Booking a Gatwick transfer comes down to one choice: agree a fixed price before you travel, or take a metered taxi and pay whatever the meter shows at the end. On a route like the M23 and M25, where one lane closure can add an hour, that choice decides whether you know your fare or find out at the kerb. This guide compares the two using the fares we publish, how taxi meters are actually set, and the routes our drivers cover every day.
Fixed Price vs Metered Taxi at a Glance
| Fixed price transfer | Metered taxi | |
|---|---|---|
| When you know the fare | At booking | At the end of the journey |
| Traffic and diversions | No effect on the price | Meter keeps running while you wait |
| Evenings, nights and bank holidays | Same quoted price | Higher tariff applies |
| Flight delays | Driver tracks your flight | You may need to rebook or pay waiting time |
| Best for | Airport runs, longer routes, business travel | Short, spontaneous local trips |
What Is a Fixed Price Airport Transfer?
A fixed price transfer is a fare agreed when you book. With Gatwick Express Cars, the quote covers the car, the driver, fuel and standard waiting time, and it does not change if the journey runs long. You pay the quoted amount whether the trip takes 50 minutes or two hours.
Because the price is set by the route rather than the clock, you can plan your budget before you leave home, and companies can approve travel costs in advance.
How Metered Taxis Work
A metered fare is calculated from distance and time together, so the meter keeps adding to the fare when the car is stuck in traffic. The rate also depends on when you travel. In London, Transport for London sets three taxi tariffs: a standard daytime rate on weekdays, a higher rate for weekday evenings and weekends, and the highest rate between 10pm and 6am and on public holidays. Extras such as booking fees and card charges can be added on top.
Around Gatwick itself, hackney carriage fares are set locally by Crawley Borough Council, which reviews the tariff periodically. Either way, the final figure is only known when the journey ends. If you want to see how a taxi compares with other options, read our guide on how a Gatwick taxi compares with Uber and the train.
Gatwick Fixed Fares by Route
These are the typical fixed fare ranges we publish for transfers from Gatwick. The exact price depends on the address, vehicle size and time of booking, and you see it before you pay.
| Route from Gatwick | Typical fixed fare | What pushes a metered fare up |
|---|---|---|
| Crawley, Horley, Redhill | £20 to £40 | Airport approach queues, night tariff |
| South London (Croydon, Wimbledon, Clapham) | £40 to £65 | A23 and Purley Way traffic at peak times |
| Central London (Westminster, King’s Cross) | £55 to £85 | M23 and inner London congestion, evening and weekend tariffs |
| Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne | £50 to £90 | A23 and A27 roadworks, summer weekend traffic |
Meet and greet in the arrivals hall typically adds £5 to £15, and child seats £5 to £10 each. For the full breakdown, see our Gatwick taxi fares by route.
Real Journey Examples
Gatwick to Victoria on a weekday evening. Off-peak, the drive is roughly an hour. If a breakdown on the M23 adds 40 minutes, a metered fare keeps rising for every one of those minutes, and after 8pm it rises at the higher evening tariff. A fixed fare stays the same.
Gatwick to Brighton on a summer Saturday. The A23 is quick most of the year but slows heavily on sunny weekends. With a fixed price, the queue into Brighton costs you time, not money.
Heathrow to Gatwick for a connecting flight. This cross-London route can take anywhere from 45 minutes to over two hours depending on the M25. A fixed quote lets you plan the connection without guessing the fare. We cover this route in detail in our Heathrow to Gatwick transfer guide.
When Fixed Price Makes Most Sense
- Rush hour: weekday mornings and evenings on the M23 and M25 are when metered fares climb fastest.
- Early flights and late arrivals: meters move to a higher tariff at night, while a fixed quote does not.
- Arrivals with delays: we monitor your flight, so a late landing does not mean a new booking.
- Business travel: a fixed amount on the receipt makes expense claims simple.
- Families and groups: you choose the vehicle size and add child seats in advance.
If you are travelling into the city, our London to Gatwick transfers page covers pickup points and timings.
When a Metered Taxi Can Work
For a very short hop, such as a hotel next to the airport, a metered taxi from the rank can cost less than a pre-booked minimum fare. It also suits trips you could not plan ahead. For anything longer, or any journey at peak time or late at night, the fixed quote is the safer figure.
What Your Fixed Fare Includes
- Door-to-door journey with no shared stops
- Flight monitoring for airport pickups
- Standard waiting time after landing
- Help with luggage
- Drivers licensed by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and DBS-checked
- Child seats and meet and greet on request
How to Book a Fixed Price Transfer
- Enter your pickup and drop-off addresses.
- Choose your date, time and flight number.
- Select the vehicle size.
- Check your fixed quote.
- Confirm and pay securely.
You can get an instant fixed quote online, and our guide to pre-booking your airport taxi explains how far ahead to book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a fixed price taxi cheaper than a metered taxi from Gatwick?
On short local trips at quiet times, a meter can come out lower. On longer routes, at peak times, in the evening or at night, a fixed fare is usually cheaper and never higher than your quote.
How much is a taxi from Gatwick to central London?
Our fixed fares to central London typically range from £55 to £85 depending on the exact address and vehicle.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
We track your flight and adjust the pickup time, so a delay does not change your fixed fare.
Do fixed fares include waiting time?
Yes. Standard waiting time after landing is included. Meet and greet in the arrivals hall is an optional extra.
Can I book a fixed price from Heathrow to Gatwick?
Yes. The Heathrow to Gatwick route is quoted at a fixed price, however long the M25 takes on the day.
Choosing Between Fixed and Metered
If the journey is short and local, a metered taxi is fine. For airport transfers, longer routes and any trip at peak time or at night, a fixed price means the figure you agree is the figure you pay. Check the route, confirm the quote, and book before you travel. From Tunbridge Wells, our fixed-price Gatwick taxi starts at £70 for a saloon.