A good chauffeur service in London gives you a licensed, DBS-checked chauffeur in a late-model Mercedes or equivalent, a fixed VAT-inclusive price agreed in writing before you travel, built-in waiting time, and a clear policy for what happens if the car is late. At Excel Chauffeurs, based in Mayfair and operating 24/7, that means hourly hire from £72 per hour (Mercedes E-Class, 4-hour minimum), full-day hire from £528, one-way journeys from £120 and Heathrow to Central London from £144. This guide explains what you are paying for, how the different types of service work, what they cost in 2026 and how to choose a company you can rely on.
One-way journeys start at £120 in an E-Class for the first 5 miles; longer journeys and other vehicle classes are quoted as a fixed price by distance. Out-of-town full days (8 hours, 150 miles) start at £768 in an E-Class, £960 in an S-Class and £1,248 in a Range Rover.
What a chauffeur service in London includes
The word “chauffeur” is used loosely in London. Some companies apply it to any private hire car with a leather interior. A genuine chauffeur service is different in the people, the vehicles and the terms. If you want the full distinction, read our guide to the difference between a driver and a chauffeur. In short, a proper service should include:- A licensed operator and licensed chauffeurs. Every private hire journey must be pre-booked through a licensed operator and driven by a licensed private hire driver in a licensed vehicle. In London the licensing authority is Transport for London (TfL); operators and drivers licensed by local councils such as Castle Point and Hertsmere work to the same standards and may carry out pre-booked journeys anywhere in the UK. At Excel, every chauffeur is also DBS-checked, has at least three years’ experience as a chauffeur, and is suited and discreet; many are defensive-driving trained.
- A late-model vehicle. Our cars are no more than five years old (three years for the First Exclusive S500/S580), valeted between jobs, and equipped with Wi-Fi, bottled water and chargers.
- A fixed, VAT-inclusive quote. The price you confirm is the price you pay. Parking and the Congestion Charge are added at cost into the quote and included in the final price before you pay. Any event-area or late-night supplement is shown in your fixed quote before you confirm.
- Waiting time built in. 60 minutes at airports with flight monitoring, 30 minutes for private jet and train arrivals, 15 minutes at other pick-ups.
- A lateness policy in writing. Our On-Time Guarantee pays a tiered cash refund of 10%, 25% or 50% depending on the delay, and a full refund if you choose to cancel after a delay of 15 minutes or more.
Types of chauffeur service in London
Chauffeur by the hour
The most flexible option for meetings across town, shopping, dinners or an evening out. Excel’s hourly chauffeur hire has a 4-hour minimum and includes 20 miles, plus 10 miles for each additional hour. Prices start at £72 per hour (£288 for 4 hours) in an E-Class.Full-day hire
For an 8-hour day or longer, the hourly rate drops and the mileage allowance rises to 60 miles. Daily chauffeur hire starts at £66 per hour (£528 for 8 hours) in an E-Class, or £84 per hour (£672) in an S-Class or V-Class. Out-of-town days with 150 miles included start at £768.One-way transfers
Point-to-point journeys are quoted as a fixed price by distance. Our one-way chauffeur service starts at £120 in an E-Class for the first 5 miles, with a fixed quote beyond that.Airport chauffeur
Meet and greet in the arrivals hall, flight monitoring and 60 minutes of included waiting time. Heathrow to Central London starts at £144 in an E-Class, £180 in an S-Class or V-Class. See all airports on our airport chauffeur page.Corporate and business chauffeur
Business accounts get monthly invoicing, ex-VAT pricing (E-Class from £60 per hour ex VAT) and one point of contact for every booking. Details on our business chauffeur service page.Events chauffeur
Royal Ascot, Wimbledon, Silverstone, weddings and gala dinners. An events chauffeur is normally booked by the hour or the day so the car stays with you; any event-area supplement is shown in your fixed quote before you confirm. See our dedicated pages for Royal Ascot, Wimbledon and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.How to choose a chauffeur company in London: 8-point checklist
- Private hire operator licence. Ask for the operator licence number and the licensing authority (TfL in London, or a local council such as Castle Point or Hertsmere). Without an operator licence, a company cannot legally take a pre-booked journey.
- DBS-checked chauffeurs. Private hire licensing requires an enhanced DBS check. Ask the company to confirm it, and ask how they vet chauffeurs beyond the legal minimum.
- Fixed, VAT-inclusive prices. A quote that excludes VAT or leaves parking and tolls open-ended can be 20 to 30% higher on the invoice. Ask for a written, all-in figure.
- Included waiting time. Airport pick-ups need at least 45 to 60 minutes of free waiting with flight tracking. Check what happens after that and what the rate is.
- Lateness policy. What do you get if the car is late? “We do our best” is not a policy. Look for a written commitment such as our On-Time Guarantee.
- Fleet age. Ask the maximum age of the vehicles. Five years is a reasonable ceiling for executive work; three years for the top tier.
- Reviews on Google. Read the recent ones, not just the score. Look for comments about punctuality, the specific car that arrived and how problems were handled.
