Fixed Price vs Metered Taxis - Which Is Better for Airport Transfers?
When booking a taxi to the airport you will encounter two types of pricing: fixed fares agreed before the journey and metered fares that accumulate as you travel. For most airport journeys fixed pricing is significantly better. Here is why.
What Is a Metered Fare?
A meter runs continuously from the moment you get in, calculating cost based on time and distance. In normal traffic this is fine, but on a congested A338 or motorway the clock keeps ticking while you sit still. A journey from Bournemouth to Heathrow that takes 1h45m in light traffic could cost significantly more if you hit roadworks on the M3.
What Is a Fixed Fare?
A fixed fare is quoted and agreed before you travel. No matter what happens on the road you pay the agreed amount. Traffic, roadworks, diversions - none of these change your fare. You budget precisely with no surprises on arrival.
With a fixed fare a traffic jam on the motorway is the driver's problem, not yours.Smooth Cabs, Bournemouth
The Surge Pricing Problem
App-based ride services apply surge pricing at high-demand times - early mornings, late nights and busy periods like summer weekends in Bournemouth. These are exactly the times you need airport transport. A fixed-price pre-booked service has none of this.
When Is a Meter Acceptable?
Metered fares are reasonable for short predictable local journeys where traffic is unlikely to be a factor. For a 5-minute trip around town the difference is negligible. For a 2-hour airport transfer always use fixed pricing.
Our Advice
For any airport transfer from Bournemouth, Poole or Christchurch book a fixed-price private hire vehicle in advance. Call 01202 707070 and we will quote you a firm price before you commit to anything.