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.
Other ways to the city
Heathrow has some of the best airport rail links in Europe, so a taxi is rarely the only sensible choice.
- Heathrow Express - Non-stop to London Paddington in 15 minutes, every 15 minutes. Around £25 one way, cheaper if booked in advance online.
- Elizabeth line - Direct to Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf in 30-45 minutes for about £12-£13 with contactless payment.
- Piccadilly line (Underground) - The cheapest rail option at roughly £5-£6 with an Oyster or contactless card, reaching central London in 50-60 minutes.
- National Express coaches - Services to London Victoria coach station take 45-90 minutes and cost about £6-£15 if booked ahead.
- Local buses and hotel shuttles - Free Hoppa-style and hotel shuttle buses serve nearby hotels; TfL bus routes cover west London suburbs for around £1.75.
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.