Are Holiday Taxi Transfers Really Worth It?

Having worked as a holiday rep, one of the most frustrating parts of airport days was the waiting. There was always that one person who left something on the plane, whose luggage didn’t arrive, or worst of all—got in a taxi without telling anyone. Meanwhile, an entire coach of tired travellers sat waiting for them.

As a rep, that wait felt endless—but it was even worse for those who had been sitting on the coach from the start, desperate to finally reach their hotel and start their holiday. That’s why I began to book my own taxi transfers instead of relying on shared coaches. Paying a little more for convenience made sense—until I realised just how inflated those “taxi upgrades” really are.

The Shocking Cost of “Taxi Upgrades”

On a recent trip to an island I used to work on, TUI offered me a “taxi transfer upgrade” for £70 return. Sounds fine—until you realise that the same trip costs only €15–€20 locally.

Curious, I asked a few local friends who confirmed the real price. Then I checked booking.com, which offered the same transfer for just £26 return. This means that TUI’s so-called “upgrade” wasn’t just expensive—it was over double the cost of booking directly.

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Price Comparison: TUI vs Local Transfers

• TUI Upgrade Price: £70 return
• Booking.com Transfer: £26 return
• Local Taxi: Around €15–€20 each way

It wasn’t a one-off either. I found the same pattern across destinations including Portugal and Cyprus—TUI’s taxi upgrade was always at least twice the price of a direct booking.

The Cape Verde Rip-Off

The biggest shock came in Cape Verde. My hotel was just five minutes from the airport, but TUI quoted a staggering £172 for a “taxi upgrade.”

Stepping outside the airport, I saw the local taxis offering the exact same journey for €10. To make matters worse, TUI’s own taxi-booking site (which anyone can access) quoted the same route at £18.96 each way—so why the £172 charge?

To me, this feels like taking advantage of travellers—especially those with mobility issues or families who might feel they need a taxi rather than a shared coach.

Delayed and Frustrated: The Reality of “Pre-Booked” Holiday Taxis

Even when you do pay for a pre-booked taxi with a package operator, it’s not always smooth sailing. On one trip, our “pre-booked” TUI taxi had us waiting over 40 minutes at the airport for the next available driver.

Compare that with simply walking out, getting in a local cab, and being at your hotel before the coach even leaves the car park.

The Bottom Line: Don’t Get Ripped Off

Package holiday taxi upgrades can be a complete rip-off—charging two, three, or even ten times the local rate. These “upgrades” are marketed as a convenient option, but in most cases they’re simply an easy profit add-on for tour operators.

If you want a smoother start to your trip:

• Check the price on booking.com or local taxi apps before paying the upgrade.
• Ask your hotel for transfer recommendations—they often arrange cheaper, reliable rides.
• Head straight to the official taxi rank and agree a price before setting off.

By taking a few minutes to compare, you can save a small fortune—and start your holiday stress-free.

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Final Thoughts

Holiday taxi upgrades might sound tempting after a long flight, but don’t be fooled by the convenience pitch. With local taxis and trusted platforms offering better service at a fraction of the price, it’s clear who’s really getting the better deal.

So next time you’re booking your trip—don’t get caught out by the “taxi transfer upgrade” trap.