Experiences
The 5 Best Bus Tours in London
Open-top double-deckers, live guides and a Routemaster afternoon tea: the sightseeing bus done well.
In short: our top picks are Big Bus Tours, Tootbus London and Golden Tours. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
The hop-on-hop-off bus is the fastest way to get the shape of London, and the good operators run live guides rather than a tinny recording. Big Bus and Golden Tours cover the landmark red route, Tootbus runs a greener fleet with night tours, and B Bakery serves afternoon tea aboard a vintage Routemaster. It is unashamedly touristy and genuinely useful on a first visit. Sit up top and hope it stays dry.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Big Bus Tours | Central London | |
| Tootbus London | Central London | |
| Golden Tours | Victoria | |
| B Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus | Victoria | |
| The Ghost Bus Tours | Trafalgar Square | ££ |
-
Editor’s choice
Big Bus Tours
Why we pick itThe main open-top hop-on-hop-off operator with live guides, red-route stops at all the landmarks.
hop-on-hop-off bus
-
Tootbus London
Why we pick itA greener hop-on-hop-off fleet with discovery and after-dark night routes across the city.
hop-on-hop-off bus
-
Golden Tours
Why we pick itOpen-top sightseeing with live guides and Thames cruise add-ons, from Victoria.
open-top sightseeing bus
-
B Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus
Why we pick itAfternoon tea served aboard a vintage Routemaster as it loops the sights, a novelty worth the fare.
afternoon tea bus
-
The Ghost Bus Tours
Why we pick itA vintage Routemaster night tour with a comedy-horror script, for something beyond the daytime loop.
comedy horror bus
Before you book
Passes run from 24 to 72 hours and usually bundle a river cruise and walking tours, so they earn their keep over a couple of days. Buses run every 10 to 20 minutes on the main routes. The open top is best in dry weather, but every bus has a covered lower deck for the rain.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Big Bus Tours is our editor's choice: The main open-top hop-on-hop-off operator with live guides, red-route stops at all the landmarks. Big Bus Tours, Tootbus London and Golden Tours lead the guide, with 5 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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