What should an airport transfer in London actually cost?

Transfer quotes are hard to compare because operators build them differently. Once you know the components, comparing takes about a minute.

The base fare and the distance band

Most fixed-price operators set a base fare that already covers a certain number of miles, then charge per mile above it. This is why a Heathrow to Hounslow run and a Heathrow to Canary Wharf run are not simply "distance times rate" — a flat per-mile figure would price the short one absurdly low and nobody would ever run it.

Watch for operators who quote a headline "from" price that only applies to their shortest possible journey. It is not dishonest, but it is not your price either.

Night rates

A late-night or very early pickup costs the operator more, because the driver's day is built around it. A night uplift is legitimate. What is not legitimate is discovering it after you have booked a 5am pickup at the daytime price.

The Congestion Charge

If your journey enters the central London charging zone during charging hours, someone pays it. Note the two things people get wrong: the charge applies at specific hours rather than all the time, and the weekend hours differ from the weekday ones. A quote that adds it to a Sunday morning airport run to Hammersmith is either mistaken or hoping you will not check.

Waiting time

Ask two things: how much is free, and when does the clock start. Free waiting measured from your booked time rather than your actual landing time is worth much less than it sounds, because a delay consumes it before you land.

Extras that are legitimate

• Child seats — the operator has to buy, store, fit and clean them.
• Extra stops — a second address is a real cost in time.
• Meet and greet, when it genuinely means the driver parks and comes inside.

Charges that should make you look twice

• "Airport parking fee" added after the journey. If the driver was always coming inside, this was always going to be spent.
• Luggage surcharges on a vehicle class that was sold on its luggage capacity.
• Card fees presented at the end.
• A "traffic" adjustment on a fixed-price booking. Fixed means fixed; absorbing traffic risk is the operator's job.

How to compare two quotes in a minute

Ask both operators the same question: "Is this the total I will pay, including waiting, parking and any night or congestion charge — with nothing added afterwards?" The answers will differ more than the prices do.