Written by the Sydenham Mini Cabs team. Last updated .
When five people is the awkward number
Four fits in a normal car. Five does not, and that is the moment most people first ring us about a bigger vehicle.
Think of a couple with three children. Two parents and two grown up kids with a grandparent along. Five colleagues going to the same meeting. In every one of these, a second saloon would mean two fares, two pickups to coordinate and a split group at the other end.
A 6 seater MPV minicab puts the whole party together. It usually costs less than two saloons, and the driver only has one address to find.
What a six seat MPV is like inside
An MPV is taller than a saloon and has three rows of seats. Passengers sit two in the front row beside and behind the driver area, and the rest across the middle and rear rows, depending on the model.
The higher roof makes it easier to get in and out. That matters for older passengers and for parents leaning in to fasten a child. Sliding rear doors on many models are a help in narrow Sydenham streets, where parked cars leave little room.
The exact vehicle varies. If you need a particular layout, such as a rear row that an adult can sit in comfortably for two hours, say so when you book.
Six passengers and their luggage
Here is the honest part. Seats and suitcases compete for the same space.
With six people on board, the boot of a typical MPV takes around four medium cases or three large ones, plus soft bags. With five on board there is a little more room. If you are six adults with six large cases, you need the 8 seater minibus, and we will tell you so.
A simple guide
| Party | What usually fits |
|---|---|
| 5 passengers | 4 large cases and hand luggage |
| 6 passengers | 3 large cases or 4 medium, plus hand luggage |
| 6 passengers, no cases | Coats, shopping and a folded pushchair |
These are typical figures and models differ. Describe your bags on the phone and we will confirm.
Airport runs for families
The MPV is our most requested car for family holidays. Children, car seats, a pushchair and a fortnight of clothes soon overflow a saloon.
For flights from the south, see the minicab from Sydenham to Gatwick Airport page. The drive takes about an hour, and everyone arrives together. For long haul trips, the Sydenham to Heathrow Airport taxi page explains the terminals. For low cost flights, look at Sydenham to Stansted Airport transfers.
On the way home, give us your flight number. The driver follows the landing time and meets you in arrivals if you book meet and greet.
Child seats in a 6 seater
Families with young children should mention ages when they book. Child seats are available on request, and fitting two or three of them changes how many adults the car can carry.
A baby seat or a toddler seat takes up a full place. With three small children in seats, an MPV comfortably carries two or three adults as well. We will work through the seating with you.
Bring your own seats if you prefer. Many parents do, particularly when they will need them in a hire car abroad.
Days out from Sydenham with the whole family
Not every booking involves a suitcase. A six seater is handy for outings where parking is expensive or scarce.
- Greenwich for the park, the Cutty Sark and the Maritime Museum
- The Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill
- The South Bank and the London Eye
- Chessington, Thorpe Park or Legoland for the bigger adventures
- Bluewater or Westfield for a family shopping trip
The driver drops you at the entrance and collects you at an agreed time. Nobody circles a car park, and the adults can all relax.
Evenings out and celebrations
Five or six friends heading into town is another classic MPV job. A birthday meal in Dulwich, cocktails at London Bridge, a show in the West End.
Book the return before you leave. Late at night, six seat vehicles are in demand, and a booked car is a guaranteed car. Our Sydenham to Charing Cross Station taxi page has tips on meeting your driver after the theatre.
Hospital visits and older passengers
A taller vehicle is easier for anyone with stiff knees or a walking frame. Families often book a six seater so that relatives can travel with a patient to King's College Hospital, Lewisham Hospital or Guy's.
Frames and folding wheelchairs go in the boot. If a passenger needs to stay in their wheelchair for the journey, ask for a wheelchair accessible vehicle, which we provide on request.
Is a 6 seater or a 7 seater better for you?
It depends on the split between people and bags.
Choose the six seater when you are five or six people with luggage, because fewer seats in use leaves more boot. Choose the 7 seater taxi when you are seven passengers travelling light, such as a night out or a short local trip.
If you tell us numbers and bags, we will suggest the right one. We would rather recommend the correct size than have you squashed.
Regular bookings
Some groups travel together every week. A five a side team heading to their pitch. Parents sharing a school run taxi with children from the same street. Colleagues on the same early shift.
We can set up a repeating booking with the same vehicle size each time. Regular customers can open an account and pay weekly.
Moving day, students and bulky loads
An MPV with the rear seats folded has a long, flat load space. Students moving into halls, families collecting flat pack furniture from Croydon and musicians with amplifiers have all made use of it. Tell us what you are carrying. The driver is not a removal service, but two passengers with a carload of boxes is a perfectly normal job.
Where we pick up
We collect from every road in SE26 and from the surrounding postcodes. That includes Sydenham Hill, Upper Sydenham, Lower Sydenham and Bell Green.
If your street is narrow or has width restrictions, tell us. An MPV is longer than a saloon, and the driver may suggest stopping at the end of the road. Neighbours in SE20 and SE6 can use our Anerley taxi and Bellingham taxi pages.
Booking and price
Call 020 8778 8888 or use the form at the top of this page and choose the MPV option. We quote a price before you confirm. The fare for a six seater is higher than for a saloon, but lower than paying for two cars.
Pay by card or cash. For airport journeys, ask what the quote includes.
6 seater taxi questions
How many passengers can a 6 seater taxi carry?
Up to six passengers plus the driver. Children count as passengers, and each child seat uses one place.
How much luggage fits with six people?
Typically three large cases or four medium ones, plus hand luggage. With five passengers there is more room. Tell us what you have and we will check.
Is a 6 seater cheaper than two saloon cars?
In most cases, yes. One larger vehicle normally costs less than two standard cars making the same journey. We will quote both if you want to compare.
Can I book a 6 seater at short notice?
Often, but not always. There are fewer MPVs than saloons on the road at any time. For airports and evenings, book ahead to be certain.
Do you provide child seats in the MPV?
Child seats are available on request. Give us the ages of the children when you book so that the right seats are fitted.
Can a folding wheelchair go in the boot?
Yes. A folded wheelchair or walking frame fits in the boot of an MPV. If the passenger needs to remain in the wheelchair, ask for an accessible vehicle.
Can we be picked up from two addresses?
Yes. Tell us each address when you book. An extra pickup may change the fare slightly, and we will confirm the price before you travel.