LHR — London (Heathrow) — Taxi Fare Guide
Licensed London black cabs (Hackney carriages) queue at official taxi ranks outside every Heathrow terminal, 24/7, with a marshal on hand. There is no fixed airport fare to central London: black cabs run on a Transport for London (TfL) meter, so the final price depends on distance, traffic and time of day.
A metered black cab from Heathrow to central London typically comes to about £75-100, rising toward £100-130 in heavy traffic or during evening, night and weekend tariffs (Tariffs 2 and 3, which charge higher per-mile rates). There is no separate luggage charge, but the meter reflects waiting time in congestion. Because the distance is roughly 15-25 miles depending on your destination, the journey usually takes 45-70 minutes, and longer at rush hour.
For a more predictable cost, pre-booked private-hire minicabs commonly quote a fixed £55-85. Ride-hailing is also available: Uber and Bolt operate from Heathrow's designated ride-app pickup areas, with app fares that fluctuate with demand.
| Destination | Approx. fare | Time |
| West End / Soho (central) | black cab metered ≈ £80-100 | 45-70 min |
| Kensington / Earl's Court | black cab metered ≈ £55-75 | 40-60 min |
| The City / Canary Wharf | black cab metered ≈ £90-115 | 55-85 min |
| Paddington / Notting Hill | black cab metered ≈ £60-80 | 40-60 min |
Practical tips: Use only the official taxi rank or a pre-booked minicab; ignore anyone touting rides inside the terminal. Black cabs accept card and cash and a 10% tip is customary but not required. If you want a guaranteed price, pre-book a fixed-fare transfer instead of taking the meter. Fares are approximate and vary with traffic and time of day.
London — Highlights in photos
Fares are researched from official and public sources and are approximate — always confirm the meter or fixed fare before you travel.