Jake’s Cars Frequently Asked Questions

It’s very easy to book your Jake’s Cars taxi or private hire car anytime. You can:

• Download the Jake’s Cars app – it’s free
• Book online here
• Call us on 01403 786 818

We usually have taxis available 24/7. To see if we have availability for your journey time, download the app and tap in the date and destination. The app will show you what types of cars and taxis are available at your chosen time.

If you want to talk to us about a very early morning pickup or group collection from any London airport or Southampton airport, just call us on 01403 786 818 during office hours.

We can do better than that! When you book using the app, all your booking details and your receipts are stored in your account to view and download anytime.

• If you book online, add your email and we will email you a receipt.
• If you call 01403 786 818 and book, just ask us to email you a receipt.

No need to set up an account – just download the app instead and book and pay using your phone or tablet. The app just requires you to:

• Create a user ID and password
• Add an email account
• Choose a way to pay in advance (debit card, credit card or Apple Pay)

Looking for a business account? Click for details of our business and corporate travel accounts, or call us on 01403 786 818.

Simply store your payment details in your app for automatic payment – no cash or card required on the day! If you prefer to pay in person, our drivers accept all major debit cards, credit cards and Apple Pay. Our drivers use secure touch card terminals for in-car payments. We do accept cash.

Absolutely. All our drivers at Jake’s Cars have the latest touch card terminals for in-car payments. Payment details can also be stored securely in your app for automatic payment on arrival if your prefer.

With Jake’s Cars, there are no hidden extras or unexpected charges. The price you are quoted on the app for your journey is the price you will pay for the stated number of passengers and their luggage. For your taxi airport transfer to Gatwick, Heathrow or any other London airport, your quoted price will include both the mandatory drop-off charges and the ULEZ (for non-electric vehicles) where applicable.

The price we quote in the app or over the phone is all-inclusive IF you provide:

• Accurate details of how many passengers will travel
• Full details of any luggage
• Any child car seat requirements

Please note each journey is quoted for direct travel to your destination. Other pick-ups or requested diversions enroute will not be included – please call us with your exact requirements for an accurate quote.

Every quote is prepared to your specific requirements. That way, you always are given the very best price based on:

• Where you live
• When you want to travel
• The type and size of vehicle you require

If you are travelling as a group, booking one of our 8-seater vans is highly cost-effective. Get a van travel quote by entering your journey details into our app, and choosing the executive minivan option, or book online here.

No. Our prices are fixed across all Your Local Car group vehicles, so you already know what you’ll pay if a YLC cab turns up instead of a Jake’s Cars during busy periods or for Heathrow transfers, for example.

When you book via the app, all your journey details are safety stored in the app on your phone. You can check past bookings and make new ones, all in one place. When you book over the phone, just ask for either an email or an SMS to confirm your booking. (Obviously, you’ll need to give us your email and/or mobile number to do this!)

At Jake’s Cars, we only have a small selection of child seats available, and some booster seats for older children. Numbers are limited so please let us know the size of child seat you need at the time of booking. You are of course welcome to provide your own child seats.

Our vehicles range in size from standard saloon cars to minivans that can take 8 people and 8 items of luggage. Here’s a quick guide to the amount of luggage our taxis can take:

If you are concerned about having enough space for your luggage, especially for cruise transfers or winter sports equipment, just give us a call to talk through what space you need – 01403 786 818.

Our Jake’s Cars executive minivans take up to eight passengers along with eight items of standard hold luggage. Exec vans provide comfy, roomy travel and are great value for larger families and groups heading for Heathrow, Gatwick or other London airports.

Going on a cruise with no weight limit on your luggage? Our cruise port transfers ensure both you and ALL your luggage can join a cruise at Southampton or other cruise terminal ports. If you’re heading off to the slopes and taking your own skis, an exec van is ideal so they can travel inside with you, not strapped to the roof!. More details here

Jake’s Cars can now offer a great choice of private hire vehicles and taxis for the local community. We also have access to all electric SUVs and BMW executive cars through the Your Local Car group vehicle pool. Do call us if you want an all-electric journey, or to wow a visiting client with one of our luxury executive cars. (Please note that since this vehicle pool is based in Camberley, Surrey, an extra charge will apply.) Some of our drivers also have assorted hybrid and all electric vehicles of their own.

You always need to pre-book either via the app or by calling us, so you can be sure a taxi will be available when you need it. The easiest way to pre-book is to download the app and book your taxi. The app will check availability and confirm that a driver is available, when they will arrive, and how much your journey will cost. You can even track your taxi driver’s journey to you on the app’s live map. Please note that you cannot ‘hail’ a Jake’s Car like a black cab. We only accept rides that are pre-booked. No booking, no ride.

Your driver will be in the Arrivals Hall holding a board with your name on in at Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, City, Stansted and Luton, plus other regional airports. Remember you can track your taxi driver’s arrival via the app, so you’ll know where their taxi is parked too!

The time you wish to arrive at the airport very much depends on where you are flying to, and when. Taking a Jake’s Car taxi to Heathrow or Gatwick airport cuts down the time you need to arrive before your flight, simply because you don’t need to allow extra time to park, get a bus from car park to terminal, and lug your heavy luggage up and down via lifts, ramps and stairs. Your Jake’s Cars driver will drop you direct at the terminal entrance, saving at least 30 minutes on self-parking at long-stay car parks.

