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Manchester Taxis

Useful Information and Tips for Taxis in Manchester

TRAINED DRIVERS

Hand picked & english speaking drivers

LOW PRICES

Same price as a regular Taxi from the line

FLIGHT MONITORING

Drivers are always on time

QUALITY SUPPORT

24/7 Email & Phone support

Using a taxi in Manchester

If you only have a few days to explore the northern English city of Manchester, you’ll want a quick, comfortable, and reliable way to get around, whether you’re traveling within the city or to and from the airport. Manchester’s hackney carriages, otherwise known as black taxis, can be found at taxi ranks across the city, flagged down on the street, booked over the phone, or ordered using a Manchester taxi app.

There are more than 2,000 registered taxis in Manchester, each required to meet strict testing and licensing requirements. Available 24/7, taxis can seat 5 to 8 passengers and are wheelchair-accessible. As the name suggests, taxis are typically black and are recognizable from numerous films for their unique retro style. Lastly, when using a taxi in Manchester, you should always be charged using a taximeter, unless you opt for a private hire vehicle, sometimes referred to as a minicab.

TRAINED DRIVERS

Hand picked & english speaking drivers

LOW PRICES

Same price as a regular Taxi from the line

FLIGHT MONITORING

Drivers are always on time

QUALITY SUPPORT

24/7 Email & Phone support

How much does a taxi cost?

Taxi prices Day time
(05:00 - 24:00)
Night time
(00:00 - 05:00)
Duration
CITY CENTER TO ETIHAD STADIUM 10 € 10.50 € 6 MIN
PICCADILLY TRAIN STATION TO OLD TRAFFORDOLD TRA 14 € 15 € 7 MIN
CITY CENTER TO TRAFFORD CENTRE 19 € 23 € 14 MIN
CITY CENTER TO LIVERPOOL 100 € 112 € 40 MIN
A front/side view of a black Hackney Manchester cab, with green advertising across the side, stopped at a traffic light.

Manchester taxi rates

Manchester taxis are actually more affordable than most major cities in Great Britain. The tariffs of official Manchester Hackney Cabs (black taxis) were set in 2023 by the Manchester City Council and must be adhered to at all times by using an official taximeter. The prices given by private taxi services in Manchester must also be approved by the City Council before being offered to the public. All Manchester taxi drivers must clearly display the official tariff ordinance card in their cars.

Day prices (06:00 to 22:00)
Base fare (first 348.44 m): £3.40 (€4)
Price per every 123m: £0.20 (€0.25)
Wait time per every 31.57 seconds: £0.20 (€0.25)

Night (22:00 to 06:00) & public holiday prices 
Base fare (first 210.67 m): £3.80 (€4.60)
Price per every 92.5m: £0.20 (€0.25)
Wait time per every 24 seconds: £0.20 (€0.25)

It’s important to note that there may be extra charges applied to your fare. An airport surcharge will be applied for pick-ups £1.80 (€2.20) and drop-offs cost £3 (€3.60), and a £0.60 (€0.72) charge will be added for rides from the Airport Rail Link and Piccadilly Station. Furthermore, each additional passenger to the hirer will incur a £0.20 (€0.25) charge. Finally, if you’re traveling on Christmas or New Year’s, your fare will be calculated using the night-time tariff plus 50%.

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How to get a taxi in Manchester

There are thousands of taxis operating throughout Manchester which makes taking a Manchester taxi service very easy. There are two main types of taxis in Manchester, the Hackney black cabs and private hire taxis. The iconic black cabs with glowing yellow “TAXI” signs are the only taxis you can hail in the street, they are also the only taxis allowed to use the official taxi ranks throughout the city. 

Around 50 official Manchester taxi ranks can be found at all major points in Manchester, including the main shopping areas, outside the Arndale Centre, Piccadilly Gardens, Piccadilly train station, Spinningfields, the Northern Quarter, on Deansgate and outside the Science and Industry Museum. Keep in mind that certain ranks are only open during busier periods and may be managed by a marshal.

How to get a taxi from Manchester Airport

 

Taxi ranks at Manchester Airport are located directly in front of each terminal so you don’t have to walk too far after collecting your luggage. Unless you plan on taking a minicab or a Manchester Airport transfer, there is no need to book in advance, simply make your way to the first driver in line. For reference, a taxi from Manchester Airport to the city center should cost around £44 (€53).

How to get a taxi from Manchester Piccadilly Station

 

Manchester’s Piccadilly Station is very well organized, and the taxi stand can be found simply by following the signs within the station. Just be sure to exit via the Fairfield Street entrance, where you’ll see the row of taxis lined up at the rank.

 

How to get a taxi from Shudehill Interchange

 

There are two taxi stands located within a short walking distance of the bus interchange, one on Dantzic Street opposite The Birdcage, and the other on Corporation Street, outside Printworks. Note that the Dantzic Street option is only operational at night from 22:30 to 04:30.

