Executive Sedan
1-3 passengers
A Mercedes-Benz S-Class executive sedan for up to 3 guests. Quiet, smooth, and easy to step in and out of at every stop.
4-8 hours tour
$440 / 4 hours
All-inclusive rate · No hidden fees
Book Now
Sightseeing · 4 hours
Day Time Washington DC City Tour
Private daytime DC tour by limousine. Your chauffeur-guide handles it all: the Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, National Mall, Smithsonian.
From $440
Private tour · 4 hours · All-inclusive · No hidden fees
SedanSUVStretch limoHummer stretch limoSprinter vanMini bus
5-Star Rated on Tripadvisor & Viator Read traveler reviews →
- 20+ years of experience
- 24/7 dispatch
- Professional chauffeurs
Call Us
(202) 609-9811 Book OnlineBook the Day Time Washington DC City Tour
Pick your vehicle and hours to see your instant all-inclusive price, then secure your date with a $200 deposit. Prefer to talk? Call (202) 609-9811, 24/7.
4 hours
From $440 · 6 vehicle options
Pickup: your hotel
Tour highlights
- Lincoln Memorial & Reflecting Pool
- Washington Monument & National Mall
- U.S. Capitol Building
- Jefferson Memorial & Tidal Basin
- WWII, Vietnam, Korean War Memorials
- Smithsonian Museums (drive-by + optional stops)
- White House (north & south facade)
Every tour, your private vehicle
This tour runs in any of these. Pick by group size.
Executive SUV
1-6 passengers
A full-size executive SUV seating up to 6, with the space and window views families ask for.
4-8 hours tour
$480 / 4 hours
All-inclusive rate · No hidden fees
Book NowStretch limousine
1-10 passengers
The classic black stretch limousine for up to 10. Turns a night tour into the celebration itself.
4-8 hours tour
$540 / 4 hours
All-inclusive rate · No hidden fees
Book NowMercedes Sprinter
1-13 passengers
A black Mercedes Sprinter for up to 13, with high ceilings and walk-in comfort for bigger parties.
4-8 hours tour
$560 / 4 hours
All-inclusive rate · No hidden fees
Book NowWhite Hummer limo
1-18 passengers
The white stretch Hummer seats 18 and makes the entrance. Built for birthdays and bachelorettes.
4-8 hours tour
$760 / 4 hours
All-inclusive rate · No hidden fees
Book NowMini bus
22-32 passengers
A private mini bus for 22 to 32 guests. One vehicle, one route, the whole group together.
4-8 hours tour
$720 / 4 hours
All-inclusive rate · No hidden fees
Book NowAll rates are per vehicle, never per person.
Wine country tours run a 6-hour minimum. See full rates on the pricing page.
The route, stop by stop
This is our standard itinerary, in the order the chauffeur drives it, and it is fully customizable: add a stop, skip one, linger longer, or swap the order, just by telling your chauffeur. Stops are where you get out for photos and to walk up; the drive-by highlights are landmarks the route passes along the way.
Main stops
Tap any stop for the details.
U.S. Capitol
The home of the Senate and the House. The chauffeur circles the East Front and the West Front inauguration steps for photos before the route heads down the Mall.
The White House
Photo stop at the President's residence, with north and south facade views from Pennsylvania Avenue and E Street.
World War I Memorial
The domed District of Columbia War Memorial, a quiet marble tribute set among the Mall's trees and often missed on bus tours.
World War II Memorial
The Rainbow Pool ringed by 56 granite pillars and two arches, honoring the WWII generation. A powerful place to pay respects.
Washington Monument
The 555-foot marble obelisk at the center of the Mall. Prime open ground for photos in every direction.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
A domed rotunda on the Tidal Basin with a 19-foot bronze Jefferson and the words of the Declaration carved into the walls.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Four open-air granite rooms with cascading waterfalls and statues, one for each of FDR’s terms. One of the most distinctive memorials in the city.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
The Stone of Hope rising from the Tidal Basin shore, ringed by the civil rights icon’s own words. Quietly moving in any season.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Nineteen stainless-steel soldiers advancing through the field, striking by day and haunting at dusk. A solemn tribute often overlooked.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The black granite Wall etched with more than 58,000 names. The most affecting stop on the route for many visitors.
