A saloon taxi is a four-door passenger car with a separate boot, used for taxi and private hire journeys. With Heathrow Airport Ride, a saloon carries up to 4 passengers and 2 large suitcases. That makes it the right car for most solo trips, couples and business travel. It’s also the lowest fare on our rate card: £30.00 for journeys of up to 5 miles. This is an estimated fare — you can confirm your fare at booking.
4
Passengers
2
Large suitcases
£30
Est. fare up to 5 mi
A saloon taxi is simply a saloon car working as a taxi. The car carries passengers in an enclosed cabin and their luggage in a separate boot at the back. It suits the most common journeys, so it’s the everyday workhorse of most taxi fleets. It’s also where the Heathrow Airport Ride fleet starts.
| Passengers | Up to 4 |
|---|---|
| Luggage | 2 large suitcases, plus cabin bags |
| Body | Four doors, enclosed cabin, separate boot |
| Good for | Solo travellers, couples, business trips, local journeys |
| Fare | £30.00 up to 5 miles, then £1.30 per mile |
This is an estimated fare — you can confirm your fare at booking.
Saloon category: four doors, an enclosed cabin and a separate boot. The car shown is illustrative.
A saloon car has three parts: the engine at the front, the cabin in the middle and the boot at the back. Car designers call this a "three-box" shape. The boot is closed off from the cabin. Its lid opens below the rear window, so the window stays put.
In British English, "saloon" is the everyday word for a four-door car with a separate boot. The word comes from the old idea of a saloon as a comfortable room. It suits a car built around a closed-in cabin.
Yes. "Saloon" is the British term and "sedan" is the American one for the same body style. If a booking site or car review talks about a sedan, it means a saloon.
Any saloon becomes a taxi vehicle when it's licensed and used to carry paying passengers. In London, a private hire vehicle like ours has to be booked in advance; it can't be hailed in the street. So a "saloon taxi" here means a pre-booked saloon car, not a black cab.
Saloons handle the bulk of everyday passenger journeys: airport runs, station pickups, trips to appointments and business travel. Four seats and a separate boot fit the way most people travel: in ones and twos, with a modest amount of luggage.
The design of a saloon is what makes it such a practical taxi. Each feature below affects how comfortable and convenient your journey is.
A saloon has four side doors, so every passenger gets in and out directly. Nobody has to climb past a folded front seat. That makes a real difference at a busy airport kerb or a hotel entrance.
The boot is a closed space, separate from the cabin. Luggage stays out of sight and out of the way, and nothing slides into the cabin if the driver has to brake.
A saloon has two rows. The driver and one passenger sit in front, with room for up to three in the back. So a taxi saloon carries up to four passengers: one in the front and three behind. Fewer people means more elbow room.
Saloons really prove themselves on longer trips, thanks to good rear legroom and headroom. A mid-size saloon is built around a comfy back seat. That's why so many business cars share the same shape.
Saloons come in all sizes, from compact cars to large executive models. A taxi saloon is usually mid-size to large. It's big enough for four adults and their bags, yet still easy to drive through London's streets.
No two models are identical. Boot shape, rear legroom and the size of the boot opening vary between makes. That's why we describe the category by what it carries, 4 passengers and 2 large cases, rather than promising one exact car.
A saloon taxi carries up to 4 passengers: one in the front and three in the back. Four adults fit, though the rear will feel snug on a long trip. For three adults or fewer, it's comfortable.
The seating capacity is 4 passengers plus the driver. Every passenger needs their own seat and seat belt, whatever their age, so a babe in arms still counts as a passenger.
Two passengers in a saloon is the sweet spot: plenty of room, a seat each in the back, and space for bags. Three in the back works well for shorter trips. Taller passengers usually prefer the front seat on longer journeys.
Children count towards the four seats. UK law has a specific rule for taxis and private hire cars when no child seat is available. Under-3s may travel in the rear without one. Children aged 3 and over may use the adult seat belt in the rear. Neither exception applies in the front seat. If you'd rather your child used a car seat, bring one with you.
Five or more people need a bigger vehicle. An MPV seats up to six with luggage. An 8-seater MPV takes eight, and our minibus takes up to 16. If your group is four adults with a large case each, that's also a sign to size up.
For airport travellers, the boot matters as much as the seats. Here’s what really fits.
A saloon taxi takes 2 large suitcases, the size you'd check into an aircraft hold, plus cabin bags. That covers most couples on holiday and most solo travellers, even on long trips.
A saloon boot is long and fairly deep but limited in height, because it sits under the rear parcel shelf. Large cases lie flat side by side. Tall items, like a folded pushchair or a golf bag, may fit diagonally or not at all, depending on the model.
A sensible load is two large cases in the boot. Two cabin bags or backpacks can squeeze in beside them or travel on your lap. Soft bags squeeze into gaps that hard cases can't.
