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Walking tours from £16, private day trips to Stonehenge, and what each one really costs.

See all on Viatorfrom £27.00 per person
Experiences4,759
From£27.00per person
Under £25641
Viator's Top Product171
What people book here

Walking tours, private sightseeing, museum visits, day trips, food and drink experiences.

Almost half of London's tours are walking experiences, with 2,087 options making up 44% of the catalogue. Private and luxury tours are even more common, appearing in 66% of listings, but this label covers everything from affordable guided walks to high-end day trips. The median price across all tours is £156, but this is skewed by private tours that charge per vehicle.

The best-reviewed tours tend to be small-group or private, often focused on museums, history, or food, with many rated a perfect 5.00 from over 100 reviews. Only 8% of all tours are rated below 4 stars, and the majority of these are in bus, private/luxury, or historical categories. For most visitors, a fair price for a well-rated walking tour is between £16 and £125, while day trips and private vehicle tours can run much higher.

What is on offer

The catalogue

London offers 4,759 tours and activities, ranging from £12 up to over £1,000. About 13% are under £25, and 20% under £40, but 44% of the catalogue is priced over £200. The overall median price is £156, but this is pulled up by private tours that often charge per vehicle, especially in the bus and day trip categories. For example, 'bus tours' include both affordable sightseeing buses and private black-cab tours at £500 or more.

Walking tours are the most common, with over 2,000 options and a median price of £125. Historical and cultural tours are also widespread, each with medians around £188. Food experiences are less common but still number 370, with a median of £125. Only 57 night tours are listed, and these have a higher proportion of low ratings.

Quality is marked by the seller on 171 tours as top products and 705 as excellent quality, but the vast majority of tours do not carry these marks. 401 tours (8%) are rated below 4 stars, most often in the bus, private/luxury, or historical categories. Free cancellation is standard on 85% of listings.

By category

Private and Luxury3,138£188
Historical Tours2,281£188
Walking Tours2,087£125
Cultural Tours1,525£188
Bus Tours1,381£500
Day Trips557£563
Food370£125
Night Tours57£125
How to choose

Where the money goes

For travellers wanting to explore on foot, walking tours dominate the market and are consistently well-reviewed. With a median price of £125, but options starting as low as £16, these suit solo travellers and small groups looking for depth and interaction. The best-rated walking and museum tours often have small group sizes or are private, and reviewers praise knowledgeable, engaging guides who make large collections accessible.

Private day trips and vehicle tours, such as those to Stonehenge or the Cotswolds, are among the most expensive, with day trip medians at £563 and many charging per vehicle. These are best for families or groups who want flexibility and comfort, and top-rated examples show that guides who tailor the experience and handle logistics well receive perfect scores. For groups of up to six or seven, the per-vehicle price can be good value compared to paying per person for similar coverage.

Bus tours are a mixed bag, with a median of £500 due to the inclusion of private vehicle options. Cheaper sightseeing buses exist, but critical reviews of bus tours often mention operational and communication issues: missed pickups, late drivers, or unclear meeting points. Some also note that tours can be rushed or spend too much time in traffic, especially during seasonal events.

Food and drink tours, with a median price of £125, are less numerous but generally well-liked. The best-rated ones highlight guides who are passionate and make the experience social and informative. However, a few lower-rated food-related bus tours get complaints about loud music, poor food quality, and a lack of actual guiding.

Airport transfers and some private driver services are among the most poorly reviewed, with complaints about late pickups, poor communication, and vehicles not matching what was promised. Historical and cultural tours are usually well-rated, but some larger group or multi-stop day trips receive criticism for rushed schedules, too little time at key stops, or itinerary changes without notice.

When to book

Almost all tours confirm instantly, so last-minute booking is possible for most. However, some private day trips and museum tours are flagged as likely to sell out, and reviewers mention that early booking is wise for these. While 85% of tours offer free cancellation, the most popular private and small-group tours can fill up days or weeks in advance, especially in peak periods.

If your heart is set on a specific experience, especially one with a quality badge or limited group size, booking early is the safest bet.

The experiences

Worth a look.

Tulip Festival at Hampton Court Palace

Private tour with an accredited expert guide Hampton Court Palace

Lowest price among the eight, and every review is a perfect score.

5.0 ★ · 106 reviews · 2 h

Free cancellationInstant confirmationExcellent Quality
£290.00per vehicle · up to 15 peopleSee this experience
The StrummerWalk

The StrummerWalk

The most-reviewed walking tour, and no review under 4 stars.

5.0 ★ · 186 reviews · 2 h

Free cancellationInstant confirmationExcellent Quality
£27.00per personSee this experience
The Great British Pub Walking Tour: London

The Great British Pub Walking Tour: London

The only beer-focused tour among the eight, all reviews are 5 stars.

