Quick answer: yes, a pre-booked private hire car can take you almost anywhere in the UK. Long distance private hire works like any other booking: one car and one driver, door to door, with a fixed fare agreed before you travel. Choose a vehicle for your group and luggage, tell us about any stops on the way when you book, and book early for weekends, events and early flights. Camberley Cars runs long distance taxis across the UK in a saloon, estate, MPV, executive car or minibus.
Long distance private hire is the simplest way to make a long journey with luggage, children or a group: no changes, no platforms with heavy cases and nobody in the group stuck behind the wheel for hours. This guide explains how a long distance taxi works in the UK, when it makes more sense than the train or driving, how the fare is set, and how to plan a long journey so it runs smoothly.
What is long distance private hire?
Long distance private hire is a pre-booked, licensed taxi that takes you well beyond the local area, from one town to another or across the country. As with any private hire booking, it must be booked in advance through a licensed operator, and the fare is quoted before you travel rather than worked out by a meter. Whether you call it a long distance taxi, a long distance cab or a minicab, the rules are the same.
The driver collects you from your door, handles the route and drops you at your destination, with any stops you need planned in when you book.
Common long distance taxi journeys
| Journey | Why a long distance taxi works |
|---|---|
| Airports further away | Door to door to Luton, Stansted, London City or Southampton, with flight tracking on the way home |
| Cruise terminals | Room for a whole party’s cruise luggage, straight to the terminal |
| University moves | Boxes, bags and a student in one trip, without hiring a van |
| Weddings and family events | Arrive together in your outfits, with luggage for the weekend |
| Business between cities | Work or rest on the way, with an executive car on request |
| Visiting family | One car from door to door, without changes or parking at the other end |
Long distance taxi vs train vs driving
| What | Long distance taxi | Train | Driving yourself |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door to door | Yes | No, plus travel to and from stations | Yes |
| Changes | None | Often one or more | None |
| Luggage | Loaded once, with a vehicle to fit it | Carried on and off each train | Your own boot space |
| Cost | One fixed fare for the vehicle, agreed before you travel | A ticket for each traveller | Fuel both ways, plus parking |
| Who drives | A professional driver | Nobody in your group | You, there and back |
The train can suit a solo traveller with light luggage near a direct line. For two or more people with cases, or a journey with awkward changes, a long distance taxi is often the easier choice, because one fare covers the vehicle rather than each person.
How a long distance taxi is priced
There is no single price, because the fare depends on the distance, the vehicle you need, the time of travel and any stops on the way. With Camberley Cars, the fare is fixed and agreed before you travel, so you know the cost of the whole journey in advance. Enter your journey on our booking page to see it, or call us.
If anything could change the price, such as an extra stop or a much later return, we tell you when you book. If you are comparing quotes from different firms, check that each one is for the same vehicle, the same stops and the same return arrangements.
Planning a long distance journey
- Book early. Weekends, bank holidays, the start and end of university terms, and early flights get busy.
- Share the timings that matter. A flight time, a ceremony start or a check-in time lets us plan the pickup with a margin for traffic.
- Be honest about luggage. Boxes, bikes, golf bags and pushchairs change the vehicle you need.
- Plan any stops. Tell us about stops on the way when you book and we will plan them in. Our guide to multi-stop taxi booking explains how they work.
- Allow for breaks. The Highway Code recommends a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving, so a very long journey may include a short stop.
- Ask for child seats if needed. Child and booster seats are available on request.
- Book the return at the same time if you are coming back by taxi too.
Choosing the right vehicle for a long journey
| Vehicle | Passengers | Large cases | Small bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| MPV | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Executive car | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| 8-seater minibus | 8 | 6 | 8 |
| 12-seater minibus | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Estate cars are also available on request. On a long journey, a little extra space makes a big difference, so if your luggage is close to the limit, go one size up. Our vehicle size guide helps you choose.
Long distance airport and cruise transfers
Many long distance bookings are airport runs beyond Heathrow and Gatwick. We run airport transfers from Camberley to Luton, Stansted, London City and Southampton, as well as to the Southampton cruise terminals. Give us your flight number for the return and we track your flight, so your driver follows the actual landing time.
For more detail on specific routes, see our guides to the Camberley to Stansted airport taxi and the Camberley to Southampton cruise terminal transfer.
Long distance taxis from Camberley
We run long distance taxis 24 hours a day from Camberley, Frimley, Farnborough, Sandhurst, Bagshot, Yateley, Blackwater and nearby towns, to anywhere in the UK. Every journey is pre-booked with a licensed, vetted driver and a fixed fare agreed before you travel, and you can pay by card, cash, mobile pay or prepay online.
Long distance private hire FAQs
Can I book a taxi for a long distance journey?
Yes. A pre-booked private hire taxi can take you almost anywhere in the UK. Book through a licensed operator, choose a vehicle for your group and luggage, and the fare is agreed before you travel.
How much is a long distance taxi?
It depends on the distance, the vehicle, the time of travel and any stops. With Camberley Cars the fare is fixed and agreed before you travel. Enter your journey on our booking page to see it.
Is a long distance taxi cheaper than the train?
It depends on the journey and the number of travellers. The train can suit one person with light luggage. For a group or a family with cases, one fare for the whole vehicle often compares well with several train tickets.
Can a long distance taxi stop on the way?
Yes. Tell us about any stops when you book and we will plan them into the journey. On very long journeys, a short break may also be needed for the driver.
Which vehicle is best for a long journey?
Choose for your passengers and luggage, then consider a little extra space for comfort. A saloon or MPV takes up to 4 passengers, and our 8 and 12-seater minibuses suit families and groups.
How far in advance should I book a long distance taxi?
As early as you can, especially for weekends, bank holidays, university moves and early flights. For airport transfers we recommend at least 24 hours ahead.
Do you do one-way long distance taxis?
Yes. You can book a one-way journey or a return. If you need a return, book it at the same time so the timings are planned for you.
Can I take a lot of luggage on a long distance taxi?
Yes, as long as the vehicle fits it. Tell us your luggage when you book, including boxes or sports kit, and choose the vehicle to match.
Book a long distance taxi
Fixed-fare long distance taxis from Camberley to anywhere in the UK, in a saloon, estate, MPV, executive car or minibus, 24 hours a day.
Prefer to talk? Call 01276 66888.
