The best private London tours: City car tours and experiences

Enjoy an exclusive tour experience tailored to your needs and see the best of the city and beyond on the best private London tours.
Sigrun Tomicki
Written by Sigrun Tomicki Edited by Jonny Payne 01 December 2025
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Spend quality time with friends and family or go on a solo sightseeing trip, all in comfort, with these private car tours.

Private tours offered by Visit London include return transportation from central London accommodation and can be tailored, where possible, to fit your requirements. Customise your itinerary to spend more time at certain locations or request guides who can speak specific languages.

Many tours take in key historical towns and attractions near London, providing a stress-free journey in the comfort of your own chauffeur-driven vehicle... Explore Harry Potter filming locations, delve into English history at Stonehenge or see the grand Windsor Castle and more... you can even visit Paris!

London private tours by car

Explore the capital with your very own guide on these London private tours by car. Travel in comfort, as your guide shows you iconic landmarks and tells you more about their history.

Don't miss spectacular St Paul's Cathedral. Credit: Golden Tours. Image courtesy of Golden Tours.

See some of London's most iconic landmarks on this panoramic tour of London. Choose between a full-day tour, which includes entry to Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London, or opt for the half-day tour that provides a quicker look, without entry. Both tours include plenty of photo opportunities outside St Paul’s Cathedral as well as pick-up and drop-off in a luxury private car.

 

Top tip: This tour is perfect for first-time visitors if you want to see all the highlights of London in one day accompanied by a knowledgeable guide.

Millennium Bridge, a steel suspension bridge for pedestrians crossing the river Thames in London, linking Bankside with the City of London. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

Travel in a classic London black cab and visit your favourite Harry Potter filming locations. Your driver shares behind-the-scenes stories with you and can tailor the commentary and film trivia to the group. It’s the ultimate tour for Harry Potter fans and families wishing to experience the filming locations in a more private setting at their own pace. Your tour includes the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron, the secret entry to the Ministry of Magic, as well as a walk over the Millennium Bridge or the famous Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross station.

 

Top tip: Ask your guide to show you the Harry Potter Statue in Leicester Square for a perfect Harry-Potter-Photo-Op.

Private tour from London

Enjoy a day trip with one of these private tours from London, letting you explore different locations in England and abroad in the comfort of your personal luxury vehicle.

Explore the Cotswolds on a guided tour from London. Credit: Shutterstock. Image courtesy of Golden Tours.

Explore three Cotswolds villages in one day in the company of a private guide.  Walk through Bibury and its famous Arlington Row of honey-coloured cottages. Enjoy the views at Bourton-on-the-Water also termed “the Venice of the Cotswolds” and stop at one of the tea rooms and antique shops in the market town of Stow-on-the Wold. As this is a slow-paced tour of the English countryside there is plenty of time to relax while exploring each location.

 

Top tip:  If you fancy seeing other areas, just let your guide know so you can explore lesser-known but potentially even prettier villages.

Warwick Castle and gardens. Image courtesy of Getty Images / iStockphoto.

Discover the English countryside on a day out with your very own private car and knowledgeable tour guide. Your package includes entry to Warwick Castle, which gives a taste of medieval Britain, and a visit to Stratford-Upon-Avon, the home of famous playwright William Shakespeare. Your guide knows the best places away from the crowds and don’t hesitate to ask about the best photo spots for memorable moments.

 

Top tip: Don't hesitate to ask your guide if you want to stay a bit longer at any of the locations.

Stonehenge on a bright day. Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Spend your day exploring three locations west of London, including Eton town and entry to Windsor Castle and Stonehenge. Learn facts about Windsor Castle from your tour guide and discover the mythical stone circle at Stonehenge. Don't miss the visitor centre at Stonehenge which houses many artefacts and offers more information about the objects and stone circle itself.

 

Top tip: If you want to beat the crowds, ask your private driver to pick you up early from your central London location.

Diagon Alley in the snow © Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.

Get a behind-the-scenes look into the Harry Potter films at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour as you see costumes, sets and props, and find out more about the special effects and animatronics that made the films a huge success. Your private car return transfer from your central London hotel allows for an intimate and relaxed travel experience, away from public transport. This tour is a must for any Harry Potter fans.

 

Top tip: If your accommodation isn't in central London but within the M25 and you prefer to sit in an electric vehicle and receive a bottle of water, the Harry Potter Studio Tour London with VIP Electric Transportation might be your best choice.

Enjoy a day trip to Paris from London © Shutterstock. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

Meet your driver-guide upon arrival at Gare du Nord in Paris, following your journey from London on the Eurostar. Spot highlights including Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe and Trocadero. You’ll also receive entry to the renowned Louvre (or Musée D'Orsay on Tuesdays), where you have the chance to see the world-famous Mona Lisa painting. Venture up the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the views of Paris's skyline from the second floor. For a change of perspective, board a river Seine cruise and spot famous monuments from the river before making your way back to London.  

 

Top tip: Your lunch break is usually 45 minutes; however if you need more time to taste French delicacies, timings can easily be adjusted as long as it fits into the driver's working hours.

Shop til' you drop at Bicester Village. Image courtesy of Bicester Village. Image courtesy of Golden Tours.

Located one hour from London, Bicester Village is a luxury shopping destination with boutiques offering up to 60% off from brands such as Alexander McQueen, Yves Saint Laurent and Valentino to name a few. Whether you’re a fashionista or simply looking for a different kind of shopping adventure, more than 160 boutiques, cafes and restaurants, as well as photo ops spots and art exhibitions, make this a fabulous day out. Your private transfer to and from the village allows for a well-rounded experience. 

 

Top tip: Your VIP pass offers 10% off selected retailers and you don't have to worry about carrying your bags as this is a hands-free shopping service.

Private London tours offer a variety of different destinations and do not follow a strict timetable. The tours can be adjusted to your needs for a truly unique experience. You also have the option to choose between two car types, depending on the size of the group. Most tours come with a driver and a knowledgeable guide who provides plenty of interesting facts and information about each location you visit. If you are looking to join a bigger tour, you can find plenty other London tours as well as our pick of the best day trips from London with Visit London.

More to know about private tours in London

Private tours in London are some of the best and most comfortable ways to travel and explore locations in the city and beyond. The private tours are more flexible, which means you can explore at your own pace, extend the trip where needed and stay longer at your favourite locations (which comes at an extra cost). Since groups are small, guides can focus on the individuals within the group and adjust the information they provide to suit their interests.

How do private tours work in London?

Drivers collect you from your central London accommodation at the agreed meeting time, with the guide on board – Golden Tours uses professional drivers and dedicated tour guides. Your guide offers you a pre-arranged itinerary that you can either agree on or customise. There is an allocated time for lunch of around 45 minutes for each private tour, which can be adjusted if needed and guides can provide you with insights on where to eat. Some tours include entry to certain attractions, where applicable, but half-day tours usually do not. At the end of the tour, the driver takes you back to your pick-up location.

Are private tours and guides in London worth it?

Private tours are worth it if you are looking for a personalised and less crowded sightseeing experience, as the guides and drivers can customise the tour to your specific needs. There are options to add an extra tour stop and even include special requests (for example, a special occasion), given advance notice. The hand-picked tour guides offer vast knowledge, professionalism and bring their personality to the tour - they do their best to make this a truly unique experience.

How do I book a private tour in London?

Click on the “find out more” buttons on this page and you will be redirected to the booking page, where you can book your tickets.