Searches for London to Windsor are mostly about trains, buses and Windsor Castle. At 22 miles it is the shortest of our day-trip routes, so the honest answer is that public transport works well, and a private driver is worth it in a few specific cases that we explain below.
London to Windsor: train, bus or car?
Train. Windsor has two stations. From Waterloo, direct trains run to Windsor and Eton Riverside. From Paddington you usually change at Slough for Windsor and Eton Central. Both stations are a few minutes from the castle on foot. See National Rail for the current routes and fares.
Coach and bus. There are bus and coach connections from central London and from Heathrow, which take longer than the train. The Windsor town website lists them.
Private driver. The drive is 22 miles and takes about 45 minutes without traffic. The chauffeur collects you at your hotel or home and drops you at the castle approach, so there is no station and no change.
| Train | Bus or coach | Private driver | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door to door | No | No | Yes |
| Change needed | Often | Sometimes | Never |
| Best for | One or two travellers | Tightest budget | Families, groups, mobility needs |
| Return time | Any train | Any service | Whenever you choose |
When a private driver works best for Windsor
A car makes sense for a family with children or pushchairs, a group of four or more, anyone with limited mobility, and visitors with luggage. It also helps if you are combining Windsor with another stop, such as Legoland, or if you are going straight from Heathrow, which is only a few miles from Windsor. We cover Heathrow airport transfers, so a stop in Windsor can be part of the journey into London.
Windsor Castle: what to know before you go
Windsor Castle is one of the royal family’s official residences, and it is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. Visitors usually see the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel and the changing of the guard on days when it takes place. Opening days and ticketing change through the year and when the castle is used for events, so always check the Royal Collection Trust page for the day you plan to go.
After the castle, the town has a good high street, the river for a walk or a boat trip, and Eton across the bridge. Many people do all of this in about half a day.
Legoland and Windsor Great Park
Legoland Windsor is a couple of miles from the centre, and Windsor Great Park, the Long Walk and Savill Garden are close too. Because the car stays with you, you can fit the castle in the morning and Legoland in the afternoon without worrying about shuttles. Check the Legoland website for opening dates and tickets.
Windsor with other day trips
Windsor combines easily with another stop. Oxford and Bicester Village are both in the same direction, and our best day trips from London by car page sets out more options. Tell us what you have in mind and we will say what fits in one day.
What a London to Windsor private driver costs
Windsor is just outside the M25, so we price it at our hourly rate outside London: £70 an hour in an E-Class, £85 in an S-Class or V-Class and £105 in a Range Rover, with a four-hour minimum.
For a half-day trip, we estimate four and a half hours (45 minutes each way plus three hours at the castle): £315 in an E-Class, £383 in an S-Class or V-Class and £473 in a Range Rover. VAT is included and the price is agreed before you book. It is the price of the car, not per person.
A one-way transfer or a longer day is quoted on request. The prices page shows the full table.
How to book your Windsor driver
- Use the form below or the contact page with your pick-up address, date, passengers and luggage.
- Tell us whether you want a half-day return, a one-way transfer or a stop at Legoland.
- We send a fixed price, VAT included, with the car that fits.
- The chauffeur arrives at the agreed time and waits while you visit.
Which car for Windsor?
The E-Class or BMW 5 Series takes up to three passengers, the S-Class or BMW 7 Series takes three with more space, and the V-Class or VW Transporter takes up to eight, which suits a family day at Legoland. A Range Rover takes up to four, and a Mercedes Sprinter minibus carries up to 16 and is quoted on request; see coach and minibus hire.
Cheaper ways to go and what a car adds
Windsor is short enough that the train is a sensible choice for one or two people, and an off-peak ticket is good value. Check National Rail for what is on offer on your date.
A private driver is not about saving money on this route. It is about avoiding the change at Slough, the queue for the bus and the walk from the station with a pushchair or luggage. For four or more people, the price of the car is shared, and the day runs on your timing instead of a timetable.
Practical tips for Windsor by car
The streets around the castle are busy and parking is limited, so being dropped near the castle entrance and collected at the same place is simpler than parking yourself. Allow extra time on weekends and in school holidays, when the roads out of London and into the town are slower.
If you are coming from Heathrow, the castle is close enough to visit on arrival or before an evening flight, depending on your timing. Tell us your flight details when you ask for a quote and we will plan the day around them. We also cover other airports, quoted on request.
A half day or a full day
Windsor works as a half day, which is why our estimate is four and a half hours. If you would like to add Eton, the river or a long lunch, ask for a longer booking. Extra time is charged at the same hourly rate, and we will confirm the total before you book. Our chauffeur service page explains how hourly hire works.
Last updated 20 October 2026.
