As Directed Hire · Taxis & Chauffeurs by the Hour
Hourly Taxi & Chauffeur Hire in London
Book a car and a licensed driver for as long as your day needs. Your driver waits between stops, follows your plans as they change and keeps your bags safe in the car, from a morning of meetings to a full day across London.
- Your driver waits at every stop
- Change your plans on the day, as directed
- Saloons, MPVs, executive cars & Rolls-Royce
★★★★★ Rated 5.0 on Google · Call 24/7: 020 4625 5555
Hourly hire request
Request Your Car by the Hour
Tell us your start time, pickup and a rough plan for the day. We’ll confirm the right car and your quote.
Since 1993
TfL-licensed London operator
24/7
Early starts and late finishes
Multi-Stop
As many stops as your day needs
Any Car
Saloons to Rolls-Royce, or on request
As Directed Hire
What Is As Directed Taxi Hire?
As directed hire, also called hourly hire or having a car “at your disposal”, means you book a car and a licensed driver for a block of time rather than for a single journey. Instead of paying separate fares and waiting for a new car at every address, the same driver and vehicle stay with you. You decide the stops, the order and how long you spend at each one, and your driver adjusts the route as your day unfolds.
It is the simplest way to handle a day with several appointments, a schedule that might change, or passengers who need a car waiting the moment they step outside. Because shopping, luggage and coats stay in the car between stops, it also suits retail days, luggage-heavy trips and visitors who want to see London without working out the Tube. For a single A-to-B trip, a standard minicab booking or one of our airport transfers is usually the better choice.
Ready when you are
One car and one driver for your whole booking
- Book for a few hours or the full day
- Your driver waits at every stop
- Add or change stops along the way
- Running over? Call us about extending
How It Works
How to Book a Car and Driver by the Hour
Hourly hire is arranged the same way as any Soho Cars booking: call 020 4625 5555 or send the booking form, and a real person confirms every detail with you before the day.
1. Tell us your plan
Your start time and pickup address, a rough list of stops, how many passengers and how much luggage. If you are not sure how long you need, describe your day and we will help you estimate it.
2. Choose your car and get your quote
Pick from saloons, estates, people carriers, executive cars or our luxury range. We confirm the vehicle, the booking period and your quote before you travel.
3. Meet your driver
Your driver arrives at the agreed time and stays with you for the whole booking, helping with bags and doors at each stop.
4. Go where your day takes you
Add a stop, swap the order or stay longer at lunch. Tell your driver as you go, and call us if you need more time than you booked.
Timing
24/7 Service
Popular Uses
When Hourly Taxi Hire Makes Sense
Hourly hire pays off when your day has more than two stops, the timings may shift, or you simply want a car outside whenever you need it. These are the bookings our customers make most often.
Business
Roadshows & Meetings
Move between offices in the City, Canary Wharf and Mayfair without hunting for a cab after every meeting. Your car waits outside, so you can take calls, prepare between appointments and leave the moment a meeting ends.
Shopping
Shopping Days
Bond Street, Oxford Street, Knightsbridge, Westfield or Bicester Village. Leave your bags in the car between shops and lunch, and let your driver bring the car round when you are ready.
Visitors
Sightseeing & Day Trips
See Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Greenwich and the South Bank at your own pace, or head out for a day in Windsor, Oxford, Cambridge or the Cotswolds with the same driver all day.
Occasions
Weddings & Events
Keep a car on hand between the ceremony, photographs and reception, or for a gala, premiere or private party where you want to arrive and leave on your own schedule.
Family
Appointments & Family Days
Hospital and clinic visits, school events (or regular school runs), house viewings or helping an older relative with errands. One booking covers the whole round trip, with a driver who waits rather than leaving.
Travel
Airport & City Days
Land at Heathrow, drop luggage at your hotel, go straight to a meeting and finish the day at dinner. Hourly hire turns a long arrival day into one simple booking.
Luxury cars such as the Range Rover Vogue LWB 2026 and Rolls-Royce Phantom are reserved in advance, so book early for weekends and wedding season. See our chauffeur cars page for more on executive travel.
Hourly or Point to Point?
Hourly Hire vs Booking Separate Journeys
Hourly hire is not always the cheapest option, and we would rather you book the one that suits your day. As a rule of thumb, the more stops you make and the less certain your timings are, the more sense it makes to keep one car and driver with you.
| Your day | Separate minicab journeys | As directed hourly hire |
|---|---|---|
| One or two stops at fixed times | Usually the better value | Often more than you need |
| Three or more stops in a day | A new car, and a wait, at every stop | The same car waiting outside |
| Timings that may change | Rebook each leg as plans move | Tell your driver and carry on |
| Shopping bags or luggage | Carry everything with you | Leave it in the car between stops |
| Visitors, VIPs or older passengers | A different driver each time | One familiar driver all day |
Not sure which works out better? Call 020 4625 5555 with your plan and we will recommend the right option, whether that is hourly hire, separate journeys or an intercity transfer for a trip out of London.
