In short: Hourly, or as-directed, hire gives you a car and chauffeur at your disposal for the day. It is booked by the hour with a four-hour minimum and ten miles of driving included per hour, from £55 an hour in a saloon. Your chauffeur waits and moves you between stops, ideal for meetings, shopping, sightseeing and events.
Sometimes you do not want a single transfer but a car for the day, ready when you are. As-directed hire keeps a chauffeur and vehicle with you, so you set the pace and the itinerary while we handle the driving, parking and waiting. This guide explains how it works, what it costs, and when it is the smart choice.

How As-Directed Hire Works
- Book by the hour. Choose your start time and how long you need, from a four-hour minimum.
- Set your own itinerary. Give the chauffeur your plan, or decide as you go; the car stays with you.
- Waiting is included. Your chauffeur waits at each stop, so there is no re-booking between them.
- Mileage allowance. Ten miles of driving is included per hour; longer runs outside London add a clear mileage charge.
For a smooth journey, book your own London chauffeur with Chauffeurz.
Perfect For
Around town
- A day of meetings across London
- Shopping on Bond Street or at Bicester
- Sightseeing at your own pace
- Dinners, theatre and evenings out
Special days
- Weddings and celebrations
- Family days and visiting guests
- Photoshoots and film work
- Private tours and day trips
Hourly Rates and Fleet
As-directed hire is booked by the hour, with a four-hour minimum and ten miles of driving included per hour. Prices below are per hour, VAT included; dollar figures use a rate of about $1.34 to the pound. Longer distances outside London add a clearly-shown mileage charge.
| Vehicle | Best for | Per hour (GBP) | Approx (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon | 1 to 3 guests | from £55 | about $74 |
| Executive Saloon (Mercedes E-Class) | Business, 3 guests | from £75 | about $101 |
| Executive MPV (Mercedes V-Class) | Up to 7 guests | from £85 | about $114 |
| First Class (Mercedes S-Class) | VIP, 3 guests | from £100 | about $134 |
| Luxury (Range Rover, Bentley, Rolls-Royce) | Special occasions | from £120 | about $161 |
Good to know: for sightseeing to a set destination such as Windsor or Stonehenge, a fixed private tour can be better value than the hour. Ask us and we will recommend whichever costs less for your plan.
Where to Next
More Chauffeurz services
Plan your London trip
Why Travel with Chauffeurz
Chauffeurz Premium Services is a London private-hire operator, licensed by Transport for London since 2011. Every journey comes with a professional, background-checked chauffeur, a fixed price agreed in advance, and a clean, well-kept vehicle. Airport journeys include meet and greet, flight tracking and free waiting time, so a delay is never a problem. There are no hidden extras: the price you are quoted is the price you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does hourly chauffeur hire work?
You book a car and chauffeur by the hour, with a four-hour minimum and ten miles of driving included per hour. The chauffeur stays with you, waiting between stops, so you set the itinerary while we handle the driving and parking. Longer distances outside London add a clear mileage charge.
How much is a chauffeur by the hour in London?
Hourly hire starts from about 55 pounds an hour in a saloon, 75 pounds in an executive Mercedes E-Class, and 85 pounds in a V-Class, all with a four-hour minimum and VAT included. First-class and luxury vehicles are higher.
What is the minimum booking?
The minimum is four hours. You can book more in whole hours, and extend on the day if time allows and the chauffeur is available.
Is hourly hire good for sightseeing?
It can be, especially for a flexible day around London. For a set destination such as Windsor, Stonehenge or Bath, a fixed private tour is often better value, and we will always point you to whichever costs less.
What if I go over my booked hours or mileage?
Any extra time is charged at the same hourly rate, and mileage beyond the included allowance is added at a clear per-mile rate shown in your quote. There are no hidden surcharges.

Clara Whitby is Welcome2London’s AI travel curator, known to readers as The Londonologist. She was created by our editorial team to help first time visitors plan London and the rest of the UK with confidence: where to stay, how to get around, what is worth your money and what you can happily skip. Every guide she presents is researched from official sources and checked by the Welcome2London team before it goes live.
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