Home / What Time Do Taxi Prices Go Up in UK?
Have you ever tried to hail a taxi or book a cab, only to find that prices have risen unexpectedly? You might be surprised to see the charges, but taxi prices in the UK can fluctuate for various reasons. You should know when the rates can increase to avoid unpleasant surprises. Special occasions and certain times of day mark a surge in taxi fares in the country. For instance, you should anticipate high charges in the early morning and late evening.
The night tariffs are common across various cities such as Manchester and London. Similarly, you might also have to pay more on Sundays and holidays. The purpose of this rise is to encourage drivers and compensate for the inconvenience they go through while transporting you at these times. Keep reading if you are eager to enhance your understanding of the topic. This article will discuss the specific hours and occasions when taxi prices go up in the UK.
Taxi prices do not surge only on particular days. It is common to pay higher fares during the rush hours, commonly known as the peak hours. Prices are more likely to jump during such moments. Here, we discuss early morning, early evening, and late evening.
The exact time frame is between 7 AM and 9 AM and 4 PM and 7 PM on weekdays. This is when traffic is more congested, causing long travel times. The increased demand for taxis also contributes to this surge. The impact of peak hours on taxi charges is more obvious in major cities.
Have you ever observed a taxi meter ticking up when stuck in a UK traffic jam? If yes, then there is no need to panic. Traffic congestion is another factor behind elevated costs. As mentioned above, traffic jams usually happen during peak hours. Rush hours are notorious for such bottlenecks nationwide, particularly in prime cities.
However, this does not mean traffic gets heavier only during these times. You might observe congestion on certain days like Christmas, Halloween, or festivals. Bad weather is another critical reason. Planning your travels outside peak hours or pre-booking private hire taxis is the best strategy if you want an affordable taxi ride.
Are you planning a late-night ride? Do you have a flight from the airport after 12 AM? Are you arriving at the airport after midnight? Then, it would be best to brace yourself for a jump in taxi prices after midnight. Why? The night tariff starts around 10 PM and lasts until early morning. The higher fares account for the fewer available taxis.
Drivers working during these night hours face more inconvenience and risk, which makes late-night rides pricier for passengers. Moreover, the number of commuters at midnight decreases, which means drivers have an extended wait duration.
Read our recent article: Why are airport taxis so expensive?
Bank holidays are considered a good time to relax and enjoy in the United Kingdom. This is also another reason passengers must pay higher taxi fares. Many individuals visit special places, events, parties, and sightseeing to enhance their holiday experience.
This means more traffic congestion and augmented demand for taxis. Cities like Manchester, Glasgow, and London specifically observe these scenarios. As a result, elevated charges are imminent. Taxis operating during the afternoon and evening hours on these days might charge more due to the higher volume of passengers.
New Year's Eve is around the corner. It is one of the most celebrated events in the world. It is also one of those times when taxi prices can surge significantly. A crowd sets for city centers, events, and parties during this occasion. It means requests for taxis also skyrocket. This demand is specifically sky-high around 8 PM and onwards.
You should also know that it is not all about the demand but also timing. The increase in taxi prices in the UK can be quite dramatic as the clock inches closer to midnight. Celebrations are specifically in full swing in larger cities. Some taxi services might also implement holiday tariffs to make the matter worse.
Have you ever noticed surged prices when booking or hailing a taxi on Christmas? Then, worry not. You are not alone and this is not a coincidence. It is common for taxi charges to increase on such an important day across the UK. Christmas is a high time when many people rush to see their friends and families.
Consequently, the demand for taxis and traffic jams also grows. Secondly, not every driver is willing to work on Christmas, which leaves fewer on the road. All these factors contribute to high taxi prices in the UK on Christmas day. This is because drivers working on such a special day consider it a holiday shift.
Christmas, New Year's Eve, and Bank Holidays are not the only occasions when passengers pay more than the usual taxi fares. Other special occasions can also cause such a cost shift. These include festivals, sporting events, national celebrations, public holidays, match days, and bad weather conditions.
So, next time you plan to travel on one of the above occasions, expect a rise in taxi charges. The reasons are the same: traffic congestion, increased demand, and less availability of drivers.
Taxi prices in the UK are usually not fixed. Particular times and specific occasions account for an increase in the fares. However, there is nothing to worry about. If you pre-book a ride with Trips 365, you can expect fixed prices 365 days. You will not have to pay more if you need to travel any day, any time, as there will be no charge increase.