Lincoln Memorial
The marble chamber and the 19-foot seated Lincoln at the head of the Reflecting Pool. Dramatic by day, and the columns stand out sharply once the floodlights come up.
Drive-by highlights along the route
Between the stops above, your chauffeur points out the landmarks that make up official Washington. No extra time, no extra cost, just part of the drive.
- Supreme Court. The highest court in the United States.
- Library of Congress. The largest library in the world.
- U.S. Navy Memorial. A tribute to the men and women of the Navy.
- Senate Office Buildings (Russell, Dirksen, Hart). Where senators keep their offices.
- House Office Buildings (Cannon, Longworth, Rayburn). Where House members work off the floor.
- U.S. Botanic Garden. A living plant museum at the foot of the Capitol.
- National Museum of the American Indian. Devoted to Native American culture and history.
- Voice of America. The historic U.S. international broadcasting headquarters.
- National Air and Space Museum. One of the most visited museums in the world.
- Hirshhorn Museum. The Smithsonian’s modern and contemporary art collection.
- Department of Energy. A landmark federal headquarters on the Mall’s south side.
- Pennsylvania Avenue. The inaugural parade route Presidents travel from the Capitol to the White House.
- Old Post Office (now the Waldorf Astoria). A landmark clock tower on Pennsylvania Avenue.
- Department of Justice. Headquarters of the U.S. Department of Justice.
- FBI Headquarters. The J. Edgar Hoover Building, home of the Bureau.
- National Museum of Natural History. The Smithsonian’s natural history collection.
- National Museum of American History. Home to the Star-Spangled Banner and Americana.
- National Museum of African American History and Culture. Devoted to the African American story.
- Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Where U.S. paper currency is printed.
What our guests say
5-star rated on Tripadvisor & Viator
More than 240 travelers have reviewed our private Washington DC limo tours across Tripadvisor and Viator, and the same praise repeats: the chauffeur-guide who knows every monument, the on-time hotel pickup, and a day that felt effortless. Read our Tripadvisor reviews and our Viator reviews for yourself.
Reviews of the Day Time Washington DC City Tour keep returning to the monuments and memorials and the on-time hotel pickup. Amin is the chauffeur guests name for knowing the city and being easy to be with all day. The same details repeat: guests saying they would book again and a chauffeur-guide who knows the history. Each review below links to the Tripadvisor or Viator listing it was posted on.
★★★★★
Good value for a large group
For 10 people (4 adult and 6 kids/teens), this was a great alternative to the other night tours. We even got to see some of the less known memorials at the Pentagon! Very friendly and helpful driver.
★★★★★
DC tour
The driver was super knowledgeable about the different monuments and allowed us to experience them in whatever order we wanted stopping at different ones for us to take pictures and explore along the route. Extremely worth it for my family and I.
★★★★★
Awesome experience
Awesome experience from the booking to the tour. Amin was super from the first communication until we returned. It was very easy and we got to see all of the sights with him dealing with traffic. He picked us up and returned us to our hotel and waited at each stop so we did not have far to walk. My kids loved every…
Awesome experience from the booking to the tour. Amin was super from the first communication until we returned. It was very easy and we got to see all of the sights with him dealing with traffic. He picked us up and returned us to our hotel and waited at each stop so we did not have far to walk. My kids loved every minute. The car was extremely clean, cool and he had bottled water for us as well. I would book this again.★★★★★
Great tour of all the monuments.
Our tour guide, Amin, was excellent! Dropped us off at the most optimal places to see the sites.
★★★★★
Wonderful tour
Our guide Amin was fantastic! He went above and beyond to make the tour all we could ask for. We saw every monument and then some
★★★★★
Great experience - great driver, expert guide
We had a great experience and would highly recommend. We booked a four hour hop on, hop off excursion and opted to pay extra for a tour guide in addition to the driver. Our group was 18 family members in town for college graduation, ranging in age from 8 to 80. We had some ideas of the stops we wanted, and Teri our…
We had a great experience and would highly recommend. We booked a four hour hop on, hop off excursion and opted to pay extra for a tour guide in addition to the driver. Our group was 18 family members in town for college graduation, ranging in age from 8 to 80. We had some ideas of the stops we wanted, and Teri our guide worked with us to incorporate them as well as other highlights she recommended. It worked perfectly. Family members could "choose their gear" with respect to walking, and the more ambitious were able to do several things in the same stop (eg Korean War memorial along with Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam). Thanks to Inam our driver and Teri our guide for a great experience!★★★★★
Our driver was the best ever.
