Which airport taxi do I need for my group?
Count passengers first: 1 to 4 a saloon, 5 to 6 an MPV, 7 an executive MPV, 8 a van or 8-seater minibus, 9 to 16 a minicoach, and 17 to 50 a coach. Then check your large suitcases.
Cheap airport transfers
Our fleet · UK and worldwide
Our airport taxi fleet has twelve vehicle classes, from a saloon (sedan) for one to four passengers to a 50-seater coach. Choose by passengers and luggage, see a fixed fare before you pay, and your driver tracks your flight and meets you at arrivals with a name board, 24 hours a day, in the UK and at airports in 81 countries.
Waiting-time, child-seat and cancellation conditions are set out in our terms. Models are listed as “or similar”.

Quick answers
The questions travellers ask most before choosing a vehicle, answered in a few lines each. The detail follows below.
Count passengers first: 1 to 4 a saloon, 5 to 6 an MPV, 7 an executive MPV, 8 a van or 8-seater minibus, 9 to 16 a minicoach, and 17 to 50 a coach. Then check your large suitcases.
Up to 4, with 2 large suitcases and 2 hand bags, or 3 passengers with 3 large suitcases. An executive car carries 3 passengers, an estate 4 with more luggage.
The saloon. From central London it starts at £40 to London City and £45 to Heathrow. An estate typically costs about £10 more, an MPV about £20 more and an executive car about £40 more (indicative).
A 7-seater is an executive MPV (a Mercedes V-Class or similar) and an 8-seater is a van (a Ford Tourneo or similar) or an 8-seater minibus, each with room for 7 or more bags.
Yes: a 16-seater minicoach, a 30-seater coach and a 50-seater coach. Price and availability are quoted on request by email or WhatsApp, because they depend on the route, the date and the group.
Yes. Baby, toddler and booster seats are available on request at no extra cost in every class. Give each child’s age when you book, and mention your bags because a seat takes space.
You choose the class and capacity, not the make. Every vehicle is listed as “or similar”, and you are matched with the best available car. Hybrid and electric models can be noted as a preference but not guaranteed.
Yes, for the vehicles booked online. The fixed fare appears before you pay, with no surge pricing. Minicoaches and coaches are quoted per journey and confirmed before you commit.
At a glance
Models are listed as “or similar” and vary by country and availability. Waiting time, child seats and cancellation are set out in our terms.
Choose a vehicle
Tell us your party and bags and we point you to the right class. Then compare the rows below, where each class links to its own page.
Saloon. Up to 4 passengers with 2 large suitcases and 2 hand bags. See this vehicle
| Passengers | Vehicle | Best for | Typical model |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 4 | Saloon | Standard luggage | Volkswagen Passat or similar |
| 1 to 3 | Executive car | Business travel and clients | Mercedes E-Class or similar |
| 3 to 4, extra luggage | Estate car | Golf bags, pushchairs, more cases | Estate model varies |
| 5 | MPV (5-seater taxi) | Families of five | Vauxhall Zafira or similar |
| 6 | MPV (6-seater taxi) | Larger families and small groups | MPV or similar |
| 7 | Executive 7-seater taxi or executive MPV | Comfort for five to seven | Mercedes V-Class or similar |
| 8 | 8-seater taxi, van or minibus | Big groups with luggage | Ford Tourneo or similar |
| 9 to 16 | 16-seater minicoach | Teams, tours, events | Minicoach |
| 17 to 30 | 30-seater coach | Conferences and school groups | Coach |
| 31 to 50 | 50-seater coach | Large tours and weddings | Coach |
When in doubt, size up: the small step in fare buys legroom and luggage room for the whole trip. Tell us your bags when you book and we confirm the right vehicle at no charge.
The vehicles
Every class is clean, modern and driven by a professional, licensed driver. Choose by passengers and luggage, then open the class page for models, capacity and fares.


Volkswagen Passat or similar
Solo travellers, couples, business travel, small families.
Fixed fare from £40 (central London to London City)
See the Saloon page
Mercedes E-Class or similar
Corporate travel, clients and special occasions.
About £40 more than a saloon on the same route
See the Executive car page
Estate model varies by country
Extra luggage, golf bags, pushchairs.
About £10 more than a saloon on the same route
See the Estate car page
Vauxhall Zafira or similar
Families of five and small groups.
About £20 more than a saloon on the same route
See the MPV 5-seater taxi page
MPV or similar
Larger families and groups of six.
About £20 more than a saloon on the same route
See the MPV 6-seater taxi page
Executive 7-seater or similar
Groups of five to seven who want an executive finish.
