Hire A Private Driver In London (Ultimate Guide 2024)
Are you planning to hire a private driver in London? If so, this article will help you find the best personal driver in London.
London is the capital and most populous city of England and the United Kingdom. Standing on the River Thames in south-east England, London has been a major settlement for two millennia.
London was founded by the Romans, who named it Londinium. London’s ancient core, the City of London, largely retains its 1.12-square-mile medieval boundaries. Today London is one of the world’s leading business, financial, and cultural centers, and remains an important global city.
London has a diverse range of peoples and cultures that have come into contact with one another over many centuries to create a truly global metropolis. It is also home to Europe’s largest number of multi-national corporations which makes it a cosmopolitan city.
In this article, we will go through why you should hire a personal driver with a car or hire a chauffeur service in London.
Hiring a driver in London with a car will give you the flexibility of doing things at your own pace whether it is a business trip or a personal vacation.
So, let’s get started and take a look below why hiring a driver is the best way to travel around London and where to hire a private driver.
Should you hire a private driver in London?
One of the most personalised services London offers is car hire. You can hire the safest car of the best quality or search for the cheapest rates.
Hire a London private driver is an excellent alternative to hiring a taxi in the event you’re not sure how long you’re going to drive in London.
Hiring a private driver in London is the most comfortable way to travel in London for tourists or for business trips. It is also an excellent alternative to hiring a taxi in the event you’re not sure how long you’re going to drive in London.
Many car hire firms will give you a portable meter to record your journeys, allowing you to keep better track of your mileage. It is usually significantly more expensive than a regular taxi but the rate is worth every penny when it comes to peace of mind.
Many of the firms that offer private drivers have various packages including full-day car hire that will reduce the cost of the service especially if you are traveling in a group.
If you hire a driver, it will make your travels easy and enjoyable. You may have to spend a long time in the car hence it is good to plan ahead to make sure you hire a good driver who communicates well and who you can get along with.
If you are thinking about whether you should travel in public transportation, taxis, ride-sharing, or hire a private driver in London, it is worth thinking about the flexibility and comfort you want when you are on vacation or on a business trip.
Especially if you are in a group, it may work out better if you hire a private driver for a day and explore a few places where is it difficult to go by public transportation.
The amount you would have to pay in a taxi, public transportation, ride-sharing would most likely be not much more than hiring a driver for a day.
For example, if you catch a taxi and public transportation to go to 4 places in London, it may be a similar price as you would hire a driver for half a day.
Where can you go with a private driver?
When you hire a private driver, you can plan your day the way you want.
You can hire a driver for a day and you can create your itinerary. One day you can just go to different beaches, explore the city and its surrounding places and another day you can go on a road trip.
Most drivers will work with you when you book them for a day and they can also recommend some of the must-see places to visit in London.
Below are some of the things you can do in London and some places to visit with a private driver.
London Eye
The London Eye is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London. It is Europe’s most popular paid tourist attraction, with over 3.75 million visitors annually.
It’s a 135-meter Ferris wheel that offers visitors panoramic views of the capital city. The rise to the top takes 30 minutes, and then you have a choice of going around once or twice. You can also purchase tickets for an adjoining observation deck, which provides views of London from 20 meters up.
The London Eye was designed by architects David Marks and Julia Barfield, with engineering work being carried out by British firm Rolt-Kennerly. It took three years to construct, with an estimated cost of £70 million. When it opened in 2000, over 1 million people travelled on the wheel in its first year alone!
It is located on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. It offers views over the entire city, especially of Central London and its landmarks such as Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and St Paul’s Cathedral.
The world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel when it opened to the public in 2000, it was overtaken in height by the Singapore Flyer in 2008, but regained its title in 2011.
Soho
Soho is an area of Central London, England. It is located in the City of Westminster on the south side of central London, just east of Oxford Street.
Soho in London is a vibrant, multicultural area with a thriving arts centre, restaurants and bars. It is home to the famous Soho Theatre, an artistic hub for theatre, comedy and live music.
It is one of the most densely populated parts of London, with almost 50,000 people per square kilometer. And it’s no wonder why.
Whether you want to walk around with friends or just read a book by yourself, Soho is the perfect destination for all kinds of people and interests.
Soho offers some of the best shopping on Oxford Street and has many different market stalls to browse through – from vintage fashion to handbags.
There are also some fantastic bars and restaurants here too!
There are plenty of pubs for a drink or two if you fancy a nice afternoon pint. And it’s famous for its nightclubs too – there’s always somewhere to go out at night.
Oxford Street
Oxford Street is the main shopping street in London. It starts near Oxford Circus and ends at Marble Arch, and is about 1.2 miles long. At one point it was the busiest shopping street in the world. Back in the 1960s, there were over 300 retail outlets on Oxford Street.