He knew exactly what every monument and statue was. He was sooo patient with the kids. He went out of his way to make sure we were happy. I can’t say enough good things about this experience and our driver.
★★★★★
Best Way Ever to See DC
We booked this service for my husband's birthday. The tour was fantastic. It was extensive, stopping at all the monuments we wanted to see. We were able to customize the tour as well, spending more time at some monuments and skipping or shortening visits to those we were less interested in. The limo is able to park…
We booked this service for my husband's birthday. The tour was fantastic. It was extensive, stopping at all the monuments we wanted to see. We were able to customize the tour as well, spending more time at some monuments and skipping or shortening visits to those we were less interested in. The limo is able to park very close to each monument, much closer than we could have if we had driven ourselves. The driver was polite and helpful. Wear comfortable shoes because, despite the proximity to the monuments, there is still a lot of walking involved in exploring the monuments themselves. We did our tour at night and the monuments are gorgeous when lit for evening. The driver can tell you a few facts about each monument, but he was not a "certified tour guide" so if you want that much detail, this is not the tour to take. But if you want to see DC in absolute comfort, this is the way to do it. The limo will pick you up at your specified address in DC, drive you for four hours to the monuments on their list which is customizable, and then drop you back off at your specific DC address. If you want something to drink or eat, bring it yourself as only waters are provided in the limo. Definitely worth the money. Best way ever to see DC!!!★★★★★
Great tour!
For 10 people it was only a little more expensive than the public tours and was SO much more fun and easier, especially since they picked us up. Would recommend!
★★★★★
We were picked up at our hotel and the driver was super friendly.
The limo driver took some pictures and made a personalized video using one of our cell phones of our group before and after we entered the limo. The day we toured DC it was going to be 100° F. Rather than ride a bus, bike, or other means, we took the limo which was air conditioned and the driver dropped us next to each…
We were picked up at our hotel and the driver was super friendly. The limo driver took some pictures and made a personalized video using one of our cell phones of our group before and after we entered the limo. The day we toured DC it was going to be 100° F. Rather than ride a bus, bike, or other means, we took the limo which was air conditioned and the driver dropped us next to each site in the tour and pick us up either in the same spot as the drop off or close by as we left each site. In the limo there was free water bottle and ice with cups, which was refreshing on a hot day. We could choose the music we wanted to listen to through a cell phone the limo driver provided. There were some times the music was a bit loud, but either through the cell phone or a control in the car, the volume can be adjusted. It was also fun to watch people outside the limo as they were taking pictures of our vehicle (the hummer limo) just was much as some of the sites. If you are planning a tour of DC, I would recommend taking the personalized limo tour for comfort and you can choose how long you staying at each site and where to go. This is the way to go! We had 7 people in the limo and had lots of extra room for more people.★★★★★
Our driver Zaki made this 4 hour limousine ride the most memorable experience!
We were able to stop and spend time at the memorials (Jefferson, Lincoln, MLK, Washington monument), the White House, The Capital and The Washington Mall. Zaki, thanks for making me and my twin sister’s 60th birthday one we shall always remember!
Our driver Zaki made this 4 hour limousine ride the most memorable experience! We were able to stop and spend time at the memorials (Jefferson, Lincoln, MLK, Washington monument), the White House, The Capital and The Washington Mall. Zaki, thanks for making me and my twin sister’s 60th birthday one we shall always remember!★★★★★
Excellent private tour.