Choose Your Car for Hourly Hire
Pick the car that suits your day, from an economical saloon for a run of errands to a people carrier for a family outing or a Rolls-Royce Phantom for a wedding. Every car is clean, comfortable and driven by a TfL-licensed driver, and if you need something not listed here, we can arrange it on request.
Economy
VW Passat
Up to 4 passengers · 2 suitcases
Ideal for: Everyday journeys, station runs and nights out.
Economy Estate
VW Passat Estate
Up to 4 passengers · 3 suitcases
Ideal for: Airport runs with extra luggage.
People Carrier
VW Sharan
Up to 6 passengers · 3 suitcases
Ideal for: Families and small groups.
Minibus
Mercedes Vito
Up to 8 passengers · 6 suitcases
Ideal for: Groups, events and airport transfers with lots of luggage.
Executive
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Up to 4 passengers · 2 suitcases
Ideal for: Business travel and client pickups.
First Class
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Up to 3 passengers · 2 suitcases
Ideal for: VIP guests, roadshows and special occasions.
Luxury SUV
Range Rover Vogue LWB 2026
Up to 4 passengers · 3 suitcases
Ideal for: VIP airport pickups and discreet executive travel.
Ultra Luxury
Rolls-Royce Phantom
Up to 3 passengers · 2 suitcases
Ideal for: Weddings, red-carpet events and anniversaries.
Need something different? We can arrange any vehicle on request. Call 020 4625 5555.
Before You Book
Planning Your Hourly Booking
A little planning makes an as directed booking run smoothly. Here is what our customers most often ask before they book.
How long should I book?
Add up the time you expect to spend at each stop, then allow for travel between them. London traffic varies a lot by time of day, so leave a comfortable buffer if you have fixed appointments, particularly during the morning and evening rush. If you are unsure, describe your plans when you call and we will suggest a sensible booking period.
Where will my driver wait?
Your driver stays close by for the whole booking. In central London, where kerbside waiting is limited, your driver may wait at the nearest suitable spot and pull up again when you call or message, so the car is at the door when you walk out.
Parking, Congestion Charge and road charges
Journeys in central London can pass through the Congestion Charge zone, and some stops may need paid parking. We explain how these are handled when we give you your quote, so there are no surprises on the day.
Changing plans on the day
As directed means exactly that: you can add stops, change the order or stay longer at a venue within your booked time. Just tell your driver. If you need to keep the car for longer than you booked, call us and we will extend it where we can.
Child seats, luggage and accessibility
Child seats are available on request, subject to availability, so please ask when you book. Tell us about prams, wheelchairs, golf bags or large luggage and we will match you with a car that has the space.
Payment and cancellations
You can pay in cash or by any major credit or debit card. Bookings cancelled at least 24 hours before the pickup time are free of charge; cancellations within 24 hours may be charged in full. Smoking and alcohol are not permitted in our vehicles. Full details are in our terms and conditions.
Hourly Hire Across London and Beyond
Our drivers start and finish hourly bookings anywhere in Greater London, and can take you well beyond it for a day out. These are just some of the areas we cover every day. Planning a trip further afield? Ask about day trips to Windsor, Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton or Bicester Village.
Central London
West London
North & East London
South London
Reviews
What Our Passengers Say
Real reviews from customers on Google.
FAQs
Questions About Hourly Hire
Can’t find your answer? Our team is on the phone 24/7 and happy to help plan your day, suggest a booking period or recommend a car.
What does “as directed” mean?
It means the car and driver are yours for the booking period and go where you direct them. Rather than one fixed journey, you can make several stops, change the order and decide how long to spend at each one.
How is hourly hire different from a normal minicab booking?
A normal booking takes you from one address to another and the driver then leaves. With hourly hire, the same driver waits for you between stops and stays with you until the end of your booking.
Is there a minimum booking time?
The minimum booking period depends on the vehicle and the day. We confirm it when you ask for a quote. Most customers book anything from a few hours to a full day.
Does the driver wait while I am at a meeting or in a shop?
Yes. Your driver waits nearby for the whole booking. In central London they may wait at the nearest suitable spot and come back to the door when you are ready.
Can I change my plans or add stops during the booking?
Yes. Tell your driver and they will adjust the route. If you need longer than you booked, call us and we will extend the booking where we can.
Can I hire a luxury car by the hour?
Yes. You can book the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Range Rover Vogue LWB 2026 or Rolls-Royce Phantom by the hour. We recommend booking early for weekends and wedding season.
Can I travel outside London on an hourly booking?
Yes. Many customers use hourly hire for day trips to places such as Windsor, Oxford, Cambridge and the Cotswolds. For a one-way trip to another city, an intercity transfer is usually better value.
Are your drivers licensed?
Yes. Soho Cars is licensed by Transport for London as a private hire operator, and every driver and vehicle is TfL-licensed.
What is your cancellation policy?
You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pickup time. Cancellations within 24 hours may be charged in full. See our terms and conditions for details.