Which UK airports do you serve?
Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton have full guides here, and we also serve Stansted, London City, Southend, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Any other UK address or airport is quoted at booking.
United Kingdom · Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and more
UK airport taxis, a fixed fare, and a driver already waiting.
Book an airport taxi anywhere in the UK as a private transfer and the fare is fixed at booking. Your driver tracks your flight, waits inside Arrivals with your name on a board and drives you door to door, 24 hours a day.
- 60 minutes’ free waiting, counted from your actual landing time
- A name board at Arrivals
- Child seats at no extra cost, on request
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup
Meets every flight, 24 hours- UK
- LHR
- LGW
- LTN
In short
UK airport taxis: the short version
What most travellers need to know before booking a taxi from a UK airport, in five lines.
Quick answers
UK airport taxis: eight quick answers
The questions travellers ask most before booking a taxi from a UK airport, answered first. The detail follows below.
How much is a taxi from a London airport to central London?
Typically £80–90 from Gatwick, £90–100 from Heathrow and £105–115 from Luton, per car for up to four passengers, fixed when you book.
Which London airport is nearest the centre?
Of the three with full guides, Heathrow: about 16 miles, against 28 from Gatwick and 32 from Luton. London City is nearer still, and Stansted and Southend are further out.
Do I need to pre-book?
Yes, for a private hire car. In the UK a private hire car cannot be hailed on the street or at an airport, so it must be booked in advance. Black cabs wait at the airport ranks.
Where does my driver meet me?
Inside the Arrivals hall, holding a name board. Your confirmation gives the exact spot and the driver’s mobile number, and the driver walks you to the car.
What if my flight is delayed?
Do nothing: we follow your flight number and move the pickup to the real landing time. Up to 60 minutes of waiting after landing are included for airport arrivals.
Is a pre-booked transfer cheaper than a black cab?
It is often the better value, and the price is certain. A black cab runs on the meter. A transfer is fixed before you fly, for the whole car, and the driver is already waiting.
Do I pay a drop-off charge?
Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton all charge to drop off at the terminal: £7, £10 minimum and £9. Each airport sets its own charge, and your booking summary itemises any that apply.
Choose your airport
Our UK airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and more
Start with the airport you are flying to or from. Each full guide has the fares, the meeting point, the drop-off charge and the quickest train.
LHR · West London
Heathrow Airport taxi
Four terminals, so the driver needs yours: give it when you book.
- Terminals: Four in use: Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5
- To central London: about 16 miles, typically £90–100 by car
- Fast train: Heathrow Express to Paddington in 15 minutes, or the Elizabeth line
- Drop-off: £7 each time a vehicle enters a terminal drop-off area
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LGW · West Sussex, south of London
Gatwick Airport taxi
Two terminals, so tell us North or South when you book.
- Terminals: Two: North and South, linked by a shuttle
- To central London: about 28 miles, typically £80–90 by car
- Fast train: Gatwick Express to Victoria in about 30 minutes
- Drop-off: £10 minimum for up to 10 minutes on the forecourt
LTN · Bedfordshire, north of London
Luton Airport taxi
One terminal, and a Long Stay car park that is free for up to 2 hours.
- Terminals: One terminal, one arrivals hall
- To central London: about 32 miles, typically £105–115 by car
- Fast train: Luton Airport Express to Luton Airport Parkway in as little as 32 minutes from St Pancras, then the DART (about 4 minutes)
- Drop-off: £9 for up to 12 minutes, then £1 a minute
More airports around London
STN · Essex, north-east of London
Stansted Airport taxi
Essex, Cambridge and the east.
Stansted taxi page
LCY · East London, in the Royal Docks
London City Airport taxi
The City, Docklands and east London.
London City taxi page
SEN · South Essex, on the Thames estuary
London Southend Airport taxi
Southend-on-Sea and south Essex.
Southend taxi pageAirports in the Midlands and Scotland
Compare
London airports compared: terminals, trains and taxi fares
Six airports serve London, and the right one is usually decided by your flight. This table shows how they differ for the journey into the centre.
| Airport | Terminals | Distance | Fast train | Our fare (car) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow Airport West London | Four in use: Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 | about 16 miles | Heathrow Express to Paddington in 15 minutes, or the Elizabeth line | £90–100 |
| Gatwick Airport West Sussex, south of London | Two: North and South, linked by a shuttle | about 28 miles | Gatwick Express to Victoria in about 30 minutes | £80–90 |
| Luton Airport Bedfordshire, north of London | One terminal, one arrivals hall | about 32 miles | Luton Airport Express to Luton Airport Parkway in as little as 32 minutes from St Pancras, then the DART (about 4 minutes) | £105–115 |
| Stansted Airport Essex, north-east of London | One | about 35 miles | Stansted Express to Liverpool Street | Quoted at booking |
| London City Airport East London, in the Royal Docks | One | about 9 miles | Docklands Light Railway (DLR) from the terminal | Quoted at booking |
| London Southend Airport South Essex, on the Thames estuary | One | about 40 miles | Greater Anglia to Liverpool Street | Quoted at booking |
Distances are approximate road distances to central London and change with the route. Our fares are typical ranges per car to central London for up to four passengers; your exact fare is fixed when you book. Train times are the operators’ fastest services and vary.
