What is a saloon taxi airport transfer?
A private, pre-booked journey in a four-door car with a separate boot, at a fixed price agreed before you travel. It is the lowest-priced vehicle class for one to four passengers with standard luggage.
Cheap airport transfers
Saloon taxi · Airport transfers
A saloon taxi airport transfer is a private, pre-booked journey in a four-door car for up to four passengers, at a fixed price agreed before you travel. Your driver tracks your flight, meets you at arrivals with a name board and takes you door to door, 24 hours a day, to and from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend.
Waiting-time, child-seat and cancellation conditions are set out in our terms. Fares are starting prices from central London.

Quick answers
The questions travellers ask most before booking a saloon, answered in a few lines each. The detail follows below.
A private, pre-booked journey in a four-door car with a separate boot, at a fixed price agreed before you travel. It is the lowest-priced vehicle class for one to four passengers with standard luggage.
Up to 4 passengers with 2 large suitcases and 2 hand bags. With 3 large suitcases, 3 passengers is the comfortable limit. For five or more people, or for golf clubs and skis, book an estate or MPV.
From £40 to London City and £45 to Heathrow, up to £80 to Gatwick. These are starting fares from central London; the exact fixed fare for your postcode is shown before you pay.
Yes, it is the lowest price tier. An estate typically costs about £10 more on the same route, an MPV about £20 more and an executive car about £40 more (indicative).
Meet and greet, flight tracking, free waiting after landing and free child seats, with airport and road charges shown before you pay. The booking summary is the final word on what is included.
Your pickup moves with your landing time: we track the flight number you give us. Up to 60 minutes of free waiting after landing are included at airports, as stated in your booking terms.
Yes, 24 hours a day. Early-morning, late-night and overnight journeys can be booked, and the fare shown for your date and time is the fare you review before paying.
For one traveller, usually the train. For two to four people with luggage, one fixed vehicle fare often competes once you add every ticket and the last leg.
At a glance
Fares are starting prices from central London and depend on the pickup postcode. Waiting time, child seats and cancellation are set out in our terms.
The basics
A saloon taxi airport transfer is a private, pre-booked car with a driver, a fixed price and a named pickup, in the most common vehicle class on the road.
In the UK a saloon is a four-door car with a fixed boot behind the rear seats. The same car is called a sedan in the US. Booked in advance with a driver, it is a private hire car, often called a minicab, rather than a black cab, so it is not hailed on the street. It is the standard vehicle for private hire, which is why it is the lowest-priced class in almost every fleet.
Our saloon class covers mid-size family and business cars such as the Volkswagen Passat or Ford Mondeo, and also hybrids and electric cars of the same size, such as the Toyota Prius or Tesla Model 3. A few of these, including the Prius and Hyundai Ioniq, are five-door liftbacks, but they carry luggage like a saloon.
One to four people with standard luggage: solo travellers, couples, business travellers and small families. A saloon gives four adults proper legroom, air conditioning and a boot for two large suitcases. It is not the right class for larger groups, bulky sports gear or a lot of cases, and the sections below show where to go instead.