The service provided a wonderful experience. We were picked up at our hotel and guided through the sites of DC. We saw all the main sites in a neat and orderly fashion. Our driver provided information as we went and we had bottled water available throughout the trip. We had a wonderful experience and at the end were…
Excellent private tour. The service provided a wonderful experience. We were picked up at our hotel and guided through the sites of DC. We saw all the main sites in a neat and orderly fashion. Our driver provided information as we went and we had bottled water available throughout the trip. We had a wonderful experience and at the end were dropped back off at our hotel. Door to door service with a smile! Great company.★★★★★
Time value experience
We reserved a car to pick us up from the airport, tour the sites in downtown Washington DC and then drop us off at our hotel. Our flight arrived early but our driver was there anyway, waited patiently while we toured the sites on foot when needed and also added a couple of visits when we had some extra time. Great…
We reserved a car to pick us up from the airport, tour the sites in downtown Washington DC and then drop us off at our hotel. Our flight arrived early but our driver was there anyway, waited patiently while we toured the sites on foot when needed and also added a couple of visits when we had some extra time. Great experience for the money and time as it kept us from losing the afternoon when we arrived.★★★★★
Great way to see the Capital if you only have a few hours.
We had an afternoon flight on a Sunday and decided to get a tour of DC in the morning. It turned out to be a great way to see the major sights and monuments in a short period of time. Stopped at all the major landmarks on the Mall.
★★★★★
Great Tour of DC
Zee did a great job. He’s pleasant, punctual, knows the area very well and drives safely. He expertly pointed out all of the monuments and places of interest. Thank you. We enjoyed the trips.
★★★★★
The birthday girls soooo enjoyed the ride around the town looking at the monuments and singing to the music!
★★★★★
Very enjoyable!
The driver took me to all of the monuments & memorials that I wanted to see. He helped me take pictures & videos. The driver made sure that I was safe getting in & out of the vehicle & he gave me information about the memorials & monuments. The mini bus was very comfortable also! I would recommend using this limosine…
The driver took me to all of the monuments & memorials that I wanted to see. He helped me take pictures & videos. The driver made sure that I was safe getting in & out of the vehicle & he gave me information about the memorials & monuments. The mini bus was very comfortable also! I would recommend using this limosine service when touring Washington DC!★★★★★
Wonderful Experience Touring Washington DC by Limo
We had a fantastic time with Zach as our driver on a very cold rainy day. He did everything possible to make our exploration of Washington DC a memorable experience. He came to our door every time with an umbrella and took photos and videos of us at each site. He was very fun and played historical tour information so…
We had a fantastic time with Zach as our driver on a very cold rainy day. He did everything possible to make our exploration of Washington DC a memorable experience. He came to our door every time with an umbrella and took photos and videos of us at each site. He was very fun and played historical tour information so that we could learn about each monument before we arrived there. Zach was fun, professional, and happy. The limo was brightly lit and very long. Thanks for a wonderful trip....★★★★★
Ameen was the best tour guide and picked us up promptly at the agreed time & place in a limo!
He was very communicative & flexible and made this experience worth every penny! Thank you so much! ❤️
★★★★★
Fun and headache-free tour
Our family (which includes 2 kids and 3 elderly) was visiting DC during Spring break and wanting to hit all of the tourist spots. Our driver (Khalid) was punctual and attentive to our needs. He asked what are the must sees. Since we are here during the beginning of the cherry blossom season, we wanted to make sure we…
Our family (which includes 2 kids and 3 elderly) was visiting DC during Spring break and wanting to hit all of the tourist spots. Our driver (Khalid) was punctual and attentive to our needs. He asked what are the must sees. Since we are here during the beginning of the cherry blossom season, we wanted to make sure we get to see them along with all of the monuments. He made stops for us to take pictures and made sure we do not have to walk too much since we have elderly and little ones. It was very fun for everyone to ride in the limo too and see all the attention we get on the roads. It was a great experience and headache-free for us to not have to plan our routes and find parking etc.★★★★★
Moms and daughters do DC
My best friend and I took our tween daughters. Best way to see monuments! We had control over our time, route, and highlights, and our daughters were so surprised to not be on a bus for the tour. Best surprise ever!
★★★★★
This was a tour at night with our three teenage children.
Amin was amazing he really took care of us. It was cold, and we really felt like we got to see all the monuments with his advice. I would totally recommend it to anybody with families.
★★★★★
Awesome
Fabulous!!!! Service was wonderful. Pick up on time and driver , Ali, was most accommodating and friendly. Even though some of monuments were closed - we still managed to get up and close to those opened. It was a beautiful night.
★★★★★
Great tour for friends, family or work groups!