Fixed fare shown before you pay
See the Executive 7-seater taxi page
Mercedes V-Class or similar
Corporate groups and comfort on longer journeys.
Fixed fare shown before you pay
See the Executive MPV page
Ford Tourneo or similar
Big families and groups with luggage.
Fixed fare shown before you pay
See the Van 8-seater taxi page
Minibus
Groups of eight with ski, golf or lots of bags.
Fixed fare shown before you pay
See the 8-seater taxi (minibus) page
Minicoach
Teams, tours, events and family reunions.
Price and availability on request
See the 16-seater minicoach page
Coach
Conferences, school and sports groups.
Price and availability on request
See the 30-seater coach page
Coach
Large tours, weddings and corporate events.
Price and availability on request
See the 50-seater coach pageModels are examples and are listed as “or similar”. Cars, MPVs and vans show a fixed fare when you book; minicoaches and coaches are quoted on request by email or WhatsApp.
Vehicle names
The same vehicle has different names in different countries. Here is how they map to our fleet.
A saloon is called a sedan in the United States, an estate is a station wagon and an MPV is a minivan. Operators also use “economy”, “standard”, “business” and “premium” for car classes, and a number plus “pax” for the size.
In the United States and Australia a sedan is usually described as three passengers with standard luggage. In the UK a saloon is also sold for four passengers with a lighter load. Our figures state both, so check the boot as well as the seats.
| UK name | Also called | What it is | Our class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon | Sedan | Four-door car with a separate boot | Saloon |
| Estate car | Station wagon, wagon | A car with a longer boot and a rear hatch | Estate car |
| MPV, people carrier | Minivan, people mover (Australia and New Zealand) | Five to seven seats, sliding or rear doors | MPV and executive MPV |
| Van | Passenger van, 8-seater taxi | Eight seats, often a Ford Tourneo or similar | Van |
| Minibus, minicoach | Shuttle, minibus | Nine to sixteen seats | 8-seater minibus and 16-seater minicoach |
| Coach | Motorcoach, bus | Seats from 30 to 50 | 30-seater and 50-seater coaches |
| Executive car | Business class, premium sedan | A higher-specification car for clients | Executive car |
| PAX | Passengers | Used in vehicle names such as “minibus 10 pax” | Every class |
Class names and capacities are guidelines. The booking page shows the exact vehicles available for your route.
Capacity
One standard for every class. The boot, not the seats, usually decides, and the most common mistake is four adults with four large suitcases.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Luggage | Typical model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon | Up to 4 | 3 large (3 passengers) or 2 large + 2 hand (4 passengers) | Volkswagen Passat or similar |
| Executive car | Up to 3 | 2 large + 2 hand bags | Mercedes E-Class or similar |
| Estate car | Up to 4 | 3 large + 3 hand bags | Estate model varies by country |
| MPV, the 5-seater taxi | Up to 5 | Up to 4 large suitcases | Vauxhall Zafira or similar |
| MPV, the 6-seater taxi | Up to 6 | 4 to 5 large suitcases | MPV or similar |
| Executive 7-seater taxi | Up to 7 | Up to 7 bags | Executive 7-seater or similar |
| Executive MPV | Up to 7 | Up to 7 bags | Mercedes V-Class or similar |
| Van, the 8-seater taxi | Up to 8 | Up to 7 bags | Ford Tourneo or similar |
| 8-seater taxi (minibus) | Up to 8 | 6 to 8 large suitcases | Minibus |
| 16-seater minicoach | Up to 16 | 14 bags | Minicoach |
| 30-seater coach | Up to 30 | 30 bags | Coach |
| 50-seater coach | Up to 50 | 48 bags | Coach |
| Your party | Vehicle | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 2 adults, 2 large suitcases | Saloon | The standard airport run |
| 4 adults, hand luggage only | Saloon | Comfortable with cabin bags |
| 3 adults, 3 large suitcases | Saloon | The comfortable limit for large cases |
| 4 adults, 4 large suitcases | MPV | Four large cases are more than an estate boot takes |
| 2 adults, golf bags | Estate car | Golf bags need the longer boot |
| Family of 5 with a pushchair | MPV | Five or six passengers need an MPV |
| 7 people with 7 bags | Executive MPV or van | Seven to eight passengers with luggage |
| 12 people | 16-seater minicoach | Quoted on request |
These are the sizes we use when we say a case is large or a bag is hand luggage.
| Item | Size or rule |
|---|---|
| Large suitcase | Up to 75 × 50 × 38 cm and 23 kg (about 30 × 20 × 15 in and 50 lb) |
| Cabin bag or carry-on | Up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm and 18 kg (about 22 × 18 × 10 in and 40 lb) |
| Folded pushchair | Counts as one large case |
| Child or booster seat | Fitted in the car; it takes seat or boot space |
| Golf clubs or a ski bag | Choose an estate or larger |
| Wheelchair | Tell us the type when you book |
Capacities are guidelines: exact boot room varies by model. Tell us your bags and any sports gear when you book and we confirm the right vehicle at no charge.
