When you're visiting one of the world's most iconic cities, navigating the sights and uncovering its stories can seem overwhelming. Enter The Big Bus Tour London—your key to exploring the city's rich history, stunning landmarks, and vibrant energy without the stress of planning every detail. This hop-on, hop-off bus tour is beloved by tourists and locals alike for its convenience, thorough coverage, and engaging onboard experience. Whether it's your first time in London or your fifth, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know, plus a few insider tips to make your adventure unforgettable!
Explore London's Best with The Big Bus Tour
The Big Bus Tour London makes discovering the city's treasures effortless. It offers flexible routes packed with top attractions, iconic landmarks, and plenty of charm. The buses operate on three main lines—Red, Blue, and Green—each with tailored routes to help you explore London's highlights at your own pace. You can hop on to enjoy the scenic ride and audio commentary or hop off to wander the historic streets and visit famous sites. Sometimes you see the big bus tours or similar tours line the big red bus, or hop-on hop-off tours. There are a few different companies that do similar routes and tours,, just remember your ticket is only good for Big Red Bus. When looking for the bus stop, you can easily find them with the bus stop signs located at the stop.
Red Line Highlights
The Red Line, or red route, focuses on Central London's most famous landmarks. With many carefully chosen stops, it hits all the classics. Most stops are located within a few minutes walk of each other and other red route stops, so not all stops are listed in my list. Just ones I used over a 48 hour period.
Green Park Tube station: This is the first stop of the day, and a perfect place to get on if using the Tube or staying at the Ritz Carlton. Also a great place to stop if you want to visit St James Place and Clarence House
Hard Rock Cafe: just a couple minutes ride from Green Park. Hyde Park is nearby along with Wellington Memorial
Park Lane/ Queen Mother Gates : This was where I would get on and off the most as it was closest to my hotel, The Sheraton Grand Park Lane, and Hilton Hotel is nearby, as well as Hyde Park, and Apsley House
Marble Arch: the next stop, I never got off at this stop
Piccadilly Circus: The best stop for Chinatown. Also the Royal Academy of Arts and Leicester square are nearby.
Trafalgar Square: Not far from Piccadilly Circus and can easily visit Chinatown and other sites from here. Plus St James's Park and the Changing of the Guards.
Whitehall: Is a great place to stop for Downing Street, or the London Eye.
Saint Paul's Cathedral: I only stopped for the Cathedral, but the Bank of England museum and the London Museum are close by.
London Bridge: A great stop for the Borough Market, and not too far from Tower Bridge. and Tower of London, but I would just hop off at the next stop for those.
Tower of London: Delve into British history, marvel at the Crown Jewels, and meet the legendary ravens.
Westminster Pier: Big Ben and Houses of Parliament where you can snap photos of London's iconic clock tower and explore history inside the Palace of Westminster.
College Green: Visit Westminster Abbey, the coronation church of British monarchs and admire its Gothic architecture.
Buckingham Palace: Witness the grandeur of the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Queen's official residence.
Blue Line Highlights
The Blue Line or Blue Route takes you further afield, with stops offering unique cultural experiences. Some of the stops are centrally located, and the same stops as the Red route, so you can easily hop off the blue route and go to the red if you would like.
Kensington Palace and Gardens: A royal estate, where Queen Victoria spent her childhood and Princess Diana lived after her divorce from Charles.
Harrods: Great for shopping, and people watching, over 3,000 stores, many designer stores too.
Notting Hill: Perfect for a stop at Portobello Road Market. I had to stop here just because of the movie from the 90's.
Paddington Station: Perfect stop for easy access to trains in the area.
Trafalgar Square: Admire Nelson’s Column and soak in the buzz of this historic square. Pop into the National Gallery for masterpieces from Van Gogh to da Vinci.
British Museum: Explore one of the world's largest collections of art and history, including the Rosetta Stone.
Piccadilly Circus: This bustling junction is perfect for shopping, dining, and taking in London’s energy.
Green Line Highlights
The quieter Green Line introduces you to Southbank and some of London's hidden gems. Basically it connects Kings Cross Station to St Pancreas Station, making for easy access to all tourists in London.:
St. Paul’s Cathedral: Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, this architectural wonder offers breathtaking views from its dome.
Shakespeare’s Globe: Channel your inner playwright as you explore this iconic reconstruction of the Elizabethan theatre.
Wherever you start, you'll find the Big-Bus Tour routes thoughtfully designed to curate the ultimate London experience.
The Onboard Experience
Exploring London is amazing on its own, but The Big Bus Tour makes the ride just as enjoyable as the stops themselves. It is a great way to learn little bits of facts or history about the city you are visiting. Here's what to expect onboard:
Live and Recorded Commentary in Your Language
Get ready for fascinating stories and interesting facts about London's history, culture, and landmarks. Choose from pre-recorded commentary available in five different languages—English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German—or soak in the live commentary on select buses for a personal touch. Whatever you choose, you'll leave the tour feeling like a London pro. You will be missing out if you don't use the free headphones to learn about the city as you ride along.
Complimentary Map
Stay organized with the free map included with your ticket. It lays out the bus routes and stops so you can easily plan your next hop-off point. Pro tip? Keep this handy. throughout your entire trip! There are also basic tour guides on the bus that you can ask questions to, they will be glad to help.
