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Heathrow Taxi Services

London is one of the most populous cities on Earth, being home to more people than Berlin, Los Angeles and Madrid. The city’s commitment to public transport is legendary – aside from the iconic red buses, London’s armada of hackney carriages is unrivalled throughout the UK. Factor in the St. Pancras International train station and the labyrinthine Underground, and the capital becomes a gateway to the near continent.

Of course, the nearby Heathrow Airport is the jewel in London’s crown, handling over 65 million passengers a year. Heathrow is a persistent thorn in the side of eco-warriors across Europe, and plans for a third runway have been defeated at every turn, much to the frustration of the British Airports Authority.

Getting Around

Located close to Slough and Staines, towns made famous by TV shows The Office and Ali G respectively, Heathrow is about 15 miles from the centre of London, linked to the capital by the M4 motorway. Taxi services are ubiquitous, ranging from your garden-variety black cab or saloon, to minibuses and executive vehicles. However, many transfer specialists will charge significantly more than in other areas of the UK.

A standard saloon might set you back over £40 for a trip to the SW1 postcode area, where you'll find the House of Commons and Buckingham Palace, whereas an eight-seater minibus will cost you anything up to £80.

It’s worth noting that Heathrow Airport is on the verge of the capital’s metropolitan area. It's therefore best to try to avoid using hackney carriages or local minicab services because metered taxis can afford to be creative with their pricing schemes, emptying all the pennies out of your wallet.

Estate cars and people carriers, which carry more bags or more people, cost around £50 to £60 per vehicle. Executive cars also cost about £60 and seat a maximum of four people, albeit a little snugly, in the back. Be sure to book your taxi at least 24 hours in advance, as all prices are agreed before departure.

London is a huge city, and the price of a taxi journey from one postcode district to another may vary significantly from the prices quoted in this article. Individual taxi ranks may offer a discount (or charge a premium) based on any number of factors, so a little research is advised. Online booking is an ideal way to ensure that you don’t end up stranded outside terminal in the freezing rain.

Premium Services

London’s transfer specialists offer a wide range of packages for the discerning traveller. Executive or elite services, providing fancy cars for big-spenders, showcase some of the most desirable vehicles on earth - Ferraris, Mercedes, Lamborghinis, Porsche, etc. - all chauffeur-driven to your requirements. Drivers come well groomed and will provide a meet and greet service.

Premium services also provide little perks – newspapers and bottled water, in-car entertainment, and document printing services – but these are by no means guaranteed and may be specific to a particular taxi firm.

Credit card payments are permissible with online booking, and corporate customers may want to take advantage of the account options, removing the need to fill out endless forms and helping reduce taxi fares, especially for frequent flyers. All London transfer companies provide a 24-hour service with fixed prices.

The Sights

London is the seat of the UK government, and a haven of municipal architecture, boasting some of the most recognisable landmarks in the world. Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament sit on the River Thames, about 16 miles from Heathrow Airport. Parliament is in the very centre of London, and an ideal place to kick-off your trip.

Art aficionados will enjoy the Tate Modern and Tate Britain galleries, home to both modern and conventional art from the sixteenth century onwards. The National Portrait Gallery is also a valuable addition to your tour of the capital. The latter two are located in the SW1 postcode district, on the south bank of the Thames, whereas the Portrait Gallery sits to the north of the river near Trafalgar Square.

South Bank is one of the most iconic parts of London. The London Eye, arguably the most glamorous fairground ride on Earth, The Globe Theatre and some wonderful sculptures that bring the work of Salvador Dali to metallic life can be found to the south of the river. Lovers of street theatre and drama will enjoy being pestered by the resident mime artists.

Football fans have a paradise of stadia at their feet. Chelsea, West Ham United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham all claim London as their home, ensuring that Saturdays are raucous and busy. Whilst the clubs are spread throughout London, many taxi firms offer an ‘airport to landmark’ service at a fixed rate. For example, Heathrow to Stamford Bridge (the home of Chelsea F.C.), costs between £38 and £42.

Of course, it’s important to make sure that your taxi picks you up in the right place. All Heathrow car parks are drop-off-only areas. Taxi firms will have to arrange to park in the short-stay car park prior to pick up, at a cost of £2.30 per half hour, and this fee will form part of your total fare.

Also be aware that Heathrow has five different terminals and waiting is not allowed on any of the forecourts.