Last updated on September 9th, 2023
London, one of the most visited cities in the world, is steeped in history, iconic landmarks, and diverse culture. Whether you are visiting for a short time or would love to see the best of London on a return trip, bus tours are a great way to take in the UK capital’s charm.
Since bus tours in London are one of the most iconic things to do, there are dozens of companies and varieties to choose from. You can find pretty much any kind of tour from leisurely afternoon tea to spooky encounters. And best of all, for those who already have the London Pass, you can experience some of these for free!
Not sure which is the best fit for you? I’ve curated a list of the 10 best London Bus Tours that are sure to offer a memorable experience. In addition, check out some other popular guided tours of London!
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What is a London Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour?
A hop-on-hop-off bus tour allows you the flexibility to stop at multiple locations. Unlike most tours which require you to stay on the entire time, you are free to get off and back on when and where you choose. In short, these bus tours are similar to taking an ordinary bus, but with the addition of live commentary from knowledgeable guides along the way.
For those looking for a brief overview of each attraction, a bus tour is a terrific option. And some include additional perks like a free walking tour or Thames River Cruise. Although they do not include admission to the sites themselves, bus tours are a great way to see several iconic landmarks in a short period. And if the weather is not ideal, you can still explore London at your own pace. Plus, after several days of walking around London, it is nice to be able to get off your feet.
Best London Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour Companies
Big Bus Tours – Best London Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tours
Recommended Tour: Essential Ticket
Big Bus is one of the most popular when it comes to the best hop-on-hop-off London bus tours. They allow the flexibility to get off and on as you choose and offer routes that pass by London’s most famous attractions. From the London Eye to St. Paul’s Cathedral, you can knock off the city’s main attractions in just a couple of hours.
To make your experience run as smoothly as possible, they have a downloadable sightseeing app. View information about the attractions on your route, check in on upcoming buses, and search for nearby restaurants and landmarks all from your phone.
Big Bus Tours’ most popular Essential Ticket allows access to their buses for 48 hours and comes with additional perks. Purchasing this hop-on-hop-off bus ticket gives you free access to three guided walking tours, and river cruise.
TootBus Tour – Best London Bus Tours for Families
Recommended Tour: London Discovery
With the help of their trusty app, TOOTBus Tours has some of the most diverse selection of itineraries around. In total, TootBus has seven different tours available including the Bar Bus, London by Night, and private bus hire.
The company has developed its tours with families in mind. Their hop-on-hop-off tour includes both adult and kid commentary. TootBus offers specialized kid’s tours that are created to be engaging and informative. As the tour is 45 minutes in length, it is the perfect length of time for families with small children.
Looking for a 1-3 day bus tour? The most popular Discovery Tour allows you the flexibility of three different routes and the ability to get on and off as you choose. One of the aspects that puts this tour ahead of the competition is the late hours available. The yellow routes run until 8:00 pm, unlike other companies that stop operations much earlier.
Golden Tours – Best Overall Variety of Experiences
Recommend Tour: Hop-on-Hop-Off Tour
Gold Tours offers three different routes as well as theme experiences and walking tours of London. They also provide family packages which can save you a lot of money if you have a family of four or more.
Golden Tours provides 24 to 72-hour ticket options with the ability to cancel if needed. Your guide will give you interesting facts along the way, but you can also use a free audio guide if you prefer listening at your own pace. All tickets come with a free walking tour, but you can choose to include a Thames River cruise for a small additional fee.
Looking for something other than a hop-on-hop-off tour? Golden Tours has a plethora of non-stop tours both in and out of London. One of the most popular non-stop tours is the two-hour Open Top Bus Tour. You will visit many of the same attractions but with the option of going during the day or at night.
| Big Bus | TootBus | Golden Tours | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Highlights | Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, Marble Arch, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Horseguards, Whitehall, Covent Garden, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace | Tower Bridge, Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery, and Borough Market | London Eye, Tower of London, The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Piccadilly Circus, King’s Cross, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace |
| Ticket Prices | Adult £55.00, Child £45.00, Family £177.50 | Adult £42.00, Child £24.00, Family £108.00 | Adult £35.50, Child £20.50, Family £95.00 |
| Bus Routes | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Tour Duration | Green Route: 1 hour and 10 minutes; Red Route: 2 hours and 30 minutes; Blue Route: 3 hours and 30 minutes | Kids Tour: 45 minutes; Non-stop Tours: 90 minutes; Hop-On-Hop-Off Tours: Around 2 hours and 30 minutes | Open-Top Bus Tour: 2 hours; Hop-On-Hop-Off Tours: Around 2 hours and 30 minutes. |
| Stops | 40+ | 80+ | 70+ |
| Commentary | Audio Guide | Audio Guide | Live Commentary and Audio Guides |
| Dates and Times | Daily from 8:15 am - 6:00 pm | Daily from 8:30 am - 8:00 pm | Daily from 9:00 am - 10:15 pm |
| Languages Offered | 5 | 5 | 12 |
| Additional Perks | Downloadable app, 3 free guided tours, and a River Cruise, date change available | Free Thames River Cruise, advanced cancelation, downloadable app, and kid’s commentary. | Free walking tour and Thames River Cruise, advanced cancelation, downloadable app, and multiple ticket options |
Best Guided London Bus Tours
Gastronomy Bus Tour
Recommended Tour: BUSTRONOME 6-Course Luxury Dinner Tour
BUSTRONOME has revolutionized the tour scene. This unique experience combines the love of cuisine with a tour of London’s iconic sites. Guests are served a 6-course meal (4-courses for lunch) inspired by traditional French and English dishes. All while exploring the city on a luxury, glass-roofed bus. And what makes this culinary experience remarkable is that all dishes are cooked fresh onboard.
