London: London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

London makes a strong first impression from three angles: street level by open-top bus, above the rooftops on the London Eye, and from the Thames. This package links those views with stops at Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, and other major sights.

I like the freedom to hop off when a palace, museum, or pub catches your eye, then use the bus again later. I also like the river cruise, especially for clear views of Tower Bridge and the riverfront. The main drawback is London traffic. A full bus loop can crawl, and waits can stretch during diversions or busy periods.

Key points to know before you book

• Three ways to see London: Combine an open-top bus, the London Eye, and a Thames cruise in one ticket.
• Pick 24 or 48 hours: The longer pass gives you more time to break up sightseeing and includes three guided walking tours.
• Book the Eye early: Your bus ticket does not automatically give you a fixed London Eye time. Reserve that slot after booking.
• Use the Big Bus app: It shows stops, routes, and live bus locations, which is especially useful when traffic disrupts the schedule.
• Cruise between two useful piers: The one-way boat runs between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier and takes about 40 minutes.
• Allow for London traffic: This is a sightseeing and orientation service, not the fastest way across town.

What this London combination tour actually gives you

At $74 per person, this package bundles three popular London experiences: a Big Bus 24-hour or 48-hour ticket, one London Eye ride, and one-way access to a City Cruises boat on the Thames. The bus ticket covers three routes, with stops placed near the city’s main sights.

That matters because London’s headline attractions are spread across a wide area. Buckingham Palace sits west of Westminster, the Tower of London sits east of the City, and the museums, Covent Garden, and Notting Hill all lie in different directions. You can use the bus to get your bearings instead of trying to sort out the city on foot from the start.

The package is best for a first visit, a short stay, or a family group that wants a simple sightseeing framework. It is less useful if you already know London well or need fast point-to-point transport. The Underground is usually better for speed, while this bus is about seeing the city as you move.

Start with the Big Bus routes

You can activate your ticket at any Big Bus stop. Common starting points include the London Eye, Marble Arch, Victoria Station, and Trafalgar Square. Stop 12 at the London Eye, on Westminster Bridge Road beside the Lion Statue and outside the London Marriott County Hall, is a practical place to begin.

Look for the Big Bus colors and signs, since several sightseeing companies operate in central London. A printed or mobile voucher works, or you can add the booking to the Big Bus app using the Activity Provider Reference number.

The open upper deck gives you the best view on a dry day. You can photograph the Houses of Parliament, palace gates, church towers, bridges, and street scenes without the windows and reflections of a normal city bus. On wet or cool days, the lower deck is a useful fallback, but bring a jacket if you plan to stay outside.

The audio commentary comes through complimentary headphones and is available in Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. It covers the major sights and adds context as you pass them. You can also connect to free Wi-Fi on the bus.

The recorded commentary is informative, though its playful banter may wear thin if you ride for hours. You can treat the bus as a moving introduction rather than listening to every word. The live staff at stops are often more useful when you need to work out which route or direction to take.

Westminster, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace

The central route gives you the classic London picture: Big Ben beside the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, 10 Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, and the shopping streets around Oxford Street and Regent Street.

Westminster is the best place to pause and walk. Big Ben is the clock tower attached to the Palace of Westminster, while Westminster Abbey is the great church nearby. From the bus, you get the broad view. On foot, you can take in the Gothic details and the way the buildings frame the river.

Buckingham Palace is another natural stop. The route includes the palace and the Changing of the Guard, but the changing ceremony is not guaranteed as part of the ticket, and the schedule can affect what you see. Green Park gives you a pleasant walking connection between the palace area and central London.

Trafalgar Square works well as a break point. From here, you can walk toward Covent Garden, continue to Piccadilly Circus, or reconnect with another bus route. This is also a good place to stop for food before returning to the sightseeing circuit.

The London Eye gives you London from above

The London Eye is the package’s fixed-time attraction, so handle it early in your planning. After booking, use the Big Bus Manage My Booking portal to reserve your preferred time. Do not assume you can simply arrive whenever you like.

The ride makes one full rotation in a large enclosed cabin. From the top, you get a 360-degree view over the Thames, Westminster, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and much of central London. The changing light can be especially attractive around dusk, when you may see the city in daylight on the way up and its lights on the way down.

Standard admission is included, and the loading process is generally organized. Still, the area can be busy, and one useful tip is to arrive early even with a reserved time. One ticket holder found the line long but moving quickly, while another had a quiet cabin once inside. Both points can be true: the queue may look daunting, yet the ride itself can feel comfortable.

A London Eye ride is brief compared with a day of sightseeing, but it earns its place because it gives you a clear sense of how the city fits together. You see the river bends, bridges, government district, and dense central streets in one sweep. For children and first-time visitors, that overview can make the rest of the bus route easier to understand.

Cruise from Westminster to Tower Pier

The one-way Thames cruise runs between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier, in either direction. The journey takes about 40 minutes, with boats generally leaving every 15 to 40 minutes in summer and every 30 to 40 minutes in winter.

The easiest plan is often to take the bus toward the Tower of London, visit the area, then use the boat back toward Westminster. You can also cruise first and continue by bus afterward. Check the direction before boarding, since the cruise is one way rather than an unlimited boat pass.

From the river, London’s famous sights take on a different shape. The Houses of Parliament and London Eye form one compact group at Westminster. Farther east, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge provide the most striking views. The water also lets you see the city without crossing roads or waiting through traffic.

The boat includes live commentary. Staff members such as Bill and Pasquale have been singled out for making the ride lively and informative, but the tone can vary by departure. Seating and viewing conditions can also vary. If you are sensitive to engine smells, sit where the air feels clearest, since one passenger found the odor uncomfortable.