This tour was outstanding! Our driver Amin was a gem! He picked us up from the lobby of our hotel and right away took pictures and got us started. He was able give us the history of the city, stopped at all major monuments and took pictures for us at all stops. It was raining very hard but he had umbrellas ready, let…
This tour was outstanding! Our driver Amin was a gem! He picked us up from the lobby of our hotel and right away took pictures and got us started. He was able give us the history of the city, stopped at all major monuments and took pictures for us at all stops. It was raining very hard but he had umbrellas ready, let us know the walk time to certain up close views to make sure we were prepared (all were short walks less than 5 mins and nothing hard to get to just not able to drive the limo all the way up to some which was totally understandable) but also made stops if needed (bathroom and quick food pick ups). We were out for a full four hours which left time to just drive around and see the city and enjoy the limo. I would highly recommend this tour even if you’ve been to DC and seen the sites in the past as it was super fun and the limo was very comfortable (we had 7 total people with plenty of room)! Thank you for a GREAT experience!★★★★★
Best idea yet!!!! This was so fun for a family!!
What an amazing experience!!!! We stayed in Baltimore and the limo drove up to get us and then drove us back to our hotel after the tour!! I can not say enough good things! The tour driver was courteous and so knowledgeable of the city. This is definitely the way with kids! We had our 2 year old with us and having the…
What an amazing experience!!!! We stayed in Baltimore and the limo drove up to get us and then drove us back to our hotel after the tour!! I can not say enough good things! The tour driver was courteous and so knowledgeable of the city. This is definitely the way with kids! We had our 2 year old with us and having the ability to pull up and get out to see the sights then get back in was priceless!!!! We will book again when we come back!!★★★★★
Excellent service, Khalid was great!
Really nice company. I had colleagues in town from Kenya (first time to the USA) and wanted to show them the key DC monuments and sites. Smart Limo let me customize the whole trip and route and they could not have been nicer or more accommodating. Khâlid was a great and safe driver. Would highly recommend Smart Limo…
Really nice company. I had colleagues in town from Kenya (first time to the USA) and wanted to show them the key DC monuments and sites. Smart Limo let me customize the whole trip and route and they could not have been nicer or more accommodating. Khâlid was a great and safe driver. Would highly recommend Smart Limo again and again.★★★★★
Called us promptly at the start time we arranged.
Pick us up curbside from hotel. Dropped us at every must see spot. The absolute best way to see DC. Great company providing excellent service. Prompt and reliable service. Excellent time!
★★★★★
This was an amazing experience.
The city comes alive in a different way at night and the limo tour was a very comfortable and safe way to experience the monuments. Our driver was very knowledgeable of the city and even dropped us off at our hotels. Would highly recommend this to anyone!
★★★★★
Best Sweet Sixteen Party
We surprised our daughter and her friends with an evening limo tour of DC for her sweet sixteen birthday. The girls had the best time, played their music between stops, and enjoyed taking photos of each other at the monuments at night. Perfect Instagram moments! Smart Limo accommodated our requests to put some decor…
We surprised our daughter and her friends with an evening limo tour of DC for her sweet sixteen birthday. The girls had the best time, played their music between stops, and enjoyed taking photos of each other at the monuments at night. Perfect Instagram moments! Smart Limo accommodated our requests to put some decor and goody bags in the limo before surprising our daughter. Thanks, Smart Limo for an unforgettable birthday experience!★★★★★
Best way to see DC at night.
This is the best way to see DC at night. Raj picked us up at our restaurant and gave us a fabulous tour. We stopped and were able to get out to walk around and take photos at all the major monuments and buildings. He got us closer to several locations than we were even able to do on foot during the day. The limo was…
Best way to see DC at night. This is the best way to see DC at night. Raj picked us up at our restaurant and gave us a fabulous tour. We stopped and were able to get out to walk around and take photos at all the major monuments and buildings. He got us closer to several locations than we were even able to do on foot during the day. The limo was well stocked with waters and had plenty of stemware for your own drinks.
