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. You will see notable sights and landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and the Shard. The live commentary from your guide will help you learn about London’s rich history and contemporary culture. Many private tours are customizable so you can ask to visit the places you’re most interested in.

Private tours in London cost around US$100 and upwards per person for a couple of hours with a private, knowledgeable guide. Private tours can be on foot or by car––or even in a classic black taxi cab. The cost will usually include a central London pick-up and drop-off. For pub crawl tours, beverages are at your own expense.

Many private tours of London last around two hours from pick up/meet up until getting dropped off back at the start point. Your tour operator will create an itinerary for the city’s must-see attractions, such as Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. Many operators will allow you to devise a custom route if you have certain must-see destinations.

A private tour of London is a chance to see some of the city’s world-famous attractions and sights. From the London Eye to Piccadilly Circus, the Tower of London, and the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, you can customize your tour to your personal interests––or let your guide take the lead.

Private tours in London are led by a knowledgeable guide who will share insights and tales of times gone by. Tours with transport generally include a hotel pick-up and drop-off; while walking tours ask you to meet your guide in a central location. Unless you’re taking a specialized foodie tour, you will not generally receive refreshments as part of your tour.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in London aside from private sightseeing tours. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Bus Tours

• Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

• Port Transfers

• Dinner Cruises

• Night Tours

London sightseeing tour prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now: 

• Borough Market and Beyond

• The Harry Potter Walking Tour With Potter-Vision

• Jack the RIPPERS Walk: How MANY RIPPERS Were There?

• Historic London Pub Walk. A Walk Around Belgravia and Her Amazing Pubs

• Guided Rock & Roll Walking Tour of Soho

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

Many private sightseeing tours in London are customizable, so feel free to alter the pace, add attractions, or drop any sights from the itinerary that don’t interest you. Because you have your guide’s undivided attention, you can chat with them about life in London and other topics beyond the immediate scope of the tour to get well-rounded insights into the city.

April to October is the best time for a private sightseeing tour in London, although you can book one year-round. The weather is most pleasant for touring London and nearby areas between spring and fall. 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. You can also enjoy private tours in winter, but factor in the cold weather and shorter daylight hours if you’re heading outside.