What's the shortest distance you would get a taxi?

[RenegadeKeeblerElf]

We love just under a mile from the train station, about a 20min walk. To my teens' annoyance I always insist on walking even if we are coming home late at night, especially since parking at the station is expensive. But in the New Year one teen and I are going away and will be getting the train to the airport (cheaper than a taxi, no one to drive us). I'm happy to walk to the station on the way there as it will be in the middle of the morning, but on the way home our flight doesn't land until 10pm so by the time we've go back to our local station it will be around midnight (best case scenario) and we will be knackered from travelling and dragging suitcases. Would it be reasonable to get a taxi for such a short journey or would we piss the driver off by such a low fare?

The fare wouldnt be so low as the cab company would have a minimum charge. As long as you're on time, and prebook the taxi, youll be alright

I took dd to Oxford circus last week - it was so packed it was hell

I paid £10 to go less than 0.5miles from the tube station home - a total of 3 mins drive 😄😄

I was so over it by that point honestly.

I'm disabled, so the shortest distance I've ever taken a taxi was about 350 metres from one side of one big carpark, to the far side of another big carpark on the other side of the road. I could literally see the door where I should have been, from the door I was stranded at.

That wasn't a great day for me, but the cabbie wasn't phazed because he got the minimum fare.

And really, this sort of late night pick-up for safety is standard business for cabbies. They'll understand it well.

As a PP said, you can make things easier for yourself by prebooking the taxi; if you're delayed let them know. You could say when booking that you'll be coming from a flight and will confirm when you're on the train from the airport.

I've occasionally called taxi firms to say my (long-distance) train is delayed and had them reply, "I know, I've been checking the website". So they're very used to this sort of pick-up.

I live about a 7/8 minute walk from the station but at night it’s very dark and very quiet in my street so I’d rather pay the minimum fare (think it’s £3.60) than walk. Cabbies probably love me as they’re back on the rank within about 4 minutes

Of course it's fine. They will just apply a minimum charge. Prebook obviously

People who are elderly/disabled/carrying a load of gear/lazy arses like me often take short trips

OP, I have more less the same journey as you to the station. We only get a taxi if we have been out for the night and it is late. However, I always get a taxi to the airport.

My GP is 0.5 miles away and I’ve got an uber there before.

We are also a mile from the station. I don't do it often but late at night / heavy bags / pouring with rain I wouldn't think twice, it's totally normal. Do pre-book though.

Oh course you can get a taxi
If I've got luggage and stuff with me then yes I get a taxi
Taxis have a minimum charge anyway

Thanks all. There's a busy rank at the station so I don't think I need to pre-book but it's good to know they won't be annoyed with me