It depends entirely on the journey. A local run needs a couple of hours; an early flight with a group in an accessible vehicle needs rather more notice than that.
We are asked this constantly, and the honest answer is that it depends on what you are booking. Here is how we would plan each type of journey.
By journey type
| Journey | Recommended notice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Local journey around Worthing | A couple of hours | We can often help at short notice, but a couple of hours lets us allocate a driver |
| Airport transfer | At least 24 hours | Guarantees a vehicle is reserved against your flight time |
| Very early morning departure | 24 hours or more | Early slots are the first to fill, and there is no margin to fix a problem at 3am |
| Peak periods, bank and school holidays | Several days | Demand across the whole area rises sharply |
| Group travel, six to eight passengers | A few days | Larger vehicles are a smaller part of any fleet |
| Wheelchair accessible vehicle | As early as possible | These are a limited resource and need reserving |
| Wedding or event transport | Months, especially summer Saturdays | Dates and vehicles go early |
| Christmas and New Year | Weeks | The busiest period of the year by a wide margin |
Why pre-booking beats hoping
A pre-booked journey is allocated to a named driver in advance, and you get confirmation with the driver details and the agreed fare. A journey booked at the last minute depends entirely on a car happening to be free at that moment.
That distinction matters most when the stakes are highest. A local run to the shops can be rebooked ten minutes later. A 5am airport transfer cannot.
If you need a taxi now
We run 24 hours a day and we do take short-notice bookings, so it is always worth calling. Ring 01903 500600 and we will tell you honestly whether we can cover it rather than leaving you waiting.
Regular journeys
If you need the same journey repeatedly — a weekly hospital appointment, school transport, a regular shift — it is worth setting it up as a standing arrangement rather than rebooking each time. Account and contract customers get priority scheduling and monthly itemised invoicing, which also takes the admin out of it.
Arrange your transfer
Western Cars Worthing Ltd runs airport and seaport transfers from Worthing and across West Sussex, with fixed prices, flight monitoring and meet and greet available. Call 01903 500600 at any hour, or book online.