When you plan a day out from London, the choice usually comes down to two options: a coach tour, where you buy a seat, or a private tour, where you hire a car and driver for your group. We run private tours, so we have an interest in this question. We have still tried to give an honest answer, because the right choice really does depend on who is travelling.
How the two compare
| Coach tour | Private tour | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Per seat | Per car, shared by your group |
| Start point | A central departure point, often Victoria, early in the morning | Your hotel or home |
| Timetable | Fixed for everyone | Yours: start time, stops and length of stay |
| Group size | Often 40 to 50+ passengers | Just your party, up to 6 per vehicle |
| Guide | Usually included | Professional driver; a qualified guide can be added |
| Entry tickets | Often included for the main sight | You book them yourself, for the times you want |
| Changes on the day | Not possible | Easy: add a stop, stay longer, skip something |
| Children and luggage | Adult coach seats | Child seats on request, room for pushchairs |
Comparing the price for your group
Take our most popular day out, Stonehenge and Bath. In autumn 2026, coach day tours from Central London start at around £95 to £100 per adult, usually including Stonehenge entry. Our private tours are priced per vehicle, not per person. The table below shows the vehicle price for different group sizes, using the smallest of our vehicles that fits your group, next to the approximate cost of coach seats for the same group. The prices update automatically from our booking system.
| Group | Vehicle | Private tour (per vehicle) | Coach seats for the group (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| See the current private tour price on the Stonehenge & Bath tour page. | |||
Remember to add entry tickets to the private tour figures: Stonehenge and, if you want it, the Roman Baths. Compare the vehicle price with the coach seats for your group size, then weigh what the extra buys you: door-to-door travel, your own timetable and no coach station at either end of a long day.
Who should choose a coach tour
- Solo travellers and couples on a tight budget.
- People who want a guide talking them through the day and are happy with a fixed timetable.
- Anyone staying close to the departure point.
Who should choose a private tour
- Families with children, who need child seats, flexible breaks and a door-to-door finish.
- Groups of four to six, who share one vehicle at one price.
- Older travellers and anyone with limited mobility, who would rather not walk to a coach station or climb coach steps.
- Photographers and slow travellers, who want time at the places they care about rather than a schedule set for 50 people.
- Anyone with a tight schedule, such as a cruise departure, a flight or a ticket slot to fit around.
Questions to ask before you book either
- Where exactly does the day start and finish, and how will you get there?
- How long do you really get at each stop?
- Which entry tickets are included, and which you must book yourself?
- Is the operator licensed? In London, every private hire operator must hold a Transport for London licence. Ours is number 10629.
- What happens if you are delayed or want to stay longer?
Questions we are often asked
Is a private tour always more expensive than a coach tour?
Usually, yes, especially for one or two people. A private tour is priced per vehicle, so the price stays the same whether two or six of you travel in a vehicle that fits. The table in this guide shows the current vehicle prices next to coach seats for groups of two to six.
Does a private tour include a guide?
Our private tours include a professional driver who knows the route, but not a licensed tour guide. If you would like a qualified guide, we can arrange one for an extra cost.
Are entry tickets included in a private tour?
No. You book them directly, which lets you choose your entry times and use memberships such as English Heritage or National Trust.
Can we change the plan on the day?
Yes. Within the booked hours you can change the order, skip a stop or add one nearby. If you want to stay longer, extra time is charged at the hourly rate.
How many people fit in one car?
Our saloons take up to 3 passengers, our MPVs up to 4 and our larger vehicles up to 6. For bigger groups we can send two vehicles together.