Most people see a new city from the top deck of a bus, wedged between strangers, straining to hear the commentary over the traffic. It does the job. It's also nothing like seeing the same streets from the back seat of a classic Rolls-Royce, on a route planned around you, with nobody hurrying you along.
A private city tour by car turns sightseeing into an occasion. You choose the stops, the pace and the car. Because the car waits for you, you can hop out at the places you care about and skip the ones you don't.
Here's how people use them, and how to plan one that works.
Anniversaries
An anniversary tour works best when it's personal. Revisit the places that matter to the two of you: where you met, where you got engaged, the restaurant from your first date. Give a good chauffeur a list of addresses and they'll happily build a route around it.
Evening tours are lovely for this. London is at its best after dark, when the bridges and the buildings along the South Bank are lit up. Finish at a restaurant and let the car take you home afterwards. Add dinner and theatre hire and the whole evening is planned in one booking.
Birthdays
For a milestone birthday, a city tour gives the day a shape. Start with a pickup from home. Take in a few landmarks, stop for lunch or afternoon tea, then finish somewhere for drinks. It feels like an event without the hassle of hosting one.
The car can be part of the present, too. Someone who grew up dreaming about a particular model will get a real kick out of being driven around in one, whether that's a vintage Bentley, an American classic or a modern Rolls-Royce. Our birthday and anniversary cars page has plenty of ideas.
Showing visitors around
When family or friends fly in from abroad, you want them to see the best of the place in the time they have. That's harder than it sounds. Public transport means lots of walking and changes, and driving yourself means hunting for a parking space near every landmark.
A private tour fixes both problems. In three or four hours you can cover what might take a full day on foot. In London, that could mean Buckingham Palace, Westminster, St Paul's and Tower Bridge. In Edinburgh, it's the Royal Mile and the view from Calton Hill. York has the Minster and the medieval city walls, and Bath squeezes the Royal Crescent, the Circus and the Abbey into one compact centre. Older relatives will be especially grateful for the comfortable seat between stops.
It works brilliantly at the end of a trip as well. Pair the tour with an airport transfer and your guests can see the sights on the way to their flight. Leave plenty of time, though, and check the boot is big enough for the luggage.
Corporate guests
Hosting clients, partners or a visiting team? A city tour is a relaxed way to spend time together outside the meeting room. People remember it in a way they never remember another business dinner.
Executive cars and people carriers suit these bookings best. They're comfortable, discreet and professional, and the driver can collect guests from their hotel and drop them back afterwards. Plenty of companies use a tour to fill the gap between a morning meeting and an evening event. If you're arranging something for work, take a look at corporate car hire.
Hen and stag dos
A tour is a great way to kick off the day. Collect the group, stop at a few landmarks for photos, then head to the first activity or bar. A limousine or party bus keeps everyone together, which matters more than you'd think when you're trying to move twelve people across a city centre. Browse hen and stag do vehicles to find one that fits your group. Check the supplier's alcohol policy before the day, as it varies from one to the next.
Choosing the right car
Match the car to the mood.
- Classic and vintage cars are perfect for couples and photographs. They're smaller and gentler, so plan a shorter route.
- Modern luxury cars bring air conditioning, quiet and comfort. They're ideal for longer tours, older passengers and business guests.
- Limousines are all about fun, and suit birthdays and groups of friends.
- Minibuses and coaches make sense for large family groups and corporate parties.
You can see the full range on our vehicle types page.
Planning tips
A little preparation goes a long way.
- Keep it to three or four hours. Any longer and people start to flag, particularly in summer.
- Pick five or six stops, not fifteen. City traffic is slow, and you'll want time to get out at each one.
- Send the route in advance. Your driver can check for road closures and work out where it's safe to stop.
- Ask about commentary. Chauffeurs know their cities well, but most aren't qualified tour guides. If you'd like the history in detail, book a guide to come along.
- Think about timing. Mid-morning on a weekday, once the rush hour has passed, is often easiest. Early on a Sunday is quieter still.
- Check what's included. In London, ask whether the Congestion Charge and any parking are covered in the price.
Plan your tour
Whatever you're celebrating, a private tour lets you see a city on your own terms. Browse city tour car hire, find vehicles near you on the locations page, or tell us what you have in mind. Give us the occasion and the city, and we'll help you find the right car.
