Those who are looking for some guidance on the best bus tours in London, this article has got you covered! Riding along on top of a double decker bus has to be one of the essential things to do in London for any visitor looking to get a deeper insight into the city.
If you’re in a rush, I’ve picked the top 3 bus tours in London summarized in the table below. For more information and further options, keep reading!
| # | Activity Type | Price | Highlights | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City Sightseeing tour | From £39 | Hop-on hop-off bus | Ticket valid 1-2 days |
| 2 | Brigit's Bakery Bus | From £60 | Afternoon tea on board | 1.5 hours |
| 3 | London by Night | From £29 | See London lit up at night | 1.5 hours |
Want to dive straight in? Browse our catalog now!
1 – City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 4.3/5 (2856 reviews)
“Great tour, very nice and helpful people. You’ll pass all the sights, get off where you want and get on again when you’re done. You will receive a map on the bus and there are earphones available to listen to the recorded information that is available on the bus at each attraction.” Simone, Getyourguide
Experience the best of City Sightseeing UK and see the major streets, landmarks and squares of London during a classic double decker bus ride! A ride on one of the best hop on hop off bus tours in London is definitely one of the essential activities to do when visiting the capital!
Stop off and explore different attractions and neighborhoods during your bus journey and enjoy the flexibility of taking your sightseeing at your own pace! Enjoy the panoramic views as you cruise across Westminster Bridge, you gaze up at the iconic Big Ben and you zoom past Hyde Park!
Summary of the tour:
- Hop on and off at your leisure
- Choose between three routes
- Enjoy 24 or 48 hour access
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Our review
A fun day out discovering the main sights of London from the comfortable elevated position of our double decker. It was good to get free earphones to listen along to historic facts and curiosities about the various landmarks on the bus commentary and receive an included map to get our bearings!
2 – Brigit’s Afternoon Tea Bus in London
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (1276 reviews)
“Fabulous time on the bus. It was a lot of fun. The food was delicious with a wonderful assortment of savoury snacks and amazing cakes.” Tricia, Viator
Hop onboard Brigit’s Bakery bus for a classic British afternoon tea experience! Cruise by the impressive window displays of Harrods department stores and look out the window to spot the iconic Big Ben!
Expect plenty of sandwiches and cakes to snack on during the tour along with an audio commentary introducing the sights and a few background facts, providing an excellent overview of central London.
Gaze out across the vast Hyde Park and people-watch as the bus cruises along down the fancy streets of Mayfair! Look out for the impressive Nelson’s Column at Trafalgar Square and the colossal National Gallery!
Summary of the tour:
- Afternoon tea on board
- Savory and sweet treats available
- Audio commentary throughout
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Our review
A wide range of savory and sweet afternoon tea treats. The staff were friendly and the background music provided a convivial and relaxed ambiance. The audio commentary helped to orientate us as we navigated our way around the different sights. Highly recommended!
3 – London by Night Sightseeing Bus Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (771 reviews)
“We had an enjoyable evening on this tour. Our guide was funny and informative. It was a nice way to get an overview of the city. It was beautiful seeing everything lit up at night.” Lorraine, Viator
Travel around London by night in a double decker open top bus with Evan Evans tours. Discover the areas of Westminster and Knightsbridge and get to see some of London’s iconic landmarks illuminated such as the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey! Avoid day time traffic jams and take in the magical glow of the city lights after dark!
Admire the glittering lights of boats along the river Thames and the impressive Tower Bridge from the elevated position of the bus deck! Learn more about these significant sights thanks to a live guide who will talk you through a bit of history and important background facts!
Summary of the tour:
- Sightseeing at nighttime
- Live tour guide on board
- Open top bus
Our review
A wonderful tour of London by night in the company of a knowledgeable and comical guide. It was very special to see many of the main London attractions lit up and we managed to get some atmospheric photos. The bus tour definitely covered a lot of ground and different London neighborhoods.
4 – Guided Harry Potter Locations Sightseeing Bus Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 4.3/5 (439 reviews)
“Rory was amazing, he provided a lot of interesting facts not only from Harry Potter films but also from other movies and cultural facts. He made this tour very fun” Adriana, Getyourguide
Harry Potter fans won’t want to miss this Brit Movie Tours spellbindingly magical Potter bus tour to visit a whole handful of London filming locations and places that inspired author J.K Rowling!
Get off the bus to take photos of some top locations up close such as the world famous Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station. Discover London locations that inspired Gringotts Bank, the Leaky Cauldron Pub and 12 Grimmauld Place!
Featuring a knowledgeable and entertaining guide and a modern air-conditioned mini van, this definitely makes the shortlist as one of the best bus tours and Harry Potter tours in London!
Our review
Funny and informative guide with a great range of Potter trivia, behind the scenes stories and interesting anecdotes. You get to see more of the sights than you would during a traditional walking tour. Good amount of free time at the various stops to stretch the legs and take photos!
