Question 1

How do I book an airport transfer with XlineCars?

Accepted Answer

Choose the journey type — airport, long-distance or seaport — on the website, enter your pickup address, destination airport and terminal, your date and time, and your flight number. Pick a vehicle class, review the fixed price, and confirm. You will get an email confirmation, and driver and vehicle details are sent before pickup.

Question 2

How far in advance should I book?

Accepted Answer

For a standard saloon on a common route, a few hours' notice is usually fine, and we take many same-day bookings. Book earlier — ideally 24 hours or more — for early-morning pickups, larger vehicles (8- and 16-seaters), wheelchair-accessible vehicles, child seats, or busy periods such as school holidays and bank holidays.

Question 3

Can I book a transfer for someone else?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Enter the passenger's name and mobile number as the traveller, and add your own details as the booker if you want the confirmation and updates. This is common for booking a car for family, guests or clients. For meet-and-greet, tell us the name to show on the driver's board.

Question 4

How do I change or cancel a booking?

Accepted Answer

Reply to your confirmation email or call us with your booking reference. Changes to time, address or vehicle are usually no problem if there is enough notice. Cancellations made outside the free-cancellation window (typically 2 hours before pickup) are free of charge.

Question 5

Is the price fixed, and what does it include?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the price you are quoted is the price you pay. It is based on distance, time, vehicle class and time of day, and it includes the airport drop-off or pickup fee and a waiting-time allowance after your flight lands. It does not change if there is traffic. Extras such as meet-and-greet, child seats or additional stops are shown separately before you confirm.

Question 6

Do you charge more for early-morning or late-night journeys?

Accepted Answer

Unsociable-hours travel can carry a modest premium, in line with the rest of the private hire industry, because drivers are scarcer at those times. Any such adjustment is already built into the fixed quote you see before booking — there are no surprise surcharges afterwards.

Question 7

How do I pay, and can I pay the driver directly?

Accepted Answer

You can pay securely by card when you book. Card payment in advance is the smoothest option, especially for airport pickups. If you need to arrange payment another way, contact us before the journey. Tips to the driver are never expected and can be given directly in cash if you wish.

Question 8

Can I get a receipt or VAT invoice?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A receipt is issued for every completed journey. If you need a VAT invoice or a monthly consolidated invoice for a business account, tell us at the time of booking and include any purchase order or cost-centre reference you need on it.

Question 9

Can I set up a business or corporate account?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A corporate account gives you centralised booking, monthly invoicing with a single VAT invoice, cost-centre references on each job, a consistent executive vehicle standard and a named account contact. There is no membership fee — you pay for the journeys taken. Contact us with your expected volume and invoicing requirements to set one up.

Question 10

What happens if my flight is delayed or lands early?

Accepted Answer

We track your inbound flight using the flight number you provide. If it lands early or late, the driver adjusts to the new landing time — you do not need to call us for normal delays. A generous free waiting allowance after landing covers immigration and baggage reclaim; any waiting beyond that is charged by the minute, not in large blocks.

Question 11

Is meet-and-greet included, and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Meet-and-greet is an optional add-on shown at booking. The driver parks, comes into the arrivals hall past customs with a name board, and walks you to the car with your bags. Without it, the driver waits in the airport car park and sends you the zone and level to walk to. Meet-and-greet is worth it for long-haul arrivals, families, lots of luggage, or a first visit to that airport.

Question 12

Where will the driver meet me at the airport?

Accepted Answer

For arrivals, pre-booked cars collect from the terminal car park or a designated pickup area, not the kerbside — with meet-and-greet the driver comes inside arrivals to you. For departures, the driver drops you at the terminal forecourt. The exact point is confirmed in your booking and by the driver on the day.

Question 13

Do I have to pay the airport drop-off charge separately?

Accepted Answer

No. Most UK airports charge £5–£7 to drop off at the terminal forecourt. We include that charge in your fixed quote as a line item, so there is nothing extra to pay on the day. Some airports have a free drop-off area with a shuttle bus — tell us if you would prefer that option.

Question 14

Which airports and seaports do you cover?

Accepted Answer

All major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and more — and UK seaports and cruise terminals such as Southampton, Dover and Portsmouth. If your pickup or destination is elsewhere in the UK, use the long-distance option for a quote.

Question 15

What time should the car pick me up for my flight?

Accepted Answer

As a guide, be at the terminal 2 hours before a domestic or European flight and 3 hours before a long-haul flight, adding 30 minutes at busy times or with bags to check. We work back from that using a realistic driving time for your pickup hour and add a buffer, so you can just tell us your flight and we will suggest a pickup time.

Question 16

How much luggage can I bring?

Accepted Answer

A saloon comfortably takes 2 large suitcases plus 2 cabin bags for up to 4 passengers. An estate or MPV takes 3–4 large cases; an 8-seater takes 6–8 with a lighter passenger load. If your group fills every seat and everyone has a large case, book the next vehicle size up (the 'step up' rule) so nothing travels on a lap.

Question 17

Can I bring skis, golf clubs, a bike or a pram?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but please tell us at the time of booking. Skis, snowboards, golf bags, surfboards, boxed bikes and large or double prams each take up roughly two standard suitcases of boot space, so we may need to send a larger vehicle. For safety and by law, long or heavy items must be stowed in the boot or cargo area, not on seats or laps.

Question 18

Do you provide child car seats?

Accepted Answer

UK law allows children to travel in a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle without a car seat if one is not available, on a rear seat and using an adult belt if they are 3 or over. For safety we recommend a proper seat: bring your own, or ask us in advance and tell us each child's age, weight and height so we can fit a suitable seat where available. This needs notice and is not a same-day guarantee.

Question 19

Do you have wheelchair-accessible vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Choose the Wheelchair Access vehicle when booking and tell us whether the wheelchair is manual or powered, whether it folds, its approximate size and weight if powered, whether the passenger will travel in the chair or transfer to a seat, and how many other passengers are travelling. A wheelchair-accessible vehicle carrying one wheelchair typically also seats two to three passengers. Please book as far ahead as possible.

Question 20

Which vehicle should I choose for my group?

Accepted Answer

1–4 passengers with light luggage: saloon. 3–4 passengers who value comfort or are travelling for business: executive. 5–6 passengers or a family with a pram and cases: MPV. 7–8 passengers: 8-seater minibus. Larger groups: 16-seater. If your headcount matches the vehicle's maximum and everyone has a big suitcase, size up.

Question 21

How are your drivers and vehicles vetted?

Accepted Answer

Every driver holds a private hire driver's licence, which requires an enhanced DBS background check and a medical, and we re-check documents periodically. Vehicles are licensed, inspected and kept within age limits. Every booking is recorded, linking passenger, driver, vehicle and route, and support is available 24/7. See our Safety Standards page for the full detail.

Question 22

Can I share my trip with someone?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can share your driver and vehicle details and a live tracking link with a trusted contact so they can follow your journey from pickup to arrival. Before getting in, always check that the driver's name and the car's make, model, colour and registration match the details we sent you.

Question 23

Do you do long-distance journeys, not just airports?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Long-distance journeys anywhere in the UK are priced per mile with a fixed quote given before you book. They suit groups, unsociable hours, complex luggage, onward connections from an airport or cruise port, and anyone who wants a comfortable door-to-door trip without changes. Use the long-distance booking option for a quote.

Question 24

How do I contact XlineCars?

Accepted Answer

Call the number shown on the support and contact pages, email us, or use the contact form. For anything about an existing booking, quote your booking reference so we can help quickly. Booking and support are available 24/7.

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