Originally Posted by
Raffles
My understanding is that Heathrow is outside of the regulated fare zone, and I think as long as the trip starts and ends outside the regulated zone they can charge whatever they want.
As it says on the BA website:
http://www.terminal5.ba.com/en/to-an...nd-car-rental/
"Journeys inside London, and within 20 miles of the airport, are priced using the taxi meter. If you’re traveling outside of London, agree your fare with the driver before getting into the car. Signs with suggested out of London fares are on clear display next to the taxi rank."
This is actually not quite accurate.
Basically - within London (Heathrow is in London), they MUST use the meter - no matter how far you go (although fares get higher the further you go)
If you go outside of London, they can charge what they like - if you agree before hand.
In terms of journeys they must accept, they have to accept journeys of up to 20 miles to go anywhere, and also journeys of up to 1 hour within Greater London. This is the 20 miles that BA refer to, but it has nothing to do with the fare, merely whether the taxi drivers are allowed to decline your fare (declining a fare without cause is a serious matter, and if you threaten to report them they will quickly change their mind).
If the taxi driver is asking a ridiculous fare to take you just outside of London, just ask them to take you to the nearest minicab office. They are not allowed to refuse.