For airport trips, count large cases rather than people. Two travellers with one large case each fit easily. Three travellers with three large cases is over the limit, so an estate car is a better fit.
Seats and boot space work together. A saloon can carry four people or two large cases comfortably, but four people with four large cases won't fit. Every extra passenger usually brings extra bags, and the boot doesn't grow.
Choose an MPV once you have more than two large cases plus cabin bags. The same goes for bulky items like a pushchair, skis or golf clubs. Has only the luggage grown, not the group? Then the estate car is the in-between option: saloon seats with a longer boot.
The saloon category covers a wide range of cars. The models below are examples of cars commonly linked with UK taxi and private hire work, to help you picture the category. They are not a list of the cars we send.
Standard petrol and diesel saloons have long been the backbone of UK private hire. They're mid-size, four-door cars with a separate boot, chosen for comfort, space and running costs.
Hybrids pair a petrol engine with an electric motor. They're now a common sight in London private hire. One reason is the capital's clean-air rules, such as the Ultra Low Emission Zone.
Many models have served as taxi saloons over the years. Some are still built, while others have been replaced or discontinued. This is a reminder that the category matters more than the badge.
The Toyota Prius is probably the car most associated with UK private hire. Strictly speaking, though, it's a hatchback (a liftback) rather than a three-box saloon: the boot lid lifts with the rear window. People often call it a saloon because of its long, low shape and its everyday taxi role.
The Volkswagen Passat and Ford Mondeo were classic mid-size saloons for decades. Neither is sold new as a saloon today. Volkswagen stopped building the Passat saloon in late 2021. Ford ended Mondeo production in March 2022. The Vauxhall Vectra was replaced by the Insignia in 2008. The Ford Focus is best known as a hatchback, though saloon versions were sold.
Boot volume, rear legroom and the shape of the boot opening all vary between models. When you book a saloon taxi, you’re booking the category: four seats and room for two large cases. The make and model sent for your journey may vary.
For trips around London, such as appointments, dinners and visits, a saloon is usually all you need. It's the lowest-priced vehicle on our rate card. Our local taxi service in London covers the areas we serve.
A saloon suits most airport transfers for one or two travellers. A 20-mile airport run in a saloon is estimated at £49.50. This is an estimated fare — you can confirm your fare at booking. See our airport taxi transfers page for the six London airports.
Most business travellers carry a cabin case and a laptop bag, an easy fit in a saloon. If presentation matters for a client meeting, the executive car is the premium alternative.
Hotel guests usually travel light between hotel, station and airport. A saloon collects you from the hotel entrance; just give the hotel's name and postcode when you book.
Arriving at a London terminus with a case or two? A saloon handles most station pickups. Our train station transfers page explains where private hire cars meet passengers at each station.
Every saloon journey with us is pre-booked: you choose the time, and the car is arranged before you travel. For longer trips, our long-distance taxi page shows estimated fares to cities across the UK.
This is where the saloon shines: plenty of space, room for luggage and the lowest fare. Most solo travellers and couples never need anything bigger.
Three passengers travel comfortably in a saloon. Four can manage for shorter trips with light bags. Beyond that, move up to an MPV.
Up to two large suitcases plus cabin bags: saloon. Three or more large cases: estate or MPV.
Commutes, meetings, appointments and nights out rarely involve much luggage. That makes a saloon the natural choice.
A saloon isn't right for five or more passengers. Nor is it right for three or more large suitcases, or bulky items like pushchairs, golf bags, skis, bikes or wheelchairs. Four adults each with a large case won't fit either. For those trips, look at the estate, MPV or minibus.
Before you book, run through this quick check:
If your answers are “four or fewer”, “two or fewer”, “no” and “not really”, a saloon is right.
Our fleet runs from the saloon up to a 16-seater minibus. Here’s how the saloon compares on a 20-mile journey.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Luggage | 20-mile estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon taxi | Up to 4 | 2 large suitcases | £49.50 |
| Estate car | Up to 4 | Extra boot space | £51.45 |
| MPV (6 seats) | Up to 6 | Passengers with luggage | £57.00 |
| Executive car | — | — | £63.00 |
| Executive MPV | — | Group luggage | £73.50 |
| Minibus | Up to 16 | Group luggage | Shown in the Taxi Fare Calculator |
These are estimated fares — you can confirm your fare at booking. The final price may vary with vehicle type, passenger and luggage numbers, pickup time and any additional stops.
Both are saloon-shaped. The executive car is a premium choice for business and special occasions. It costs more per mile: £1.80 against the saloon's £1.30. This is an estimated fare — you can confirm your fare at booking. For everyday journeys, the standard saloon does the job.
