Top London Private Sightseeing Tours

There are plenty of excellent private tours available in London. The best tours to book right now based on customer reviews and ratings are: 

• The Premier Classic London: Private 4-Hour Tour in a Black Cab
• Private Tour: Black Taxi Tour of London
• Private Panoramic Tour of London in a Classic Car
• Rock Cab Tours Presents Music Legends Private Taxi Tour of London
• Private Group: Historical Pub Walking Tour of London

Yes, private tours of London are an excellent way to explore the city. If you pick a city sightseeing tour, you can look forward to spotting notable sights and landmarks, such as Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, and beyond. You can also get the inside scoop on a private cultural tour, such as a historical pub crawl. As a bonus, many private tours are also customizable, so you can ask to visit the places you’re most interested in.

Private tours in London typically begin around US$75 per person and go up from there, depending on the length and scope of the tour. Private tours can be on foot or by car—or even in a classic black taxi cab. Note that the cost often includes Central London pickup and drop-off. For pub crawl tours, beverages are typically at your own expense.

Private tours of London typically last at least two hours, though some itineraries stretch to four or five hours, or even up to a full day. Some tours are additionally available with a range of different durations, so you can choose whichever works best for your schedule—or even devise a custom route if you have certain must-see destinations.

Private tours in London almost always include a dedicated guide who’s there to share insights as you explore. Tours with included transit generally offer hotel pickup and drop-off; otherwise, you may meet your guide in a convenient central area. Unless you’re taking a specialized food tour, you will not generally receive refreshments as part of your tour. Note that many private tours only view the outside of major sights; individual attraction tickets are often an additional expense.

Private sightseeing tours in London tend to be more expensive than group tours, but you benefit from your guide’s full attention throughout the experience. You can ask them questions, go at your own pace, and avoid straining to hear them through the crowds. Note that private tours can be conducted on foot, by private car, or by public transportation, so pick a mode of travel to suit your needs.

April to October is the best time for a private sightseeing tour in London, although they’re available year-round. The weather is most pleasant for touring London and nearby areas between spring and fall, making it more comfortable to spend time exploring outdoors. Parts of the city can get very busy in the summer months of July and August, but your guide will usually know how to bypass the crowds on a private tour.

Yes—in fact, private tours tend to be one of the best options for families visiting with younger children, as they’re tailored to your group’s needs and pace, and don’t require that you keep up with a crowd. Many operators can also seat a family or larger party together in one vehicle, which works particularly well in tours conducted by classic black cab or private car.

Yes, many private London tour operators offer flexible booking, and typically display their cancellation terms clearly on tour listings. The majority of tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time, which offers visiting sightseers maximum flexibility. As a result, booking a private London tour can be a convenient way to see the city—even when you want to keep plans relatively spontaneous.

Yes and no—accessibility varies by tour, and not all private London itineraries are accessible to wheelchair users. If you’re looking to travel around the city with minimal hassle, look for private car and black-cab tours, which can often accommodate mobility needs. By contrast, private walking tours or bike tours may not be as accessible.