A metered black cab from Heathrow to central London typically costs £75-£130, over roughly 18 miles in 45-75 minutes depending on traffic. A pre-booked minicab is usually cheaper, around £45-£75 fixed. Both wait at or near the terminal; the difference is whether your price is metered on the day or agreed before you fly. Prices checked against Heathrow Airport Guide's own taxis page, re-verified 2026.
How black cab fares actually work at Heathrow
Licensed London black cabs wait at official, marshalled taxi ranks just outside each terminal's arrivals hall; you don't pre-book, you simply join the rank and take the next car. They're metered on the standard Transport for London tariff, which has a minimum fare of £4.40 and three rate bands:
- Tariff 1 – weekday daytime
- Tariff 2 – evenings and weekends
- Tariff 3 – nights and public holidays, the most expensive band
Each band charges progressively more per mile and minute than the last. On top of the metered fare, expect a rank surcharge of about £1.60 and, if you're dropped off rather than picked up, Heathrow's separate £7 forecourt drop-off charge. Because the meter reflects live traffic conditions, treat £75-£130 as a realistic range rather than a fixed price; a bad-traffic daytime trip can cost as much as a clear-roads night trip in a higher tariff band.
How minicab fares compare
A pre-booked minicab or private-hire car fixes the price before you travel, commonly £45-£75 to central London with the drop-off charge included and meet-and-greet available. Because the fare is agreed in advance, traffic delays, a late landing or which tariff band you'd otherwise fall into don't change what you pay. Our recommended pre-booked operator is 247 UK Airport Taxi, part of the Tick Taxi group (whose Bristol arm holds a 5.0 Google rating and the 2026 QSI Gold Award), which fixes the price before you travel and tracks your flight so a late landing never changes the fare. We recommend a transport partner and may earn a referral fee; it never changes the price you pay.
Black cab vs minicab: quick comparison
| Black cab (rank) | Pre-booked minicab | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Metered, TfL Tariff 1-3 | Fixed before you travel |
| Typical fare to central London | £75-£130 | £45-£75 |
| Minimum fare | £4.40 plus rank surcharge ~£1.60 | N/A, flat fixed quote |
| Drop-off charge | £7, added separately if applicable | Usually included in the quote |
| Booking | Walk up at the rank | Book ahead, fare and flight tracked |
| Best for | No booking needed, trust the meter | Price certainty, late landings, budget trips |
When does a black cab make more sense than a minicab?
If you land without a booking and want a licensed, regulated car immediately with no advance arrangement, the rank is the simplest option: you don't need an app, an account or a phone signal, and London's black cabs are among the most tightly regulated taxis anywhere. For short, daytime, low-traffic trips, Tariff 1 pricing can occasionally land close to the lower end of the minicab range too, though this isn't guaranteed and depends entirely on the route and conditions that day.
When is a minicab the better choice?
For most central London journeys, especially at night (Tariff 3), in heavy traffic, or when price certainty matters more than flexibility, a pre-booked minicab is both cheaper on average and removes the risk of an unexpectedly high metered fare. It's also the more dependable option if you're landing late, since the car and fare are confirmed before you fly rather than dependent on rank availability after a delay.
Does the terminal I land at change the price?
Not directly. Each of Heathrow's four terminals (T2, T3, T4 and T5) has its own marshalled black cab rank just outside arrivals, and pre-booked minicabs collect from a confirmed point at whichever terminal you land at. The fare itself is driven by distance, traffic and time of day rather than which terminal you start from, though a short diversion to or from the Authorised Vehicle Area where private-hire drivers wait can occasionally add a few minutes.
Fares and TfL tariff bands can change; this page reflects Heathrow Airport Guide's own published figures, checked 2026. Confirm the live meter rate or minicab quote before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a black cab from Heathrow to central London?
Typically £75-£130, metered on the TfL tariff, for an 18-mile, 45-75 minute journey depending on traffic and time of day.
How much is a pre-booked minicab from Heathrow to central London?
Commonly £45-£75, fixed before you travel, usually including the drop-off charge.
Is a black cab or a minicab cheaper from Heathrow?
A pre-booked minicab is usually cheaper, since it's a fixed fare rather than a metered one that rises with traffic and tariff band, particularly at night.
What is the minimum fare for a Heathrow black cab?
£4.40 on the meter, plus a rank surcharge of about £1.60 and, if applicable, the separate £7 drop-off charge.
Do I need to book a black cab at Heathrow in advance?
No. Licensed black cabs wait at marshalled ranks outside each terminal's arrivals hall; you join the queue and take the next available car.
Does the £7 Heathrow drop-off charge apply to taxis picking me up?
The £7 charge applies to the forecourt drop-off area for vehicles dropping passengers off, not to the arrivals taxi rank where cabs collect you; check our drop-off guide for how the charge itself works.