Comfortable Buses
The top deck offers unbeatable views of London’s most famous sites. However, keep in mind that it’s open-air—perfect on sunny days but best paired with a jacket when the famed British weather rolls in! Also, not thought of often, these buses are handicap friendly. Wheelchair users and scooters can easily be ridden inside the bus from the entrance midway on the bus. These buses have ramps so everyone can get a ride.
Ticket Options, Prices, and Schedules
The Big Bus Tour is all about flexibility. You'll find ticket options to suit any length of stay and travel preference:
Classic Ticket (1 Day): Perfect for short visits or travelers focusing on specific areas.$55.30 for adult and $33.44 for child
Discovery Ticket (1 Day): Includes the classic ticket, plus a Thames river cruise between the Tower of London and Westminster Pier. $59.13 for Adult, $47.56 for child.
Essential Ticket (2 Day): Includes the Discovery Ticket, plus guided tour of 3 sites. Jack the Ripper, Royal Walk and Tales of the City. $77.14 for adults, and $71.98 for children.
Explorer Ticket (2 Days): Ideal for lingering over multiple attractions without feeling rushed. Includes the Essential Ticket plus an evening tour. $108.69 for adult and $76.55 for child.
Evening Tour: Hop on the big bus London at night with all the magical lights. $37.49 for adults and $36.01 for children.
As mentioned, ticket prices typically range from £40 to £60 for adults, with discounts available for children, families, and online bookings. Keep an eye out for combination deals that bundle your bus ticket with entry to top attractions like the London Eye or Madame Tussauds.
Also look for a night tour. Taking a ride through the city at night can be a real treat with all the shiny lights.
The buses generally run from 8 AM to 6 PM, with departures every 15–20 minutes. Be sure to check the website or app for the most accurate schedule during your visit.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Big Bus Tour
Plan Ahead
Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. A sunny day on the top deck is magical, but a drizzle can dampen the experience without proper rain gear.
Strategically Hop Off
Research must-see attractions and deselect stops you're less interested in. This ensures you're maximizing your time.
Leverage Commentary
Use the onboard audio. It’s like having a local tour guide uncover hidden gems you might otherwise miss!
Beat the Crowds
Opt for tours during off-peak hours—early morning or late afternoon—to enjoy a more relaxed experience.
Bring Snacks and Drinks
Long tours can get thirsty (and hungry). Pack light snacks and a water bottle to keep energized.
Stay Connected
Download The Big Bus Tour mobile app for real-time tracking, discounts, and added convenience.
Wear Comfortable Shoes and Dress
There's no such thing as overdressing when exploring London, but prioritize shoes built for walking miles along cobblestone streets. Dress in layers and remove layers if you get hot.
Keep Your Ticket Handy
You’ll need it to re-board the bus, so store it in an easily accessible spot.
Ask Questions
Don’t hesitate to chat with the bus staff—they’re full of helpful advice about London!
My Review
I love the Big Bus Tour; it's one of the best ways to see the city. The audio guide was informational, as it is in every city I have been to and taken one of these tours. This is one of the best London Bus Tours in my opinion, letting you decide when you want on or off the bus and what sites you want to see. Part of the day it was rainy, but the other part of the day was sunny, and I spent time on the top deck of these double-decker buses. I only spent time on the Red Line and Blue line while I was in the city and only used the blue line for Kensington Palace. I usually like to do a complete loop when I first get on the bus when doing these tours, just so I can get used to the lay of the land. But with this city I could not, because there was so much to see.
Buses ran every 20 minutes or so, making it very convenient to hop on and hop off wherever I liked, giving me as much time as I needed at any spot. Buses start running at 8:30, starting at the Green tube station, but I did not jump on the bus till stop #3 at Park lane as it was closest to my hotel. and I spent the day hopping on and off visiting all the sites I wanted to see. Always start the day early to avoid heavy traffic times on the bus. Also the high season of summer will be very crowded, my visit was in February and on the chilly side.
Being able to see what you want, and get off the bus when you like is my most favorite thing. I enjoy visiting parks the most for people watching, the cathedrals were beautiful and historic. Of course when in London everything is royal and wonderful. In my eyes the ticket is a great value especially when you add in the Thames River Cruise and walking tours. The Jack the Ripper tour was very interesting and the perfect opportunity for me to learn more about these murders from back in the day.
Unlock London with the Big Bus Tour
London is a city steeped in history and brimming with life, and there’s no better way to experience its highlights than with The Big Bus Tour. Whether you're fascinated by the Tower of London, energized by Trafalgar Square, or dreaming of Buckingham Palace, the Big Bus Tour lets you explore London’s gems at your pace.
If you're visiting London soon, don't miss out on a good way to see the city. With flexible routes, insightful commentary, and unbeatable convenience, the Big Bus Tour London is your all-access pass to this incredible city. Book your ticket now and start building memories—the kind that only a city like London can offer.
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We have visited London a few times, but haven't done a Big Bus Tour like this yet. They look so fun!
Some things have certainly changed since my mother took a ten-year-old me to London nearly half a century ago! I do remember a tour on an open-topped bus, and lots of walking.
I so love the idea of these hop-on hop-off buses. Such a convenient option for the tourists.
I love this tour as a wonderful way to get an overview of the city!
We love to take Big Bus tours when we first get to a new city. It is such a great way to get a view of the major sites. And often it is the perfect transportation option. Love all the stops you got to see on the Big Bus tour in London. So great what they have different bus lines to really let you explore the city. LD Holland