Both run licensed private hire vehicles across London. Here's how they actually differ on price, booking process and what each is built for — so you can pick the right one for your trip.
Get Your Instant Quote → FIXED PRICEAddison Lee is a large, long-established executive car service built primarily around corporate accounts and centralised billing — strong if your company already has a contract with them. Express Airport Cars is a fixed-price, independently owned airport transfer specialist (TfL licensed, PCO No. 008740101, operating since 2013) built for travellers who want a simple, transparent price without setting up an account.
Neither is "better" in every situation — it depends on whether you're booking for yourself or billing through a company account. Below is where each one actually wins.
If your company already has an Addison Lee account and bills centrally, stick with it — that's exactly what it's designed for. If you're booking your own airport transfer and want the exact price upfront with no account setup, that's where we focus.
| Factor | Express Airport Cars | Addison Lee |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Fixed price shown before booking | Fixed or metered depending on account type |
| Saloon fare, Heathrow → Central London | From £60 | Often higher for one-off bookings |
| Booking without an account | Yes — 60-second online quote | Yes, via app or website |
| Flight tracking included | Yes, on every booking | Yes, on account bookings |
| Free waiting time | 60 minutes from landing | Varies by service tier |
| Best suited for | Individual travellers, families, one-off runs | Companies with regular, high-volume bookings |
Both companies offer a range of vehicle classes. Express Airport Cars covers Saloon, Estate, Business, MPV Plus and 8-Seater vehicles, all clean and maintained, priced with clear multipliers over the base Saloon fare rather than a separate executive pricing tier.
Generally yes for standard airport transfers. Addison Lee positions itself as a premium executive service with pricing to match, while Express Airport Cars focuses on fixed, competitive pricing for the same route quality — Saloon transfers from £55.
Addison Lee does offer flight tracking as part of its account-based corporate service. Express Airport Cars includes flight tracking and free waiting time as standard on every booking, without requiring a corporate account.
For a single, straightforward airport transfer, Express Airport Cars is typically the simpler and more affordable option — book online in 60 seconds with no account needed. Addison Lee suits businesses that need centralised billing across many regular journeys.
Yes, both offer meet and greet. Express Airport Cars includes 60 minutes of free waiting time from your actual landing time as standard on every booking.
No account needed. See your exact fare before you book.
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