Tunbridge Wells 888 is a pre-booked private hire operator. Every journey is quoted individually and agreed before you travel — there is no meter running while you sit in traffic, and no surprise at the end of the trip. Tell us where you are going and we will give you a firm price.
How our pricing works
- Quoted in advanceYou are given a price for your specific journey before you book, not an estimate that moves.
- Agreed at bookingThe price you accept is the price for that journey, confirmed at the time of booking.
- No meterTraffic and road conditions on the day do not change what you agreed.
- Pre-booked onlyAs a private hire operator we cannot be flagged down or picked up at a rank — every journey is booked in advance.
Private hire and hackney carriage — what is the difference?
People use “taxi”, “cab” and “minicab” to mean much the same thing, but there are two distinct types of licensed vehicle in Tunbridge Wells and they are priced in completely different ways.
| Hackney carriage | Private hire (what we are) | |
|---|---|---|
| How you get one | Flag down in the street or wait at a rank | Booked in advance by phone, online or quote form |
| How it is priced | Metered, according to distance and time | Quoted per journey and agreed before travel |
| When you know the cost | At the end of the journey | Before you book |
| Effect of traffic | A longer journey means a higher meter reading | Your agreed price is not affected |
Both are licensed by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, and all our drivers hold Enhanced DBS checks.
What affects the price of your journey
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Distance and route | The single biggest factor in any quote |
| Time and date of travel | Late nights, early mornings, weekends and public holidays are priced differently |
| Vehicle required | A saloon, an estate for extra luggage, or an 8 to 16-seat minibus — see our fleet |
| Passengers and luggage | Determines which vehicle we send; bulky items may need a larger vehicle |
| Airport and third-party charges | Drop-off and pick-up fees are set by each airport and passed on at cost |
| Waiting or wait-and-return | Relevant for appointments, hospital visits and return journeys |
Getting an exact price
A quote takes under a minute. Have these four details ready and we can price your journey on the spot.
- Your pickup address and postcode — and your destination.
- The date and time you need collecting.
- How many passengers are travelling.
- How much luggage — number and size of bags, plus anything bulky such as golf clubs, skis, a pushchair or a musical instrument.
Three ways to get your price:
Call 01892 888888 — fastest option, answered 24 hours a day, including bank holidays.
Request a quote online — best for airport transfers, group travel and long-distance journeys.
Book online — for an immediate booking.
Airport transfers
Airport journeys are quoted as a fixed price for your specific booking, covering the route, the vehicle and the time you are travelling. Airport drop-off and pick-up charges are set by the airports and are added at cost. Guide prices for Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Luton and London City are shown on our airport page.
See airport transfer details and guide prices →
Common questions
Why do you quote instead of using a meter?
Because a quoted price gives you certainty. You know the cost before you commit, and a delay on the road does not change what you agreed. It also lets us match the right vehicle to your luggage and group size before the driver arrives.
Do prices change at night or on holidays?
Journeys at unsocial hours, on weekends and on public holidays are priced differently across the trade. Your quote always reflects the time and date you are actually travelling, so there is no separate surcharge applied afterwards.
Are airport charges included in the quote?
Airport drop-off and pick-up charges are set by each airport, not by us. We tell you at the time of booking whether they are included in your quoted price or added separately.
Can you give me a price over the phone?
Yes. Call 01892 888888 with your pickup postcode, destination, date, time, passenger numbers and luggage, and we will price it while you are on the line.
Do you cover journeys outside Tunbridge Wells?
Yes. We cover Royal Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding villages, and travel anywhere in Kent, Sussex and London. Long-distance journeys are quoted in the same way.
Get your price
Call us 24 hours a day, or request a free quote online. No obligation.
