UK airport transfers and taxis
The UK’s busiest airports are around London, with big regional hubs in Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Most have fast trains or buses into town, plus taxi ranks and pre-booked private hire cars. Transfer firms quote a fixed price per vehicle, which suits families, groups and cruise passengers.
Main UK airports for transfers
- Heathrow to Central London: black cab typically £45–£85, 30–60 minutes
- Gatwick Airport: about 30 miles south of London, Gatwick Express to Victoria in about 30 minutes
- Manchester Airport to the city centre: taxi from around £20
- Edinburgh Airport to the city centre: metered taxi around £25–35
Black cabs vs minicabs in the UK
Black cabs (hackney carriages) wait at official ranks and charge a council or TfL meter fare. Minicabs and chauffeur cars are private hire: they must be pre-booked through a licensed operator, often at a fixed price. Never accept a lift from a tout in the arrivals hall. Most UK airports also charge for dropping off outside the terminal, usually about £5.50 to £10, so ask whether your fare includes it.
Southampton and Dover cruise transfers
Southampton is the UK’s busiest cruise port, about 68 miles from Heathrow. Dover is the second busiest, about 79 miles from Gatwick. Taxis are limited at Dover, and both ports are busy on turnaround days, so book your car ahead.
Belfast and Northern Ireland transfers
Belfast has two airports: George Best Belfast City, about 3 miles from the centre, and Belfast International, about 30 minutes away by road. Taxis follow Northern Ireland maximum fares, and the Enterprise train and direct coaches link Belfast with Dublin in about 2 hours.