Luxury Kentucky Bourbon Tours: Elite Transport Options
Updated November 2026 · BourbonTown Tours
The most comfortable way to tour Kentucky bourbon country is a private vehicle with a professional driver, so nobody in your group sits out a tasting. BourbonTown Tours runs an Audi A8 sedan for up to 3 guests, a GMC Yukon XL SUV for 1 to 6, Ford Transit vans that seat 12 and a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van that seats 14. Below, we compare private cars with shuttles.
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Quick facts: how BourbonTown Tours handles the driving
- No shared seats: the vehicle carries your party alone, never other guests.
- Fleet: Audi A8 sedan for up to 3 guests; GMC Yukon XL SUV for 1 to 6; Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van for 7 to 14 (seats 14); Ford Transit vans (seat 12). Groups over 14 travel in multiple vehicles or a bus or motor coach we contract.
- Private tours: $275 to $425 per person depending on group size, plus 6% KY sales tax and a 3% booking fee. The rate covers everything except lunch and driver gratuity.
- Transportation Only puts our private vehicle and driver on the plan you make: SUV for 1 to 6 guests, $100 an hour. Van for 7 to 14 guests, $150 an hour. 4-hour minimum, plus 6% KY sales tax and a 3% booking fee. Billing runs from the time our vehicle leaves our garage until it returns.
- More on vehicles and drivers: private bourbon tour transportation and our fleet.
How we match the vehicle to your group
Headcount picks the vehicle, not the other way round. Up to 3 guests ride in the Audi A8, up to 6 in the Yukon XL, 7 to 12 in a Transit, and a party of 13 or 14 in the Sprinter. The vehicle and driver stay with your group from hotel pickup to drop-off, and nobody else rides with you, so jackets, bags and bottles stay on board between stops. Water is stocked in every vehicle. We book the distillery tickets once your tour is confirmed and confirm the lunch table ahead of time, so the driver spends the day driving your plan rather than waiting in walk-up lines. Not sure yet whether you are 6 or 8? Send the range, and the quote will say whether that means the Yukon XL or a Transit.
Introduction to Kentucky bourbon country and its popularity among tourists
Kentucky bourbon country is one of the state’s most popular destinations. Its distilleries and related sites sit within a few hours’ drive of each other, so a group can visit several in one day.
Bourbon tourism has grown steadily, with visitors arriving from across the country and abroad.
One of the main reasons for its popularity is the growing trend of food and beverage tourism. People are increasingly interested in experiencing different cuisines, drinks, and their cultural significance. And what better way to do that than by exploring the heartland of America’s native spirit: bourbon?
Kentucky is the home of bourbon, which is why bourbon fans plan whole trips around its distilleries.
Another factor contributing to its popularity is its accessibility. The region covers several major cities such as Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown, and Frankfort, making it easily accessible for tourists from all over the country. Many tour companies offer guided tours across the region with various transportation options.
Kentucky bourbon country also offers an opportunity for visitors to not only taste different bourbons but also witness their production process firsthand at distilleries with famous names like Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, and Buffalo Trace, each with their own distinct flavors and histories.
Overview of the transportation options available for touring Kentucky bourbon country
Kentucky bourbon country spreads its distilleries across five driving clusters, so transportation is the first thing to plan. With distilleries spread across the state, it can be overwhelming to plan a tour of the region. One of the most important aspects to consider while planning your trip is transportation. The good news is that there are plenty of options available to make your journey in bourbon country as smooth and luxurious as possible.
Private Cars
For those looking for convenience and comfort, hiring a private car is an excellent option. You can sit back, relax and let an experienced chauffeur take you from one distillery to another. Private cars offer services with flexibility, allowing you to create your own itinerary according to your preferences. This option also gives you the opportunity to enjoy some of Kentucky’s stunning views as you travel between distilleries. This is how BourbonTown Tours works: see private bourbon tour transportation.
Shuttle Services
Another popular option for touring bourbon country is shuttle services provided by many local companies or hotels. These shuttles generally operate on set schedules and routes covering several popular distilleries in each run. While this may limit your flexibility compared to other options, it still provides an affordable way to explore multiple destinations without worrying about driving directions or parking.
There are several transportation options for touring bourbon country, catering to different budgets and preferences. After a day of tastings, the safe choice is a vehicle with someone else at the wheel, so everyone in the group can enjoy the tastings.
Frequently asked questions
Which vehicle will my group ride in?
Headcount picks the vehicle. Up to 3 guests ride in the Audi A8 sedan, up to 6 in the GMC Yukon XL SUV, 7 to 12 in a Ford Transit van, and 13 or 14 in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Groups over 14 travel in multiple vehicles or a bus or motor coach we contract. If your numbers are still moving, give us the range and the quote names the vehicle.
Is a private car better than a bourbon country shuttle?
For most groups, yes. Shuttles generally run set schedules and routes, which limits flexibility, though they can be an affordable way to reach several popular distilleries. A private vehicle runs your own itinerary, nobody else rides with you, and the same driver stays with your group from hotel pickup to drop-off, so everyone in the group can enjoy the tastings.
Can I book just the vehicle and driver without a tour?
Yes. Transportation Only is the booking for a day you plan yourself. Transportation Only puts our private vehicle and driver on the plan you make: SUV for 1 to 6 guests, $100 an hour. Van for 7 to 14 guests, $150 an hour. 4-hour minimum, plus 6% KY sales tax and a 3% booking fee. Billing runs from the time our vehicle leaves our garage until it returns. The venues you choose set their own tickets, hours and prices, so you book those directly. If you want a private distillery day with tickets included and the stops planned for you, a private tour is the better fit.
Can we leave jackets and bottles in the vehicle between stops?
Yes. The vehicle and driver stay with your group all day, from hotel pickup to drop-off, and nobody else rides with you. Jackets, bags and the bottles you buy stay on board between distilleries, and water is stocked in every vehicle, so you only carry what you want into each stop.
What does a private tour cost, and what is included?
Private tours run $275 to $425 per person depending on group size, plus 6% KY sales tax and a 3% booking fee. The rate covers everything except lunch and driver gratuity. Every tour is private to your group, never mixed with strangers. Distillery tickets are included: we book them once your tour is confirmed and confirm your lunch table ahead of time, so your driver spends the day driving your plan rather than waiting in walk-up lines.
Plan your private bourbon day
BourbonTown Tours has run 3,000+ private tours since 2012. Every tour is private to your group, never mixed with strangers, and covers everything except lunch and driver gratuity. Distillery tickets are included.
Private tours run $275 to $425 per person depending on group size, plus 6% KY sales tax and a 3% booking fee.
