Taxi Fare

Maxi taxi calculator · official 2026 rates

Estimate a maxi taxi fare (also called a maxi cab, large taxi, van taxi, or 7-seater taxi) anywhere in Australia. The calculator above applies the official 2026 regulated meter plus the state-specific maxi rule — NSW 150% multiplier, Victorian A$17.80 high-occupancy fee, Sydney Airport A$80 fixed maxi — automatically based on your route, passenger count and time of day.

Maxi taxi pricing by state

Maxi taxi pricing is not uniform across Australia. Every state applies its own rule on top of the regulated meter:

State
Maxi rule
NSW
A maxi carrying 5 or more passengers is billed at up to 150% of the standard meter — applied to flagfall, per-km and waiting time. The Sydney Airport → CBD maxi fixed fare is A$80 (vs A$60 for a sedan).
VIC
A flat high-occupancy fee of A$17.80 is added to the metered fare when a maxi is used or 5+ passengers are carried. The per-km meter itself does not change.
QLD
On the regulated rank or hail meter, a Queensland maxi is charged the same as a sedan — there is no high-occupancy premium for rank/hail trips. Any high-occupancy fare is deregulated and applies only to phone/app bookings at the operator’s discretion.
WA
A maxi carrying 5+ passengers (or any large vehicle) is metered on Perth’s higher Tariff 3 — about a A$8.00 flagfall and A$3.29/km, well above the standard meter. Wheelchair-only trips are exempt.
SA
A trip with 5 or more passengers is metered on South Australia’s higher Tariff 3/4 scale — about a A$5.20 flagfall and A$2.90/km by day (A$7.00 and A$3.40/km at night and on weekends), above the 1–4 passenger tariff.
ACT
A High Occupancy Taxi carrying 5–7 passengers is metered on a higher tariff — about a A$9.25 flagfall and A$3.80/km by day, roughly 50% above the sedan meter; 8+ passengers is higher again.
NT
A maxi carrying 5+ passengers pays a higher per-kilometre rate — about A$2.49/km by day and A$3.05/km at night — while the flagfall and waiting time stay the same as a sedan.
TAS
A maxi carrying 5 or more passengers is metered on Tasmania’s Tariff 4 (high-occupancy) at any time — about a A$5.90 flagfall and A$3.20/km, above the standard sedan meter.

Maxi taxi fares by city

Open your city for an exact maxi (5–11 seater) estimate on the regulated meter, the local maxi rule and a maxi-vs-sedan comparison:

Maxi cab vs sedan vs WAT · which one do you need?

Frequently asked about maxi taxis & maxi cabs

Short, sourced answers to the most common questions about maxi taxi pricing, vehicle size, the 150% NSW rule and Sydney Airport fixed maxi fare.

What is a maxi taxi?

A maxi taxi (also called a maxi cab, large taxi, van taxi, or 7-seater/11-seater taxi) is a licensed taxi vehicle that seats between 5 and 11 passengers. It is the right choice for any group of 5 or more, airport runs with a lot of luggage, or anyone using a wheelchair (most maxi taxis are wheelchair-accessible).

How is a maxi taxi fare calculated?

A maxi taxi is priced from the same style of regulated meter as a sedan, but most states charge more once 5 or more passengers are carried. NSW applies up to 150% of the whole meter; Victoria adds a flat A$17.80 high-occupancy fee; WA, SA, the ACT, Tasmania and the NT switch to a separate higher maxi tariff (a higher flagfall and/or per-kilometre rate); Queensland adds nothing on the regulated rank or hail meter. The calculator above applies your state’s rule from the passenger count and vehicle type.

When should I book a maxi taxi?

Book a maxi taxi when: (1) you are travelling with 5 or more passengers; (2) you have oversize luggage like surfboards, bicycles or a sound rig that won't fit in a sedan boot; (3) you need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle; or (4) you are running a city-to-airport transfer with a family and several suitcases. For 1–4 passengers and standard luggage, a sedan taxi is the cheaper choice.

How much more does a maxi taxi cost than a regular taxi?

It depends on the state. In NSW it is up to 150% of the meter — a A$30 sedan run becomes about A$45. Victoria adds a flat A$17.80. WA, SA, the ACT and Tasmania switch to a higher maxi tariff that runs roughly 25–50% more than the sedan meter, and the NT lifts the per-kilometre rate by about a third. Queensland adds nothing on a rank or hail trip. Switch the vehicle to "Maxi (5+ pax)" in advanced options for the exact number.

How many passengers can a maxi taxi take?

Australian maxi taxis are licensed for 5 to 11 seated passengers depending on the vehicle. The most common configurations are 5-seater (driver + 5), 7-seater (driver + 7) and 11-seater minivan layouts. Children under 7 must use an approved child restraint regardless of vehicle type.

Is a maxi cab the same as a maxi taxi?

Yes — "maxi cab" and "maxi taxi" are the same vehicle and the same regulated fare. Operators use both names. "Maxi cab" is more common in Sydney and Perth; "maxi taxi" is more common in Melbourne and Brisbane. The price ceiling does not change either way.

Is the Sydney Airport maxi taxi fare also fixed?

Yes. Transport for NSW sets a fixed maxi taxi fare of A$80 for the Sydney Airport → Sydney CBD route (compared to A$60 for a sedan). The fixed maxi fare applies in the same direction (airport to CBD) and on the same regulated maxi rules. The reverse direction (CBD → airport) still runs on the regulated 150% maxi meter.

Can I get a wheelchair-accessible maxi taxi?

Yes — most maxi taxis are also wheelchair-accessible taxis (WATs), and the fare is identical to a regular maxi run. Most states also run a passenger subsidy scheme that pays 50% of the metered fare for eligible passengers, capped at a per-trip amount. Check your state's transport department for eligibility and the current cap.

How do I book a maxi taxi?

Maxi taxis are pre-booked through the same networks as regular taxis (13cabs, Silver Service, Yellow Cabs, Black & White, GoCatch, DiDi). Walk-up at a rank is unreliable — there are far fewer maxis than sedans. Booking 30–60 minutes ahead is recommended; airport pickups should be booked the day before.

Is a maxi taxi cheaper than two regular taxis for 6+ people?

Usually yes. A single maxi is charged at most about 1.5× a sedan meter (and less in many states), whereas two sedans cost 2× — so for any group of 5 or more a single maxi is almost always the lower per-head cost. It also keeps the group together and only needs one booking.

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