Same seats, different boot. The estate's longer luggage area takes more cases and bulky items. On a 20-mile trip it's estimated at just £1.95 more than a saloon. This is an estimated fare — you can confirm your fare at booking.
An MPV adds seats as well as space, carrying up to six passengers with luggage. Choose it for families and groups of five or more, or when four people each have a large case.
The executive MPV is a premium people carrier for business groups. It solves a different problem from the saloon: moving a whole team together in comfort.
At the other end of the fleet, the minibus seats up to 16 for weddings, teams and large group transfers. A saloon is for individuals and couples; a minibus is for a crowd.
Start with the saloon and size up only if you need to. Up to 4 people and 2 large cases: saloon. More bags, same people: estate. More people: MPV. A crowd: minibus.
The saloon is one category in our wider fleet of transfer vehicles.
Enter your journey in the Taxi Fare Calculator. You'll see the vehicle options for that trip, each with an estimated fare. Choose the saloon if it fits your passengers and luggage.
Before you select, count your group and your large cases. A saloon fits up to 4 people and 2 large suitcases. If either number is higher, look at the next size up.
The saloon is one category, covering a range of makes and models with similar capacity. You're choosing the size of car, not a specific badge.
The vehicle options shown reflect your journey details. The car sent will be a saloon-category vehicle, but its make, model and colour may differ from any photo you've seen.
Check your vehicle choice against your passenger and luggage numbers once more before you confirm. Choosing the right size at the start is much easier than finding out at the kerb that the bags won't fit.
Distance is the main factor. A saloon taxi fare is a minimum of £30.00 covering the first 5 miles, then £1.30 for each mile after that. This is an estimated fare — you can confirm your fare at booking. Extra stops and your pickup time are also part of the booking details.
| Journey distance | Saloon estimate |
|---|---|
| Up to 5 miles | £30.00 |
| 10 miles | £36.50 |
| 20 miles | £49.50 |
| 40 miles | £75.50 |
| 60 miles | £101.50 |
These are estimated fares — you can confirm your fare at booking. The final price may vary with vehicle type, passenger and luggage numbers, pickup time and any additional stops.
Yes. Each vehicle has its own minimum fare and per-mile rate, and the saloon has the lowest of both. Moving up to an estate, MPV or executive car raises the estimate. The gap is often smaller than people expect, though.
If you're borderline between a saloon and an estate, compare both in the Taxi Fare Calculator. For a few pounds more, the extra boot space can save a squeeze, or the cost of a second car.
Before you confirm, check:
Type your pickup address and destination into the Taxi Fare Calculator. Full postcodes give the most accurate estimate.
Choose when you want to be collected. For airport pickups, use your scheduled landing time.
From the options shown for your journey, select the saloon.
Check the estimated fare for your saloon journey. This is an estimated fare — you can confirm your fare at booking.
Add your details and confirm. Keep your booking confirmation handy for the day of travel. For more detail on each stage, see our online taxi booking guide.
This is an estimated fare — you can confirm your fare at booking.
A saloon taxi is a four-door car with a separate boot, used for taxi and private hire journeys. With Heathrow Airport Ride, it carries up to 4 passengers and 2 large suitcases. It’s the standard choice for solo travellers, couples and business trips.
In the UK, a saloon is a car with three separate sections: engine, passenger cabin and an enclosed boot at the back. It usually has four doors. The American word for the same body style is “sedan”.
Yes. “Saloon” is the British word and “sedan” is the American one. Both mean a car with four doors, a closed cabin and a separate boot.
A saloon taxi has seats for 4 passengers plus the driver: one passenger in the front and three in the back. Every passenger, including children, needs their own seat.
A saloon taxi fits 2 large suitcases plus cabin bags. Exact boot space varies a little between models. For three or more large cases, or bulky items like pushchairs, choose an estate or MPV.
Four passengers with cabin bags, yes. Four passengers each with a large suitcase, no: the boot takes two large cases. For four people with full holiday luggage, book an estate or, more comfortably, an MPV.
Yes, for one to three travellers with up to two large suitcases. It covers most solo travellers and couples. Families with more luggage are better off in an estate or MPV.
A saloon carries up to 4 passengers and 2 large cases. An MPV is taller, with an extra row of seats, carrying up to 6 passengers with luggage. The saloon suits individuals and couples; the MPV suits families and groups.
No. Saloon models vary in boot shape, legroom and size. So we describe the saloon by what it carries, up to 4 passengers and 2 large cases, not by one model.
Count your passengers and large suitcases. If it’s up to 4 people and 2 large cases, choose the saloon in the Taxi Fare Calculator. If you have more luggage, compare the estate. With more people, compare the MPV.
Up to 4 passengers and 2 large suitcases, pre-booked and confirmed in advance. Check your estimated fare and book online in minutes.
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