Guests can choose from several menus and options, including an upgraded food and wine pairing. Once onboard, you will be wined and dined, while you sit back, listen to some ambient music, and enjoy the city views from the panoramic terrace.
- Ticket Prices: Adult £70.00 – £120.00; Child: £40.00 – £50.00
- Commentary: Audio Guide
- Tour Duration: 2.5 hours
- Dates and Times: 12:00 pm or 7:00 pm dining options available daily
- Languages Offered: English and French
London Evening Tour
Recommended Tour: London By Night Bus Tour.
Although London is beautiful by day, it comes alive at night. So what better way to see some of London’s top attractions than when they are lit up? Pass by the Tower of London, Harrods, Trafalgar Square, and other favorite attractions on the Londu by Night Bus Tour.
You will also get a chance to experience the neon lights of Piccadilly Circus, all from the top of an open-roof bus. And with the help of your guide, you will learn all about these fascinating places in a fun and lively setting.
- Ticket Prices: Adult £29.00, Child £16.00, Family £78.00
- Commentary: Live guide
- Tour Duration: 90 minutes
- Dates and Times: Daily from 7:30 pm – 9:20 pm (10:15 pm in the summer)
- Languages Offered: English (Audio guides in 7 languages)
Day Tours from London by Bus
Recommend Tour: Evan Evans Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath Full-Day Tour
Are you looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center? Then take a guided bus tour to the countryside! There are over 40 different tour options available that will take you as far as Paris. Other popular sites include Blenheim Palace, Oxford, Cotswolds, and the filming location for Downton Abbey.
One of Evan Evans’s popular tours offers a scenic route to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath. The full-day tour from London includes transportation, a knowledgeable guide, and entrance tickets to various attractions (optional).
Your experience will begin with a tour of Windsor Castle, which is included in the price of your tour. You can explore on your own, with the guidance of your guide. Your second stop will be the city of Bath. Your tour will take you past several architectural sights before stopping at the Roman Baths to explore and have time on your own for lunch in the city. From there, hop back on the bus to Stonehenge before heading back to London.
- Ticket Prices: £95 – £142
- Commentary: Live guide
- Tour Duration: 11.5 hours
- Languages Offered: English
Harry Potter Bus Tour
Recommend Tour: Brit Movie Tours
You can’t talk about London without including a Harry Potter tour. London is filled with iconic places that were used as filming locations in the movies. So what better way to explore the magical world of Harry Potter than on an iconic double-decker bus?
This themed bus tour allows you to see the movie’s key locations with the help of a guide. And unlike many similar tours, you have the opportunity to get off the bus, take photos, and explore along the way.
Find the entrance to the Ministry of Magic, see Gringotts and 12 Grimmauld Place, and take a photo in front of Platform 9 ¾. In addition to visiting all the city’s filming locations, you will still have the opportunity to see London’s most famous landmarks.
- Ticket Prices: Adult £32.50, Child £21.00
- Commentary: Live guide
- Tour Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes.
- Languages Offered: English
Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
Recommended Tour: Brigit’s Bakery Classic Afternoon Tea Tour
Two of the most iconic things to do in London are having afternoon tea and riding a double-decker bus. So, why not do both at the same time? For a leisurely and elegant London sightseeing experience, join a London Afternoon Tea Bus Tour.
The best London bus afternoon tea is run by Brigit’s Bakery. Travel in style on a vintage Routemaster bus while indulging in some traditional English pastries. Better yet, book the bus for an afternoon around London. The company offers private hire events that can be personalized to meet your needs.
Keep track of their upcoming events on the company’s website. In addition to the classic afternoon tea package, you can partake in themed experiences catered to adults and children.
- Ticket Prices: Adult £45.00, Child £35.00
- Commentary: Pre-recorded
- Tour Duration: 90 minutes.
