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Most UK taxis cost between £2 and £3 per mile. A London black cab costs more, about £4 to £5.30 per mile on the meter. Outside London, council meters charge about £1.50 to £3 for each mile after the first. On long fixed-price trips, the cost can drop to around £1.75 per mile.
That’s the short version. But “per mile” is only part of the story. Every taxi has a starting charge, so short trips cost much more per mile than long ones. The time of day matters too, and so does the type of taxi you pick.
In this guide, we’ll show you real 2026 fares, explain why the price changes, and help you work out what your own trip should cost. We’ll use official figures from Transport for London (TfL) and local councils, plus the fixed fares we charge at Airport CabConnect.
- £2 to £3per mile for most pre-booked minicabs
- £4 to £5.30per mile in a London black cab
- £4.40minimum black cab fare in London
- From £1.75per mile on long fixed-fare trips
UK Taxi Cost Per Mile at a Glance
The UK has two main types of taxi. Black cabs, also called hackney carriages, can be hailed in the street and run on a meter. Their prices are set by the local council, or by TfL in London. Minicabs, also called private hire cars, must be booked in advance. They usually give you a fixed price before you travel.
Here’s how the cost per mile compares in 2026.
| Type of taxi | Cost per mile | How the price works |
|---|---|---|
| London black cab | £4 to £5.30 | Meter set by TfL. Higher at night and weekends. |
| Black cab outside London | £1.50 to £3 | Meter set by each council, plus a higher first mile. |
| Pre-booked minicab | £2 to £3 | Fixed price agreed before you travel. |
| Ride-hailing app | Varies | Changes with demand. Surge pricing can double it or more. |
| Long-distance fixed fare | £1.75 to £2.30 | One fixed price for the whole trip, often 50 miles or more. |
Figures are for a standard car with up to 4 passengers. Bigger cars, such as people carriers and minibuses, cost more per mile.
London Black Cab Fares Per Mile in 2026
London has the most expensive taxis in the UK. TfL raised black cab fares again on 25 April 2026. The minimum fare went up from £4.20 to £4.40, and the meter rates rose by 2.88%.
The meter has three main tariffs, based on when you travel:
- Tariff 1: Monday to Friday, 5am to 8pm. This is the cheapest.
- Tariff 2: Monday to Friday, 8pm to 10pm, and weekends from 5am to 10pm.
- Tariff 3: every night from 10pm to 5am, and on public holidays. This is the most expensive.
After about six miles, a fourth rate kicks in at all times. It costs the same as Tariff 2, at around £5 per mile. So a long black cab ride in London adds up fast.
| Distance | Journey time | Weekday daytime | Evening and weekend | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mile | 6 to 13 min | £8.40 to £13 | £8.40 to £13.20 | £9 to £13.20 |
| 2 miles | 10 to 20 min | £12.60 to £20.20 | £13.40 to £20.40 | £13.60 to £20.40 |
| 4 miles | 16 to 30 min | £21 to £31 | £23 to £32 | £23 to £35 |
| 6 miles | 28 to 40 min | £33 to £42 | £41 to £45 | £41 to £45 |
Source: TfL typical fares for 2026. The meter also charges while the cab is stuck in traffic, so slow journeys cost more.
Look at the 1 mile row. A one mile trip costs at least £8.40, which is far more than £5 per mile. That’s the starting charge at work. Now look at 6 miles: £33 works out at about £5.50 per mile. The longer you ride, the closer you get to the true per mile rate.
There are a few extras to know about too. Booking a black cab by phone or app can add up to £2. Journeys from a Heathrow taxi rank carry a small extra charge, and since April 2026 there’s a £6 extra for drop-offs at London City Airport.
Going to or from an airport? A fixed fare is usually the safer bet. Our Heathrow airport taxi and London City Airport taxi fares already include those airport charges, so the price you book is the price you pay.
Taxi Fares Per Mile Outside London
Outside London, every council sets its own black cab prices. That’s why a taxi in Manchester doesn’t cost the same as one in Worcester or Redditch. Most councils follow the same pattern, though: a higher price for the first mile, then a lower price for each mile after that.
Here are three real examples from 2026:
| Council | First mile | Each extra mile | Night or Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salford (Greater Manchester) | £4.40 | £2.10, then £2.80 after 3 miles | Higher rate, 10pm to 5am |
| Worcester (proposed) | £5.60 | £2 | £7.10, then £2.80 a mile |
| Redditch | £5.35 | £1.50 | £6.72, then £1.50 a mile |
Sources: Salford City Council (from 1 April 2026), Redditch Borough Council (from 24 August 2026) and Worcester City Council’s 2026 consultation.
Notice something odd about Salford? The price per mile goes up after three miles. Not every council does this, so it pays to check the local tariff before a long metered ride. On a council meter, airport drop-off fees and tolls are usually added on top of the fare as well.
