Most people assume driving your own car is cheaper than getting a taxi. It sounds logical. You’ve already got the car, you’re in control, and you’re not paying someone else to do the driving.
But when you look a bit closer — at the petrol, the parking, the time, the wear and tear — it’s not always that simple.
Sometimes, taking a taxi can cost less. Or at least make more sense.
Here’s the truth, without the fluff.
Petrol Isn’t the Only Expense
Fuel prices in the UK are rarely low. Depending on the route, a 20-mile drive could cost you anywhere from £5 to £10 in petrol alone. But that’s just the start.
Driving also costs you:
- Parking (often £2–£10 per hour in towns and cities)
- Congestion charges (like London’s £15 daily fee)
- Tolls (yes, we still have them)
- Insurance (which goes up with mileage)
- Depreciation (your car loses value every time you use it)
- Maintenance (brake pads don’t change themselves)
Add it all up, and that “cheap” drive might not be so cheap after all.
Taxis Have One Job — Get You There
When you book a taxi, you’re paying for a service. Someone else deals with the traffic. Someone else watches the road. Someone else finds the parking spot.
And you? You sit there and get where you’re going. No parking apps. No dodgy roundabouts. No shouting at the sat-nav.
You’re not paying for ownership. You’re paying for ease.
Short Trips in Busy Towns? Taxi Wins
Driving into a busy town centre just to spend twenty minutes hunting for a parking space isn’t fun. And once you do find one, it costs a fortune.
If you’re only going a few miles, especially in a city, taxis can actually be cheaper — and a lot less stressful.
You get dropped at the door, no need to walk half a mile from a multi-storey.
Long Journeys? It Depends
For longer journeys, the maths shifts.
A 60-mile round trip in your own car might cost £20–£30 in fuel. Add parking and wear, and it climbs. A taxi for the same trip could cost £80–£100.
If you’re on your own, driving still works out cheaper — but not by much. If you’re in a group, the taxi fare gets split. Suddenly, the numbers even out.
And don’t forget: if you’re tired, unfamiliar with the route, or likely to get stuck in traffic, the taxi becomes a smarter choice.
Your Time Has Value Too
When you drive, your attention is gone. You’re focused. You can’t reply to texts, read notes, or take a phone call. You can’t relax. You have to think.
That time has value — especially if your journey’s more than a quick dash to the shops.
In a taxi, you’re free to use the ride however you like. That freedom has a price — but also a benefit.
Final Factors
No, taxis aren’t always cheaper than driving. But once you factor in all the hidden costs of owning and using a car, it’s not as clear-cut as you might think.
For short trips, city travel, airport runs, or when you’re just too tired to deal with it all — a taxi often makes more sense.
You don’t always have to be behind the wheel to get the better deal. Sometimes, letting someone else drive is the smart choice.