Heathrow Taxi Guide 2026: Terminals, Fares & How to Book
Everything you need to know before booking a Heathrow taxi — which terminal you need, how pickups work, what affects the fare and how to book a fixed price in advance.
Which Heathrow Terminal Do You Need?
Heathrow has four passenger terminals — Terminal 1 closed in 2015. Before you book, check your ticket for the terminal, because Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 are on opposite sides of the airport from the central area:
- Terminal 2 (The Queen's Terminal) — Star Alliance airlines and several others
- Terminal 3 — many long-haul carriers including Virgin Atlantic and oneworld partners
- Terminal 4 — SkyTeam airlines and a range of Middle Eastern and Asian carriers
- Terminal 5 — British Airways (plus some Iberia flights)
Airlines do move terminals, so always confirm on your booking. Tell us the terminal when you book and your driver goes straight to the right drop-off zone. For BA passengers, see our Heathrow Terminal 5 airport transfers page.
How Much Is a Heathrow Taxi?
A pre-booked Heathrow taxi is priced on distance and vehicle, not on a meter. That means traffic on the M4 or A4 doesn't change what you pay. What does affect the fare:
- Pickup postcode — local villages such as Colnbrook and Harmondsworth cost less than central London
- Vehicle — saloon, estate, MPV, 8-seater or executive Mercedes
- Meet & greet — collection inside the arrivals hall includes short-stay parking time
- Extras — child seats or additional stops
Always check whether a quote includes Heathrow's terminal drop-off charge and short-stay parking for meet & greet. For the lowest fares, see our cheap airport transfers from Heathrow.
How Heathrow Pickups Work
For arrivals, your driver tracks your flight and adjusts to any delay. On a meet & greet booking they wait in the arrivals hall holding a name board, help with your bags and walk you to the car in the short-stay car park. Pre-booked private hire cars can't wait at the terminal kerb, which is why arrivals pickups are organised this way.
Heathrow Taxi Booking — Step by Step
- Call 02088 666777, book online or use the app
- Give your pickup address, terminal and flight number
- Choose your vehicle — your fixed price is confirmed straight away
- Receive your driver's details before pickup
Full details are on our Heathrow taxi booking page. For early-morning departures, book at least 24 hours ahead.
Taxi or Public Transport?
If you're heading into central London with light luggage, the Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express can be quicker than the road. For the towns around Heathrow, early flights, families and anyone with several bags, a pre-booked taxi is usually simpler and often cheaper per person. Our Heathrow public transport guide compares every option.