UK airport taxi fares
What a taxi costs from Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton
Per car, not per person. These are typical ranges for a car for up to four passengers, taken from the three airport guides, and the fare is fixed when you book.
| Journey | Distance | Typical drive | Our price (car) | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gatwick to central London | about 28 mi | 60–90 min | £80–90 | Book Gatwick to central London |
| Heathrow to central London | about 16 mi | 45–90 min | £90–100 | Book Heathrow to central London |
| Luton to central London | about 32 mi | 55–95 min | £105–115 | Book Luton to central London |
| Heathrow to Gatwick | about 38 mi | 60–95 min | £100–110 | Book Heathrow to Gatwick |
| Gatwick to Heathrow | about 35 mi | 60–90 min | £110–120 | Book Gatwick to Heathrow |
| Heathrow to Luton | about 36 mi | 55–90 min | £95–105 | Book Heathrow to Luton |
| Luton to Heathrow | about 36 mi | 55–90 min | £95–105 | Book Luton to Heathrow |
| Gatwick to Luton | about 66 mi | 70–100 min | £150–160 | Book Gatwick to Luton |
| Luton to Gatwick | about 66 mi | 75–120 min | £150–160 | Book Luton to Gatwick |
Prices are guides and can change: the booking page shows your fixed fare before you pay. Each airport guide lists dozens more destinations, from London stations and Canary Wharf to Oxford, Cambridge and the south coast.
Drop-off charges
Airport drop-off charges: Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton
Every airport sets its own charge for stopping at the terminal, and the figures move often. These are the airports’ own published figures, checked in October 2026.
| Airport | Charge | Maximum stay | If unpaid | The free option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow | £7 each time a vehicle enters a terminal drop-off area | 10 minutes | £80 (£40 if paid within 14 days) | The free Park & Ride drop-off with a free bus to the terminal, or the train |
| Gatwick | £10 minimum for up to 10 minutes, then £1 a minute up to 20 minutes, £30 maximum | 30 minutes | £100 (£60 if paid within 14 days) | The Long Stay car park, free for up to 2 hours, with the shuttle |
| Luton | £9 for up to 12 minutes, then £1 a minute | 30 minutes | £95 (£55 if paid within 14 days) | The Long Stay car park, free for up to 2 hours, with the free shuttle bus |
Check the airport’s website before you travel. Your booking summary itemises any airport charge that applies to your journey, and each airport guide explains where we stop.
How it works
How a UK airport taxi works, from booking to the car
Four steps, the same at every airport we serve.
- Choose the airport and add your flight numberEnter the airport, the direction and the address on the booking page. The flight number is the field that matters most: we follow the real landing time, so a late or early arrival changes nothing for you.
- See your fixed fareThe fare is shown before you pay, covers the whole car and does not move with traffic. Add child seats if you need them, at no extra cost, and tell us the terminal at Heathrow or Gatwick.
- Receive your driver’s detailsBefore pickup you receive the driver’s name, mobile number, vehicle and meeting point. Keep your phone on when you switch off flight mode.
- Meet the driver and goOn arrival, your driver waits inside the Arrivals hall with your name on a board, and up to 60 minutes of waiting after landing are included. On departure, the driver stops where the airport allows and helps with the bags.
UK rules
Rules that matter when you take a taxi from a UK airport
Four things that are different in the UK from many other countries, and what each means for your booking.
Private hire is pre-booked only
In the UK a private hire car cannot be hailed on the street or at an airport. It must be booked in advance, which is why your driver is waiting with your name on a board. Black cabs may use the airport rank and run on the meter.
Child seats
In the UK, children need a child seat until they are 12 or 135 cm tall, with narrow exemptions for taxis and private hire vehicles, so give us the children’s ages when you book. Seats are free on request.
Assistance dogs travel free
Under the Equality Act 2010, licensed taxi and private hire drivers must carry an assistance dog without an extra charge, unless they hold a medical exemption certificate.