5 – Luxury 6 Course Bus Dining Experience
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (134 reviews)
“Everything was absolutely perfect. The food was amazing and the crew so sweet. We went with friends and had a really special evening.” Rebecca, Viator
Treat yourself to a luxurious gourmet dining experience with a twist- a sightseeing bus trip around central London! With Bustronome London you can enjoy an unforgettable evening as you tuck into a refined 6-course meal whilst gazing at fabulous London landmarks.
Follow along to an interesting audio commentary to brush up on your historical and cultural London facts! Highlights including passing by the Royal Courts of Justice, London Bridge, the Shard, the Houses of Parliament and the bustling Piccadilly Square!
For those looking for an extra indulgence, opt for the wine pairing menu to savor some outstanding flavor combinations!
Our review
A very romantic choice for foodies looking to share a special moment! See the lights of London change from dusk to night and finish up seeing all the streets of London illuminated! The service was exceptional and the dishes were thoughtfully presented.
6 – Comedy Horror Ghost Tour on a Bus
Rating: ⭐️ 4.3/5 (1568 reviews)
“The tour guide really did a great job. It was very funny. We had a lot of fun. The route was also very well chosen, we passed sights and learned a lot about dark London. We can definitely recommend it” Jasmin, Getyourguide
For those who enjoy a chilling ghost story, join The Ghost Bus Tours on their spooky route around London’s main landmarks! Get ready for a creepy bus conductor and on-board actors who will bring this supernatural theatrical journey to life!
Learn about the ghoulish tales surrounding Westminster Abbey such as the Unknown Monk spectral figure lurking in the cloisters or pass by the Tower of London, famed to be one of the most haunted buildings in the whole of Britain where many former prisoners faced execution or lay rotting in the dungeons!
Feel the goosebumps developing as you discover a different side of London on a ghost tour!
Our review
A memorable evening learning about the dark historic tales of London and iconic villainous figures such as Jack the Ripper. Good audience interaction with the guide and lots of entertaining jokes to keep the group engaged. The kids loved the atmospheric double decker bus!
7 – London Christmas Lights Tour on Open-Top Bus
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (361 reviews)
“A wonderful tour showing the stunning Christmas lights of London.” Lesley, Viator
This Christmas Lights bus tour by Golden Tours is guaranteed to bring you joy on a wintry night in London. See the city glow with Christmas spirit as you pass by some of its most famous attractions, including the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey.
You’ll also drive down Oxford Street and Regent Street, known for their world-renowned Christmas lights. On the way, enjoy live commentary that enhances your knowledge and experience. While you may be chilly on the outside, your heart will be warmed by the festive display.
Our review
A magical tour of the illuminated city by night. Managed to get some atmospheric photos of the street decorations and beautiful Christmas trees. The guide kept us entertained during the ride with a range of facts about London. Definitely glad we brought hats and scarves for sitting up on deck.
8 – London by Night Sightseeing Open Top Bus Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (457 reviews)
“The guide was amazing! The tour was a lot of fun. Even though traffic was really slow- the guide never ran out of interesting facts!” Jaycey, Viator
Join Golden Tours to discover London’s top sights at night time from the comfort of a double decker bus! This informative bus journey around London’s historic gems is definitely one of the best things to do in London at night. Put your feet up, relax, and enjoy some spectacular panoramas!
Pass by the famous Buckingham Palace (the official residence of the British monarch) and the majestically illuminated Tower Bridge, a triumph of Victorian engineering! Other highlights include cruising through the bustling Piccadilly Circus with its bright electronic billboards and neon advertisements and the Tower of London (home to the crown jewels!)
Our review
The guide brought the tour to life with a wide array of detailed historical curiosities and insights into London culture! Despite the traffic, we were kept fully entertained as I was hoping the tour would last longer! London is magical at night and it was a great introduction to the city on the first night of our trip!
9 – Afternoon Tea Bus with a Glass of Prosecco
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (762 reviews)
“the tour & afternoon was brilliant. Took a friend with me who had never seen the sights of London & she was thrilled with it all plus a beautiful afternoon tea.” Kathryn, Getyourguide
If you are looking to enjoy the delights of a quintessentially British afternoon tea, this is one of best bus tours in London! Join Golden Tours as you take a panoramic tour around central London whilst tucking into some refined finger sandwiches, slices of cake and freshly baked scones and jam.
Add that element of finesse by accompanying your afternoon tea with a glass of Prosecco! The tour will pass by iconic London sights such as the magnificent St Paul’s Cathedral, the famous London bridge and the historic Tower of London.
Our review
A lovely afternoon spent sipping tea and looking out of the bus windows at the sights of London. The servers were very helpful and made it an enjoyable experience. There was certainly a fun atmosphere on the bus.
10 – Golden Tours: London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 4.4/5 (1947 reviews)
“It was great experience and interesting routes. We have completed all of them and also it can be used as transport within the city” Lev, Headout
Embark on a London sightseeing odyssey with Golden Tours where you can opt for a day pass, a 48 hour or a 72 hour ticket depending on the length of your stay in London. Explore 4 different routes through different parts of the city with a total of 70 stops, learning more about the history thanks to a live guide or an engaging audio commentary.
