Understanding Taxi Fares and Extra Charges

By Using Taxis for Hospital and Medical Appointments
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21 Jul 2026

Understanding Taxi Fares and Extra Charges

Why Two Fares for the Same Journey Can Differ

In the UK, taxis fall into two broad camps, and they price a journey quite differently. A hackney carriage — the type you hail in the street or pick up from a rank — runs on a meter, and that meter follows a tariff set by the local council that licenses it. A private hire vehicle, booked in advance through an operator, is usually priced by the firm, though many councils still set a maximum tariff it cannot exceed.

That single distinction explains a great deal. If a metered cab and a pre-booked car quote very different figures for the same run to the station, it is rarely a mistake — it is two pricing systems doing their own thing.

Tariff Bands, Late Nights and Bank Holidays

Almost every metered fare starts with a flag fall — the amount on the clock the moment you set off, typically between £2.50 and £4.00 depending on where you are. After that, the meter adds a set amount for each unit of distance or time, whichever runs out first.

Crucially, most councils split the day into tariff bands:

Tariff 1 covers standard daytime hours on ordinary weekdays.
Tariff 2 usually applies to evenings, weekends and early mornings — often from around 11pm until 6am, with a higher rate per mile and a higher flag fall.
Tariff 3 is reserved for the busiest dates, such as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, and can push the rate up by half again or more.

A journey costing £12 at 3pm on a Tuesday might land closer to £18 at 1am on a Saturday. If you are travelling late, ask which tariff is running before you get in. A good operator will tell you without hesitating.

Waiting Time, Stops and Route Changes

Meters do not only charge for movement. Once the vehicle drops below walking pace, the meter switches to a time-based rate. That is why a short hop through heavy traffic can cost more than a longer, clearer run.

You are also charged for waiting you ask for. If you stop at a cashpoint, ask the driver to hold while you fetch a bag, or keep the car waiting outside a shop, the clock keeps ticking. Typical rates sit around 20p to 40p per minute, and they add up quickly on a long wait.

Route changes matter too. If you ask to divert via a friend's house, expect the meter to reflect the extra distance. That is perfectly fair — but confirm it before you agree to the detour rather than being surprised at the end.

Luggage, Extra Passengers and Special Requirements

This is where extra charges get murky, because rules vary by council. Under many tariffs, a set amount of luggage travels free — often two suitcases — with a small charge, frequently £1 to £3, for each additional item. Some private hire operators build luggage into the quote; others charge separately. Ask when you book.

Extra passengers can trigger a charge as well. Five people will not fit in a standard saloon, so if you need a larger vehicle, expect to pay for it, and some areas permit a small supplement per passenger beyond a stated number.

One charge you should never see is for an assistance dog. Licensed drivers are legally required to carry guide dogs, hearing dogs and other assistance dogs at no extra cost. If you are told otherwise, that is a matter for your council's licensing team.

Booking Fees, Airport Charges and Pass-Through Costs

Private hire fares often include costs you would not see on a metered hackney carriage:

A booking fee, sometimes a flat 50p to £2 per job, or a small percentage of the fare.
Airport drop-off and pick-up charges, which many terminals now impose and operators pass on directly — commonly £5 to £6 for a drop-off, more for a pick-up that includes time in a car park.
Tolls and crossings, such as bridge or tunnel charges, added at cost.
Congestion and clean air zone charges where they apply, passed through rather than absorbed.

None of these are sneaky as long as they are declared. The problem comes when a quote looks cheap and the extras appear only at the end. Ask, before you confirm, whether the figure is all-inclusive or whether tolls, airport fees and waiting are extra.

Checking the Price Before You Confirm

A few habits will keep you in control of what you pay.

Ask whether the fare is metered, fixed or an estimate. Estimates can rise if traffic or your plans change.
Confirm the tariff band if you are travelling at night or on a public holiday.
Check what is included: luggage, number of passengers, airport charges, tolls and waiting.
Ask how payment works — card machines are standard, and surcharges for paying by card are not allowed.
Request a receipt showing the operator, vehicle, date and amount.

Do that and you will rarely be caught out. Taxi pricing is not designed to trick you, but it is layered — and a thirty-second conversation before you set off is usually all it takes to know exactly where you stand.

Fare Costs

Accessible Travel: Communicating with Your Driver

Agree the payment method before you set off, use a fare-sharing app or cash, and keep the receipt for easy reconciliation later.

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5 Comments

Robert Sonny says Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am

I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
Reply
- John Abraham says Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am
  
  I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
  Reply
  - Robert Sonnysays Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am
    
    I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
    Reply
Robert Sonny says Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am

I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
Reply

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