Best of · SIGHTSEEING BUS TOURS IN LONDON
The good sightseeing bus tours in London sell their front seats first and the great ones sell out entirely. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
See London from an open-top double-decker with three routes, 54 advertised stops, audio commentary in 11 languages, live bus tracking, and flexible hop-on access. Choose 24, 48, or 72 hours, with river cruises, a Routemaster ride, Greenwich, and a night tour included on selected tickets.
“covered all spots and the flexibility to get off at any place”
This 90-minute evening loop takes you from Green Park past London’s grandest sights, including Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, and Piccadilly Circus. A live English-speaking guide such as Michael or Shannon adds jokes, history, and well-timed photo cues. Dress warmly for the exposed upper deck.
“shannon and michael were excellent all around! wesley handled the bus well, also. a fun, affordable way to get a feel for london landmarks and learn interesting tidbits. glad i went.”
Use one ticket for unlimited Thames travel over 24 hours, boarding at Westminster, London Eye, Tower, or Greenwich. Sit inside or on the open deck, hear lively commentary, photograph London landmarks, and hop off for the Tower, South Bank, or Greenwich. Boats are wheelchair accessible.
“Brilliant day out, staff were very helpful in assisting us in getting us on and off the vessel with our wheel chair, very interesting and somewhat funny documentary but full of facts that we enjoyed. Would definitely go again and can recommend anyone who hasn't done so to take a thames trip with these guys.”
Ride a 1960s open-top Red Routemaster from Embankment for a fast, narrated look at London’s essential sights. Guides such as Johnny, Paul, and Will mix history with humor as you pass St. Paul’s, the Tower of London, Westminster, Trafalgar Square, and Piccadilly Circus. Bring a warm scarf and camera.
“It was a great tour. I was on top of the Bus, but could hear every single word. The guide was a profound specialist on London hustory. And he was very funny.”
Ride through London after dark with an English-speaking guide who points out Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and the City. The open top gives you the best views, while audio commentary in 12 languages and kids’ narration helps everyone follow along. Bring a warm coat and arrive early for an upper-deck seat.
“My tour was great and beautiful. We saw the main London places at night and discovered a lot about the city’s stories. The guide was awesome.”
Use a 24-hour City Cruises pass to ride between Westminster, Waterloo near the London Eye, Tower, and Greenwich. Sit in the heated saloon or open air, hear live or recorded commentary, and hop off for London sights. Check the timetable closely, as boats can fill or finish earlier than expected.
“Very memorable journey with city cruiser on the river Thames.you can visit few sights on one day without worrying about the transport .”
See London from an open-top double-decker bus on red, blue, and green routes. Hop off near Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Harrods, and the British Museum. Longer tickets add a Thames cruise, Greenwich trip, Routemaster ride, or night tour.
“Very convenient and excellent narration of London history. We rode the blue and red lines with timely connections. Only mix up came at the end when we couldn't tell if we'd missed our last bus (app didn't update). We then used public transportation to get back to our hotel easily. We'd definitely do it again.”
Ride an open-top double-decker from Green Park through Piccadilly, Westminster, the Thames, St Paul’s, Tower Bridge, and Kensington. Live English commentary, often led by guides such as Michael, adds history and humor. Upper-deck seats are first come, first served, and winter rides can be cold.
“Absolutely lovely! Had to book this tour last minute because another tour fell through and I'm so glad it did! Shay made the process seamless and Michael was an absolute gem of a guide. Incredibly entertaining and insightful tour of London. Great recommendations on places to visit as well.”
Ride through central London after dark on a 90-minute open-top bus tour with a live English-speaking guide, such as Joe, Tim, Emma, or Tom when available. See Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly, and Tower Bridge, with audio guides in 12 languages.
“The tour was exceptionally enjoyable. Our guide, Tim, had an incredible sense of humor that made the tour a delightful experience for both kids and adults. Highly recommended!”
Spend 90 minutes on a decorated double-decker bus, pairing English afternoon tea with views of Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, and Trafalgar Square. Expect friendly service, shared seating, and limited landmark commentary rather than a full guided tour.
“It was a fun experience and a lovely tea. The crew was friendly and helpful, I just wish there was more information about where we were in the tour guide recording.”
Ride a decorated double-decker bus from Victoria Coach Station while enjoying afternoon tea, sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and hot drinks. An English audio guide points out Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, Hyde Park, and other landmarks. Upper-deck seating is limited and not guaranteed.
“The hostesses were lovely, the bus is very confy, and the food is sooo good! The whole experience was absolutely amaizing.”
Ride Uber Boat by Thames Clippers all day between Putney and Barking Riverside. Hop off at Westminster, Tower Bridge, Greenwich, and other piers, then continue by boat when ready. You get indoor seating and covered outdoor space, with crew such as Captain Darren and First Mate Paul praised for helpful service.
“generally good and the officers were very helpful. They assited us even though we did not receive the tickets. Then I called at the office and was assisted”
Take a two-hour, non-stop open-top tour from the London Eye past Buckingham Palace, Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, and Tower Bridge. Choose a live English guide when available, or use commentary in 12 languages. Guides such as Tim and Andy are known for humor and strong storytelling.
“I loved Tim! He was so funny and very knowledgable! I was surprised at how rich the history was of London and learned a lot along the way! 10 stars!!! Love the human touch.”
Ride a vintage Routemaster from Embankment to London film locations including Leadenhall Market, Borough Market, Whitehall, and Lambeth Bridge. Guides such as Will, Paul, and Laurie mix Harry Potter facts with London stories, quizzes, house sorting, props, and two walking stops.
“It was great! I recommend this tour for everyone, it is great opportunity to see many things in London and the price is really acceptable. Will was so funny and friendly. Really a lovely tour.”
Join Big Bus Tours at the London Eye for a two-hour, non-stop evening ride past the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Parliament. Audio commentary comes in seven languages. Bring warm layers, arrive early, and remember that the open top offers no shelter from rain.
A loop, an open deck, a night run or a whole day on the coach.