- Dates and Times: Daily from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Languages Offered: English
Spooky London Tour
Recommended Tour: The Ghost Bus Tour
Looking for a unique and spooky bus tour through London? Hop on the legendary Necrobus and explore the dark and haunting history of the city. Discover the gruesome secrets of London with the help of actors who bring the sites to life.
Your conductor offers live commentary along the way as you dive into London’s darker history. In addition to the usual historical facts of the landmarks you pass, your guide with throw in some of the darker and more gruesome stories you would miss on just any other guided bus tour.
- Ticket Prices: Adult £25.00, Child £17.00, Family 63.00
- Commentary: Live guide
- Tour Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Dates and Times: Daily from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Languages Offered: English
Shakespeare Themed Tour
Recommended Tour: Golden Tours Day Trip to Stratford and Cotswolds
For you literary lovers, experience the life of the Elizabethan area with this spectacular Shakespeare bus tour. Your tour guides will take you to the key locations connected to his life including his birthplace at Stratford-upon-Avon.
Some of the important stops include the childhood home of Shakespeare as well as the home of his wife, Anne Hathaway. Along the way, your guide will deliver some captivating stories about the writer and the period that inspired his plays.
The second half of the day will be spent in two of Cotswold’s prettiest villages. Explore on your own, grab lunch, and take advantage of the breathtaking photo opportunities before heading back to London.
- Ticket Prices: Adult £126.0, Child £115.00, Family £475.00
- Commentary: Live Guide
- Tour Duration: 10 hours
- Languages Offered: English
Additional Guided Tours in London
Thames River Cruises
The Thames River Sightseeing Company specializes in river tours and has several experiences available for sightseers. One of the most popular tours is from Westminster to Greenwich. You can purchase a one-way or round-trip ticket for as little as £15 for adults. Here are some other popular river cruises:
Walking Tours
Walking tours are another great way to learn about the city’s history and culture. Many also offer entry into London’s attractions which guided bus tours do not. Walking tours give you an indepth account of London’s history through the expert knowledge of a guide. Here are some top-rated London walking tours:
London Bus Tours FAQs
Are Big Bus Tours in London worth it?
There is no straight answer to this because it all depends on your sightseeing goals. If you want to see the main sites in a short amount of time or do not want to walk everywhere, then London bus tours are a great way to do that.
They can also be a great budget option for learning about the city’s landmarks without paying for the hefty admission tickets.
On the flip side, bus tours mean getting stuck in London traffic (there’s lots!) and only just skimming the historical surface of the landmarks you pass.
How long does a London bus tour take?
Each bus tour has its route and number of stops. Tours can be as short as 1 hour and up to around 3 depending on which you choose. On average though, you can expect to spend an hour and a half on a tour. But if you join a hop-on-hop-off bus tour you can simply jump from one location to the next if you want.
How much does a bus tour cost in London?
Prices range depending on the company you choose, but you can expect to spend anywhere between £33-50 per ticket. Purchasing a London Pass can be a great money-saving option if you plan on visiting a large number of attractions. Hop-on-hop-off bus tours are included in these passes for the duration of your purchase.
How do you pay for a bus tour?
You will purchase tickets online unless you plan on joining a hop-on-hop-off London bus tour. You can save some money buying them in advance, and guarantee yourself a seat. Hop-on-hop-off London bus tours give you a little more flexibility by being able to pay on the bus if you’d prefer.
Conclusion
London’s bus tours offer a variety of themes and experiences for all types of interests. This list of the bestselling London Bus Tours is a great place to start for a taste of the city. If you’ve had the chance to joina fun and unique tour of London, I’d live to hear about it! Leave a comment below about your experience.
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Travel Planning Resources
BOOK YOUR FLIGHT | Skyscanner is the top search engine for finding and booking flights. They price check over 1,200 travel sites to help you find the best prices.
VIEW ACCOMMODATIONS | For booking hotels and vacation rentals Booking.com is a top resource . They offer some of the cheapest rates and different payment options.
PLAN TRANSPORTATION
- Rental Car: Discover Cars is my go-to site when booking rentals. They work with hundreds of companies worldwide to help you find the best car for your needs and budget.
- Trains: Trainline is the best choice if you are traveling throughout England. They work with 270 companies for 45 countries in Europe and the UK.
- Bus: Omio is an easy website to use for booking train and bus tickets. Similar to Skyscanner, the website looks at hundreds of transport companies to get you the best deals.
SCHEDULE YOUR TOURS | There are many top companies available in Europe. Get Your Guide is one of the best sites for tours, excursions, and activities. Viator is another terrific website for all types of experiences.
GET TRAVEL INSURANCE | Having travel insurance is always a good idea. World Nomads is one of the top travel insurance companies. It will cover you if you must cancel your trip or if something unexpected happens.
Check out the resource page for additional travel planning resources.
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