In big cities like Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow and Edinburgh, daytime meter fares mostly land in the £2 to £3 per mile range once you’re past the first mile. Expect more at night, on Sundays and on bank holidays.
How Much Does a Pre-Booked Minicab Cost Per Mile?
A pre-booked minicab usually costs £2 to £3 per mile in the UK. The big difference is that you get one fixed price before the trip starts. Traffic, roadworks or a wrong turn won’t change it.
Here’s an example from our own prices. A 10 mile trip in one of our licensed minicabs costs about £22 to £32. The same trip in a black cab can cost £38 to £55 or more, depending on traffic. That’s why most people book a minicab for longer trips and save black cabs for short hops in town.
You can see the full side-by-side comparison on our cheap taxi service page.
Only ever ride with a licensed minicab that you booked through an operator. A driver who offers you a ride in the street without a booking is touting, which isn’t legal. They usually have no passenger insurance either.
Why Long Taxi Trips Cost Less Per Mile
Here’s something most fare guides miss. The cost per mile isn’t fixed. It falls the further you go.
Why? Every trip has the same fixed costs at the start: the driver getting to you, airport charges, and waiting time. On a short trip, those costs are shared between a few miles. On a long trip, they’re spread across many miles, so each mile costs less.
You can see it clearly in our own “from” prices for a standard saloon:
| Route | Approx. miles | Fixed fare from | Cost per mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| London City Airport to central London | 7 | £40 | |
| Heathrow to central London | 15 | £65 | |
| Gatwick to central London | 28 | £75 | |
| Southampton Cruise Port to Heathrow | 65 | £150 | |
| Southampton Cruise Port to Gatwick | 76 | £140 | |
| London to Southampton Cruise Port | 77 | £135 |
Fixed saloon fares from Airport CabConnect. Airport routes cost a little more per mile because airport charges are built into the price.
A short airport run costs £4 to £6 per mile. A long trip to the coast costs under £2 per mile. Same car, same driver, very different maths.
So if you’re travelling a long way, don’t rule out a taxi just because it sounds expensive. For a family of three or four with luggage, one cheap UK airport transfer often costs less than train tickets for everyone, plus a cab at each end. The same goes for Heathrow to Gatwick taxis and trips to the cruise ports.
How Much Is a Taxi for 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Miles?
Want a quick guide for your own trip? This table uses the official rates and our own fares from the sections above. Use it as a rough guide, then get an exact price for your route.
| Distance | Pre-booked minicab | Council meter (outside London) | London black cab |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 miles | £12 to £20 | £11 to £16 | £27 to £37 |
| 10 miles | £22 to £32 | £19 to £29 | £53 to £62 |
| 20 miles | £45 to £65 | £34 to £56 | £100 to £120 |
| 50 miles | £95 to £125 | £80 to £140 | £250 or more |
| 100 miles | £175 to £230 | Rarely used | Rarely used |
Estimates only. Council meter figures are based on the Redditch, Worcester and Salford tariffs above. Black cab figures use TfL’s 2026 rates in normal traffic. Night, weekend and bank holiday fares cost more.
For the most accurate price, type your pickup and drop-off into our booking form. You’ll see a fixed fare for every vehicle in seconds, with no obligation to book.
What Changes the Cost of a Taxi Per Mile?
Two trips of the same length can cost very different amounts. Here’s what makes the price go up or down:
- Time of day. Nights, Sundays and bank holidays cost more on a meter. London’s night tariff is the most expensive of all.
- Traffic. A meter keeps running when the cab is stuck in a queue. A fixed fare doesn’t.
- Trip length. Short trips cost more per mile because of the starting charge.
- Car size. A people carrier or 8 seater minivan costs more than a saloon, but splitting it between a group is often cheaper per person.
- Airport and parking charges. Most UK airports now charge for drop-offs. Some taxis add this on top, while our fares include it.
- Demand. Ride-hailing apps raise prices when lots of people want a ride, such as after concerts or in the rain.
- Extras. Waiting time, extra stops and late-night bookings can all add to the bill.
How to Work Out Your Taxi Fare in 3 Steps
You don’t need to be good at maths for this. Just follow these steps:
- Find the distance. Put your start and end points into a map app and note the miles.
- Pick your rate. Use £2 to £3 per mile for a minicab, or £4 to £5.30 per mile for a London black cab.
- Multiply, then add a little. Multiply the miles by your rate. For short trips under 3 miles, add about £3 to £5 for the starting charge.
For example, take 12 miles at £2.50 per mile. That gives you about £30. Easy, right?
Of course, the quickest way is to skip the maths and get a real quote. That’s exactly what a fixed-price booking gives you.
