Taxis from Heathrow

If you don’t fancy lugging your bag down to the Underground or using the Heathrow Express, you can consider catching a cab.  There’s a black cab booking desk in the Arrivals Hall of each terminal which will give you a better deal than if you just jump in one and have a metered fare.  You’ll get an even better deal if you negotiate with the driver rather than paying at the desk, so check with the taxi desk to find out how much they charge and then find a cab and negotiate a cash only fare.

If you want a cheaper alternative you can book a minicab to come and get you.  Cabwise is run by Transport for London and will give you the numbers of the closest cab firms to where you are.  You can track down the cab firm and email them to book it or just give them a ring as soon as you’re off the plane.  Depending on the time of day it will take around an hour for them to get to you if you do that, which will give you time to get through Immigration and Customs. Depending on how late you leave it to book it, they’ll either be waiting for you as you come out and they’ll be holding a sign with your name on it or they will tell you to sit in the meeting point area and they’ll come through with the sign when they arrive. Their prices should be around 25% cheaper than a black cab.

I usually tell them to arrive an hour after the plane lands as that gives me time to get though the formalities, grab a coffee and get some fresh air before they turn up.  Something to consider if you’ve just stepped off a long haul flight.