Is booking an airport taxi transfer really worth it?

2nd February, 2023

Could airport transfers boost your taxi income? Let’s consider the pros and cons to see if it might be right for your business.

Looking to provide airport taxi transfers as part of your taxi business, but don’t know where to start? We’ll set out the pros and cons of this potentially lucrative market and give you some pointers on getting started.

Just like finding the right taxi driver insurance cover, there’s no better place to begin your journey than here at the Taxi Insurer. Whether you’ve been driving for two years or 20, when it comes to taxi driver insurance, we take the hard work out of finding the best value cover for you and your business.

What is an airport taxi transfer?

Air travel can be stressful for a whole variety of different reasons, but sometimes the journey to and from the airport can be the worst part of all. To help avoid the stress involved, many business travellers and holiday makers choose to book an airport taxi transfer.

An airport taxi transfer service is typically provided by a licensed taxi company and is operated by professional taxi drivers just like you. The service can be pre-booked, so a taxi can be arranged in plenty of time to either take passengers to the airport for departure or wait for them at arrivals.

Alternatively, on arrival at the airport a passenger can simply join the queue at the designated taxi rank and ask to be taken to their final destination.

Many airport taxi transfer services offer a fixed-rate fare, which means the fare is agreed in advance and is not affected by traffic or other factors. Some airport taxi transfer services also offer additional services, such as car seats for children or special assistance for passengers with disabilities.

Providing an airport taxi transfer service can be more lucrative than regular taxi services. Although you will need to take into account any additional costs of operating at an airport such as parking fees and waiting time.

For more on how to ensure your taxi business is profitable read our handy guide. It’s packed full of great advice on how to make your business a success.

Pros and cons of booking an airport taxi transfer, for the taxi driver…

So, does providing airport taxi transfers sound right for you? Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons.

6 pros of booking an airport taxi transfer

Regular customers - Running an airport transfer service will provide you with regular, repeat customers, as many people who travel frequently will often use the same taxi service each time they visit.
High-paying fares - An airport transfer will typically result in a higher fare than a regular everyday taxi trip because it often involves longer distances and will include the cost of operating at the airport.
Convenient location - Transport hubs such as airports and train stations are typically located at convenient places, easy for nearby taxi drivers to reach and find new customers. Locations such as these typically have a high volume of foot traffic, so there should be plenty of business around.
Potential for tips - Passengers going away on holiday or a business trip are typically more likely to tip for excellent service than other customers. Tipping provides a great little additional income for any taxi driver. Read our quick guide to taxi tipping to find out more about how to increase your chance of a tip and tipping rates around the world.
Ease of route planning - When you’ve driven to and from your local airport a few times you’ll begin to know the best routes to take. And with either the drop-off or pick-up point always being at the airport, this will help make route planning so much easier.
Meeting new people - As a taxi driver you’ll always be coming across interesting people, but by offering airport taxi transfers you could end up meeting travellers from all over the world.

6 cons of booking an airport taxi transfer

Increased operating costs - Picking up and dropping off at airports can be expensive, as you may need to pay for parking and wait times.
Potential competition - If you think an airport taxi transfer service is a good idea in your area then chances are plenty of other taxi drivers will, too. This can lead to increased competition and potentially impact your income.
Long waiting times - If a plane is delayed then you might have to wait for long periods at the airport for customers. This can be time-consuming, unproductive and make work more difficult to schedule.
Stressful - Driving at airports can be stressful due to heavy traffic and the pressure of meeting flight schedules. You’ll also have to comply with airport regulations, such as obtaining the necessary permits and following specific traffic rules.
Dealing with difficult customers - Not every customer will be a breeze. They could be worried about their flight, stressed about being late, or may just have a lot of heavy luggage.
Night and early morning shifts - Some airports operate around the clock, so you may have to work on night and early morning shifts to get passengers there on time. This can be challenging and can affect work-life balance.

Pros and cons of booking an airport taxi transfer, for the taxi passenger…

To be successful in business, it always pays to put yourself in the shoes of your potential customer. Pros and cons for customers booking your service could include the following.

6 pros for passengers booking an airport taxi transfer

Convenience - By arranging an airport transfer with you, passengers can save time and reduce stress getting to and from the airport. This is especially beneficial for those with disabilities, have a tight travel schedule, are travelling with children or have a lot of luggage.
Professional service - Providing an airport taxi transfer service is a great opportunity for you to provide a higher level of service than regular taxi services. You will be familiar with the airport and its regulations, and know the best routes to take to get to your passenger's destination quickly and safely.
Fixed-rate fare - If you offer a fixed-rate fare for airport taxi transfers, this can provide welcome peace of mind for passengers, as they know the cost of the journey in advance and won’t need to stress about traffic and whether they have the right money. This also eliminates any unpleasant disagreements such as an unexpected surge in fare during peak hours or bad weather.
Additional services - Offering car seats for children or special assistance for passengers with disabilities are great additional services to offer and will help you stand out from the crowd.
Door-to-door service - Taking away the worry about finding public transportation or paying for car parking at their destination is a great benefit for passengers. This is especially valued by those who are unfamiliar with the area.
No queuing - A pre-booked taxi means a passenger can be sure a driver will be waiting for them upon their arrival. Great for avoiding long queues or having to search for an available taxi at busy times.
Security and peace of mind - By booking a ride with a reputable airport taxi transfer service like yours, passengers can be certain they will get a professional and reliable service.

