double decker bus tour in london

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Your one-course meal is a choice of either Fish and Chips or Vegetarian dish available on the day. Drinks are available at additional cost. The pub is located near Victoria station.

TRIP ITINERARY

Open Top Vintage Bus Tour with Live Professional Guide

What better way to enjoy the highlights of London than from on board a Classic 1950s Route-master Bus with a live professional guide?

Enjoy great views of the capital’s iconic sights, both old and new, including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, St. Paul’s Cathedral, London Bridge & the London Eye. The Vintage Double Decker Bus Tour includes a photo stop at Westminster Abbey, burial place of Britain’s monarchs and the host for coronations and many royal weddings since its construction in the eleventh century.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the home of the British monarchy and it was The Queen Elizabeth II’s residence in London as well as her administrative headquarters.  We stop here for a photo.

Private guided cruise on the River Thames

Finally we will take a guided private extended boat trip on the River Thames. Enjoy excellent views of The Houses of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral, The Shard, Shakespeare's Globe and many more from the river whilst being entertained by our tour guide. (Private cruise exclusive to Premium Tours customers operates during summer months.)

Why not upgrade to add a visit to The London Eye, The Tower of London or Fish & Chips lunch?

• Panoramic tour of London on Open top Vintage bus
• Thames River Cruise
• Photo stop outside Buckingham Palace
• Transfer and entry to the venue (when upgrade option selected)
• Professional Guide

Please note:

• Please note that this is an  open top  bus tour - please be prepared for the possibility of rain
• On rare occasions the open top bus may be changed to a closed top bus or a coach
• When the guard change does not take place, we stop instead for photos of Buckingham Palace
• Boarding starts 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time
• Transfer for all venues is available except for Madame Tussauds and Tower of London. Tour ends at each venue leaving you to explore at your leisure.

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join us on a quintessentially british journey

The Classic Tour is London’s number one bus tour and sightseeing experience. Step on board our carefully restored classic 1960s Double Decker Routemaster buses for a unique open top ride through the best attractions in the city.

Our hand-picked, highly trained, entertaining and comedic tour guides are the best in the business and will help you experience an authentic London you may have never known. They are also very funny. You will see more, learn more and understand the astonishing history of the Capital.

Our tours depart from Northumberland Avenue at:

Please Note: Our tours only run on certain days, please check our booking form for the latest date & time information

Please note that tour times are subject to change.

Ticket Types

Choice of seats and deck are given on a first-come first-serve basis.

The following tickets are available when you book:

HOW TO FIND US

Our bus stop is right at the centre of London, on Northumberland Avenue, just off Trafalgar Square. This is where the tour begins and ends. Our bus stop is outside the Grand Hotel, opposite the Sherlock Holmes pub.

Public Transport Links

Train: Charing Cross station, Embankment tube station

Bus: 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 23, 24, 29, 53, 87, 88, 91, 159, 176, 453 – Trafalgar Square area

Your Journey

In 75 minutes, our open top, refurbished, 1960s Routemaster bus will take you on a sightseeing tour of the top attractions in London. Perfect for days out in London, our tours have been specifically designed to show you all the sights of the city. Visit London’s iconic buildings including Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace (weekend only or as traffic permits), the London Eye, the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and The Shard in our uniquely tailored London tours.

we are a unique tour with a unique story behind it

Every detail of the Classic Tour has been worked out, including relevant atmospheric music and sound effects to add to your experience.  The Classic Tour lasts 75-90 minutes (depending on traffic) and you will see all the famous sights of London. These include the amazing and historical Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, Downing Street, The Tower of London, Tower Bridge, The Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, London Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, The Shard and St. Paul’s Cathedral amongst much much more.

Did you know?

The Routemaster has retained iconic status, and is considered a British cultural icon. In 2006, the Routemaster was voted one of Britain’s top 10 design icons which included Concorde, Mini, Supermarine Spitfire, London tube map, World Wide Web and the K2 telephone box.