Prices
Indicative starting fares for the four most booked classes to each London airport. Fares in other countries depend on the route and are shown on the booking page before you pay.
| Airport | Saloon | Estate | MPV | Executive car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London City Airport | £40 | £50 | £60 | £80 |
| Heathrow Airport | £45 | £55 | £65 | £85 |
| Stansted Airport | £55 | £65 | £75 | £95 |
| Southend Airport | £60 | £70 | £80 | £100 |
| Luton Airport | £75 | £85 | £95 | £115 |
| Gatwick Airport | £80 | £90 | £100 | £120 |
Distance and the pickup postcode come first, then the vehicle class and any road charges that apply. The fare is fixed when you book and does not change with traffic or the time of day on the booking you confirm.
Each step up adds a predictable amount: about £10 for an estate, £20 for an MPV and £40 for an executive car on the same route. Vans, minibuses and coaches are priced by the journey.
Fares are indicative starting prices per vehicle for central London, taxes included; the estate, MPV and executive columns add the typical step-up to the saloon fare. Enter any address or postcode and choose Get Quote for your exact fare. See the London airport transfer price guide.
What is included
The same standard of care in every class, from a saloon to a coach. The conditions behind each line are in our terms and your booking summary.
Quoted for the whole vehicle, not per person, with no surge pricing. Traffic or a longer queue does not change it.
Give us your flight number and the pickup follows your actual landing time, early or late.
At airport arrivals your driver waits at the meeting point with a name board and helps with the bags.
Up to 60 minutes of free waiting time for standard airport arrivals, as stated in your booking terms.
Baby, toddler and booster seats on request at no extra cost in every class. Give each child’s age when you book.
Journeys are carried out by licensed drivers. On London journeys they are TfL-licensed, with a PCO badge, and DBS-checked.
Cancel up to 24 hours before pickup at no cost. Later cancellations and no-shows follow the terms.
Phone, WhatsApp and email, before you fly and on the day, with your driver’s details in your confirmation.
Group vehicles are quoted per journey, so check the waiting time and extras in your quote. Your booking summary is the final reference.
Head to head
The questions that decide most bookings, answered pair by pair.
A saloon and an estate carry a similar number of passengers, but the estate has the larger boot. Choose the saloon for standard bags and the estate for extra cases, golf bags or a pushchair. See the saloon and the estate.
The executive car is a higher-specification saloon for three passengers, with more legroom and a quieter ride; the saloon is the standard class for four. Choose executive for clients and occasions. See the executive car.
An estate suits up to four passengers with lots of luggage; an MPV suits five or six. If you have five people, or four with more than four large cases, choose the MPV. See the people carrier.
An MPV takes up to six passengers with four to five large cases. A van takes eight with up to seven bags, so choose it for seven or eight people or a big family with luggage.
Both carry eight passengers. The van suits eight people with standard bags; the minibus is the choice when the group has more luggage, ski or golf bags. See the 8-seater minibus.
A 16-seater minicoach suits teams, tours and family reunions of nine to sixteen. A 30- or 50-seater coach suits conferences, schools and large tours. See the 16-seater, 30-seater and 50-seater.
Business
Punctual, accountable and easy to expense. Choose by the people you are collecting, not by the badge on the car.
An executive car, a Mercedes E-Class or similar, carries three passengers with more legroom and a quieter ride than a saloon. It suits client pickups, board visits and special occasions.
For one to four colleagues with standard bags, a saloon at the lowest fare is usually the sensible choice. An invoice is emailed after you book, which makes expenses simple.
Several vehicles can be booked together for one group, from saloons to coaches, with one pickup plan. Tell us the numbers, the luggage and the arrival times.
Families
Travelling with children changes the maths. The seat, the pushchair and the bags all need room.
Baby, toddler and booster seats are available on request at no extra cost in every class. Give each child’s age and weight when you book so we provide the right seat type: infant carrier, toddler seat or booster.
A fitted child seat uses seat or boot room, so a saloon that fits four adults and two cases may not fit two adults, two children, two seats and four cases. When in doubt, choose an estate or MPV.
A folded pushchair counts as one large case. Mention it when you book so the vehicle is sized correctly.
