Layover Tour

If you have limited time in or around London, this tour is for you. Our layover tour is completely flexible, allowing you to make the most of the time you have in the UK. We can pick you up from any location and show you the sights you want to see.

London is an enormous city – 1,572km²to be precise – and without the help of a qualified guide, you won’t see much in a short space of time. That’s where we come in. Our taxi tour guides will ensure the time you have is time well spent, taking you on a whistle stop tour of the city that incorporates all the highlights.

If you’d prefer somewhere a little different, we can also visit areas outside of London during our layover tours. Why not explore Stonehenge? Learn about Royal history in Windsor? Or spend the day in the Cotswolds?

Book with confidence.

Find us on

As taxi drivers, we can pick you up from anywhere – there are no set itineraries. Some common locations for pickups include:

All London airports (London City, Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton and Stansted).
Cruise ship ports (Southampton, Port of London, Tilbury, Felixstowe, Dover).
Bus and coach stations.

What can you see during your layover tour?

Buckingham Palace

Take a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the home of Queen Elizabeth II.

Changing of the Guards

This iconic ceremony is a must-see London tradition, where one group of soldiers replaces another in guarding the palace, a tradition that’s been a London spectacle since 1660!

Big Ben

See the world-famous clock of the Palace of Westminster.

The Tower of London

A historic palace and fortress, the Tower of London has a chilling past. It now houses the Crown Jewels.

Platform 9¾

Enjoy a great photo opportunity with the luggage trolley and platform sign.

MI6 HQ

The SIS building, located in Vauxhall Cross, is seen in Spectre (the surrounding area may look a little different thanks to some clever CGI work).

Abbey Road studio

This world-famous recording studio was used by Pink Floyd, the Hollies, Deep Purple and, of course, The Beatles. Take your own version of the iconic Abbey Road zebra crossing photo outside the building.

These are some of the most iconic sights you might see on your layover tour. If you’d prefer a tour outside of central London, just let us know. We will agree the perfect itinerary for you.

Stonehenge

A UNESCO World Heritage site from prehistoric Britain. If you’d prefer a tour outside of central London, just let us know. We will agree the perfect itinerary for you.

Royal Windsor

Delve into over 900 years of history at Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. If you’d prefer a tour outside of central London, just let us know. We will agree the perfect itinerary for you.

Would you prefer a longer tour? Or maybe you want to create your own itinerary?

Build your own tour. Book a guide for up to 10 hours and see London your way.

BUILD YOUR OWN TOUR

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Who will enjoy our layover tour?

Everyone!

We love London and the surrounding areas, and we’re sure you will too.

These are some of the top reasons why you might select this tour:

You want a private tour

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Our tours are completely personal.

You are new to London

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We will show you the highlights.

black taxi london

Time is of the essence

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We can use bus lanes and take shortcuts.

You are a history lover

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London has so much to offer you.

You have a ‘to see’ list

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Your tour will be tailored to you.

You are on a family trip

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A taxi is a comfortable choice for a family.

You want recommendations

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Ask your guide about things to do whilst in London.

Why choose a taxi tour?

Most tours will run from central London starting points, meaning you’d have to get public transport there and back. During a stopover, this simply isn’t practical – it could easily take several hours to navigate the capital’s trains, tubes and buses. We take away the stress and save hours of your time by picking you up directly from your starting point. Our taxis have plenty of space for luggage, so you won’t have to pay to store it. A taxi tour is the ideal choice for anyone with limited time.

Frequently asked questions

Can you tour London during a layover?

Yes. If you have enough time between flights, you can leave the airport and take a layover tour of London. Our drivers pick you up directly from your terminal, show you as many key sights as time allows, and return you in time for your onward flight. You must allow time for immigration, security and travel to and from the airport, so a longer layover gives you more flexibility.

Can I leave a London airport during a layover?

In many cases you can, but it depends on your nationality, visa status and ticket type. If you need a visa to enter the United Kingdom, you must meet UK entry requirements before you can leave the airport. It is your responsibility to check your own visa and passport rules in advance. If you are allowed to enter the UK, you can leave the airport and we can collect you for a private layover tour.

Is a 6 hour layover enough time to leave the airport in London?

A 6 hour layover can be enough for a short tour, but it is tight and works best from Heathrow or London City. You need to factor in:

Time to disembark and clear immigration

Travel time into London and back to the airport

Time to clear security and board your next flight

In many cases, a 6 hour layover allows for a focused, highlights-only tour, provided your flights are on time and you are comfortable moving quite quickly. We will help you plan a realistic itinerary for the time you have.

Can you do anything with a 5 hour layover in London?

A 5 hour layover is usually too short for a relaxed tour of central London, especially from airports that are farther away such as Gatwick, Stansted or Luton. In most situations we recommend at least 6 to 8 hours between flights if you want to leave the airport comfortably. However, if you are arriving at London City Airport, or your layover is slightly longer, we may still be able to arrange a brief city taster tour. Get in touch with your exact flight times and we will advise honestly on what is possible.

From which airports and ports can you collect us for a layover tour?

We can collect you from all major London airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Luton and Stansted, as well as from cruise ports such as Southampton, Dover, Tilbury, Felixstowe and the Port of London. Your driver will meet you at an agreed meeting point and return you to the airport or your next onward connection at the end of the tour.

How long is a typical layover tour?

Most layover guests book between6 and 8 hours, depending on how much time they have between flights. You can also book a longer custom tour of up to 10 hours if you prefer to include places outside London, such as Stonehenge or Windsor.

What can we see on a layover tour of London?

Your tour can include many of London’s most famous landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, the London Eye, Platform 9¾, Abbey Road or MI6 HQ. If you prefer, we can design a route around a particular theme, such as royal history, and film locations.

How do you make sure we get back to the airport on time?

Your driver will plan the route around your flight times, traffic conditions and the airport you are using. We always work backwards from your required check in or boarding time and build a safe buffer so that you can relax and enjoy your tour without worrying about missing your flight.

Booking your tour

Simply get in touch to arrange your layover tour. We can pick you up from a starting point of your choice, so we will discuss your itinerary based on this. If there are particular points of interest on your list, let us know – we shape your itinerary around you.