or ship details and we handle the rest — tracking, meet & greet and waiting time are all in the fixed fare.