Arlington Cemetery Private Tour

At Arlington National Cemetery, the most moving moments may not be the famous ones. Along with the Tomb of the Unknowns and its changing of the guard, you can visit a family grave, pause at a friend’s marker, watch part of a military funeral from a respectful distance, or walk through a quiet section far from the main flow.

I like the private format, which lets Tom Schultz adjust the route to your interests and walking ability. I also like the veteran guide’s personal view of military history, plus the convenience of pickup in Washington, Arlington, Alexandria, or National Harbor.

The main consideration is the price: $875 for up to six people is a serious outlay, even though it includes private transport and a four-hour visit. The walking route covers about 2.75 miles over hilly ground, so ask about using the cemetery trolley if anyone in your group has limited mobility.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Tom Schultz can personalize the route: Past itineraries have focused on Civil War sites, family graves, Supreme Court members, military service, or lesser-visited sections.
• The changing of the guard is included: Your guide aims for a respectful viewing position at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
• You get door-to-door transport: Pickup and drop-off are available at many addresses in Washington, Arlington County, Alexandria, and National Harbor.
• The visit is mostly outdoors: Wear sensible shoes and dress for the season, with early morning starts recommended.
• Walking shows you more: The full route is hilly and about 2.75 miles, but a public trolley can help if mobility is limited.
• The group is truly private: Only your party takes part, with room to ask questions and set the pace.

Why Arlington Works Best With a Personal Guide

Arlington National Cemetery is easy to underestimate. You can arrive, take a few pictures, see the Tomb of the Unknowns, and leave with only a fraction of the place’s meaning. The grounds are large, the slopes can be tiring, and the stories are spread across many sections.

A private guide changes the rhythm. Instead of following a fixed script, you can tell Tom what matters to your group before setting out. That might mean Civil War history, a relative buried at Arlington, the experience of military families, or a general introduction to the cemetery’s most important sites.

Tom Schultz is a retired Navy veteran, and his military background gives the tour a useful point of reference. He is not simply pointing out names on headstones. He can connect the cemetery to American military service, funerals, sacrifice, and the customs that make Arlington different from an ordinary burial ground.

I especially like the personal side of the tour. One visitor had a father buried at Arlington and needed help locating the grave. Tom took the group directly there and allowed private time for remembrance. Another family visited before a father’s funeral and used the tour to understand the setting and some of the practical details they would soon encounter.

That kind of attention is difficult to get in a large group. It also means you should tell the guide about family connections or special interests when booking. The more Tom knows in advance, the more useful the route can be.

The 8:00 Pickup and Ride to the Cemetery

A sample morning begins at 8:00 or 8:30, with pickup at your lodging or another agreed location. Free pickup and drop-off are offered within downtown Washington, Arlington County, Alexandria, and National Harbor. Other meeting options can include an airport, cruise port, hotel, monument, rail station, bus station, address, or intersection, provided the location is agreed in advance.

The ride to Arlington takes about 20 minutes in the sample schedule. You travel in a private, air-conditioned 2017 Buick Enclave, with bottled water and WiFi available onboard. This is a small detail, but it matters on a hot, wet, or cold Washington morning. You do not need to arrange a taxi, find parking, or figure out the cemetery’s internal roads before the tour begins.

The private SUV also makes the tour easier for families with mixed energy levels. You may walk for a while, then use the vehicle between parts of the cemetery. The description does not promise that the SUV will drive to every requested grave, so ask Tom about the route and walking needs before departure.

Starting early is good advice. Arlington is a working cemetery, not just a sightseeing stop. Funerals, ceremonies, maintenance, and daily visitors all share the grounds. An early start gives you cooler temperatures in warm months and a better chance of seeing major sites before the day feels crowded.

Arlington’s Origins and the First Stories

The cemetery portion runs roughly from 8:20 to 11:30 in the sample plan. Tom begins by explaining how Arlington got its start, then builds the visit around the places that best fit your interests.

The value here is the setting. Arlington’s broad slopes and long rows of markers can feel almost too orderly at first. A guide helps you see the human scale within that order: individual service, family connections, public figures, and the quiet work of maintaining a national cemetery.

You might spend time at well-known graves or ask for a less-used section. Several past itineraries have included quiet areas away from the main routes. These sections are useful if you want a slower visit, but they also require more walking and may not suit every group.

Tom can also help you find a notable grave or a loved one’s marker. That is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour over a general sightseeing option. Finding a particular grave in a large cemetery can be stressful when you are working from a map and a tight schedule. A personal guide makes the visit more direct and leaves time for reflection.

The tour is not designed to rush you from marker to marker. You can ask questions as you go, and Tom can adjust the amount of detail. One account describes his pacing as a good middle ground, with enough information to keep the route interesting without turning every stop into a lecture.

The Tomb of the Unknowns and Changing of the Guard

The Tomb of the Unknowns is the headline stop for many people, and the tour includes the chance to see the changing of the guard. Timing matters, since ceremonies follow a schedule and the cemetery remains an active place of mourning.

Tom’s role is useful here. He can guide you to an appropriate viewing area and explain what you are seeing without making the ceremony feel like a show. One carefully planned visit included a good position at the Tomb while still keeping the group away from the thickest crowds.

Expect a formal and quiet experience. This is a place for respectful attention, not casual chatter or constant photography. The ceremony carries more weight when you understand the role of the tomb and the care given to the ritual.

The exact timing of the guard change is not specified, so do not treat it as an absolute guarantee at a particular minute. Ask about the day’s schedule when you book or at pickup. The tour’s early start is a sensible choice for fitting this stop into a four-hour visit.

Military Funerals and Respectful Observation

Arlington is also a working cemetery, and you may see part of a full military honors funeral while moving between sections. This is not a performance arranged for the tour. If a funeral is taking place, the proper approach is to keep your distance, remain quiet, and follow Tom’s guidance.

