UK Taxi Fare Calculator
Estimate your cab or minicab cost instantly based on distance, time, base fare, and surge pricing. Includes UK taxi rate reference tables.
Taxi & Minicab Fare Estimator
Calculate your journey cost based on UK taxi rates
The initial charge when you start your journey
Fixed fee for booking via app or phone (0 for street hails)
Distance rate charged per mile
Time rate charged per minute (for traffic/waiting)
Total distance of your journey in miles
Estimated journey time including traffic
1.0 for normal rates, >1.0 for peak/surge pricing (e.g. 1.5)
Fare Breakdown
Estimated taxi journey cost
Enter your journey details and click Estimate Fare to see your total taxi cost.
UK Taxi & Minicab Rates
Typical rates for various taxi services across the UK. Use this table to compare costs and set your calculator inputs accurately.
| Vehicle Type | Base Fare | Per Mile | Per Minute | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Black Cab (Tariff 1) | £3.20 | ~£2.80 | ~£0.30 | Mon-Fri 05:00-20:00 |
| London Black Cab (Tariff 2/3) | £3.20 | ~£3.40 | ~£0.50 | Nights, Weekends, Bank Holidays |
| Local Minicab (Standard) | £2.50 | £1.50 | £0.20 | Typical local private hire rates |
| App-Based (Uber/Bolt) | £2.50 | £1.80 | £0.25 | Base rates before surge pricing |
| Executive / MPV | £5.00 | £2.50 | £0.40 | Larger vehicles, premium service |
| Airport Transfer (Fixed) | — | — | — | Fixed price based on distance/zone |
Taxi Fare Calculator FAQ
Everything you need to know about calculating taxi fares, Black Cab rates, and minicab costs in the UK.
A UK taxi fare is typically calculated using a combination of a base fare (flag fall), a charge per mile (or per fraction of a mile), and a charge per minute for time spent in traffic or waiting. The formula is: Total Fare = (Base Fare + Booking Fee) + (Distance × Cost per Mile) + (Time × Cost per Minute). Surge multipliers or peak time tariffs may also apply.
London Black Cab fares are regulated by Transport for London (TfL). As of recent tariffs, Tariff 1 (Mon-Fri, 05:00-20:00) starts with a minimum fare of £3.20 (for up to 6240 yards/3.55 miles), then charges around £0.20 for every additional 105.6 yards. Tariff 2 (Fri/Sat 20:00-22:00, Sun 05:00-20:00) and Tariff 3 (Nights and Bank Holidays) are more expensive, charging around £0.20 for every 93.6 yards.
A Black Cab (Hackney Carriage) can be hailed on the street, must use a taximeter, and is regulated by local authorities (like TfL in London). A minicab (Private Hire Vehicle) must be pre-booked through a licensed operator, cannot be hailed on the street, and usually agrees on a fixed price or uses a quoted rate rather than a taximeter.
Surge pricing (or dynamic pricing) is used by app-based minicab services like Uber, Bolt, and Free Now during periods of high demand or low driver availability. A surge multiplier (e.g., 1.5x) is applied to the base fare, distance, and time costs. For example, a £20 fare with a 1.5x surge will cost £30. Black Cabs do not use surge pricing, but they have higher night and weekend tariffs.
Tipping is not mandatory in the UK, but it is appreciated. For Black Cabs, passengers usually round up to the nearest pound or add 10-15% for good service. For minicabs or app-based rides, tipping is less common but can be done via the app or by rounding up the cash fare.
Airport transfers can be more expensive due to fixed airport drop-off or pick-up fees charged by the airport authority, which the driver passes on to the passenger. However, many minicab companies offer fixed-price airport transfers which can be cheaper than a metered Black Cab, especially for long distances. Always confirm if airport fees are included in your quote.