Heathrow guide
Heathrow taxi ranks: the simple version
At Heathrow, a black taxi and a pre-booked private-hire car use different pickup arrangements. Knowing which one you need avoids a long walk, the wrong car park, or an avoidable wait.
Need a black taxi now?
Follow signs for the taxi rank outside your terminal. Heathrow says there is a black-taxi rank at every terminal forecourt; no booking is needed. The fare is metered and card payment is accepted.
Booked a minicab or app car?
Do not join the black-taxi rank. Follow the collection instructions from your operator instead. Private-hire pickups use the agreed designated parking or meeting location.
Arriving at the terminal?
For a black taxi, go to the terminal forecourt rank. If you have accessibility needs, Heathrow says black taxis are wheelchair accessible; use a terminal help point if you need assistance.
Your arrival plan
Pick the right option before you leave baggage reclaim
A black taxi is the walk-up option. A minicab, chauffeur service or app-booked private-hire car is a pre-booked option. They do not use the same collection arrangements, so check your booking confirmation before following signs or heading for a car park.
- Black taxi: follow the terminal signs to the taxi rank outside the terminal.
- Pre-booked car: follow the exact collection point in your booking. Your operator may ask you to meet inside the terminal or in a designated car park.
- Meeting someone: use the official passenger pick-up instructions for your terminal, not the taxi rank.
From plane to taxi in four simple steps
- 1Check your terminal
Look at your baggage tag, airline messages or Heathrow's terminal finder. Terminal instructions and operating arrangements can change.
- 2Choose taxi rank or pre-booked pickup
Join the terminal taxi rank only if you want a London black taxi. Do not use it for a booked minicab or private-hire car.
- 3Follow airport signs, not guesswork
Use the terminal signs and official maps. If you are meeting a driver, contact the operator if the collection instructions are unclear.
- 4Confirm the journey before leaving
For a black taxi, the meter applies. For pre-booked travel, confirm the operator, vehicle details and where any parking or waiting charges are explained.
For licensed taxi drivers
Heathrow’s taxi feeder operation and terminal ranks are specific to licensed taxis. TfL’s taxi-rank booklet states that only All London drivers may ply for hire at Heathrow and use those ranks. Private-hire work must be pre-booked and follows Heathrow’s separate operating arrangements.
Open the driver rank finderBefore you travel
- Check your terminal before setting off. Airport terminal operations and pickup instructions can change.
- For a black taxi leaving Heathrow, TfL lists a Heathrow-rank extra on the meter; check the current fare information before travel.
- For terminal drop-off by any taxi or private-hire vehicle, Heathrow charges may apply. Your driver or operator can explain how this affects the journey.
Accessible travel
Heathrow states that black taxis at its terminal ranks are wheelchair accessible. If you need help after arriving, use an airport help point or arrange assistance with Heathrow before travel.
Heathrow accessibility supportMoving between terminals
Do not assume that a taxi, rail or shuttle route is the quickest option between terminals. Heathrow's terminal transfer guidance shows the current routes and any changes.
Heathrow maps and terminal informationDrop-off charges
Terminal drop-off charges can affect a taxi fare. Tell the driver at the start if you are travelling to more than one terminal or want to use a free alternative drop-off option.
Terminal drop-off charge