Groups
From a family reunion to a 50-seat conference transfer, the same tracking, name board and driver standard.
Large groups can be split across several vehicles on one booking. Give us the group size, the luggage and the arrival times, and we coordinate the mix: for example a minicoach plus an MPV.
The 16-seater minicoach, the 30-seater coach and the 50-seater coach are quoted per journey. Email bookings@globalairporttaxi.com or message us on WhatsApp with the route, the date, the group size and the luggage.
Book standard journeys at least 24 to 48 hours ahead. Allow more time for minibuses, coaches, large groups, special luggage, school holidays and very early collections.

Accessible travel
Step-free travel needs to be arranged in advance, so tell us what you need when you book.
Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available on request. Tell us the type of wheelchair, the number of passengers and your luggage when you book so we can confirm availability for your route.
For passengers who need extra help with steps or bags, tell us in the booking notes and your driver will assist at the pickup. A larger vehicle with more space is often easier to board.
Airports provide their own assistance service for passengers with reduced mobility, usually arranged through your airline. Your driver meets you at the arrivals point in your confirmation.
Availability of wheelchair-accessible vehicles depends on the airport and the date, and is confirmed after you ask.
Models
You choose the class and the capacity. The make follows availability.
Hybrid and electric cars of the same size as a saloon, such as the Toyota Prius or Tesla Model 3, are part of the fleet. They are allocated by availability, so a preference can be noted but not guaranteed.
Every model is listed as “or similar”. You are guaranteed the class, the passenger capacity and the luggage space, and matched with the best available car for your trip.
Regions
Vehicle names, sizes and rules differ from country to country. Find your region, then open your airport.
Words: saloon, estate, MPV, people carrier, minibus, coach. A saloon is sold for 4 passengers with 2 large suitcases and 2 hand bags. Fares are in pounds.
Words: sedan, SUV, minivan, shuttle, motorcoach. A sedan is usually described as three passengers with standard luggage, and luggage is measured in inches and pounds. Enter any airport on the booking page.
Words: sedan, people mover (minivan), minibus, coach. The booking page shows the vehicles available for your Australian or New Zealand route, with a fixed fare before you pay.
Words: taxi, private transfer, sedan, minivan, minibus. A sedan is usually described as one to three passengers with standard luggage, and a minivan for five or more.
Madrid · Barcelona · Málaga · Palma de Mallorca · Alicante · Tenerife South · Bilbao
Words: taxi, transfer, berline (sedan), minivan, minibus. Paris Charles de Gaulle has its own page with fares and the meeting point.
Words: sedan, minivan, minibus, coach. Airport pickups use set meeting points, and your confirmation states yours.
Words: taxi, transfer, sedan, minivan, minibus. Istanbul has its own page with fares and the meeting point.
The same vehicle classes are offered at airports in 81 countries. Enter your airport, its code or an address on the booking page to see what is available.
Models, capacities and availability vary by country and airport, and your booking page confirms the vehicles for your route. The words and sizes above describe how each region usually names and sizes vehicles.
Worldwide
Your vehicle class travels with you. Open an airport page for local terminals, meeting points and fares.
The vehicle classes on this page are available at airports in 81 countries. The class, the capacity and the standard of care are the same; the make and model depend on the country and the day.
Enter any airport name, airport code or address on the booking page and it shows the vehicles available for your route, with a fixed fare before you pay.
The UK
The UK has its own words and rules for airport taxis. Here is what matters when you book from London, Manchester or any UK airport.
A pre-booked car with a driver in the UK is a private hire vehicle, often called a minicab. Private hire vehicles must be booked in advance, while a black cab can be hailed at a rank and runs on a meter. Our fixed fares apply to pre-booked private hire journeys.
London private hire drivers are licensed by Transport for London (TfL) and carry a PCO badge, and ours are DBS-checked. Outside London, drivers are licensed by their local council.
In the UK a saloon is sold for four passengers with two large suitcases and two hand bags, an estate for four with more luggage, an MPV or people carrier for five or six, and an 8-seater minibus for eight. See the saloon page for the details.
UK airports charge for drop-off and pick-up access, and London has the Congestion Charge. Your booking summary states which of these are included before you pay.
| Airport | Headline drop-off charge |
|---|---|
| London City Airport | £8 |
| Heathrow Airport | £7 |
| Stansted Airport | £10 |
| Southend Airport | £8 |
| Luton Airport | £7 |
| Gatwick Airport | £10 |
Prices and fares in this table are guides and can change. Check the current figure before you travel; the booking page shows your fixed fare before you pay.
Charges are headline figures from our London price guide, last reviewed 7 September 2026, and change. Read the London airport transfer price guide, and see the saloon taxi page for UK fares.
