Taxis: where’s cheap and where’s not
When it comes to getting places many of us drive wherever it is we need to be. However, for millions of people out there, this isn’t an option, mostly because they don’t have a license.
Because of this, most people opt for public transport, but sometimes this just isn’t an option, meaning the only way to commute is via a taxi.
While there’s everything from Uber to vehicles designed by Cab Direct, the ride is often defined by us users by the price. But just how much does a taxi cost?
Across the world
While we may think we pay a fortune for a taxi sometimes, let’s step back and look at the bigger picture. By this, we mean, let’s take a look at the cost of a taxi across the world.
A recent study discovered the best and worst places to get a taxi based on price per 5km.
While not the most expensive, the UK came 8th on the list of most expensive with an average of £8.93.
Top of the list was Switzerland with £20.25 on average, followed by Japan and Germany at £13.97 and £12.32 respectively.
Meanwhile, when it came to the cheapest, this went to Egypt, costing £0.75 per ride. Second and third on the list went to India at £1.15 and Thailand, with £1,26 per 5km.
But, this is the average for the UK, which is a pretty big place. So, let’s break it down and see which parts of the UK are the cheapest and most expensive when it comes to getting a taxi ride.
The UK – most expensive
When it came to the most expensive in the UK, it won’t surprise you to learn that some of the biggest, most popular and most populous cities are on there. These included places such as London, Manchester and Leeds.
However, the top three were Coventry, costing £3.11 per mile, followed by Leeds (£3.06) and Oxford (£3.04).
The rest of the top 10 was as follows:
· Cambridge – £3.03
· London – £2.99
· Bristol – £2.90
· Southampton – £2.89
· Birmingham – £2.82
· Manchester – £2.81
· Stoke-on-Trent – £2.72
The UK – cheapest
When it came to the cheapest, however, three huge cities came out on top. These were Liverpool at £2.15, Edinburgh at £2.22 and Brighton, costing £2.28 per mile.
The final seven were:
· Kingston – £2.45
· Swansea – £2.45
· Belfast – £2.45
· Sunderland – £2.53
· Bradford – £2.53
· Leicester – £2.60
· Nottingham – £2.61
However, these still weren’t that cheap, and with the average Brit paying 45% more for a taxi in some cities when compared to others, maybe it’s time we all learnt how to drive.
Gosh! Didn't realise it varied so much – I'll avoid taxis in Switzerland!
Thanks can't believe how the prices differ so much x
Wouldn't have believed there was so much variation.
Wow what a difference!
Airport taxis are another matter – they wanted the best part of £50 return for the 4 miles for our house to the airport!
Really useful information thank you!
An interesting summary. Thank you. I dread arriving in a foreign city, especially at night, and the only way to get to the hotel is by taxi. I have been ripped off often by taxi drivers going round and round in circles before getting to my destination.
In the UK, if I know the city, I would rather walk.
Alot of differences here, where i live it is very expensive for taxis, i try very hard not to use them, but in the town, there seem to be taxis just parked up, they are doing themselves out of business
Interesting. Cost us a lot in taxis last week but reading this it could have been a lot worse.