Quick Summary :
UK clocks go back on Sunday, 25 October 2026, giving travellers an extra hour but potentially causing confusion with early airport pickups. This guide explains how the BST-to-GMT change affects minicab bookings, why pickups between 1:00 am and 2:00 am need special confirmation, and how to prepare for a smooth airport journey with MiniCabRide.
Table of Contents
UK clocks go back from 2:00 am British Summer Time (BST) to 1:00 am Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on Sunday 25 October 2026, meaning the hour from 1:00 am to 2:00 am will occur twice. Your flight time will not change, since it’s always in local time, but any transfer booked during the clock change period needs confirmation. Most of us like an extra hour in bed, but that later wake-up call can cause confusion if you have a dawn departure on 25 October. A pickup due in the early hours could be at either time, and a phone that has been updated while the car clock or watch hasn’t could set the wrong alarm. A few simple checks before the weekend will ensure your airport Pickup transfer arrives on time.
When Do the Clocks Go Back to the UK in 2026?
The clocks go back to GMT at 2:00 am on Sunday 25 October 2026. BST finishes and GMT resumes, so the clocks are turned back to 1:00 am. The clocks will then go forward again at 2:00 am on Sunday 28 March 2027.
Smartphones, tablets and most laptops update themselves, but older watches, oven clocks, bedside alarms and some car clocks and watches need to be adjusted manually. Set these the night before, and if you plan to rely on an alarm for an early flight, use your phone instead of a bedside clock.
Do Clocks Going Back Affect Flight Times?
Not directly, since your flight departure and arrival times are given in local time at each airport. If your ticket says 7:15 am, the aircraft leaves the airport at 7:15 am local time on that day. However, you should consider two clock-related issues.
First, the changeover weekend sees airlines switch to their winter schedules, so check with your airline that your departure time hasn’t changed.
Secondly, other countries change their clocks on either side of the UK changeover. In particular, the US changes its clocks on 1 November 2026, so the time difference will change for a week. If you need to call the US or connect through New York, remember to adjust for the new time difference.
How the Clock Change Affects Your Early Airport Pickup
The main issue around the clock change is that an hour occurs twice. For example, if you have a transfer arranged for 1:30 am on 25 October, it could be either of the two hours between 1:00 am and 2:00 am. In normal circumstances, there would be nothing wrong with this, since BST is reverted to GMT and the hour only occurs once. However, a few passenger flights are likely to depart between 1:00 am and 2:00 am on 25 October, and a transfer to an early-morning check-in or a late-night arrival could fall within that period.
Pickups after 2:00 am BST/GMT are straightforward, since the clock has finished changing and only occurs once. Nevertheless, confusion can still arise if someone has set an alarm on an old clock or watch that doesn’t account for the clock change, or if they have added or subtracted an hour from BST/GMT incorrectly. If you’re travelling on or around the changeover, the best way to be sure is to request confirmation of your booking details.
Remember that you may need more time to arrive at the airport Pickup for check-in. Check your airline’s check-in and bag-drop opening and closing times, since many airports ask passengers to arrive 2 or 3 hours before departure and work backwards from that.
How to Confirm Your MiniCabRide Booking Time for Your Airport Pickup?
When you book with MiniCabRide, you get instant confirmation by email and SMS. Make sure the booking date, pickup time, address, and airport Pickup match your flight details. Check with your airline, and if they have changed your flight time for the winter schedule, update the transfer accordingly. If your pickup time is between 1:00 am and 2:00 am on 25 October, call or email us to confirm which hour you mean.
We can also update you on any changes to your flight time. Please note that we ask that all airport transfers be booked at least two hours ahead, so please make any adjustments well in advance of the weekend.
We can also confirm that our airport Pickup transfers include real-time flight monitoring, so that your driver can adjust if your flight is early or delayed. Fares are fixed, with no surcharges for early or late pickups, and cancellations are free if your plans change.
Tips for Planning an Early Airport Pickup Transfer on 25 October
Set an alarm on your phone for the morning of your flight. If you have an old clock or watch that doesn’t keep time, set it for the morning too. Adjust any old analogue clocks and watches the night before.
Please quote your flight number so we can monitor it. Add extra time for traffic, since roads can be surprisingly busy in the early hours, especially if you are travelling with children, luggage or sports equipment. If you need a child seat, please request it in advance. Save our airport Pickup transfer number in your phone so you can contact us quickly if needed: 0044 207 0050 090. Check the weather forecast or any travel advisories, since fog and rain are more common in the autumn. If you can, book an airport Pickup transfer back at the same time as your journey out to avoid the clock change affecting your return as well.
Early Airport Pickup Transfers: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City
Early departures are busiest at many airports, and each has different characteristics.
- Heathrow. The UK’s busiest airport has multiple terminals, so check which one you are due to depart from when your driver sets off. Early departures are common, so Heathrow airport taxi transfers are popular for pre-dawn pickups from places such as Fulham and Gerrards Cross.
- Gatwick. Gatwick Airport has both North and South terminals, and pickups from south London and south-west London are likely to be farther away. See our Gatwick airport taxi transfers for more information.
- Stansted. Many budget airlines operate from Stansted, and it’s a long drive from central London. Our Stansted airport taxi transfers can take you from north and east London, including Gants Hill and Beckton.
- Luton. Another budget airline airport, popular with north Londoners for its early departures. See our Luton airport taxi transfers for more information.
- London City. The closest UK airport to central London, popular with business travellers for its early departures. London City taxi transfers tend to offer the shortest journey from Canary Wharf and Greenwich.
- Southend. Flights from Southend Airport are available for those who want to fly from Essex’s coast. See our Southend airport taxi transfers for more information, or browse all our airport pickup transfer options.
FAQs
When do the clocks go back in 2026?
At 2:00 am on Sunday 25 October 2026, when clocks go back to 1:00 am GMT.
Do flight times change when the clocks go back?
No. Flight times are always given in local time, so your aircraft will still leave the airport Pickup at the printed or announced time. Airlines will, however, be changing to their winter timetables around the changeover weekend, so check with your airline.
What if my pickup is between 1:00 am and 2:00 am on 25 October?
That hour will occur twice, so contact MiniCabRide to confirm your booking, and check any airline notifications.
Will my MiniCabRide Airport Pickup booking time change automatically?
We’ll confirm your MiniCabRide airport Pickup transfer booking by email and SMS, so check that the pickup time shown is correct. If you have a transfer around the changeover, contact our 24/7 support team to double-check your details.
Can MiniCabRide track my flight for Your Airport Pickup?
Yes. All airport Pickup transfers include real-time flight tracking, so your driver can update you if your departure is delayed or leaves early.
How far ahead should I book an early airport Pickup transfer?
We recommend booking at least two hours in advance, although earlier is always better for transfers before dawn. You can book up to 12 months in advance.
Book Your Airport Pickup Transfer with MiniCabRide
Make your 25 October journey one less thing to worry about. Book a fixed-fare airport transfer with instant email and SMS confirmation, real-time flight monitoring and 24/7 support with our airport taxi and chauffeur services, and double-check your pickup time before the clocks change. Book your MiniCabRide airport transfer with us online, or call 0044 207 0050 090.
