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Chauffeur waiting beside a car between appointments in central London
Hourly and As Directed

Hourly Chauffeur Hire London

Book the car and the chauffeur for a block of time, not a route. Add stops and change plans on one agreed rate. From £50 an hour.
From £50 an hour4 hour minimumMileage includedWaiting included
Hourly and As Directed Hire

One Question Decides It: Will the Car Wait?

Hourly chauffeur hire (also called as directed hire) books a car and driver for a block of time. You choose the stops as the day goes, and the rate stays the same.

Rates start at £50 an hour, with a four hour minimum. Half days run four hours and full days eight. Twelve and 24 hour tiers sit above that.

The price you approve covers the chauffeur, waiting at every stop, a mileage allowance, parking, the Congestion Charge and ULEZ. You never pay the chauffeur anything on the day.

So the choice is simple. If the car needs to wait between stops, hourly hire beats separate fares on cost and on time.

Book by the HourSee the Fleet
An hour, from
£50
Minimum booking
4 hrs
Mileage and waiting
Included
Booking desk
24/7
What People Book It For

Days With More Than One Stop

Each of these days has one thing in common. The plan tends to change while it's happening.

  • Back to back meetings

    Car holds between stops
    The City, Canary Wharf and the West End in one day. No parking to find, and your papers stay in the boot.
    More on back to back meetings

  • Shopping days

    Bags in the boot
    Harrods, Selfridges and Bond Street. The car holds nearby and takes the bags after each shop.

  • Sightseeing at your pace

    From £200 half day
    London landmarks or a day trip out of town. The car waits while you look around.
    More on sightseeing at your pace

  • Evenings out

    Dinner, then a show
    Dinner in Mayfair, a West End show, then home. One booking covers the whole night.
On every one of these days, the car spends more time parked than moving. That's when hourly hire pays.
Why Book by the Hour

Four Reasons the Sums Work

Booking each leg on its own costs more than money. It costs time at every kerb.

  • No waiting for a car

    Three bookings mean three waits. With hourly hire, the car is outside when your meeting ends.

  • A plan you can change

    Add a stop, skip one or stay an hour longer. None of it needs a new booking.

  • Your things stay put

    Coats, bags, samples and documents ride with you all day. You never carry them into every building.

  • Vetted chauffeurs

    Every chauffeur holds a TfL private hire licence, passes an enhanced DBS check and signs a confidentiality agreement.
Group Travel

One Car for the Whole Party

Groups make more stops than solo travellers, so hourly hire suits them well.

  • Families and friends

    Up to 7 seats
    One V-Class for the day. It's easier than lining up several cars across a changing plan.

  • Client teams

    Several cars
    A few cars held for the same hours, with one coordinator. They reach each stop together.
    More on client teams

  • Wedding parties

    Cars held all day
    The cars wait through the ceremony and the photos, ready for the next move.
    More on wedding parties

  • VIP visits

    Discreet and on call
    A guest's car on standby from morning to night, ready when they are.
    More on vip visits
Where the Day Can Go

Across London and Beyond

Each tier comes with its own mileage allowance. We confirm it before you book.

  • The City and Canary Wharf

    Meetings and roadshows
    Short hops between towers, with the car waiting outside each office.
    • Bank
    • Liverpool Street
    • Canary Wharf
    • Bishopsgate

  • The West End

    Shops and restaurants
    Stops where cars can't park for long. The car holds nearby and comes back for you.
    • Mayfair
    • Knightsbridge
    • Bond Street
    • Covent Garden

  • Sights and landmarks

    Half or full day
    Westminster, the South Bank and the Tower, at your own pace.
    • Westminster
    • South Bank
    • Tower Bridge
    • Kensington

  • Day trips out of town

    12 hour tier
    Places too far for a half day but easy in a long one.
    • Windsor
    • Oxford
    • Bath
    • The Cotswolds
Rates

Hourly Hire Rates

Each tier is one fixed price. Waiting and a mileage allowance are already inside it.
BookingHoursGood forPrice
Half day4 hoursMeetings or a shopping tripFrom £200
Full day8 hoursA day of meetings, Windsor or OxfordFrom £400
Extended day12 hoursBath, the Cotswolds, a wedding dayFrom £600
Round the clock24 hoursVIP visits and long programmesQuoted per brief
These are starting rates. The car class and where the day starts can change the figure.
Inside the Rate

What the Hourly Price Covers

Every item below is already in the price you approve.
  • The chauffeur for the whole booking
  • A mileage allowance for your tier
  • Waiting at every stop
  • Congestion Charge and ULEZ where they apply
  • Parking at each stop
  • Help with bags and shopping
  • Wi-Fi, bottled water and phone charging
  • Child seats for any age, free
There is no night, weekend or bank holiday charge.
How to Book

Choose the Hours, Not the Route

Booking takes about two minutes. Step two can stay loose.
  1. 01

    Pick the tier

    Four, eight, 12 or 24 hours. Not sure? Our desk will say which one your day needs.
  2. 02

    Sketch the stops

    A rough list helps us plan timing and parking. It doesn't bind you on the day.
  3. 03

    Set the start

    The clock starts at your pick up. An early start costs no more than a late one.
  4. 04

    Confirm and go

    Your confirmation arrives by email. Change stops as you go; only extra hours change the price.
Start Your Booking+44 (0) 208 997 7103

Need more time on the day? Extensions usually run at the same hourly rate. Call +44 (0) 208 997 7103.

Reviews

What Our Clients Say

"Exceptional service from start to finish. The driver was impeccably dressed, the car was spotless, and they arrived 10 minutes early. Barons has become my go-to for all executive travel."

JW
James Whitmore

"I use Barons for all our client transfers. The professionalism and attention to detail reflects perfectly on our company. Highly recommended for corporate travel."

SC
Sarah Chen

"From airport pickups to day-long corporate events, Barons delivers consistently excellent service. The Range Rover for my team event was a particular highlight."

MP
Michael Parker
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is as directed chauffeur hire?

It's a car and driver booked for a set number of hours, not a single trip. You tell the chauffeur where to go as the day unfolds.

How much does hourly chauffeur hire cost?

From £50 an hour, with a four hour minimum. A half day starts at £200 and a full day at £400. The car you choose sets the final rate.

Is mileage included?

Yes, each tier has its own allowance. Long trips out of London can go over it, and we tell you before you book.

Hourly hire or separate fares, which is cheaper?

Hourly hire, whenever the car would wait between stops. Separate fares mean a new car and a new wait each time. One stop and straight home? A fixed fare is better.

What can I use an hourly booking for?

Meetings, shopping, sightseeing, evenings out, weddings and VIP visits. An airport pick up can also run straight into a day in London.

Can I extend the booking on the day?

Yes, usually at the same hourly rate. It depends on the chauffeur's next job, so tell us by lunchtime if you can.

In Summary

In Summary

Hourly chauffeur hire books the car and driver for a block of time, not a route. Rates start at £50 an hour, with a four hour minimum and a mileage allowance in each tier.

The car waits at every stop, so meetings, shopping and evenings out run on one agreed price. Parking, waiting and road charges are inside it.

Book by the Hour+44 (0) 208 997 7103