Getting a taxi in Glasgow
Grabbing a Glasgow taxi is the best way to secure quick and comfortable transportation from point A to point B during your trip. You can find a taxi all around the city anytime during the day, especially in busy areas and major public transport hubs.
Taxi Service in Glasgow is provided by the iconic black cabs, known as Hackneys, or private hire cars, which are usually more expensive You can hail a Glasgow black cab from the street or look for one of the many taxi ranks in popular areas. If you prefer to arrange everything in advance, you can pre-book your airport taxi and any other rides you will need during your trip to ensure reliable service whenever you need it.
Hand picked & english speaking drivers
Same price as a regular Taxi from the line
Drivers are always on time
24/7 Email & Phone support
WHAT'S THE COST OF A TAXI IN GLASGOW?
Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
FROM GLASGOW AIRPORT TO GLASGOW CENTRAL | 35 € | 39 € | 18 MIN |
FROM GLASGOW AIRPORT TO BUCHANAN BUS STATION | 41 € | 45 € | 22 MIN |
FROM MERCHANT CITY TO GLASGOW CATHEDRAL | 5 € | 7 € | 5 MIN |
FROM GEORGE SQUARE TO KELVINGROVE PARK | 7 € | 9 € | 12 MIN |
FROM GEORGE SQUARE TO CELTIC PARK | 7 € | 9 € | 13 MIN |
FROM GLASGOW CATHEDRAL TO GLASGOW BOTANICAL GARDENS | 8 € | 10 € | 15 MIN |
Glasgow taxi prices
The Glasgow City Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee is responsible for setting the Glasgow taxi fares for journeys within the city boundary. Fares are revisited regularly, with the last increase taking place in 2023. All taxis must display a fare card on the dashboard setting out how fares are calculated. The main factors are distance travelled and time of day but traffic conditions can also significantly affect the total taxi cost in Glasgow.
The current Glasgow taxi rates are as follows:
Day Tariff (06:00 to 23:00)
Base fare: £4 (€4.75)
Rate per 181 m (198 yd): £0.30 (€0.36)
Night Tariff (23:00 to 06:00)
Base fare: £5.50 (€6.53)
Rate per 181 m (198 yd): £0.30 (€0.36)
It’s important to keep in mind that additional charges can apply, like an additional £5 (€5.95) fee for airport pickups and drop-offs. Also, the fare is calculated by time instead of distance whenever the taxi is standing or is travelling at less than 15 km per hour; the rate is £0.30 (€0.36) for every 42 seconds. Finally, the Licensing Authority does not regulate taxi prices in Glasgow for journeys outside the city boundary, for which passengers can get a fixed quote decided by the driver.
There’s no such thing as a cheap taxi in Glasgow but if you know the current rates, you can use a Glasgow taxi fare calculator to see how much your trip will cost. For a short ride within the city boundaries, the price is around £10 (€11.90) and for a trip from Glasgow Airport to the city centre it’s around £35 (€41.60).
Read all reviews
How to get a taxi in Glasgow
You can easily find a taxi in Glasgow any time during the day and almost anywhere in the city. You can hail a taxi from the street if the taxi is available; if you’re in a more remote area, try moving to a busier street.
Alternatively, you can head to the nearest taxi rank in Glasgow, conveniently located where high demand has been identified, such as near bus and rail stations, hotels, nightclubs, and central squares, like George Square. Ranks can be used only by taxis and not by private hire cars.
You can identify a taxi rank in Glasgow by the relevant signage displaying the hours of operation and the number of taxis allowed. Some ranks are operational 24/7 while others are part-time so make sure to check to avoid waiting in vain.
You will also find NiteZone taxi ranks that operate on Friday and Saturday nights between 23:00 and 04:00. They are staffed by taxi marshals who are responsible for managing the queue and assisting people into taxis to return home safely.
There are six NiteZone taxi ranks:
- Gordon Street – opposite Glasgow Central
- Sauchiehall Street – outside The Garage nightclub
- Byres Road – at the entrance of Ashton Lane
- West George Street
- Shawlands – opposite The Shed Nightclub
How to get a taxi from Glasgow Airport
You can find a taxi at Glasgow Airport 24/7, offering on-demand services all year long. Official airport taxis are white and the pick-up point for all taxi services is located directly outside the Terminal.
