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 what goes into the price 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 journey fare and are itemised separately where they apply.
Why we quote instead of publishing a price list
A single advertised figure is honest for almost nobody in an area this size: the same airport can be a short run from one village and well over an hour from another, and passengers and luggage change the vehicle. Rather than advertise a headline most people would not get, we price the actual journey.
The written quote is the number you can hold us to: once you accept it, it does not change because traffic was heavier than expected on the day.
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.