However, by 2016, this number had dropped to 168 stores and today Oxford Street has become a tourist attraction with only half of its shops selling items for regular customers. These days, tourists tend to purchase souvenirs such as postcards and T-shirts from Oxford Street’s many souvenir shops that line the street.
Oxford Street has many major department stores, including Selfridges, John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, Hamleys, Debenhams and Primark. It is also home to numerous smaller specialist shops such as Apple Stores, Topshop/Topman, Zara and H&M.
Oxford Street is popular with tourists visiting London. Many famous people have visited Oxford Street for both work and pleasure.
Leicester Square
Leicester Square is considered to be one of the world’s greatest entertainment districts. It is a well-known landmark in London and draws in over 20 million visitors per year.
Leicester Square was built in 1827 and is a landmark in London, England. It is a well-known landmark that attracts about 20 million visitors every year. Leicester Square consists of a large square that extends into five smaller lanes, with all but two being pedestrianized.
The site also features a huge cinema complex, hotels, restaurants, and offices for rent. Leicester Square has been used as a filming location for many movies such as Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and The World’s End. Leicester Square also hosts many festivals throughout the year.
With its iconic buildings, museums, and bustling nightlife, there is no shortage of things to do in Leicester Square. If you’re looking for a change of pace from the hustle and bustle of central London, this is the perfect spot to explore. Whether you want to explore the architecture or take in some culture, Leicester Square has something for everyone.
While it may not be as well-known as some other sights in London, Leicester Square still has plenty to offer visitors. Highlights include the Royal Opera House, which houses some impressive performances by some of the world’s most famous opera singers; Madame Tussauds Wax Museum; and the National Gallery. Other attractions include Planet Hollywood restaurant; trendy bars where you can have a few drinks and have a great night.
More: Things to do in London
How to find a driver in London?
One of the ways you can find a personal driver or a chauffeur in Dubai is by searching on Google like “personal driver in London”, “private driver in London” or “chauffeur in London”.
You will find a few websites of businesses and you can check their review online before you approach them.
You can also search on the marketplace like TripAdvisor.com or Viator.com to check available deals.
However, the best thing is to ask your family or friends who may have visited London or who lives in London to recommend a driver they trust.
Should you connect with random drivers using WhatsApp?
If you are thinking to connect with a total stranger through platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook then you have to keep in mind that once you contact them, they will know your phone number and they may know some personal information.
Giving out your phone number to a stranger can be risky. Once you give out your number to someone, they can save your phone number on their phone. They will then be able to see your pictures, profile details, and other information through WhatsApp/social media and other technologies.
To avoid this situation, it is best to stay anonymous when you contact drivers. You can perhaps use your email address which isn’t your main email address so even if someone has your email address, you can simply add an email address to a block list if you don’t want to hear from someone.
Should you connect with random drivers on Facebook or Facebook Groups?
It depends on who is recommending drivers to you on Facebook. Is it someone you trust or is it your friend on Facebook?
You will find that once you ask for a recommendation on Facebook Group, you will be overwhelmed with responses from drivers you do not know.
You may get some recommendations from group members as well. If you know them and trust their advice, then you can look into the details.
If you don’t want to share your Facebook profiles with strangers, then you should not post on public pages. You will find that taking advice from strangers on Facebook who you do not know and trust, is not the best idea.
How about Forums like TripAdvisor to connect with drivers in London?
You may have asked yourself, how about drivers in London recommended in Forums?
It is confusing and can be a major problem. Who do you trust, and which businesses are getting true reviews?
You don’t want to book a business based on just reviews. You should contact the driver, send them anonymous private messages with all your questions.
Only give your contact details if you truly think the driver understands your requirements and you would like to work with them.
This way it will minimize the risk of giving your contact details to several people.
Should you book drivers from your hotel?
Booking through a hotel can be an option but it will work out to be quite expensive, costing you extra.
You may find that if a private driver costs you $400 when you research yourself however some hotels may quote you around $500 for the same service.
It is always recommended to plan your trip in advance. Like anything in life, if you book or buy something last minute you may end up paying a bit more. We recommend that you plan your trip in advance.
Where else can you book a private driver for London?
When you arrive in London, you can look for Uber drivers. You can simply approach them and ask them if you can book them for a whole day.
Most of the drivers may be alright with it and some may not be as they may not want to work all day or may not be available on the day you like to book them.
However, you will be able to see plenty of Uber drivers especially in the London area so you can approach them and ask questions.
What you should look for a driver in London?
We look for the below criteria in a driver when we register them on our website. We recommend you look below:
English speaking driver:
You should choose a driver who speaks English and who can communicate with you. It is important that they can be able to understand your requirements and understand how they work.
An overall understanding, communication, and knowledge about the itinerary planned out for the day.
Humble:
They should be humble and should always not be aggressive in any situation and patient. They should be flexible about pickup and drop-off times and work with you to plan the trip that meets all your requirements.