Day Time Washington DC City Tour: the full guide
The Day Time Washington DC City Tour is 4 hours of private chauffeured sightseeing in a luxury vehicle, built on the core monuments route. It covers 11 walk-up stops where you step out for photos, from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, plus roughly 19 more landmarks the chauffeur narrates as you pass them. The executive sedan is the way in, starting at $440 on a 4-hour minimum. That’s the full civic spine of the city, not a quick six-stop loop. See the complete list of stops and drive-by landmarks in the itinerary below. It is a private, chauffeur-guided tour: your chauffeur-guide runs the route for you, and you can add stops, skip ones you’ve seen, or reorder the day on your clock just by asking. We can also tailor a custom DC route to your group.
Daytime is the version to book if photography is the point. Open light hits the marble at the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool, the Smithsonian museums and the monument grounds are open if your group wants to add a walk, and the Tidal Basin shows its true color around the Jefferson Memorial. Want the same route after dark, with the monuments lit? That’s the DC Night Tour. Want to keep going past four hours? The route extends toward a full day with Arlington, Georgetown, and the service memorials added on.
What you’ll see on the daytime city tour
The itinerary below this section lists all 11 walk-up stops and the full set of narrated drive-by landmarks in driver order. The highlights here go deeper on the marquee stops most guests come for. This tour sits at the center of our private DC tour packages, and the daytime light is what sets it apart from the rest.
Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool
The Lincoln Memorial anchors the western end of the National Mall. The steps facing the Reflecting Pool are where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech on August 28, 1963. The 19-foot seated statue of Lincoln inside the memorial is flanked by the text of the Second Inaugural Address on one wall and the Gettysburg Address on the other. Morning visits (before 10am) have the best light on the Reflecting Pool and manageable crowds. The chauffeur stops on Henry Bacon Drive for photos from the steps.
Washington Monument
The Washington Monument stands at the center of the Mall: 555 feet of Maryland marble completed in 1884. You can see the color shift about one-third of the way up where construction paused during the Civil War and resumed with a slightly different stone. Timed-entry tickets for the interior are free through recreation.gov; book 2 to 3 weeks ahead for weekend visits. The exterior and grounds are free and open 24 hours.
U.S. Capitol Building
The Capitol sits at the eastern end of the Mall on Jenkins Hill. The dome, cast iron and completed in 1863, was a deliberate decision by Lincoln to signal the Union’s continuity during the Civil War. The chauffeur takes you past the East Front (the formal ceremonial entrance) and the West Front, where inaugurations take place and the Mall stretches out behind you. Ground-level photo stops at both fronts.
Jefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin
The Jefferson Memorial sits on the south shore of the Tidal Basin, visible from the Lincoln Memorial across the water. The domed rotunda houses a 19-foot bronze statue of Jefferson surrounded by excerpts from the Declaration of Independence. During cherry blossom season (late March to mid-April), the Tidal Basin is the most photographed place in DC. The FDR Memorial is a short walk along the western shore and takes about 20 minutes to walk through.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, and WWII Memorial
These three memorials cluster near the western end of the Mall. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, designed by Maya Lin and dedicated in 1982, is a black granite wall inscribed with 58,318 names. Visitors leave objects at the base daily; the National Park Service catalogs and preserves everything left behind. The Korean War Veterans Memorial, across the Reflecting Pool path, has 19 stainless steel soldier figures advancing through a field. The WWII Memorial surrounds the Rainbow Pool with granite pillars for each U.S. state and territory.
Smithsonian Museums
Smithsonian Row lines both sides of the National Mall between the Capitol and the Washington Monument. All museums are free. The chauffeur drives the length of the Mall so you can see what’s there, and stops at any museum you want to enter. The Air and Space Museum (south side, near 6th Street SW) and the National Museum of Natural History (north side, Constitution Avenue) are the most visited. The National Museum of American History is between them. A full visit to any single Smithsonian museum takes 2 to 3 hours; most guests do one deep stop or a short walk through two.
White House
The chauffeur takes you past the north facade on Pennsylvania Avenue and the south facade along the Ellipse. Public tours of the White House interior require a request through your Congressional representative submitted 3 to 6 months in advance. The exterior drive-by and photos from the public fence line are included in every tour.
