Events
Events, there and back
Getting to a big event is the easy half. Getting home, when thirty thousand people leave at once and every taxi is taken, is the hard one. We plan both: a drop-off as close as the venue allows, and a pickup agreed in advance for the end.
London’s calendar is full of events that draw huge crowds to one place for a few hours: tennis at Wimbledon, racing at Ascot, rugby at Twickenham, concerts at Wembley and the O2, exhibitions at ExCeL and Olympia, the Chelsea Flower Show. On those days, the roads around the venue are closed or congested, public transport is packed, and the queue for a taxi at the end can be longer than the event.
This page explains how event transport works, how we plan the pickup at the end, which vehicle suits a group, and what to tell us for each of the main venues.
The drop-off
Most large venues set a designated drop-off area for cars on event days, and roads closer in are often closed to traffic. The chauffeur takes you to the nearest permitted point, which may be a short walk from the entrance. Tell us your gate, stand or entrance, and we will aim for the closest drop-off to it.
The pickup at the end
This is where planning pays off. Before the day, we agree a pickup point and an approximate time with you. When you are ready to leave, you message the chauffeur, who is parked nearby and comes to the agreed point. At the busiest venues, the pickup area can be crowded; a precise description, such as a named corner or landmark, avoids searching for each other in the dark.
Waiting during the event
For a single event, many clients book a drop-off and a separate return pickup. For a long day, such as a day at Ascot or at Wimbledon, hourly hire keeps the same car and chauffeur available throughout, parked nearby, which is useful if you want to leave early or go on to dinner afterwards.
Wimbledon
The Championships at the All England Club run for two weeks from late June into July. Roads around the grounds are heavily managed during the tournament, and the queues for public transport at Southfields and Wimbledon stations are long at the end of play. A car avoids both. Tell us whether you have tickets for Centre Court, No.1 Court or the grounds, so we can plan the nearest drop-off.
Royal Ascot and racing
Royal Ascot takes place in mid-June at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, about 30 miles from central London. The dress code is formal, and many racegoers prefer a car to a crowded train in morning dress. Allow extra time for traffic near the course on race days. We also cover Epsom, Sandown, Kempton and Windsor.
Twickenham, Wembley and the O2
Rugby internationals at Twickenham, football and concerts at Wembley, and concerts at the O2 in Greenwich all end with tens of thousands of people leaving at once. Parking near all three is limited on event days, and roads around them are congested for an hour or more after the final whistle or encore. We agree a pickup point a little away from the busiest roads, which is often quicker than waiting at the venue.
Exhibitions and conferences
ExCeL London in the Royal Docks and Olympia in Kensington host trade fairs and conferences throughout the year. ExCeL is minutes from London City Airport, which makes a same-day visit from Europe practical. For exhibitors with samples or display materials, the V-Class carries the kit as well as the people.
Chelsea Flower Show and summer events
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May, the Henley Royal Regatta in early July and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in July are among the busiest days of the social season. Silverstone and Henley are well outside London, so allow for a long journey and heavy traffic near the venue.
Which vehicle?
For two, the E-Class or S-Class. For a group of friends or a corporate hospitality party of four to six, the V-Class keeps everyone together. For larger groups, two or more V-Class vehicles travelling together. One vehicle means one pickup point and nobody left behind.
Corporate hospitality
Companies hosting clients at events often book cars for their guests from offices or hotels, with a return to each guest’s address at the end. Send us the list of names and addresses, and we will build a schedule. The fares can be invoiced to the company.
Theatre, concerts and dinners in town
Not every event is a stadium. A night at the Royal Opera House, a gala dinner at a Park Lane hotel or a concert at the Royal Albert Hall ends at a known time, and the streets outside fill with people looking for a ride. A pre-booked car, parked nearby and called when you come out, takes the uncertainty away. Tell us the interval and finishing times if you know them; the chauffeur will be ready.