5.0 ★ · 218 reviews · 2 h 30 min

Free cancellationInstant confirmationExcellent Quality
£32.00per personSee this experience
A craft beer tasting tour of the Bermondsey Beer Mile

A craft beer tasting tour of the Bermondsey Beer Mile

Focuses on a single museum collection, praised for guide expertise.

5.0 ★ · 106 reviews · 3 h

£49.00per personSee this experience
Black taxi tour

London Private Black Cab Tour: 3 memorable hours/hotel pick-up

Per vehicle: for six people it costs less per head than the £188 museum tour.

5.0 ★ · 102 reviews · 3 h

Free cancellationInstant confirmation
£310.11per vehicle · up to 6 peopleSee this experience
Stop at Ted Lasso Store

Ted Lasso and Richmond Walking Tours, London

The only listed tour focused solely on the National Gallery.

5.0 ★ · 105 reviews · 2 h

Free cancellation
£54.00per personSee this experience
Looking at one of the numerous statues of the famous Pharaoh Amenhotep III, grandfather of Tutankhamun. Moses may have been very familiar with this pharaoh, but Egyptologists are divided.

Explore Biblical Artifacts at the British Museum

For groups up to 7, the per-head cost is lower than most day trips.

5.0 ★ · 142 reviews · 3 h

Free cancellationInstant confirmationExcellent Quality
£55.80per personSee this experience
Guests by my London Taxi

Private Classic London Taxi Tour

The only listed museum tour with a strict small-group cap.

5.0 ★ · 120 reviews · 4 h

Free cancellationInstant confirmation
£395.00per vehicle · up to 6 peopleSee this experience
The National Gallery of London - Exclusive Guided Museum Tour

The National Gallery of London - Exclusive Guided Museum Tour

5.0 ★ · 115 reviews · 2 h 30 min

Free cancellationInstant confirmationExcellent Quality
£91.92per personSee this experience
Lifetime Memories at Castle Combe in The Cotswolds

Private Tour to Stonehenge, Bath and The Cotswolds

5.0 ★ · 196 reviews · 10 h

Free cancellationInstant confirmationLikely to sell outCurated CatalogTop ProductExcellent Quality
£1,100.00per vehicle · up to 7 peopleSee this experience
British Museum & National Gallery of London Semi-Private 8ppl Max

British Museum & National Gallery of London Semi-Private 8ppl Max

5.0 ★ · 192 reviews · 5 h 30 min

Free cancellationInstant confirmationExcellent Quality
£188.21per personSee this experience
Private Tour London Highlights, entries Westminster Abbey, The Tower of London

Private Tour London Highlights, entries Westminster Abbey, The Tower of London

5.0 ★ · 102 reviews · 8 h

Free cancellationInstant confirmationLikely to sell outExcellent QualityTop ProductCurated Catalog
£472.60per personSee this experience

Sold by Viator. Prices and review counts checked on 05/09/2026.

Before you book

Practical notes.

Walking tours start from £16, with most well-rated options under £125.
Day trips often charge from £563 and up, but that's usually per vehicle for groups.
Bus tours have a high median (£500) due to private vehicles; check what's included.
8% of all tours are rated below 4 stars—mainly bus, private/luxury, and historical tours.
Airport transfers and private drivers get the most complaints about lateness and communication.
Almost all tours confirm instantly, but top private tours can sell out—book early.
85% of tours offer free cancellation, but check the policy before booking.
Food tours are generally well-reviewed; avoid bus-based food tours if you want a real guide.
Questions people ask

Before you decide.

Are most London tours group or private?

Private and luxury tours are the most common, but this label includes both affordable and high-end options. Walking tours, often small group or private, make up 44% of all listings.

What is a fair price for a guided tour in London?

For walking tours, most well-rated options are between £16 and £125. Day trips and private vehicle tours are much higher, often starting from £563.

Do I need to book tours far in advance?

Most tours confirm instantly and offer free cancellation. However, top-rated private and small-group tours can sell out, so booking early is recommended for these.

Are there many food and drink tours?

There are 370 food experiences listed, with a median price of £125. These are generally well-reviewed, especially those with knowledgeable guides.

Which types of tours disappoint travellers?

Bus tours, airport transfers, and some day trips have the most complaints, often about lateness, poor communication, or rushed schedules.

How common are free cancellation policies?

Free cancellation is standard on 85% of tours, but always check the specific policy before booking.

Are night tours or water tours a good bet?

Night and water tours are rare and have higher rates of low ratings—16% and 18% below 4 stars, respectively.

What do the best-rated tours have in common?

The top-rated tours are usually small-group or private, with engaging guides and focused themes like museums, history, or food.

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Written by CityTour editorial. Sold by Viator. Prices and review counts checked on .
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