The cruise is a sightseeing ride, not a full Thames transport ticket. It does not replace a longer river itinerary, but it is an excellent rest between busy city stops. Bring your camera for Tower Bridge, particularly when approaching from the river.

Exploring Tower Bridge, the Tower, and St Paul’s

The eastern route takes you toward the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the Monument, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Bank of England, and the City of London. This is where the bus helps most with orientation, since the historic core can feel like a jumble of streets when you first arrive.

The Tower of London and Tower Bridge are close enough to combine on foot, though you should allow extra time if you plan to enter either attraction. The package gives you transport and views, not admission to those sites. You can hop off for photographs, walk beside the river, and decide on the spot if you want a longer visit.

St Paul’s is another worthwhile stop, especially if you want to see how old churches and modern office towers share the City. The bus route gives you a broad look, while an off-bus walk shows more of the narrow lanes and busy streets around the cathedral.

Keep an eye on live bus times near the Tower stop. Late afternoon delays have occurred there, and traffic can make the next bus less predictable. If you have a timed London Eye booking or a train to catch, leave a generous margin.

The western route: museums, Hyde Park, and Notting Hill

The route also reaches Marble Arch, Mayfair, Green Park, Hyde Park Corner, Harrods, South Kensington’s museums, Kensington Palace, and Notting Hill. This side of the network is useful if you want a broader look at London beyond the central postcard sights.

South Kensington is a good place to combine sightseeing with museums. The ticket does not include museum admission, so use the bus to reach the area, then plan your museum time separately. Hyde Park and Kensington Palace provide a change of pace after the denser streets around Westminster and the City.

Notting Hill is another stop for a neighborhood feel, though the experience depends on how long you choose to walk. The package gives you access to the district, not a guided visit through every street. Keep your plan flexible and use the next bus when you are ready.

What the 48-hour ticket adds

The 24-hour ticket works if you have one packed sightseeing day. You can ride the main routes, fit in the Eye and cruise, and stop at a few major sights. It will feel rushed if you want museums, palace areas, and long meals as well.

The 48-hour ticket costs more, but it gives you breathing room. You can use the first day for a full orientation ride and the London Eye, then spend the second day getting off more often. A useful feature is that the 48-hour period starts when you first use the bus, not necessarily when you buy the ticket.

The longer option also includes three guided walking tours:

• Royal Walk: Departs from Stop 8 at 10:00.
• Jack the Ripper walk: Departs from Stop 19 at 13:00.
• Harry Potter walk: Departs from Stop 21 at 16:00.

These walks give the package more substance than a simple bus loop. The Harry Potter walk has been especially good for families, with guide Lea providing an informative outing that also covers much of the city. Check the meeting stop and time carefully, since missing a scheduled walk is harder to fix than missing a regular bus.

Timing, traffic, and the Big Bus app

The biggest practical weakness is traffic. A complete bus circuit can take a long time, and delays can become severe during parades, protests, public events, or Underground disruptions. One passenger reported a long wait, while others found buses frequent and reliable. Both experiences are realistic in London.

Use the bus for sightseeing and short connections, not for a tight appointment across town. If you need to get from one end of central London quickly, choose the Underground or walk when practical. During closures or diversions, you may need to walk to another stop.

The Big Bus app helps a great deal. It shows route information, stop locations, and real-time bus tracking. The map can take a little practice, and stop numbering is not always as clear as it could be, so ask a street representative if you are unsure. Staff at stops can point you in the right direction.

Operating hours do not run late enough for every evening plan. If you spend the afternoon at a museum or restaurant, check the final bus times before you hop off. Plan your return independently if needed.

Price, value, and who should book

At $74 per person, the value depends on how much you use. The London Eye and Thames cruise are the strongest reasons to choose this package, since buying three separate experiences can cost more and requires more planning. The bus adds transport, an audio tour, Wi-Fi, and access to three routes.

I would choose the 48-hour option for a first visit lasting at least two days. It gives you time to ride the bus without treating every stop like a timed mission, and the walking tours add useful variety. The 24-hour option suits a short stay when you mainly want the major sights and a quick overview.

This package works particularly well for families, older visitors, and anyone who wants to see a lot without navigating every Underground change. Wheelchair users can use the bus ramps, and infants under two travel free. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach a Big Bus stop yourself.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your London schedule is still shifting.

Should you book this London package?

Book it if this is your first London visit and you want the city explained while you move. The best plan is to reserve the London Eye first, use the bus for broad orientation, take the Thames cruise between Tower Pier and Westminster, and save the 48-hour walking tours for a second day.

Skip it if your priority is speed or if you already know the main sights. Traffic can waste time, and the bus is not a substitute for the Underground. For most first-time visitors, though, the combination of land, water, and sky makes $74 reasonable, especially when you use the 48-hour ticket fully.

FAQ

How long is the tour valid?

You can choose a 24-hour or 48-hour Big Bus ticket. The bus period begins when you first use the ticket.

Is the London Eye included?

Yes. Entry to the London Eye is included, but you must reserve a time slot after booking.

Can I choose my London Eye time?

You can book the time through the Big Bus Manage My Booking portal. A link is provided in your confirmation.

Is a Thames River cruise included?

Yes. Each ticket includes one one-way cruise between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier.

How long does the Thames cruise take?

The cruise takes approximately 40 minutes.

How often do the river boats depart?

Boats generally depart every 15 to 40 minutes in summer and every 30 to 40 minutes in winter.

Which sights are near the bus stops?

Stops are located near Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, Covent Garden, Kensington Palace, Notting Hill, and other major sights.

Are walking tours included?

The three guided walks are included with the 48-hour ticket only. They are the Royal Walk, Jack the Ripper walk, and Harry Potter walk.

What languages are available for the audio guide?

The audio guide is available in Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Is the bus wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All buses have ramps for wheelchair users.