TAS · Tasmania
Launceston taxi & cab fares · 2026
Launceston taxi fare calculator
Enter your pickup and destination for an exact Launceston taxi estimate on the 2026 Tasmania meter — the same regulated rate a Launceston cab charges.
Launceston taxi fares are regulated by the Tasmanian Department of State Growth under the mainland rate schedule — the same meter used in Hobart and the other mainland-Tasmania towns (only King Island and Flinders Island have separate schedules). Fares are metered end to end: there is no fixed airport fare and no airport access fee anywhere in Tasmania.
In Launceston, "cab" and "taxi" refer to the same regulated vehicle — same Tasmanian Department of State Growth meter, same maximum tariff. The calculator above applies the 2026 schedule for sedan, maxi (5+ passengers) and wheelchair-accessible trips, and detects Uber-comparison scenarios automatically.
How much is a taxi in Launceston?
A typical metered taxi in Launceston costs about A$18 for a short 5 km trip and around A$35 for a 12 km cross-town run on the Tasmania daytime meter, which starts with a A$5.40 flagfall. After hours the night tariff lifts the same 5 km trip to about A$20. These are the regulated maximum rates set by Tasmanian Department of State Growth; use the calculator above for an exact fare on your route.
Popular Launceston routes
Launceston Airport (LST)
Launceston Airport (LST) at Western Junction is about 15 km south of the city — a 15-to-20-minute run of roughly A$38–A$55 on the meter depending on the time of day. There is no Airport Access Fee in Tasmania, so the meter is the whole fare. A single rank operates outside arrivals, and the local fleet is small, so pre-book for early-morning departures when few cars sit on the rank.
How much is a taxi from Launceston Airport to Launceston CBD?
A metered Launceston taxi from Launceston Airport to the Launceston CBD is typically A$38 – A$55 on the day rate (typical A$45), running on the regulated Tasmania meter set by Tasmanian Department of State Growth. The night, late-night and public-holiday tariffs add to that figure; tolls and airport access fees are passed through on top.
Night, weekend & peak rates in Launceston
Tasmania’s Tariff 2 (8pm–6am plus weekends and public holidays) lifts the per-kilometre rate above the weekday day rate; a Friday/Saturday late-night surcharge and a 5% card surcharge may also apply. There is no airport access fee.
Where to find a Launceston taxi rank
- 01Brisbane Street Mall — the main CBD rank
- 02Wellington Street — late-night rank near the weekend venues
- 03Launceston Airport (LST), Western Junction — rank outside arrivals
- 04Kings Meadows (Hobart Road) — the busiest suburban rank in the south
- 05Launceston General Hospital (Charles Street) — reliable rank near the CBD
- 06Cataract Gorge (Basin car park) — handy for the region’s top attraction
What's different in TAS
Launceston is on Tasmania’s mainland meter, identical to Hobart’s — a simple two-tariff system (a day rate and a higher night/weekend rate) with no airport access fee. The fleet is small, so late-night and Sunday waits can be long; booking ahead is the norm for airport runs and weekend nights.
Launceston taxi fares · frequently asked
How much is a taxi from Launceston Airport to the city?
A Launceston Airport (LST) to city taxi is typically A$38–A$55 on the regulated Tasmanian meter — the airport at Western Junction is about 15 km from the CBD, a 15-to-20-minute run. There is no Airport Access Fee in Tasmania, so the meter is the whole fare; the night/weekend tariff sits at the top of that range.
Are there Ubers in Launceston?
Yes — Uber operates in Launceston alongside the local taxi fleet (Taxi Combined and 13cabs). On the airport run the metered taxi and Uber tend to land close; Uber can be cheaper off-peak, while the taxi can win when Uber surge pricing is active.
How do I book a taxi in Launceston?
Call 13 10 08 (Taxi Combined Launceston), use the 13cabs app, or join a rank at the Brisbane Street Mall, the airport or Kings Meadows. The Launceston fleet is small, so booking ahead is worth it for early-morning airport runs and weekend nights.
Is it better to book a taxi in advance in Launceston?
Often yes. Launceston has a small fleet, so rank waits can be long late at night, on Sundays and at early-morning flight times. Pre-booking a pickup — especially for the airport — avoids being stranded when few cars are on the rank.
Are Launceston taxi fares the same as Hobart?
Yes. Launceston is on Tasmania’s mainland rate schedule — the same regulated meter as Hobart, Devonport and Burnie. Only King Island and Flinders Island have their own separate, higher tariffs.