Local Experience:
Ideally, your driver should be a Dubai local and should have knowledge about the places you are visiting.
License and Insurance:
If they are driving a taxi or working for a ride-sharing company, they will have a license and insurance. However, you should ask them to show their license in case you can’t see it in the car.
All-inclusive package:
You should hire a driver in Dubai who has included everything in their tour package. They should include any tolls, petrol, parking fees, etc.
Some places will have entrance fees that will not be included, you will need to pay for a ticket, however entrance fees do not apply for most drivers.
Do you have to pay for waiting time?
Most of the drivers do not charge for waiting time. For the private tour, you should arrange a pick-up time and a meeting point with your driver in advance to avoid any confusion.
If there are any changes to your plan, you should inform the driver and reschedule the pickup time.
For airport transfer in London, most of the drivers we work with understand that there may be some situation that is not under your control.
They are considerate/flexible that things can change, and it is beyond your control if flight time changes. Hence, they will not charge you extra. If possible, do inform the driver if there have been any changes or delays.
NOTE: Do inform your driver beforehand how many passengers and the number of luggage you will carry. That way the driver will be able to bring the vehicle that will fit everyone and the luggage.
How much does it cost to hire a driver in London?
Private driver cost in Dubai depends on the time you would like to hire a car and the type of car. A luxury car price will vary from a standard car. A 7-seater car will be more expensive than a 5-seater car.
Also, in Dubai full day will be more expensive than half-day trips however it will not be double the price. You will probably pay an extra 30% for the full day hence it’s worth paying for a full day rather than a half-day.
So, how much is a private driver in London? Below are some of the average prices you can expect to pay. Price also depends on the destination and distance you need to travel
Full-Day: A full day which is 8-10 hours service will cost around USD $600 for a standard 5-seater car.
Half-Day: Half-day tours are around 4-6 hours, it will cost around USD $350 for a standard 5-seater car
Airport Transfer: Depending on where you need to go, Airport Transfers will typically start from USD $50.
What happens if you go overtime for booking?
In case there is a situation where your trip may go over time, talk to the driver. You can make arrangements with the driver and check with the driver if there will be an extra fee for the overtime.
Most of the time the driver will charge per hour and cash payments can be made to the driver at the end of the trip.
When is the best time and day to book?
It is advised to book in advance so that you can plan your trip properly and have enough time to communicate with the driver. The drivers will be able to provide enough information in regards to your requirements and to make all the arrangements happen.
We suggest not to leave it too late for example on the day or the night before your trip and to allow a day before booking so that we can make proper arrangements for you with the driver. It is important that you provide as many details and to have clear communication with your driver.
Do you have to pay an extra fee for Airport Transfers or Trips?
No, fees are not applicable to most places. There may be situations where you will have to pay extra depending on the distance you are travelling.
It is advised to have clear communication with the driver and provide as much information on where you need to go.
Make arrangements with the driver on prices and pick up/drop off time and location beforehand so that everything is clear.
Is there an extra fee for an early morning pick-up?
Usually, there is no extra fee for early pickups. However, some drivers may add extra fees for early morning pick-up on the weekends.
If your plan changes, you should provide enough notice and time for the driver to make arrangements.
Should you tip your driver in London?
You may be wondering if you need to tip in London? How much do you tip a driver in Dubai? These may be some of the questions you have thought about.
Good thing is that you do not need to tip in London. You may wish to if you think the driver has done an exceptional job but it is not required.
Should you consider driving in London?
In every country you travel to, you will find that there is a slightly different way of driving. London is no different.
You may be used to driving in your country and you may be a good driver.
However, you shouldn’t risk driving in London if you are not comfortable driving in a new city. If you will be spending time in the London city, you will find that it is difficult to find parking and driving yourself and trying to find parking may not be the best way to spend your trip to London.
Are tourists allowed to drive in London?
Yes, tourists are allowed to drive in London as long as they have a valid International license.
However, to experience the city the right way, you should hire a private driver so you don’t have to worry about the local rules and get into any situation that you may regret. A private driver will offer one-to-one chauffeuring services, while also being a great asset to keep your belongings safe.
They will be able to help you get to the airport, help you visit tourist spots, and do all kinds of other things for you. Dubai is a car-crazy city and a private driver will give you an opportunity to drive around at your own pace. This way, you can experience the local culture and view the cities from a different perspective.
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Conclusion
Hiring a luxury London private driver gives you the freedom to leave all the cumbersome issues of taking your own car behind. By hiring a chauffeur, you can spend your time touring London in a brand new vehicle with all the bells and whistles in-built and at the very best price that you can find.
What better way to enjoy all the glory of London in your holiday than to have a chauffeur drive you around? London being a capital city and center for high culture, the choice of places to visit is immense.
Book a chauffeur that has the most experienced and who is a local with knowledge of the city. A private driver will give you an experience that you will not ever forget in a lifetime.
Have a safe trip and happy travels!