6 cons for passengers booking an airport taxi transfer

Higher cost - Airport taxi transfer services can be more expensive than regular taxi services due to additional operating costs.
Unreliable service - Late pickups or missed flights can all result if the passenger doesn’t choose their airport taxi transfer service wisely.
Limited options – Not all taxi companies will operate at the airport, so options may be limited.
Long waiting time - If their taxi doesn’t arrive on time they can be in for a frustrating and time-consuming wait. This can be a problem, especially when a passenger is on a tight schedule.
Language barrier - With passengers arriving from all over the world, they may face difficulty communicating if they don't speak the same language as the driver.
Uncomfortable ride - If the taxi is not well-maintained, doesn’t have amenities such as air conditioning or charging ports, or if the driver is unprofessional then it can spoil an otherwise enjoyable trip.
Limited luggage space - Something that’s bound to cause a problem is if there’s limited luggage space in the taxi. When choosing a new taxi for your fleet be sure to take this into account.

Top airport taxi transfer options in the UK

row of yellow taxi's

Competition can be tough when it comes to airport taxi transfers but you can learn a lot from looking at how more established taxi firms do it. Here are some businesses offering airport taxi transfers that are worth looking at.

Addison Lee - Needing no introduction, Addison Lee is one of the most well-known airport taxi transfer companies in the UK. Offering a range of vehicles, pre-booking and online tracking service they operate in some of the UK’s biggest airports.
Uber - The ‘uber-popular’ app-based taxi service operates in many UK cities, including London, Manchester, and Glasgow. They offer an airport transfer service at most major UK airports, and passengers can book and track their ride through the Uber app.
Blacklane - A luxury car service that offers an airport transfer service in many UK and worldwide cities, including London, Manchester and Birmingham.
Aero Cars Cheltenham – With a Trustpilot score of 4.9, Aero Cars Cheltenham is rated No 1 out of 20 best companies in the airport shuttle service category. They must be doing something right!

While these are some of the most popular airport taxi transfer options in the UK, it's always good to do your own local research and compare prices, services and reviews. It's also worth noting that competition and prices may vary depending on the location and time of year.

How much should a taxi driver charge for an airport taxi transfer?

The cost of an airport transfer in the UK can vary widely depending on several factors, such as:

Destination - Unsurprisingly, London tends to be the most expensive city to get airport taxi transfers in the UK.
Location - As you would expect, the greater the distance travelled the higher the fare. Not everyone lives within easy reach of their local airport.
Number of passengers - Larger parties will need a larger vehicle. Although a minibus transfer may prove better value that separate cars.
Type of vehicle - From a sleek, luxury Mercedes to a more family-friendly minibus, airport taxi transfers come in all shapes and sizes.
Time of day - There may be additional fees for travelling at peak times of day.

According to services marketplace Bark the average cost of a one-way airport taxi transfer in the UK is £60. But prices can range from as low as £17 to as much as £140.

In a survey of airport taxi transfer costs to a range of UK airports, Bark found the following.

	Highest average price	Lowest average price
Central London - Heathrow Airport	£140	£55
Derby - East Midlands Airport	£44	£38
Salford - Manchester Airport	£58	£47
Cardiff - Cardiff Airport	£82	£17
Kirkcaldy - Edinburgh Airport	£107	£22
Lisburn - Belfast International Airport	£120	£17

While airport taxi transfers can be a lucrative business, they might not be right for you and your taxi firm. Take a look at these 7 target markets for taxi and minibus hire services for other great taxi business ideas.

If you’re not already an experienced taxi driver, then setting up an airport taxi transfer service in the UK can be a complex process.

From licensing and registering your vehicle with the local licensing authority and finding the right taxi driver insurance, if you follow our guidance on how to set up an airport shuttle service then you’ll soon be up and running.

What customers look for in an airport taxi transfer service

For visitors to the UK or those who don’t regularly use taxi services, choosing a reputable airport taxi transfer service can feel like a difficult task. Make the process much easier for potential passengers by ensuring they know they’re using a reliable and professional service.

To do this, try the following:

Display your licence - Make sure you display any licences or permits from your local council. This will show you’ve met the required standards and have passed a background check and vehicle inspection.
Arrange insurance - Show you have public liability insurance. This will protect your passengers in case of any accidents or incidents that may occur while they’re using your service. Don’t forget taxi driver insurance, too.
Stay aware of online reviews - Check online review sites such as Trustpilot, TripAdvisor, Yelp, or Google reviews to see what other customers have said about your service. This can give potential customers an idea of the level of service they can expect and how you deal with any problems if they do arise.
Have a well-designed website - A professional company will ensure their website provides accurate information about the company, its services, and contact details.
Be reliable - Customers using an airport taxi transfer service have to be assured of your reliability. They want to be sure they will be picked up and dropped off at the airport at the agreed time, and their driver will be waiting for them when they arrive.
Keep your vehicle well-maintained - A well-maintained vehicle that has been regularly serviced and cleaned speaks volumes about how seriously you take your business. Customers want to be sure the airport transfer service they choose will provide a clean, safe and comfortable ride.
Always be professional - A professional and courteous service is essential. And if you can provide visitors with helpful information about the local area, that’s even better.
Value for money - Passengers want to be sure the price they’re paying is fair and they’re getting the best possible service for their money.
Offer additional services - Offering additional services such as car seats for children or special assistance for passengers with disabilities can win you more business.
Pre-booking and tracking - In today’s connected world, the ability to pre-book your ride and track it through an app or website is something many customers look for.