A metered black cab from Heathrow to central London typically runs about £75 to £130 depending on traffic and time of day, over roughly 18 miles in 45 to 75 minutes. A pre-booked minicab is usually cheaper at around £45 to £75 fixed. The official ranks sit just outside each terminal's arrivals hall and are marshalled. Prices checked August 2026.
The official ranks
Licensed London black cabs wait at official, marshalled taxi ranks just outside each terminal's arrivals hall. You don't need to pre-book, you simply join the rank and take the next car. Because there are four terminals (T2, T3, T4 and T5), the rank you use depends on where you land. Behind the scenes, private-hire and taxi drivers wait in the official Authorised Vehicle Area off Northern Perimeter Road until they're called forward.
Metered black cabs versus pre-booked minicabs
Black cabs are metered on the standard Transport for London tariff, which has a minimum fare of £4.40 and three rate bands: Tariff 1 for weekday daytime, Tariff 2 for evenings and weekends, and Tariff 3 for nights and holidays, each charging progressively more per mile. A rank surcharge of about £1.60 and the £7 drop-off charge can be added on top. Because the meter reflects traffic, the exact fare varies, so treat the £75 to £130 figure as a realistic range rather than a fixed price.
A pre-booked minicab or private-hire car is usually cheaper and fixed in advance, commonly £45 to £75 to central London with the drop-off charge included and meet-and-greet available. If you're landing late or want certainty on the price, pre-booking is the more predictable choice.
Typical fares to the city and beyond
The central London range below is drawn from operator fixed-price lists. Fares to other places are indicative and should be confirmed with the operator when you book, since some destinations are a long way out and prices vary with the time of day.
| Destination | Driving time | Indicative taxi fare |
|---|---|---|
| Central London / West End | 45 to 75 min | £75 to £130 metered, £45 to £75 pre-booked |
| Windsor | 15 to 25 min | £35 to £45 |
| Slough | 15 to 25 min | £22 to £35 |
| Reading | 35 to 50 min | £70 to £85 |
| Oxford | 60 to 80 min | £90 to £110 |
| Gatwick Airport | 60 to 90 min | £59 to £110 |
For the full list of destinations, distances and driving times, see the popular routes page.
Uber, Bolt and FreeNow
Uber, Bolt and FreeNow all operate at Heathrow, but there's one rule that surprises first-time users: drivers cannot pick up at the terminal forecourt or kerbside. You have to walk to your terminal's designated short-stay "Terminal Parking" car park to meet the driver. Typical pickup points are T2 Level 4 Row H, T3 Level 3 Row A and T5 Level 1 Row R. Drivers wait in a virtual queue and usually arrive about 5 to 10 minutes after you request. Note that the T4 multi-storey car park closed permanently on 23 June 2026, so T4 app and private-hire pickups now happen at the T4 Park & Ride (Zone A, Scylla Road, TW6 3XL). If you're being collected rather than picking up an app ride, see our guide to where to meet at Heathrow arrivals.
There is an important caveat before you rely on an app for a flight. Uber does not guarantee a driver or hold a car for your departure. Driver supply is thin from around midnight to 10am, so a car may not turn up when you need it, which can put an early flight at risk. When several flights land together, or in heavy traffic, most drivers are already booked, so that 5 to 10 minute wait can stretch to 30 minutes or more. Pre-booking through Uber Reserve is usually more expensive than an on-demand ride, not cheaper. If you need certainty, a pre-booked minicab that fixes the price and holds a car for your flight, or the marshalled black-cab rank outside arrivals, is the more dependable choice.
When a taxi beats the alternatives
If there are two or more of you with luggage, or you want to be taken to the door, a pre-booked minicab can cost about the same per head as separate rail fares and it drops you exactly where you're going. A taxi is also the simplest choice late at night, once the last Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express services have gone; see our guide to getting into London late at night for the full comparison. If you're travelling solo and light, the cheaper options are on the public transport page, where the Piccadilly line starts from about £5.60. If someone is dropping you off by car instead, compare the drop-off charges first, because the forecourt costs £7 per visit. Flying onward to Gatwick instead of into London? See Heathrow to Gatwick: the fastest and cheapest ways.
Taxi FAQs
How much is a taxi from Heathrow to central London? About £75 to £130 in a metered black cab, taking 45 to 75 minutes, or roughly £45 to £75 for a pre-booked minicab with the price fixed in advance.
Where do black cabs wait at Heathrow? At official marshalled taxi ranks just outside each terminal's arrivals hall. There's no need to pre-book, and the rank you use depends on which terminal you land at.
Where does Uber pick up at Heathrow? In each terminal's short-stay "Terminal Parking" car park, for example T2 Level 4 Row H or T5 Level 1 Row R, not at the forecourt. At T4 the pickup moved to the T4 Park & Ride on 23 June 2026.
Is a pre-booked minicab cheaper than a black cab? Usually yes. A pre-booked saloon to central London is commonly £45 to £75 fixed with the drop-off charge included, against about £75 to £130 on the black-cab meter.
Is Uber reliable for catching a flight from Heathrow? Not guaranteed. Uber does not hold a car for your flight, and driver supply is thin from around midnight to 10am, so a car may not turn up when you need it. When several flights land together, waits can pass 30 minutes. For an early departure, a pre-booked minicab that holds a car and fixes the price is more dependable, and Uber Reserve pre-booking is usually dearer than an on-demand ride.
More: Overview, Public transport, Parking, Drop-off, Routes, FAQs.
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Last verified August 2026 by the Heathrow Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Heathrow Airport website before you travel.