UK airports
Every vehicle class runs to and from the six London airports and Manchester, with a fixed fare shown before you pay.
Compare the airports in our guide to Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.
Guides
Read how fares work, how to compare options and what to expect at each airport before you choose a vehicle.
Reviews
Ratings and reviews as shown by our review widget on 29 September 2026. They come from travellers at airports across our network, and we show a selection of passenger reviews about airport transfers. Every review stays on the platform where it was written.
Excellent4.9453 reviewsShowing all 10 reviews
Excellent service...arrived at terminal and driver was waiting...helped with luggage to the car...smooth drive...perfect overall
Very reliable and easy to get a hold of. I was very confused leaving the airport - user error haha - and they were super helpful. My flight was also delayed and the guy who picked me up was on top of it.
Super affordable and professional service! The pricing was very clear from the start, with no hidden charges, which I really appreciated. Everything went smoothly, and the professionalism of the global airport taxi service stood out. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a hassle-free and budget-friendly option.
Amazing taxi service to the airport! Our driver was friendly, on time, and made the whole trip so easy. The car was clean and comfortable, and we got to the airport right on time. Would definitely use this service again!
Excellent service , driver waited for us as flight was delayed, clean car and smooth ride
I would totally recommend Global Airport Taxi to anyone needing a taxi service for their airport commute. I decided on way to the airport that I was flying out of that I will need a cab service at LHR. They were quick to respond to and accommodated some of my last minute schedule change requests after I had landed at LHR. Totally reliable and willing to be flexible. Outstanding customer support provided by Jennifer and Root. Keep it up guys !!
This was a brilliant service our driver was excellent he was friendly and helpful. Used again for the return journey and driver was professional and ensured we made it to the airport on time with heavy traffic
The service was extremely reliable. My cab arrived exactly on time for my early morning flight, which was a huge relief. Everything went smoothly, and I felt confident choosing this service. Highly recommend global airport taxi for stress-free airport transfers!
Amazing customer service, on time driver helped with cases. A pleasant experience Thank you
Very clean car and on time very polite driver will use them again
The ratings cover every airport we serve, not only one country. The widget is provided by Trustindex, and each review is shown as its author wrote it.
Trust
A transfer is only as good as the people and the rules behind it. Here is who arranges your booking, what we promise and where to read the full terms.
Global Airport Taxi is a trading name of QMH Technologies Ltd, registered in England and Wales (company no. 13506378, VAT GB 469 6859 13), at 10-16 Tiller Road, London E14 8PX. You can reach us by email at bookings@globalairporttaxi.com or on WhatsApp.
We are a booking platform. Your transfer is carried out by a licensed private hire driver. On London journeys, drivers are TfL-licensed and DBS-checked, and your confirmation shows the driver and vehicle details.
Payments are processed securely through Stripe, PayPal or other certified gateways with SSL encryption, and you can pay by card, PayPal or Google Pay. Your data is handled under the UK Data Protection Act and GDPR.
| Promise | What it means | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Price shown before you pay | You see the fare for each vehicle before you confirm. | Booking page and fleet page |
| Free cancellation | Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup at no cost. | Booking page and your confirmation |
| Late cancellations and no-shows | Not refundable, unless the fault lies with the transport provider. | Terms, “Cancellations & refunds” |
| Flight tracking | Give us your flight number and the pickup follows your actual landing time. | Fleet page and reviews page |
| Waiting after landing | Up to 60 minutes after your actual landing time for airport arrivals, as stated in your booking terms. | Your booking terms |
| Child seats | Baby, toddler and booster seats on request, at no extra cost. | Fleet page |
| Your details | Correct flight, pickup and contact details are your responsibility, and wrong details can mean charges without a refund. | Terms, “General booking terms” |
If anything in your booking confirmation differs from this page, the confirmation applies. The full conditions are in our terms and privacy policy.
How to book
It takes a few minutes. The same simple flow whether you book a saloon or a coach.
Add your pickup, drop-off, date and flight number to see live fixed-fare options for your route.
Pick the class that fits your group and luggage, from a saloon to a coach. Larger vehicles are quoted on request.
Confirm with card, PayPal or Google Pay. Your fixed fare is locked in once you confirm.
Your driver tracks your flight and waits at arrivals with a name board. Your confirmation carries the driver’s details.
Questions

An executive car, a Mercedes E-Class or similar. Photo: Global Airport Taxi.
Enter your pickup, drop-off and flight, and get an instant quote with your driver, meet and greet and free waiting all included. Larger vehicles are quoted on request by email or WhatsApp.