Customize your route
The standard 4-hour itinerary covers the core Mall circuit. Common additions:
- Georgetown (Healy Hall at Georgetown University, M Street, the C&O Canal towpath): add 45 minutes
- Arlington National Cemetery (Tomb of the Unknowns, JFK Gravesite): add 60 to 90 minutes
- Embassy Row (Massachusetts Avenue NW): add 30 minutes, best on a weekday when flags are flying
- Pentagon Memorial: add 30 minutes (no public parking; chauffeur drop-and-wait)
- Mount Vernon (George Washington’s estate, 16 miles south): add 2 to 3 hours
Add enough of these and the day grows into a full-day DC tour, which folds in Arlington National Cemetery, the Iwo Jima and Air Force Memorials, and Georgetown as standard stops.
Your chauffeur drives the route and knows it cold, pointing out the landmarks as you go. The route is yours: add a stop, linger longer, or skip one, just by asking.
Best time of day for the daytime tour
A 9am or 10am start gives the best combination of light, parking access, and manageable crowds at the Lincoln Memorial and Tidal Basin. By midday in summer, the Mall is hot and the light is flat for photography. A late afternoon start (3 to 4pm) works well in spring and fall when the sun angle is lower and the crowds thin out by 5pm. The DC Night Tour is the dedicated evening option if you want the monuments after dark.
Who this tour is for
First-time visitors to Washington DC who want a thorough overview in a single day. Families traveling with children who need flexibility on timing and stops. Guests on a work trip with one free day. Anyone who wants to cover the essential DC landmarks without navigating Metro connections and parking.
The daytime tour also works well as a day-one orientation before a more focused second day. Pair it with the Capitol Hill Tour for a deep dive into the legislative campus, or the African American Heritage Tour for a thematically different second day.
Pricing
Starting at $440 for a private tour in the executive sedan (up to 3 guests), with a 4-hour minimum. The Executive SUV is $480 for 4 hours (up to 6 guests). Larger groups ride the Mercedes Sprinter (up to 13) or the stretch and Hummer limousines; see the pricing table above. Book online or call (202) 609-9811.
Related private DC tour packages
Most of our private DC tour packages share the same chauffeur, vehicle, and pricing structure. They differ in route. Browse the full DC tour packages hub or compare with the DC Monuments Tour and the Capitol Hill Tour.
Book this private DC tour
Call (202) 609-9811 or book online. Talk to an expert, 24/7. We’ll talk through the route, the vehicle that fits your group, and the time of day that works best.
Common questions about Day Time Washington DC City Tour
What is the best daytime city tour of Washington DC?
A private chauffeured tour of the 11-stop monuments circuit in daylight: the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool, the Washington Monument, the Capitol, the White House, the Jefferson, FDR and MLK memorials on the Tidal Basin and the war memorials, with about 19 more landmarks narrated as you drive between them.
How much does the daytime Washington DC city tour cost?
From $440 for 4 hours in the Executive Sedan for up to 3 guests, or $480 in the Executive SUV for up to 6. The stretch limousine is $540 for up to 10, the Mercedes Sprinter $560 for up to 13, the white Hummer limousine $760 and the mini bus $720 for 22 to 32. Tours bill a 4-hour minimum.
How many monuments can we realistically visit in 4 hours?
All 11 walk-up stops at a steady pace with photo time at each, plus the drive-by landmarks: the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, Smithsonian Row, Pennsylvania Avenue and more. If you want to linger 20 minutes inside the Lincoln Memorial and the Tidal Basin, a 5-hour booking is comfortable.
What is the best way to tour Washington DC in one day?
Start this 4-hour daytime circuit in the morning, stop for lunch at Eastern Market or in Georgetown, then add Arlington National Cemetery in the afternoon. That is the shape of our Welcome to DC full-day tour, which packages all of it as a single 8-hour booking with one chauffeur.
Can a regular person tour the White House?
Public tours of the interior are requested through your Member of Congress 3 to 6 months in advance. On this tour the White House is a walk-up stop for the classic view and photos from Lafayette Square or the South Lawn side, and the chauffeur times it around whichever side is open that day.
What time of day should the city tour start?
A 9am or 10am start gives the best mix of light, access and manageable crowds at the Lincoln Memorial and Tidal Basin. In summer the Mall is hot and the light flat by midday. A 3pm to 4pm start works in spring and fall, and our DC night tour covers the monuments after dark.
More questions? See the full FAQ or call (202) 609-9811. We answer 24/7.
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