How much is a taxi in Cardiff?

A Cardiff hackney carriage starts at £3.50 for the first 250 yards. That is Cardiff Council’s published minimum, on every tariff. After that the meter adds distance (and waiting, including crawling below 8 mph).

The driver must use the meter for journeys that start and end in Cardiff. The meter must not exceed the council maximum. Drivers may charge less. They may not charge more.

Checked against Cardiff Council’s hackney page in September 2026. Know Wales last dated the Cardiff table on 20 August 2026.

Worked distance (before waiting)

Know Wales planning examples on the Cardiff fares page (Tariff 1, no waiting): about £7.30 for two miles, about £13.50 for five miles. That is distance only. Waiting and slow traffic add 30p per 40 seconds on Tariff 1.

Evenings, weekends and nights use Tariff 2 or 3 — same £3.50 flag, shorter distance increments, so the same miles cost more. A rainy Friday at 5pm will not match a Sunday dawn.

Waiting and slow traffic add 30p per 40, 35 or 30 seconds depending on the tariff. A rainy Friday at 5pm will not match a Sunday dawn.

Extras on the same sheet

• More than four passengers: £1 each extra passenger.
• Specified Christmas and New Year dates: £3 on top.
• Soiling: £60.
• From September 2024 Cardiff requires taxis to take card as well as cash.

Meter vs app vs airport

A private hire car (minicab or app) is not this table. You pre-book; you agree a fare. That quote can move with demand. Compare it to the meter if you want a like-for-like.

A journey ending outside Cardiff is different. The driver can refuse it. If you go, agree the fare before you set off. If you do not agree one, the council says the charge must not exceed the hackney tariff.

Airport runs are usually private hire or a quoted job. Do not assume the city-centre flag of £3.50 describes Cardiff Airport.

See hackney vs private hire for the hiring rule, and the Cardiff taxi fares page for the live table.