Flying in for an event
Many people come to London for one event and fly out soon afterwards: a final at Wembley, a conference at ExCeL, a day at Wimbledon. We can meet the flight, take you to your hotel or straight to the venue, and return you to the airport afterwards. For a day visit, hourly hire keeps the luggage in the car throughout.
Which car?
Choose by luggage first
| Party | People | Large cases | Our suggestion |
|---|---|---|---|
| One traveller | 1 | 1 | Mercedes E-Class |
| A couple | 2 | 2 | Mercedes E-Class |
| Three, light luggage | 3 | 2 | Mercedes E-Class |
| Three, holiday luggage | 3 | 4 | Mercedes V-Class |
| A family of four | 4 | 4 | Mercedes V-Class |
| Six travellers | 6 | 6 | Mercedes V-Class |
| A group of eight | 8 | 8 | 2 × V-Class |
| A party of twelve | 12 | 12 | 2 × V-Class |
In every fare
What the price includes
- 01
Flight tracking
The chauffeur follows your flight number, so an early landing or a delay moves the pickup with it.
- 02
Meet and greet
Your chauffeur waits in arrivals with a board showing your name, and takes the bags from there.
- 03
A fixed price
Agreed when you book. Traffic, a longer route on the day or a late landing do not change it.
- 04
Parking and drop-off
Airport drop-off and short-stay parking charges are part of the price, not added afterwards.
- 05
A route from live traffic
The chauffeur checks the roads before setting off and picks the line that is moving.
How to book
Three steps to the kerb
- 01
Plan the journey
Choose the airport and the address. The planner gives the distance and the drive time at the hour you travel.
- 02
Book ahead
Reserve with your flight number, terminal and a contact number. The price is fixed at that point.
- 03
Meet your chauffeur
Your chauffeur follows the flight and waits in arrivals with your name on a board.
What else we do
Other services
Airport transfers
Arrivals and departures at every London airport: flight tracked, met inside the terminal, fixed fare.
Read moreCruise transfers
Southampton, Dover, Portsmouth, Harwich and Tilbury, in a car sized for cruise luggage.
Read morePrivate aviation
Biggin Hill, Farnborough, Northolt and the jet centres at Luton, Stansted and City.
Read moreBusiness travel
Visiting clients, board members and staff, arranged and invoiced cleanly.
Read moreWeddings
The couple, the family and the guests, timed to the ceremony and the reception.
Read moreProms
A smart arrival at the school prom and a safe ride home, arranged with parents.
Read moreShopping
Knightsbridge, Bond Street, Westfield and Bicester Village, with the bags kept in the car.
Read moreSchool transfers
Boarding pupils between school and the airport at the start and end of every term.
Read moreHourly hire
One car and chauffeur for a day of meetings, visits or several stops.
Read moreJourney planner
Distance and time for any journey
Heathrow Westminster
- Distance
- 17miles
- Off-peak
- 36min
- Weekday rush
- 52min
Usual line: M4, A4. Chauffeurs choose on the day from live traffic.
Good to know
Questions, answered
Can you drop us at the venue entrance?
At the nearest permitted drop-off point, which on event days may be a short walk away.
How does the pickup at the end work?
We agree a pickup point in advance, and you message the chauffeur when you are ready.
Can the chauffeur wait all day?
Yes, with hourly hire.
Do you cover Royal Ascot?
Yes, and other racecourses around London.
Is it quicker to be collected away from the venue?
Often, yes. A pickup point away from the busiest roads can save time.
Can you move a corporate hospitality group?
Yes. Send us the guests and addresses, and we will build a schedule.
Do you go to Silverstone?
Yes. Allow for a long journey and heavy traffic near the circuit.
Which car suits a group of six?
The V-Class.
Can you collect us after the theatre?
Yes. Tell us the finishing time, and the chauffeur will be parked nearby when you come out.
Ready when you are
Your chauffeur, already waiting
A named chauffeur, a fixed price and a quiet car, at every London airport.