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Original poster

Anyone used a taxi for a long journey?

18 replies

venezia222 · 21/09/2019 17:03

I want my parents to visit for Xmas but my Dad is quite frail and I’m. It sure they are up for a train journey of 3 hours. Anyone ever used a taxi service/driver? What are the costs....I appreciate it may be a lot!

OP posts:
FaFoutis · 21/09/2019 17:05

I have when the trains mess up. It is usually about £60 ish for an hour in my experience. Phone and ask for an estimate.

Crockof · 21/09/2019 17:06

National express coaches are quite good tho very long but easier than a train. Taxi of just under 290miles cost me £300, might have been cheaper if I rang around but didn't have the time, I got national express coach back for a tenner!

FaFoutis · 21/09/2019 17:08

It's quite grim being stuck in an unfamiliar car for a long journey. First class on the train might cost less and be nicer.

GrimalkinsCrone · 21/09/2019 17:10

Do they really want to visit? Or are you putting pressure on them to do something they aren’t up to, but will attempt because you want them to?

Original poster
venezia222 · 21/09/2019 17:43

Thanks for replies. Car is door to door so thought might be better. First class with special assistance could work I guess.

And no to the poster above, not putting pressure on them. What on earth gave you that idea?

OP posts:
GrimalkinsCrone · 21/09/2019 18:16

The fact that I have elderly, fragile parents that always try to live up to their children’s expectations, even when the effort is more than they should be attempting.
That you said ‘I want my parents to visit ‘ with no mention of why you don’t go to them, or if they’ve visited you often in the past. You want them to travel for hours possibly in poor weather and bad traffic.
So I wondered if you were leaning on them, intentionally or not.

Original poster
venezia222 · 21/09/2019 18:31

I just wanted travel advice mate. I didn’t feel it warranted the full detail of my family circumstances. And if you really want to know......they are desperate to visit, I have a broken leg and they haven’t seen their grandchildren in months. I am trying to find the best solution for them.

OP posts:
GrimalkinsCrone · 21/09/2019 18:52

Well why not ring around your local, reliable taxi services? My parents have travelled from home to 160 miles away, several times with a driver they already knew from hospital journeys. It depends where you are in the country as to the costs, so random recommendations are not much use.
But mum is now not able to cope with a journey that long without being in extreme discomfort, and she won’t admit it because she doesn’t want to make a fuss or disappoint.
Have you set up regular Skyping?

Ellabella989 · 21/09/2019 18:55

My dad sometimes does long taxi journeys (3-4 hours) and they cost around £500 for a round trip (he can claim it back through work though).

AJPTaylor · 21/09/2019 19:49

My dmum does West country to Gatwick or Heathrow. It's about 270 each way I think. It's a lot but worth every penny for her.

Stravapalava · 21/09/2019 19:54

We have, when my DH's car was in the garage after a non fault insurance claim. We were coming back from holiday but the car wasn't ready. The other insurers authorised up to £250 for a taxi back for about 110-120 miles. It ended up being £235 but we gave the driver the extra £15 as a tip.

Pinkdoor · 21/09/2019 19:56

I took a £80 taxi once because two train tickets would have cost that. It was a 65 mile journey which takes an hour and three quarters to drive

Just call a local firm.

ClashCityRocker · 21/09/2019 20:01

How far are we talking about OP?

I'm not sure it would be much easier than a train if we're talking the sort of distance that will require comfort breaks etc...but if course that depends on the specific needs of your parents.

I know one taxi driver who did a regular job from Weymouth to Harrogate (taking child back to school). He charges £450 for it.

Worth ringing up some taxi firms from your parents area and getting some quotes. If there's any small 'one man band' type outfits you might get a better price.

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 21/09/2019 20:04

My 90 year old MIL has been using a local taxi service to come to us for the last few years. It makes travel so much more manageable for her. She pays something like £120 for a 60 mile hourney

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 21/09/2019 20:05

*journey. She doesn’t use a regular taxi but a retired chap who does this sort of driving from her village. Worth investigating.

Grimbles · 21/09/2019 20:10

You can get an estimate from here: www.minicabit.com/quotes

AnnaMagnani · 21/09/2019 20:22

My DM comes to visit me by taxi as she is not up to public transport. I got a quote from minicabit to get a ballpark figure, then googled taxi drivers from her town. Found one that advertised as doing lots of elderly people so asked him, his quote was more or less the same as the one I had, my DM said he's lovely.

Tried to get the ILs to do the same, they whinge about taxis being expensive despite being minted. So we barely saw them. Which I suppose was a win for us.

Original poster
venezia222 · 21/09/2019 21:33

Thanks everyone. Will ring around. That link was also useful. Ta.

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