How to earn more as a private hire driver this Easter (2026 UK guide)

The Otto TeamMarch 27, 2026

Looking to earn more as a private hire driver this Easter? With demand shifting across the Bank Holiday weekend, knowing when and where to drive can make a significant difference to your earnings.

In this guide, we break down the best times, locations, and strategies to help UK drivers maximise income over Easter - whether you’re driving with Uber, Bolt, or other platforms.

Why Easter can be a high-earning opportunity

Easter weekend creates a unique mix of demand:

Airport transfers increase as people travel
Shopping and leisure trips rise during the day
Evening demand spikes from social events and dining
Bank Holiday schedules shift typical peak hours

For drivers who plan ahead, this can mean higher fares, more trips, and better utilisation of time on the road.

Best times to drive over Easter

Timing is everything. Here’s when demand is typically highest:

Good Friday (Bank Holiday)
Afternoon (2pm-7pm): Shopping and early getaways
Evening (7pm-late): Social events and dining
Saturday
Midday-evening: Retail, leisure, and city travel
Late evening: Strong nightlife demand
Easter Sunday
Morning: Church and family visits
Evening: Increased return journeys and surge pricing
Easter Monday (Bank Holiday)
Afternoon-evening: People returning home
Airport demand peaks

Focus on afternoons and evenings - mornings are usually quieter.

Where to find the most jobs

Location matters just as much as timing.

High-demand areas for Uber drivers to prioritise across the UK:

Airports
Shopping centres & retail parks
City centres and nightlife districts
Train stations & transport hubs

Tip: Avoid staying too long in low-demand residential areas and quickly use the heatmaps in the Uber app to find the high-demand areas to avoid waiting times and increase earnings in busier hotspots.

Have an airport strategy

Easter is one of the busiest travel periods in the UK.

To maximise airport jobs:

Track flight arrivals and delays
Target drop-offs and immediate pickups
Avoid long queue times - time is money

Drivers who plan airport runs properly often secure longer, higher-value trips.

Tip: Check out our helpful airport guides for London and Manchester airports - sharing everything you need to know about airport drop-off charges.

Maximise your cost savings with your EV

Easter is the perfect time to squeeze every bit of value out of your electric vehicle (EV). Earning more isn't just about driving more - it's also about reducing your costs.

Fuel and general car expenses can significantly impact your take-home income. That's why so many drivers are switching to electric due to the lower running costs and reduced maintenance.

Smart tips to keep more of what you earn:

Plan your charging stops: Use off-peak hours or free public charging where available to keep costs low.
Precondition your battery: With British weather being so unpredictable, preconditioning your car while it’s still plugged in helps get the cabin to a comfortable temperature before you set off - and it boosts your range and overall efficiency too.
Use regenerative braking and eco mode: Maximise your range and reduce charging costs by using regenerative braking and eco mode - helping you stay on the road longer and keep more of what you earn.
Look after your EV: Regular checks to look after your EV battery and other checks like maintaining proper tyre pressure - help improve efficiency, reduce energy use, and keep your charging costs down.

Tip: Want to see how much you could be saving with your EV? Check out our EV cost-savings guide for private hire drivers.

Drive smarter with Otto Car

Explore our wide range of electric cars on our Rent to Buy or PCO Car Hire plans, designed to fit your needs as a private hire driver.

Already know the car you want? Visit one of our London hubs or call us on 0203 995 1316 – our friendly Otto Team is always here to help!