That possibility adds a solemn dimension to the visit. It also means the schedule can change. A respectful guide will not interrupt a funeral or treat it as a sightseeing attraction. You should be prepared for the tour to slow down or reroute if a service is underway.

This is one reason the private format is valuable. A fixed group may have trouble adjusting its pace. With only your party involved, Tom can give the funeral party space and still find another route or explain what you are seeing from a proper distance.

The experience can be especially meaningful for families preparing to attend a funeral at Arlington. Tom has helped families understand the cemetery’s layout and some of the practical details surrounding grave markers and stone carving. That information will not remove the sadness of the day, but it can make the setting feel less unfamiliar.

Quiet Sections, Family Graves, and Personalized Stops

The tour’s best moments may come from the stops you request. You can ask to visit a parent, friend, relative, favorite public figure, or a section connected to your family or military interests.

A Civil War-focused itinerary has included areas that are not part of the usual quick visit. Another route visited the section associated with Supreme Court members. These examples show how much the tour can change based on your priorities.

I would send a short list before the tour if you have several specific goals. Include names, family connections, mobility concerns, and any preference for military history or quiet time. Four hours sounds generous, but Arlington is large, and every extra stop takes time.

Walking is the tradeoff. The full route is about 2.75 miles, or 4.4 kilometers, and includes hills. The cemetery trolley is available as an option for people with limited mobility, though the tour explains that walking allows you to see more. A family with a wheelchair user and older adults was able to adjust the route with Tom’s help, and another visitor with recent knee replacements appreciated his attention to safety.

You should still be realistic. This is not a fully vehicle-based tour, and it is not a flat stroll. Wear supportive shoes, carry any needed medication, and dress for changing weather. Most of the experience takes place outdoors.

What You Pay for at $875

The price is $875 per group of up to six people, with a tour lasting about four hours. Admission to the cemetery is free, and the price includes the private guide, transportation, air conditioning, bottled water, and onboard WiFi.

For one or two people, this is expensive. A couple paying the full amount is spending $437.50 each before gratuity. A group of six brings the cost to about $146 per person, which is easier to justify if everyone values a private route and door-to-door transport.

The price makes more sense when you compare it with what you receive. You are not only paying for a ride to Arlington. You are paying for a veteran guide who can shape the morning around your family, locate a grave, help with hilly sections, and explain military customs in context.

A large group tour may cost less and may cover the most famous stops efficiently. It will not usually give you the same control over timing, questions, quiet pauses, or personal destinations. If your main goal is simply to see the Tomb of the Unknowns, a less costly option may be enough. If Arlington has personal importance, the private format earns its keep more easily.

Gratuity is not included. Lunch is also not included, although a four-hour morning schedule does not include a meal stop in the sample plan. Plan food before pickup or after drop-off.

Who Will Get the Most From This Tour

This is a strong choice for families with a burial site to find, groups with a military connection, and first-time visitors who want more than a quick look at the main monuments. It also suits people who prefer asking questions privately rather than listening from the back of a large group.

Older adults can benefit from the private SUV and flexible pace, but you should discuss the walking route in advance. The experience requires a moderate fitness level unless you make use of the trolley option and vehicle transfers.

The tour also works well for a mixed-age family. Children may not follow every detail of military history, but a private guide can keep the explanation focused and stop for breaks. Adults can ask more serious questions without holding up an unrelated group.

It may not suit a visitor with only a short window in Washington, since the tour takes about four hours plus transportation. It is also a poor match if you want a purely self-guided visit or a low-cost attraction. Arlington is free to enter, so the value lies almost entirely in the guide, planning, and private transport.

Practical Details That Matter

Confirmation arrives at booking, and the experience is offered in English with a mobile ticket. The tour operates as a private activity, so only your group participates.

The listed cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes in that final 24-hour window are not accepted. Cutoff times use local Washington time.

Pickup is available from the specified parts of Washington, Arlington, Alexandria, and National Harbor. If you want pickup at a monument, station, airport, or another address, confirm the exact point rather than assuming every location is included at no charge.

Bring water if you prefer more than the provided bottle, and prepare for sun, rain, heat, or cold. The tour runs outdoors, and the cemetery’s slopes make footwear more important than appearance.

Should You Book the Arlington Private Tour?

Book it if you want Arlington to feel personal rather than simply famous. Tom Schultz’s veteran background, custom routes, attention to mobility, and ability to locate meaningful graves are the main reasons to choose this option.

I would especially recommend it for a family honoring someone buried at Arlington, a group preparing for a funeral, or visitors with a strong interest in American military history. The quiet sections and flexible pacing can also make the morning more reflective than a standard sightseeing circuit.

Skip it if you are watching your budget, traveling alone, or only want to see the Tomb of the Unknowns and leave. The cemetery is free, and the $875 group price needs several people or a clear personal reason to make financial sense.

For the right group, this is not just transportation and a list of names. It is a carefully paced introduction to one of Washington’s most solemn places, with enough flexibility to let your own family story guide the morning.

FAQ

How long does the Arlington Cemetery tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours, including transportation to and from Arlington National Cemetery.

What areas offer free pickup and drop-off?

Free pickup and drop-off are available at lodging within downtown Washington, National Harbor, Arlington County, and the City of Alexandria.

How many people can join the private tour?

The $875 price covers one private group of up to six people. Only your group participates.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation in an air-conditioned 2017 Buick Enclave is included, along with bottled water and WiFi onboard.

How much walking is involved?

The walking route is about 2.75 miles, or 4.4 kilometers, and includes hills. A public cemetery trolley is available as an option for people with limited mobility, although walking allows you to see more.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.