One fare, airport charges itemised
The fare you see before you pay is the fare you pay. Airport access charges, tolls and any Congestion Charge are itemised in your booking summary where they apply.
Our vehicles
Choosing the right vehicle for your UK airport transfer
Nine vehicle types, from a car for a couple to a 50-seater coach. The fixed fare is per vehicle, so count the bags, not just the seats.
Typical vehicle: Volkswagen Passat or similarSaloon taxi
4 passengers, 2 large bags
A couple or a solo traveller going to the hotel.
View vehicle →
Typical vehicle: Mercedes E-Class or similarExecutive car
3 passengers, 2 large bags
A calmer, more premium ride to a hotel or a villa.
View vehicle →
Typical vehicle: An estate taxiEstate taxi
4 passengers, 3 large bags
Four people with extra luggage or golf bags.
View vehicle →
Typical vehicle: A 6-seater MPV people carrierPeople carrier
5 to 6 passengers, 4 to 5 large bags
Families of five or six, pushchair included.
View vehicle →
Typical vehicle: A 7 seater taxi7 seater taxi
7 passengers, 7 cabin bags
Seven friends or a family travelling light.
View vehicle →
Typical vehicle: An 8 seater taxi8 seater taxi
8 passengers, 6 to 8 large bags
Eight people, or a group with golf bags.
View vehicle →
Typical vehicle: A 16 seater minibus16 seater minibus
16 passengers, about 14 large bags
Weddings, teams and tour groups.
View vehicle →
Typical vehicle: A 30-seater coach30-seater coach
30 seats
Conferences and corporate groups.
View vehicle →
Typical vehicle: A 50-seater coach50-seater coach
50 seats
Large events and incentive trips, planned in advance.
View vehicle →| Extra | What to know |
|---|---|
| Child seats | Infant, child and booster seats are available on request at no extra cost. In the UK, children need a child seat until they are 12 or 135 cm tall, with narrow exemptions for taxis and private hire vehicles, so give us the children’s ages when you book. |
| Surfboards, golf clubs, bikes | Fine with notice. Tell us the item and its length at booking so a vehicle with the right load space is allocated. |
| Wheelchair-accessible vehicles | Request one at booking so we can confirm a suitable vehicle for your route and date. |
Every vehicle is shown on our fleet page. Models are typical for each class, so your quote confirms what is offered. Tell us your party size and bag count so the right vehicle is allocated.
What is included
What is included in the price
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 confirmation.
A driver at Arrivals
Your driver waits at the arrivals meeting point holding a name board, and helps with the luggage.
Your flight, followed
We track your inbound flight, so a delay simply moves the pickup to the new landing time.
An hour of free waiting
For airport arrivals the first 60 minutes after landing cost nothing, enough for the border and the carousel (see your booking terms).
One fixed fare
The fare is agreed at booking, for the vehicle and not per person. VAT, airport charges and any tolls are itemised in your booking summary.
Child seats at no cost
Baby, toddler and booster seats on request. In the UK, children need a child seat until they are 12 or 135 cm tall, with narrow exemptions for taxis and private hire vehicles, so ask for one.
Licensed drivers
A licensed driver carries out every journey, and your confirmation names the driver and the car.
Free cancellation
Cancel free until 24 hours before pickup. After that, and for no-shows, the terms decide what happens.
Someone to call
Phone, WhatsApp or email, from booking until you reach your hotel or villa.
Luggage within the vehicle’s capacity is part of the fixed fare. Extra stops and waiting beyond the included time are quoted on request.
Trust
Who is behind your UK airport taxi booking, and what do we promise?
Here is who arranges your booking, what we commit to and where the full wording lives.
Our details
Global Airport Taxi is a trading name of QMH Technologies Ltd: company no. 13506378, VAT GB 469 6859 13, registered in England and Wales, 10-16 Tiller Road, London E14 8PX. Contact: bookings@globalairporttaxi.com or WhatsApp.
Who does the driving
We handle the booking; a licensed local driver does the trip, and your confirmation names the driver and the vehicle.
Payment
You can pay by card, PayPal or Google Pay via secure, certified gateways. Personal data follows UK data protection law and the GDPR.
The promises, line by line
| Promise | What it means | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed fare | The fare on the booking page is the one you confirm. | Booking page |
| Flight following | The pickup tracks your flight number and landing. | Booking confirmation |
| Free waiting | Up to 60 minutes after landing at airport arrivals. | Your booking terms |
| Child seats | Free if asked for, with the child’s age noted. | Booking notes |
| Licensed driver | A licensed local driver, named in your confirmation. | Booking confirmation |
| Free cancellation | Until 24 hours before pickup. | Terms, “Cancellations & refunds” |
| Late cancellations and no-shows | Not refunded unless the transport provider is at fault. | Terms, “Cancellations & refunds” |
| Right details | Flight, pickup and contact details must be correct, or extra charges may follow. | Terms, “General booking terms” |
If your confirmation says something different from this page, follow the confirmation. The complete conditions are in our terms and privacy policy.