Admire views of the splendid River Thames and breathe in the crisp London morning air! This tour is perfect for those who don’t have a good grasp of English because the audio guides comes in 12 different languages. Make the most of the free wifi onboard to keep upto date as you cruise around the city in comfort!
Our review
A great way to cover large areas of London for those who want to go at their own pace and stop off en route to visit a handful of attractions. Booking is easy and quick. The live guide was interesting and informative and there was even a 3D treasure hunt game available for kids.
11 – James Bond Bus Tour of London
Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 (47 reviews)
“Ian was great and funny. He gave us a lot of information and “insights” from movies. The tour has a good dynamic and duable with kids.” Simona, Viator
Enter into the glamorous world of British agent Bond on the Brit Movie Tours 007 bus adventure! Get ready for lots of Bond related trivia, facts about the books and the chance to see many of the London filming locations featured in the films!
Pass by the MI6 headquarters and the Vauxhall Bridge along with plenty of other Bond related hidden places whilst listening to the entertaining commentary of your passionate 007 guide! Check out the river Thames that featured in so many Bond movies such as ‘Die another Day’ and ‘Skyfall.’
This James Bond tour caters to both adults and children, making it suitable for all ages!
Our review
A fun and smooth day out discovering the different sites of London that we could recognize in the Bond films! Lots of fun facts about the various Bond actors that kept us full engaged throughout the tour! Great dynamic pace but we didn’t feel like we were being rushed at all.
12 – Big Bus Tour of London
Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 (2 reviews)
Hop onboard the double deck bus of Big Bus tours for a comprehensive overview of London’s major historic and iconic landmarks! Choose from three different bus routes and pass by the glorious St Paul’s Cathedral, designed by the celebrated Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London in 1666 or take photos of the eerie Tower of London guarded by the traditional beefeaters!
Catch a glimpse of the majestic London Eye soaring above the river Thames as you make your way through the capital! Thanks to a one, two or three day pass you can take the tour at your own pace and stop off at as many sites as you desire along the way. Every ticket also includes a free river cruise so you can see the bridges and architecture from another perspective!
Our review
Thanks to the Big Bus tour we really feel that we got a great overview of Londons highlights. The onboard commentary was insightful and entertaining and we loved stopping off at Oxford Street for a spot of shopping and Kensington Gardens for a tranquil walk around the gardens and palace. A great sightseeing option with a thrown in river cruise manages to tick all the boxes.
13 – Tootbus Hop On Hop Off Bus Pass
Rating: ⭐️ 4.4/5 (171 reviews)
“A great way to see all the sights. Regular buses serviced all the popular destinations and more. Hopping on and off was easy and the best way to get as many attractions done as possible.” Anonymous, Klook
Spend the day exploring over 80 different stops on a wide variety of sightseeing bus routes offered by Tootbus. Thanks to the conveniently flexible ticket, you can hop off the bus to visit your preferred landmarks and then join the next bus to continue on your ride.
The routes cover all the essential London attractions such as the triumphal Marble Arch located on the edge of Hyde Park and the magnificent Westminster Bridge (the oldest surviving bridge across the River Thames in central London!)
Other highlights include the bright neon lights of Piccadilly, the fancy department stores of Knightsbridge, the iconic Big Ben and the majestic Houses of Parliament.
Our review
The buses were regular so there wasn’t much waiting around time. It was useful to follow all the routes of the Tootbus buses through the app. The tour was excellent for kids because on the main Yellow Route there is a specially designed children’s audio available in both English and French.
14 – BONUS TIP: NEW COMBO TOUR 48/72-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of London + London Eye Tickets
Hop on a flexible bus tour with a live English guide and an audio commentary available in 11 different languages! Explore 4 different bus routes with 60 different potential stops! Whether you fancy seeing the wax sculptures at Madame Tussauds, taking a picnic in Regents Park or visiting the historic pubs of Fleet Street this bus has stops throughout the city!
Bonus Tip: If you are looking to visit more attractions yet are keen to save money, combo tours are a great option! Combine a stunning Thames River Cruise or take an unforgettable ride on the London Eye for some breathtaking 360 degree views! Reach heights of 135 meters and snap some incredible city skyline shots.
Our review
Definitely glad we got a combo ticket to include a trip up the London Eye! It was amazing to get a birds-eye view of Buckingham Palace, St. Pauls and the Houses of Parliament. Later during the day we passed by many of these sites in the bus and could brush up on the historical context.
How to book a bus tour in London?
We hope this article has inspired you to hop on board a bus tour to get a real overview of the main London sites! There are lots of companies offering London bus tour experiences along with many travel websites selling these tours online. Many sites offer changing discounts, so prices may vary from one website to another!
In order to ensure that you grab the best deal available, use the Tourscanner search engine to compare the various offers, check out the reviews and seize the best prices!