How to Pay Less Per Mile for a UK Taxi
Want to bring the cost down? Here are the tricks that actually work:
- Pre-book instead of hailing. A fixed fare protects you from traffic and surge pricing.
- Share the car. Taxi fares are per car, not per person. Four people in one saloon pay a quarter each.
- Travel in daytime on weekdays if you can. Night and weekend meters cost more.
- Book your return at the same time. It saves hunting for a cab on the way home.
- Pick the right car size. Don’t pay for a minibus if a saloon fits you and your bags.
- Check what’s included. Ask if airport charges, tolls and waiting time are already in the price.
Heading to a station instead of an airport? Our station taxis work the same way, and our seaport transfers cover ferry ports too. You can see everything we offer on our services page.
And if you want to compare a taxi with an app, our guide to whether Uber or a taxi is cheaper from Heathrow walks through the numbers.
Our Premium Fleet
Pick the Right Car and Pay the Right Price
The car you choose changes your cost per mile. Every class below comes with a fixed price confirmed when you book, flight tracking and meet and greet at airports.
Available 24/7
Saloon / Sedan
Our everyday standard taxi and the cheapest way to travel. Quiet, air conditioned and ideal for solo travellers, couples and weekday business runs.
- 4Passengers
- 2Medium bags
- 2Hand luggage
Estate Car
The same ride as a saloon with a far deeper boot. The safe choice for four adults with full size suitcases, golf bags or sports kit.
- 4Passengers
- 3Large bags
- 2Hand luggage
Luxury Executive
A top tier Mercedes class saloon with a professional chauffeur, leather interior and full privacy on board. Built for client pickups and corporate accounts.
- 3-4Passengers
- 2Large bags
- 2Hand luggage
People Carrier
Five seats with real legroom and a boot that swallows the family holiday load. Child seats, booster seats and pushchairs are all welcome on request.
- 5Passengers
- 4Large bags
- 3Hand luggage
8 Seater Minivan
One vehicle for the whole party. Eight seats, eight cases and no second booking to manage, which usually works out cheaper than running two cars.
- 8Passengers
- 8Large bags
- 4Hand luggage
Taxi Cost Per Mile FAQs
How much would a taxi cost for 20 miles in the UK?
A 20 mile taxi in the UK usually costs £45 to £65 in a pre-booked minicab. On a council meter outside London, it’s roughly £34 to £56 in the daytime, depending on the area. A London black cab costs much more, around £100 to £120, because the meter charges about £5 per mile after the first six miles.
How much is a 30 minute taxi ride in London?
A 30 minute black cab ride in London usually costs about £21 to £42 on a weekday daytime. In 30 minutes you’ll cover roughly 4 to 6 miles, and TfL’s 2026 fares put 4 miles at £21 to £31 and 6 miles at £33 to £42. Evenings, weekends and nights can cost up to £45. A pre-booked minicab for the same trip usually costs less.
How much would a taxi cost for 5 miles in the UK?
A 5 mile taxi in the UK usually costs £12 to £20 in a pre-booked minicab or a council-metered taxi outside London. For example, Salford’s 2026 meter charges £14.20 for 5 miles in the daytime and £18.60 at night. In a London black cab, 5 miles costs about £27 to £37 on a weekday.
Why does the first mile of a taxi cost more?
Every taxi fare includes a starting charge that covers the driver’s time getting to you and setting off. On a meter, this is built into the first mile. That’s why a 1 mile trip in London costs at least £8.40, while each mile after that costs less.
Is Uber cheaper per mile than a taxi in the UK?
Sometimes, at quiet times. But app prices change with demand, and surge pricing can double the fare or more during busy periods. For example, Uber from Heathrow to central London can cost £55 to £90 once surge pricing applies, while our fixed fare starts from £65 and never changes on the day.
Do taxis cost more at night and at weekends?
Yes. Metered taxis use higher tariffs at night, on weekends and on bank holidays. In London, the night tariff runs from 10pm to 5am. Outside London, councils set their own night rates. Pre-booked minicab fares are fixed when you book, so they don’t jump at the last minute.
Does a fixed taxi fare go up if there is traffic?
No. A fixed fare is agreed before you travel and stays the same, even if the trip takes longer. A metered black cab is different, because the meter keeps charging while the cab is stuck in traffic.
Is a taxi cheaper per mile on long journeys?
Yes. The starting costs are spread over more miles, so the cost per mile falls as the trip gets longer. Our fixed fare from London to Southampton Cruise Port works out at about £1.75 per mile, compared with £4 to £6 per mile on a short airport run.
Get a Fixed Price for Your Trip
Skip the guesswork. Tell us where you’re going and we’ll give you one fixed fare, with airport charges, flight tracking and meet and greet included. Book online in under two minutes, or talk to our team any time of day or night.
