While Transport for London is set to increase black cab prices by 1.7% in April, a recent survey highlighted black cabs are already 36% more expensive than booking a minicab and are an eye-watering 64% more during busy times and with traffic.

The survey discovered the disparities when it compared travel options and conditions on eight typical commuting and leisure routes, at 6pm which is peak travel time.

The survey found that the journey from Paddington to Heathrow Terminal 1 was 121-144% more expensive in a black cab than it would have been in a minicab; had two people taken the Heathrow Express it would have cost them 70% more than if they had taken a minicab.

Justin Peters, CEO of cab booking service Kabbee, said: “Even former black cab ‘sweet spots’ like short journeys in the City are being eroded and will disappear further when the next round of fare increases hit in April. In the meantime, longer, ‘special’ journeys like those to the airport are starting to look as if they’re only affordable via minicab.

“Looking at these results, it’s clear that consumers and businesses looking to cut back in 2013 could do a lot worse than assess whether they’re spending more than they need to be on getting around London.”

The survey also revealed that tube fares have risen so much in recent years that sharing a minicab with three other people is now as cost-effective as taking the underground on some routes.

For example, four passengers in a minicab from Tottenham Court Road to Hampstead would pay £2.95 per person; the Oyster fare if they took the tube would be £2.80 per person.

It is actually cheaper for 4 people to travel by black cab (£5.50, assuming no traffic) or minicab (£6.40) between Euston and Angel than to take the tube (£8.40).