- Own fleet or subcontracted. Some websites are booking agents that pass your job to whichever driver is free. Ask whether the chauffeur who arrives works for the company you booked with.
What a chauffeur service costs in London in 2026
All prices below are Excel Chauffeurs’ VAT-inclusive rates. Hourly hire has a 4-hour minimum and includes 20 miles plus 10 miles per additional hour. Full day is an 8-hour minimum with 60 miles included. One-way prices are from-prices for the first 5 miles. Heathrow prices are fixed to Central London. Full detail is on our prices page.| Vehicle class | Car | Passengers | Hourly (4-hr min) | Full day (8 hrs) | Heathrow to Central |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Executive | Mercedes E-Class | 3 | £72/hr (£288) | £66/hr (£528) | from £144 |
| First Class | Mercedes S-Class or BMW 7 Series LWB | 3 | £90/hr (£360) | £84/hr (£672) | from £180 |
| First Exclusive | Mercedes S500/S580 LWB | 3 | £102/hr (£408) | £96/hr (£768) | from £220 |
| Premium MPV | Mercedes V-Class | 6 | £90/hr (£360) | £84/hr (£672) | from £180 |
| Luxury SUV | Range Rover | 4 | £132/hr (£528) | £120/hr (£960) | from £330 |
| Jet Class MPV | V-Class VIP interior | 6 | £150/hr (£600) | £138/hr (£1,104) | from £468 |
Which car for which occasion
- Mercedes E-Class (Executive): the sensible default for airport transfers, business meetings and hourly hire for up to three passengers.
- Mercedes S-Class or BMW 7 Series (First Class): board-level guests, weddings, client entertaining, and anyone who will work or rest in the back.
- Mercedes S500/S580 LWB (First Exclusive): the newest S-Class in the fleet (three years or younger) for the most senior visitors and high-profile occasions.
- Mercedes V-Class (Premium MPV): families, small teams and anyone with four or more passengers or heavy luggage.
- Range Rover (Luxury SUV): country events, a day at the races and clients who prefer a higher seating position.
- Jet Class MPV: a V-Class with a VIP interior for private jet arrivals and groups who want first-class seating for six.
Mistakes to avoid when booking a chauffeur in London
- Comparing hourly rates without the minimum and mileage. A low hourly rate with a 6-hour minimum and 10 miles included can cost more than a higher rate with 4 hours and 20 miles. Compare the total for your actual journey.
- Booking an airport pick-up with no waiting time. Flights land early and late, and immigration queues vary. If waiting is charged from the scheduled landing time, a one-hour delay at passport control can add a surprising amount.
- Accepting a verbal quote. Get the price, the vehicle class, the pick-up time and the waiting terms in writing (email or WhatsApp is fine) before you confirm.
- Not confirming the vehicle class. “Executive car” means different things to different companies. Confirm the model and the maximum age.
Why clients choose Excel Chauffeurs
- Based in Mayfair (W1S 4JL) and available 24 hours a day, every day.
- Fixed, VAT-inclusive quotes with parking and the Congestion Charge included in the final price before you pay.
- Chauffeurs who are licensed (TfL, Castle Point or Hertsmere), DBS-checked, with a minimum of three years’ chauffeur experience, suited and discreet.
- Cars no more than five years old, with Wi-Fi, water and chargers in every vehicle.
- A written On-Time Guarantee with tiered cash refunds.
- Member of the National Limousine Association (NLA).
- 56 Google reviews with a 5.0 rating.
Chauffeur service London: frequently asked questions
How much does a chauffeur cost in London?
With Excel, hourly hire starts at £72 per hour with a 4-hour minimum (£288), full days from £528, one-way journeys from £120 and Heathrow to Central London from £144. All prices include VAT.Do I tip a chauffeur in London?
A tip is not expected and is entirely at your discretion. The quoted price is the full price.How far ahead should I book?
For a specific vehicle class, peak dates or event days, book as early as you can. For everyday journeys, 24 hours’ notice is usually comfortable, and we accept bookings at shorter notice subject to availability.Can I book a chauffeur the same day?
Yes. Call 0204 515 4441 or WhatsApp +44 7383 009 099 and we will confirm availability. Same-day bookings depend on which vehicles are free at the time.Do you cover journeys outside London?
Yes. Out-of-town full-day hire includes 150 miles, and we quote fixed prices for long-distance one-way journeys anywhere in the UK, as well as London to Paris.Are your prices inclusive of VAT?
Yes. Every price on this page and on our prices page includes VAT. Business account holders can be invoiced at ex-VAT rates for their own reclaim.Book your chauffeur
Get a fixed quote in minutes. Book online, call 0204 515 4441 or WhatsApp +44 7383 009 099, 24 hours a day. More answers on our FAQ page.Book with Excel Chauffeurs: chauffeur by the hour from £72 · chauffeur for the day · Heathrow transfers from £144 · private chauffeur · wedding chauffeur · corporate accounts · areas we cover · prices. Call 0204 515 4441, 24/7.