Airlines currently suggest a minimum of 2 hours before a domestic flight, and 3 hours before an international flight, more at busy times. However, in our ever-changing world, this is just a minimum. Also, whilst e-ticketing and online check-in do speed things up a bit, you still need to pass through security and passport control, and get to your gate.

All our taxis are pre-bookings only, so we don’t have any taxis waiting at the airport. Instead, just pre-book in advance via the app or online before you fly out, and you can relax! Then, whatever time your flight arrives, your driver will be there waiting. Our backend system for drivers includes an online flight tracker which gives us real time updates on any arrival delays. However, if your flight is cancelled and you are transferred to another flight / airline, please do inform us by phone asap.

Just click on your booking in the app to track where your taxi is in real time. (Many people like to do this as they wait for their luggage!) There’s no need to but it’s fun, as once you have collected your luggage, your driver will be waiting in the Arrivals Hall with a board with your name on

Yes, to make sure we arrive at the right time to meet you. When you pre-book a return airport taxi transfer with Jake’s Cars, you need to tell us:

• The airport you are departing from (and returning to if different)
• Your airport terminal
• Your airline
• Your flight number

If any flight details change whilst you are away, especially the flight number, please let us know so we can adjust your booking accordingly. Equally, if your flight is cancelled and you are transferred to another flight / airline, please do call us asap.

Not usually, as your driver’s online flight tracker will give them details on your flight status and arrival time. If your flight details change while you are away, especially the flight number, call us as soon as possible. Longer delays such as the next day may incur a small charge, but usually not. Again, if your flight is cancelled and you are changed to another flight / airline, which has happened a lot in 2025/26, please do call us asap.

A cab to Heathrow or Gatwick airport can save you time, money and stress. It can be cheaper too. If you drive yourself, you need to pay for:

• Fuel
• Mileage (wear and tear)
• Parking charges
• ULEZ charge
• Drop-off zone charge (if you drop people off first)

There is also the safety aspect, especially if you are traveling to or from the airport in the early hours.

• For early morning departures, you may be sleepy and not used to driving so early. Getting teenagers up and out of the house may also be a challenge!
• For early morning arrivals, you may not feel safe to drive the M25/M27 after a long day travelling, and then a potentially long wait for luggage. As a result, you are likely to be tired and sleepy at best, and jetlagged too.

Driving yourself can also be stressful when you factor in motorway traffic, finding a parking space, waiting for transfer buses, getting onboard with loads of luggage, and being swung around in the bus too! Not to mention security concerns over some unofficial off-site parking companies.

For a more detailed comparison, please see our article: https://yourlocalcar.co.uk/airport-taxi-transfers-costs/

• All Jake’s Car drivers hold either a full UK or EU driving license.
• All Jake’s Cars private hire drivers hold a private hire driver’s licence (PHV)

The licensing process for a private hire driver’s licence (PHV) is very thorough and includes background and character checks to ensure any applicant driver is a ‘fit and proper person’. For more information on licences, see the Horsham District Council website: https://www.horsham.gov.uk/licensing/taxi-and-private-hire/taxi-and-private-hire-licensing-policy-and-guidance (link)

At Jake’s Cars, we conduct our own in-person interviews. Our own vetting process includes enhanced criminal records checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Yes, more than ever! Being part of the Your Local Car group has given us more drivers, more cars and more availability 24/7. This allows our local Billingshurst and Horsham drivers to drive flexible hours, and balance work with family and other personal commitments.

• Check out our testimonials and reviews!
• Like to join us as a driver? See our Join the Team page for details.

Not at all! If you’re pleased with your driver and our service, please reward us instead with a few kind words on your Google review!

Jake’s Cars provides 24/7 taxis and private hire cars services for West Sussex, Surrey and east Hampshire including:
Adversane
Amberley
Arundel
Barns Green
Billingshurst
Brooks Green
Bucks Green
Codmore Hill
Coneyhurst
Coolham
Cowfold
Crawley
Cuckfield
Dorking
Dragons Green
Five Oaks
Godalming
Haslemere
Horsham
Itchingfield
Kirdford
Loxwood
Midhurst
North Heath
Petworth
Shipley
Slinfold
Southwater
Steyning
Wisborough Green

We also offer private taxi transfers to all London airports and cruise ship terminals – see our Airport and Seaport Transfers page for more details.

Jake’s Cars is technically a Private Hire company, offering private taxi services that must be booked in advance. You cannot ‘flag down’ one of our cars. However, thanks to us being part of the Your Local Car group, we can provide taxis driven by hackney cab drivers.

To be honest, if you use the app to book a journey with Jake’s Cars, it makes diddle-squat difference! You get a friendly driver, a comfortable ride and all the benefits of using the app and choosing which vehicle you travel in.

The main difference between a private hire car and a taxi is how you hire them. Taxis can wait at designated taxi ranks and be ‘hailed’ on the street, and do not need to be pre-booked. Private Hire vehicles need to be pre-booked. All Jake’s Cars vehicles can be booked through the app so it’s nice and easy!

As Billingshurst’s long-established local Private Hire operator, Jake’s Cars has a strong presence in the town. Any problems, you can call us at 01403 786 818. Other national Private Hire companies rarely have local telephone numbers or staff monitoring drivers like we do.

• Download on the Mac App Store
• Get it on Google Play

Jake’s Cars and the Your Local Car group are always looking for new drivers to join us! Our state-of-the-art taxi dispatch and tracking technology ensures there are plenty of jobs including airport transfers for all our drivers, for truly flexible working. For more information, please visit our Join The Team page.