London Taxi Fares
Transport for London sets all London black-cab fares — three tariffs depending on time of day and journey distance. Every fare is metered, contactless-payable and shown on the receipt-printer screen. There is no surge, no surcharge, no negotiation.
Key facts
FAQs
How are London taxi fares calculated?
Distance + time, metered live, with three time-of-day tariffs. Tariff 1 (weekday day) starts at £3.80 with £0.20 per ~120m or 27 seconds. Tariffs 2 and 3 add evening/night premiums. Full tariff card is displayed inside every cab and on the tfl.gov.uk website.
Is there a London taxi airport surcharge?
No surcharge from the airport — meter runs as normal (typical Heathrow ↔ central £75–£95). To the airport: same. Note ranks at Heathrow include a £2.80 'feeder' fee for the holding yard which the meter shows on arrival.
Why is my London taxi fare higher than expected?
Common reasons: tariff 2 or 3 in effect (evening/night), traffic forcing the time-based charge to dominate distance, a longer route to avoid congestion, or a booked-app surcharge (£1.49–£2.80). The receipt itemises everything.
Do London cabbies expect a tip?
Tipping is not expected but customary — most Londoners round up to the nearest pound or add 10%. Apps offer in-app tip selection. There is no etiquette penalty for not tipping.
Are London taxi fares cheaper than Uber?
On short central trips Uber is typically 10–20% cheaper than a metered black cab. On longer trips with no surge, fares are similar. During Uber surge (peak, events, bad weather) black cabs are often cheaper since their tariff doesn't surge.