New Forest Private Hire Prices: How Our Quotes Work
There is no single price for every journey in the New Forest. The pickup and destination, time, passenger numbers, luggage, vehicle requirements and third-party charges can all affect a private hire quote. This guide explains our published airport starting fares and the information needed for an exact quote.
Last reviewed · King Taxi & Private Hire · How we check this
Taxi and private hire: the relevant distinction
In England, a hackney carriage, commonly called a taxi, can be hailed in the street or hired from an authorised rank within its licensing area. A private hire vehicle must be booked in advance through a licensed private hire operator and cannot lawfully accept an unbooked street or rank pickup. Our licensing authority, New Forest District Council, publishes the local requirements for a private hire operator licence.
Private hire vehicles are not universally priced in the same way, and some may use a meter. We use journey details to provide a written quote before confirmation. That quote should state the planned journey and applicable charges. A later change to the pickup, destination, stops, passengers, luggage or timing may require a revised price.
What affects the quote
- Route and pickup point. The exact address matters more than the village name. A central pickup and a cottage several miles outside the same village should not be assumed to share one price.
- Passengers and luggage. Capacity is set by both together. Four passengers with cruise cases need a different vehicle from four with cabin bags — see the vehicle capacity table.
- Time of day and date. Out-of-hours and bank holiday journeys may carry a supplement, shown on the quote rather than added afterwards.
- Third-party charges. Airport drop-off and car park fees are not included in the guide fares and are itemised separately where they apply.
Why the published fares are floors, not averages
Each published figure is the lowest fare we charge for that journey, from whichever part of the New Forest sits closest to that destination. It is a real price that customers in that area pay — but it is a floor, not a typical fare. Where you are collected from sets your own price, and most journeys are quoted above the figure shown.
We publish the floor because it is a number you can hold us to and check us against.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't you give a price over the phone straight away?
Some journeys can be priced immediately. Others need the pickup checked, the vehicle confirmed and any third-party charge established first. A written quote you can hold us to is worth the short wait.
Do you use a meter?
No. Pre-booked journeys are quoted as a fixed fare in writing before confirmation. Once you accept the quote, the price does not change because traffic was heavier than expected.
Is a return journey double the one-way price?
Not necessarily. Each leg is priced on its own timing, day and vehicle. Send both legs in one request and they will be quoted together.
Get a written quote
Send your pickup address, date, time, passengers and luggage. You will receive a written quote with the exact fare — including any airport charge or out-of-hours supplement — before anything is booked.