Models vary by availability and are typical examples, not a promise of a particular make.
Capacity
The boot, not the seats, decides. Try your own party below, then check the table. The most common mistake is four adults with four large suitcases.
Saloon. Fits up to 4 passengers with 2 large suitcases and 2 hand bags.
| Your party | Does it fit? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 4 passengers, hand luggage only | Yes | Comfortable with cabin bags |
| 4 passengers, 2 large suitcases and 2 hand bags | Yes | Full, so a tight fit for tall passengers |
| 3 passengers, 3 large suitcases | Yes | Comfortable limit for large cases |
| 2 passengers, 2 large suitcases and golf bags | Choose an estate | Golf bags need the longer boot |
| 5 passengers | No | Book an MPV |
| 4 passengers, 4 large suitcases | No | Book an estate or MPV |
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 |
| Cabin bag or carry-on | Up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm and 18 kg |
| Folded pushchair | Counts as one large case |
| Child or booster seat | Fitted in the car; it takes seat or boot space, so tell us your bags |
| Golf clubs or a ski bag | Book an estate |
Capacities are guidelines: exact boot room varies by model. When in doubt, size up, or tell us your bags when you book and we will confirm the right vehicle at no charge.
Prices
Starting fares for a saloon from central London to each of the six London airports. Your exact fixed fare depends on your postcode and is shown before you pay.
| Airport | Distance | By car | Saloon from | Drop-off charge | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London City Airport | ~9 miles east | 30–50 min | £40 | £8 | Book a saloon to or from London City Airport |
| Heathrow Airport | ~15 miles west | 45–75 min | £45 | £7 | Book a saloon to or from Heathrow Airport |
| Stansted Airport | ~38 miles north-east | 60–90 min | £55 | £10 | Book a saloon to or from Stansted Airport |
| Southend Airport | ~42 miles east | 70–100 min | £60 | £8 | Book a saloon to or from Southend Airport |
| Luton Airport | ~32 miles north | 50–80 min | £75 | £7 | Book a saloon to or from Luton Airport |
| Gatwick Airport | ~28 miles south | 60–90 min | £80 | £10 | Book a saloon to or from Gatwick Airport |
Distance and pickup postcode are the main factors, 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.
It is the smallest vehicle that takes four passengers, so it has the lowest running cost. Every step up in space or comfort adds a predictable amount, as the table shows.
| Vehicle | Compared with a saloon |
|---|---|
| Estate car | About £10 more |
| MPV (6-seater) | About £20 more |
| Executive car | About £40 more |
Fares are indicative starting prices per vehicle, taxes included, for a saloon with up to 4 passengers. The drop-off charge column is the airport’s headline charge for reference, as of our London price guide reviewed 7 September 2026 (see the Heathrow charge); your booking summary states which airport, toll and road charges are included. Enter any address or postcode and choose Get Quote for your exact fare.
What is included
Every extra that a meter or an app might add is covered in the fare you are quoted. The conditions behind each line are in our terms and in your booking summary.
Quoted for the whole car, not per person, and agreed when you book, 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 airport arrivals, so a slow baggage hall or an immigration queue does not cost you.
Baby, toddler and booster seats on request at no extra cost. Give each child’s age when you book.
Your transfer is carried out by licensed private hire 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.
A person to talk to before you fly and on the day, 24 hours a day.
Your booking summary is the final reference for the exact service, the charges included and the waiting allowance.
Compared
The saloon is the right choice for most journeys, and here is exactly where it stops being the right one.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Luggage | Best for | Fare tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon taxi | Up to 4 | 2 large + 2 hand | Solo, couples, business, small families | Lowest tier |
| Estate car | Up to 4 | 4 large + 4 hand | Extra luggage, golf, pushchairs | About +£10 |
| Executive car | Up to 3 | 2 large + 2 hand | Corporate travel, clients, comfort | About +£40 |
| MPV (people carrier) | 5 to 6 | 4 to 5 large | Larger families, small groups | About +£20 |
| 8-seater minibus | Up to 8 | 6 to 8 large | Big groups, ski and golf trips | Quoted by route |
Fare tiers are indicative and vary by route. See every vehicle on our fleet page.
Alternatives
We sell transfers, so check this against anything else you read. Where another option is the better deal, we say so.
For one traveller with light luggage, the Underground or Elizabeth line is usually the cheapest way into central London, and Heathrow Express is the fastest at about 15 minutes to Paddington.
Price is per person on a train and per vehicle in a car. For two to four people with luggage, add every ticket and the last leg to your door, then compare it with one fixed vehicle fare.
| Option | How the price works | Door to door? | Flight tracked? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon fixed-fare transfer | Fixed for the whole car, from £45 | Door to door | Yes, flight tracked | Two to four people, luggage, early or late flights |
| Underground (Piccadilly line) | Per person, Heathrow lists fares from £5.50 | Station to station | n/a | One traveller with light bags |
| Elizabeth line | Per person, about £13.90 to central London | Station to station | n/a | Fast and cheap for one traveller |
| Black cab | TfL-regulated meter | Door to door | No | Taxi rank, no booking |
| Uber or Bolt | Live estimate that follows demand | Door to door | Not as a meet service | Flexible, short-notice trips |
Figures are indicative guides from our London price guide, last reviewed 7 September 2026. Read the full London airport transfer price guide and our comparison of fixed-price taxis and ride-hailing apps.
Airports
The same fixed-fare saloon, flight tracking and meet and greet at all six London airports. Choose your airport for terminal details, the pickup point and more routes.
Prefer to compare airports first? Read our guide to Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.
Popular routes
Saloon transfers also run beyond London. These are the routes travellers book most, each with its own fixed fare.
Longer journeys are quoted by distance: see our long-distance taxi guide.
Who books a saloon
The saloon suits these trips best, and it is easy to tell when it does not.

Quiet, punctual and accountable, with an invoice for expenses. For clients, see business-class transfers.
The most affordable private ride, door to door, instead of a rank queue.
Comfortable space for two and a couple of cases.
Up to four people, with free child seats on request.
Booked in advance for 3 a.m. starts and delayed overnight landings. See late-night and early-morning transfers.
Budget-friendly term-time and holiday transfers.
The cars
We match every booking with a clean, modern saloon from trusted manufacturers. These are the three kinds you may get.

Our saloon class is a Volkswagen Passat or similar: a four-door car with air conditioning, room for four passengers with two large suitcases and two hand bags, and free child seats on request.

Ford Mondeo or Volkswagen Passat
Petrol or diesel
Spacious, smooth and economical.

Toyota Prius or Corolla
Hybrid
Low-emission hybrids for a quieter airport run.

Tesla Model 3 or Hyundai Ioniq
Electric
Zero-emission saloons.
You are matched with the best available car for your trip. A particular make or fuel type cannot be guaranteed, but you can add a preference in the booking notes. Cars have air conditioning.
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 London. 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 to book. Here is what happens next.
Add your pickup, the airport, the date and the number of passengers and bags, so the right vehicle is shown.
The fixed fare for each vehicle appears before you pay, including the saloon, so you can compare classes.
It switches on flight tracking and the waiting allowance, so the pickup follows your landing.
Pay securely online and receive your confirmation and invoice, with the driver’s details sent before the pickup.
Questions

A Volkswagen Passat saloon or similar. Photo: Global Airport Taxi.
Your fixed fare is shown before you pay, and your driver tracks your flight and meets you at arrivals with a name board. Choose the saloon for up to four passengers, ask for child seats at no extra cost, and cancel free up to 24 hours before pickup.