Questions
UK airport taxis: your questions answered
Which airports in the UK do you cover?
We run airport taxi transfers at Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton, with a full guide for each, and at Stansted, London City, Southend, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Every route between these airports and any UK address is priced at booking, so a journey to a city or a port that is not on our pages is still possible.
How much is a taxi from Heathrow, Gatwick or Luton to central London?
Our typical fares per car are £80–90 from Gatwick, £90–100 from Heathrow and £105–115 from Luton, for up to four passengers, fixed when you book. The drive takes 45–90 min from Heathrow, 60–90 min from Gatwick and 55–95 min from Luton, and rush hour adds time.
Which London airport is closest to the city centre?
London City is the closest, then Heathrow. By road from central London, Heathrow is about 16 miles, Gatwick about 28 and Luton about 32. Stansted and Southend are further out than the other four. The distance matters less than the journey: a train or a fixed-fare car can make a farther airport easier than a nearer one.
Can I just get a private hire taxi at the airport without booking?
No: a private hire car must be booked before the journey. In the UK it is illegal for a private hire vehicle to pick up a passenger who has not booked, and the driver cannot be hailed. Black cabs may use the airport rank and run on the meter. We are a pre-booking service, so your driver is already waiting for you.
Is a pre-booked airport transfer cheaper than a black cab?
Often, and the price is certain. A black cab runs on the meter, so the final fare depends on traffic: 2026 third-party guides put a Heathrow to central London fare at £70–110 and a Gatwick fare at £100–150. A transfer is fixed before you fly and covers the whole car. The train is cheaper again for one or two people with light bags.
Where will my driver meet me at the airport?
Inside the Arrivals hall, holding a name board with your name, having tracked your flight. Your confirmation gives the exact spot and the driver’s mobile number, and the driver then walks you to the car. At Luton the car waits at the Pick Up Zone, a walk of about five minutes. Heathrow has four terminals and Gatwick two, so give us the terminal when you book.
What if my flight is delayed or arrives early?
We follow your flight number, so a delay or an early landing moves the pickup and costs you nothing extra. Up to 60 minutes of waiting after landing are included for airport arrivals, to cover the walk through border control and baggage reclaim. If you are held longer, message the driver.
How much is the drop-off charge at Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton?
Heathrow charges £7 each time a vehicle enters a terminal drop-off area (10 minutes maximum), Gatwick £10 for up to 10 minutes on the forecourt, and Luton £9 for up to 12 minutes, then £1 a minute. Each airport sets and changes its own charge, so check its website before you travel. Your booking summary itemises any airport charge before you pay.
Can I book a taxi between two airports, for example Heathrow to Gatwick?
Yes. Typical prices per car, fixed when you book: Heathrow to Gatwick £100–110, Gatwick to Heathrow £110–120, Heathrow to Luton £95–105 and Gatwick to Luton £150–160. Allow 55–100 minutes by road, more at rush hour, and take the earlier pickup for a connecting flight.
Do you provide child seats, and what does the law say?
Yes, at no extra cost, on request. In the UK, children need a child seat until they are 12 or 135 cm tall, with narrow exemptions for taxis and private hire vehicles, so give us the children’s ages when you book.
Can I bring an assistance dog?
Yes: assistance dogs travel with you at no extra charge. Under the Equality Act 2010, licensed taxi and private hire drivers must carry an assistance dog unless they hold a medical exemption certificate. Other pets are at the driver’s discretion, so ask us when you book.
What vehicles can I book?
Saloon and executive cars, estate cars, people carriers, 7- and 8-seater taxis and 16-seater minibuses, with larger coaches quoted at booking. Say how many passengers and bags you have and we will suggest the right size.
How do I pay, and can I cancel?
You pay securely online when you book, by card, PayPal or Google Pay, and the fare on your confirmation is the fare you pay. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup.
An executive car, a Mercedes E-Class or similar. Photo: Global Airport Taxi.
Land, walk out, and go.
Your fixed fare is agreed before you fly, and a driver is waiting at Arrivals with your name on a board. We follow your flight, so a delay simply moves the pickup, and up to 60 minutes of waiting after landing are included for airport arrivals. Ask for child seats at no extra cost, and cancel free up to 24 hours before.
- Fixed price
- Free cancellation
- Free child seats
- Flight tracking