Official 2026 Tariffs & Fare Data Across Major United Kingdom Cities
In the **United Kingdom**, taxi regulations distinguish between traditional **Hackney Carriages (Black Cabs)** — which can be hailed on the street and operate on official local council meters — and **Private Hire Vehicles (minicabs)**, which must be pre-booked with agreed fares.
This official 2026 UK Taxi Rate Index covers meter tariffs across major British cities including London (Transport for London TfL rates), Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, and Leeds.
Airport transfer surcharges and drop-off fees vary by airport (e.g. London Heathrow LHR, Gatwick LGW, Manchester MAN, Edinburgh EDI). Use our Taxi Allo calculator to compare rates and estimate exact trip costs.
| City Name | Initial Charge | Per Mile/KM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen, UK, United Kingdom | £2.40 | £2.90 | |
| Bath, United Kingdom | £4.40 | £2.90 | |
| Birmingham, United Kingdom | £2.20 | £2.85 | |
| Brighton, United Kingdom | £2.80 | £2.20 | |
| Bristol, UK, United Kingdom | £2.60 | £1.80 | |
| Cambridge, United Kingdom | £2.80 | £1.10 | |
| Cardiff, United Kingdom | £4.00 | £1.70 | |
| Carlisle, United Kingdom | £2.85 | £1.29 | |
| Coventry, United Kingdom | £2.80 | £2.50 | |
| Edinburgh, United Kingdom | £2.90 | £2.08 | |
| Glasgow, United Kingdom | £2.40 | £1.60 | |
| Leeds, United Kingdom | £2.20 | £2.20 | |
| Liverpool, United Kingdom | £2.20 | £1.53 | |
| London, United Kingdom | £2.40 | £1.57 | |
| Manchester, United Kingdom | £2.40 | £1.70 | |
| Nottingham, United Kingdom | £3.80 | £1.80 | |
| Oxford, United Kingdom | £2.45 | £2.90 | |
| Worcester, United Kingdom | £3.20 | £1.00 |
At Taxi Allo, we pride ourselves on data accuracy and traveler safety. Our United Kingdom pricing guide is compiled using a three-tier verification process:
Direct integration with transport regulation databases.
Manual spot-checks of taxi receipts and operator manifestos.
Crowd-sourced fare validation from our global community.
The UK transport network is world-renowned for its "Black Cabs" and rigorous driver licensing standards. Understanding the difference between a "taxi" and "private hire" is key to saving money.
Tipping is appreciated but less aggressive than in the US. Rounding up to the nearest £5 or choosing a 10% option on the card machine for exceptional service is the local norm.
In London, only Hackney Carriages (Black Cabs) can be hailed on the street. "Minicabs" must be pre-booked via phone or app. For longer journeys across London or between cities, pre-booked minicabs are significantly cheaper than metered black cabs.
Uber and FreeNow are the primary digital players. FreeNow is particularly useful as it allows you to hail official Black Cabs via your phone, combining traditional quality with digital convenience.