A taxi from Glasgow Airport to the city centre takes around 20 minutes and costs £35 (€41.60), while a ride to Edinburgh takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes and costs an average of £101 (€120).
How to get a taxi from Glasgow Central Railway Station
Glasgow Central Railway Station is the city’s main railway station. There are taxi ranks on both main streets around the station, on Hope St to the west and Union St on the east. You can usually find taxis there 24/7 for on-demand services. A taxi from Glasgow Central to a nearby hotel or apartment should cost less than £10 (€11.90).
How to get a taxi from Glasgow Queen Street Station
Glasgow Queen Street Station is the city’s second biggest train station and you can find another 24/7 taxi rank there. Once you exit the train station, head south towards George St and you should see the taxi rank right in front of the square.
How to get a taxi from Buchanan Bus Station
Buchanan Bus Station is Glasgow’s central bus station. There is a 24/7 taxi rank on the north of the building, right in front of the exit next to Bus Stance 56. A taxi from there to major hotels in the city, like Hilton or Marriott should cost around £5 (€5.90).
The most popular Glasgow taxi apps
Using a taxi Glasgow app to order a ride online is a great option if you don’t see any taxis around and you don’t wish to walk to the nearest taxi rank. The most popular apps used in Glasgow are Uber, GlasGO, and Gett. Note that even though taxi apps give you a fixed quote upfront, it can be higher during peak hours when demand is higher.
If ordering a taxi in Glasgow online sounds good, you can also use the Welcome Pickups traveller app or quick online booking form to book any ride you want in advance. That way, you’ll secure reliable service wherever you are, without the added stress of limited availability or fluctuating rates during peak hours.
Useful Glasgow taxi numbers
If you want to be picked up wherever you are but don’t have internet access, you can always order a taxi in Glasgow over the phone. If you’re staying at a hotel, the concierge should be able to order a ride for you, alternatively, you can order a Glasgow taxi over the phone yourself. Keep in mind that you can also order private hire cars over the phone, which aren’t allowed to pick up passengers from the street.
To secure a reliable ride, you can call any of the following Glasgow taxi numbers:
- Hampden Cabs: +44 (141) 429 1122
- Raz Private hire: +44 (141) 212 0850
- Southside Radio Cars: +44 (141) 883 3333
- Glasgow Taxis: +44 (141) 429 7070
Benefits of booking a Glasgow taxi in advance
Although finding a Glasgow taxi is easy, waiting on the street for an available taxi or walking to the nearest taxi rank can be quite unpleasant in Scotland’s rainy weather. The best way to secure a ride wherever you are and minimise waiting time is to book your Glasgow taxi or airport taxi in advance.
With a trusted and highly rated operator like Welcome Pickups, you ensure reliable door-to-door service from Glasgow Airport or anywhere else in the city at a fixed fare that you will know in advance. That way you can arrange all your transportation needs without going off budget. On top of that, you will enjoy peace of mind knowing 24/7 customer support is available in case anything doesn’t go as planned.
Glasgow taxi tips
- Once you get in the taxi, check that the taximeter is set to the correct base fare according to the time of day.
- A Glasgow black cab can fit up to 6 passengers while private hire cars can fit up to 4.
- Most taxis in Glasgow accept card payments but it’s best to confirm with the driver before you get in the taxi if you don’t carry any cash.
- Always ask for a receipt at the end of the ride in case you wish to file a complaint or claim a lost item.
- Tipping your taxi driver isn’t expected but you can round up the total fare for good service.
- Baby seats are not provided as standard in a Glasgow taxi, but you can bring and fit your own for free.
Wheelchair-accessible taxi in Glasgow
Finding a wheelchair-accessible taxi in Glasgow couldn’t be easier; all black cabs are fully accessible and drivers must be able to assist if required. This ensures you can get service any time during the day but you can still pre-book a ride if you’re in a more remote area or you prefer to minimise waiting times. Glasgow Taxis (+44 141 429 7070) has an accessible fleet with a fold-out wheelchair ramp with an extension for easier access.
Glasgow taxi safety and complaints
Using a Glasgow taxi is generally very safe and scam attempts aren’t common. However, if you experience any problems during the ride with the pricing or you wish to file a complaint against your driver, you can address the Licensing Authority. You will need to fill in the Taxi and Private Hire Complaints form so make sure to write down the driver’s name, license plate, and registration number.