 

How to get a taxi from Etihad Stadium

 

If you’re planning on using a taxi after a match or an event it might be best to book one in advance since wait times can be quite lengthy. Nevertheless, if you’re happy to wait, there is a designated taxi rank on Ashton New Road. Otherwise, you can walk a few streets away from the stadium and try flag one down.

 

How to get a taxi from Manchester Cathedral

 

After visiting the cathedral, there is a taxi stand just a few minutes walk away along Victoria Street as you approach Victoria Bridge. The stand is open 24/7.

Most popular taxi apps in Manchester

If you’re leaving a bar or restaurant late at night, or don’t want to stand around in the cold British weather, rather than walking to a taxi stand you can use a taxi app while in Manchester instead. There are several to choose from and new ones are popping up all the time. There are old favorites like Uber, Bolt, and Lyft, as well as some lesser-known apps such as Xoom, and Lynx which aren’t impacted by surge pricing. Or, you can connect directly with a taxi company by using the Manchester Taxi Service app.

If you need to travel to or from Manchester Airport and prefer peace of mind that a vehicle will be waiting for you at a time and place of your choosing, you can arrange a private transfer in advance with Welcome Pickups.

Phone a Manchester taxi number

If you would prefer to call for a taxi, you can use a private taxi company by calling one of the following Manchester taxi numbers. However, it’s worth noting there may be an additional fee added for this service.

  • Mantax: +44 161 230 3333
  • Manchester Taxi Service: +44 161 270 8701
  • Street Cars Manchester: +44 161 228 7878
  • All-United Cars: +44 161 850 0500

Benefits of booking a Manchester private taxi in advance

When arriving in an exciting new city, the last thing you want to worry about is transportation, especially when it’s raining or late at night. That’s why we recommend pre-booking your taxi service in Manchester with Welcome Pickups. We offer guaranteed on-time pickups, door-to-door services, unbeatable prices, and 24/7 customer support. Eliminate the need for waiting for a black cab to pass or for your phone taxi to be dispatched by booking your private transfers in advance with Welcome.

If you’re planning a longer transfer to other towns and cities nearby, our trusted drivers also operate several popular routes outside the city center ring, including Sheffield, Blackpool, Liverpool, Leeds, Chester, and Bolton. So wherever you want to go, you can be sure we’ll get you there safe and sound.

Manchester taxi tips

  1. Ensure your driver resets the taximeter to the base fare before you begin your journey.
  2. Most Manchester taxi drivers accept credit and debit card payments.
  3. There’s no additional fee added if you wish to pay by card.
  4. Many private transfer companies offer a 10% student discount if you provide a valid NUS card.
  5. Manchester taxis don’t come with a baby seat as standard but you can bring and fit your own for free.

Wheelchair-accessible taxis in Manchester

All black Manchester taxis are wheelchair accessible and generally carry up to 6 passengers. If you’ve booked with or are calling a private transfer company, most of them also have wheelchair-accessible vehicles, complete with a ramp or lift. Just ensure you specify your need for an accessible cab during your booking.

Manchester taxi safety and complaints

Using a taxi service in Manchester is extremely safe and very well monitored as most Hackney black cabs are fitted with some form of CCTV. However, if you do find that you had a rude driver, were overcharged or that you felt unsafe in any way during your journey, you can make an official complaint to the Manchester City Council by filling out the relevant online form. Make sure you have noted down the details of your journey, your driver’s name, the Manchester taxi number, and any official ID number before completing the form.

Frequently asked questions

How do I call a taxi in Manchester?

You can easily hire a taxi by calling a Manchester taxi number quickly and easily. Some of the most trusted Manchester taxi services are Mantax (+44 161 230 3333), Manchester Taxi Service (+44 161 270 870), Street Cars Manchester (+44 161 228 7878) and All-United Cars (+44 161 850 0500).

How much does a taxi cost in Manchester?

Regular black taxis in Manchester are metered and bound by prices set by the city council. During the day, you’ll pay £3.40 (€4) for the first 348.44 m, and £0.20 (€0.25) for every additional 123m. Extra charges are applied for traveling at night, on holidays, to and from the airport, and for extra passengers. 

For a guaranteed set-rate fare with no hidden extras, we suggest pre-booking a taxi with a reliable company like Welcome.

Do Manchester taxis accept cash or card?

Most taxis in Manchester accept all forms of major credit and debit cards. According to the Manchester City Council’s regulations, taxi drivers aren’t allowed to add on any extra fee for the use of card payments. If you wish to pay by card, ask your driver before getting in the taxi to ensure they have a card reader or make this known when calling to book your Manchester taxi. Taxis also cash payments when made with British pounds.

Can I hail a taxi in Manchester?

There are two types of taxis in Manchester – Hackney black cabs and private hire taxis. Black cabs have yellow “TAXI” signs and can be hailed on the street or found at taxi ranks throughout the city. Private hire cars and minicabs, on the other hand, can’t be flagged down or taken from a taxi stand.

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