The UK’s most expensive places to get a taxi, revealed

Heathrow council is the UK’s most expensive place to take a taxi, according to a new study from ChoiceQuote, a Gallagher company.

With news that Transport for London is raising black cab fares by at least 5% , ChoiceQuote set out to reveal the most cost-effective locations for taking a taxi.

The specialist taxi insurance broker analysed the average price for a two-mile journey in 329 different locations over the past 5 years, to find the cheapest and most expensive locations, as well as the areas experiencing the steepest increases in fare prices.

Since 2020, taxi fares in the UK have risen by 21%. On average, taxi fares in 2020 were £6.01 for every two miles travelled. In 2025, the average cost of a taxi across the country is £7.27, with this spiking to almost double this price in some areas of the country.

Where have taxi fares increased the most?

1. Elmbridge – 55.7%
2. Oadby and Wigston – 52.3%
3. Ribble Valley – 50.9%
4. St Albans – 47.6%
5. Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar – 44.3%
6. Rushcliffe – 42.9%
7. Breckland – 42.9%
8. Shropshire – 41.6%
9. Midlothian – 41.5%
10. North Cornwall – 41.2%

While Elmbridge is only the 9th most expensive location in the UK to take a taxi, it reported the biggest increase in fares, with prices rising by nearly 56% since 2020.

In 2020, the price of a taxi was £6.10, placing Elmbridge in mid-table across the UK for taxi fares. In 2023, fares began to rise and in 2025 the price of a two-mile trip in a taxi is now £9.50.

Cherwell, Oxfordshire is the only place to experience a decrease in taxi fares

Cherwell stands out as the only district in the UK where taxi fares have decreased since 2020. With an average cost of just £5.08 for a two-mile taxi journey, Cherwell not only offers one of the most affordable taxi rates in the country, but its residents have also enjoyed a reduction in fares, which were 10% higher five years ago.

In fact, only 5% of districts in the UK have managed to avoid an increase in taxi fares over the past five years, while the remaining 95% have seen fares rise to varying degrees.

Where are the UK’s most expensive taxi journeys?

1. Heathrow – £13.00
2. Luton – £12.60
3. Epsom and Ewell – £11.00
4. Transport for London – £11.00
5. Guildford – £10.00
6. Jersey – £9.65
7. Caradon – £9.60
8. North Cornwall – £9.60
9. Elmbridge – £9.50
10. Carrick – £9.20

(Average price for a two-mile journey)

Heathrow, home to the UK’s largest airport, is the most expensive place to get a taxi. It costs £13 for every two miles travelled within the Heathrow district – 57% more expensive than the UK average of £7.27. Fares in the area have risen by 14% in the past five years, from £11.33 in 2020.

Following closely behind, Luton is the second most expensive place to get a taxi in the UK, costing £12.60 for a two-mile trip. This is a 36% increase from 2020, where you could get a taxi for £9.20 from Luton.

The Surrey district of Epsom and Ewell takes third position, costing £11 for a two-mile taxi ride. That is almost a £3 increase in taxi fare prices since 2020.

Where are the UK’s cheapest taxi journeys?

1. Bolsover – £4.60
2. Burnley – £5.00
3. Cherwell – £5.08
4. Staffordshire Moorland – £5.20
5. West Lancashire – £5.20
6. South Kesteven – £5.30
7. Rochdale – £5.50
8. Redcar & Cleveland – £5.50
9. Pendle – £5.50
10. Wrexham – £5.60

(Average price for a two-mile journey)

Bolsover in Derbyshire is currently the cheapest place in the UK to take a taxi, costing £4.60 on average for a two-mile trip. In fact, the district is one of the only places where taxi prices have remained the same over a five-year period.

Burnley takes second place, with a taxi costing £5 for a two-mile trip in 2025. Unlike in Bolsover, the Lancashire town has experienced a 11.1% spike in taxi fares over a five-year period, with prices increasing by 50p per two miles travelled.

Phil Leese, Taxi and Specialist Motor Trading Manager at specialist insurance broker ChoiceQuote said, “We’ve seen a rapid rise in taxi fares since 2020, this is largely due to the increasing cost of living, which significantly impacted fuel prices and vehicle maintenance expenses, leaving drivers with little choice but to raise fares.

“In more recent years, inflation has led to economic uncertainty and pressures which has potentially caused taxi drivers to increase their prices as a way of offsetting costs.

“While taxi fares have increased, passengers can save money by planning ahead. To avoid higher rates, try not to book taxis during peak hours. Pre-booking can also lead to fare reductions. Additionally, it’s beneficial to explore different taxi providers as some may be cheaper than others, depending on the city you are in.”