How black cab fares work in London
London black cab fares are metered and set by Transport for London. Here's what changes the price, and how you can pay.
The meter decides the fare
Every licensed London taxi has a meter, and the fares it charges are set by Transport for London (TfL), not by the driver or by us. The fare depends on the distance and the time the journey takes.
The rate also depends on when you travel: evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays cost more than weekday daytime, and longer journeys can be charged at a different rate. TfL publishes the current fares on its website.
No surge pricing
Because the meter sets the fare, a black cab costs the same when it's raining or busy as when it's quiet. London Cabbies doesn't add a booking fee: drivers pay us a small flat fee per job instead.
Paying
You pay the driver in the cab at the end of the journey. London taxis take card and contactless payments as well as cash.
If you'd like an idea of the cost before a long journey, such as to an airport, ask your driver before you set off.