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St Paul’s Cathedral, London, is an Anglican cathedral, the seat of the Bishop of London and the mother church of the Diocese of London. It sits on Ludgate Hill at the highest point of the City of London and is a Grade 1 listed building.

Trafalgar Square is a public square in the City of Westminster, Central London, built around the area formerly known as Charing Cross. Its name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, a British naval victory in the Napoleonic Wars with France and Spain that took place on 21 October 1805 off the coast of Cape Trafalgar, Spain.

Buckingham Palace is the London residence and administrative headquarters of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focal point for the British people at times of national rejoicing and mourning.

Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, is a large, mainly Gothic abbey church in the City of Westminster, London, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster.

The Shard, also referred to as the Shard of Glass, Shard London Bridge and formerly London Bridge Tower, is a 95-storey skyscraper in Southwark, London, that forms part of the London Bridge Quarter development. Standing 309.7 metres (1,016 ft) high, the Shard is the tallest building in the United Kingdom, the fourth-tallest building in Europe and the 111th-tallest building in the world.

The Tower of London, officially Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the square mile of the City of London by the open space known as Tower Hill.

The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. The structure is 443 feet (135 m) tall and the wheel has a diameter of 394 feet (120 m). When it opened to the public in 2000 it was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel.

Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London built between 1886 and 1894. The bridge crosses the River Thames close to the Tower of London and has become an iconic symbol of London, resulting in it sometimes being confused with London Bridge, situated some 0.5 mi (0.80 km) upstream

Downing Street is a street in London, United Kingdom, known for housing the official residences and offices of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. “Downing Street” is used as a metonym for the Government of the United Kingdom.

LONDON BUS TOUR REVIEWS AND TRAVEL TIPS 

Doubledeckerlondon is your go to source for using tour buses and finding out the best ways to explore london.

 Tower Bridge

National gallery, tate modern.

 TooTBus London

An eco-friendly and fun way to hop-on hop-off  around london.

Big Bus London

Explore london with the most popular hop-on hop-off bus in town.

Golden Tours

Offering an extensive network of routes and great deals.

  TopView London

  newcomer to the city, offering   fantastic live guided tours .

Bar Bus by TooT

Fun experience blending city sightseeing with drinks and music.

Exploring history and culture in a fun, educational way

Magical journey through the world of harry potter.

English Tea Bus

Scenic, historic, flavorful: english tea bus delights all.

Scenic ride, delectable treats, and cultural immersion in one

Afternoon Tea Bus

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St Paul's Cathedral

Whether you choose hop-on-hop-off buses, themed tours, public transport, or even exploring on foot, our goal is to provide the information you need to create unforgettable London experiences.

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CitySightseeing

Renowned tour operator that shows you  spectacular sights.

  See London By Night

  experience london's iconic    landmarks  in a whole new light.

 Ghost Bus

Explore london's haunted past  aboard an old double-decker bus, discover london's iconic landmarks on a classic tour.

The most unique fine dining experience in London

Covent garden,  tower of london.

The London Eye

British museum,  science museum, your mission.

Just sit back, relax, and take in the beauty that London has to offer. Try to ignore the traffic that can cause disruptions, unexpected delays, or other challenges a big city normally throws at you. At every corner, there is something beautiful to admire.

  Camden Market

Buckingham palace.

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• Days Out in London

London Red Double Decker Bus Tours

There are few sights that better conjure images of Britain and the capital than our traditional red buses, carting commuters and tourists alike all across the city. To make life easier we’ve gathered together a series of our London bus tours so you can see the sights from atop a double decker with different themes and extras so you can tailor-pick your ideal sightseeing experience. For the decadent you can enjoy a Vintage Afternoon Tea from the one and only B Bakery, or if you prefer to take your sightseeing up a notch you can go on a trip to The View from The Shard to take your bus tour in London to brand new heights.

Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tour for One Adult and One Child

• Peppa-Pig afternoon tea bus tour for one adult and one child
• Take in some of London’s top sights while enjoying a selection of sweet and savoury delights
• Available Thursday to Sunday throughout the year

Four Course Lunch and Tour for Two aboard the Bustronome, London

• Enjoy an exquisite four course lunch with a difference on a high-end double-decker bus
• Take in some of London’s top sights including various beautiful monuments
• Available seven days a week throughout the year

Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tour for Two Adults and One Child

• Peppa-Pig afternoon tea bus tour for two adults and one child

Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour for One Adult and One Child

• A Paddington themed afternoon tea on an iconic double-decker Routemaster bus
• Guided animation from the beloved bear as you pass his favourite sights in London
• Available Wednesdays to Sundays

B Bakery Afternoon Tea on a London Bus for Two

• A delicious afternoon tea with a difference on a 1960’s Routemaster Bus
• Take in some of London’s top sights while enjoying a selection of sweet and savoury delights and unlimited tea or coffee
• Available on selected days of the week

Four Course Lunch with Wine Pairing and Tour for Two aboard the Bustronome, London

• Enjoy an exquisite four course lunch with wine on a high-end double-decker bus
• Soak up iconic views of the city as you dine

Explore London with Hop-On, Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour and River Cruise for Two

• Discover the very best of London with an entertaining hop-on, hop-off bus ticket
• Cruise the Thames and see London’s royal heritage

Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour for Two Adults and One Child

Bombay Sapphire Gin Afternoon Tea Bus Tour for Two

• Afternoon tea with a Bombay Sapphire gin influence on a 1960s Routemaster bus
• Take in some of London’s top sights while enjoying tasty bites and three gin cocktails
• Available Fridays and Saturdays, as well as selected Thursdays throughout the year

Four Course Lunch and Tour aboard the Bustronome, London

Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour for Two Adults

Six Course Dinner and Tour aboard the Bustronome, London

• Enjoy an exquisite six course dinner with a difference on a high-end double-decker bus

See London By Night Bus Tour for Two

• Take a 1 hour 30 minute open-topped double-decker bus tour for two through the city
• See the city by night and travel past several of London’s landmarks
• Enjoy a live guided commentary throughout the trip

Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tour for One Child

• Peppa-Pig afternoon tea bus tour for one child

James Bond Themed Bus Tour of London for Two

• 3 hour James Bond themed tour in London
• Professional guide and mini coach
• Available on weekends

Six Course Dinner with Wine Pairing and Tour for Two aboard the Bustronome, London

• Enjoy an exquisite six course dinner for two with paired wines on a high-end double-decker bus
• Take in some of London’s top sights together including various beautiful monuments

Six Course Dinner and Tour for Two aboard the Bustronome, London

• Enjoy an exquisite six course dinner for two with a difference on a high-end double-decker bus

Visit to The View from The Shard and Four Course Lunch and Tour aboard the Bustronome for Two

• Entry to the View from The Shard for two
• Enjoy an exquisite four course lunch on a high-end double-decker bus
• Available selected days throughout the year

Explore London with Hop-On, Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour and River Cruise for a Family of Four

• Enjoy a family day in London with an entertaining hop-on, hop-off bus ticket

Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tour for One Adult

• Peppa-Pig afternoon tea bus tour for one adult

Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour for One Adult

Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour for Two Adults and Two Children

Wizards London Bus Tour for Two

• 3 hour bus tour
• Professional guide
• Available on selected Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

London Bus Tour, River Cruise and Hard Rock Cafe Dining for Two

• Discover the very best of London with a hop-on, hop-off bus ticket and one-way cruise
• Dine at the world’s most rock ‘n’ roll restaurant with three tasty courses

London Bus Tour, River Cruise and London Eye for Two

• Entry to the lastminute.com London Eye for two adults
• Enjoy a sightseeing river cruise and bus
• Available selected dates throughout the year

A Vintage Red London Bus Tour, London Eye and Thames Cruise for Two

• Choice of morning or afternoon tours
• Professional guides throughout
• Available daily from April-October and selected days from November-March

A Vintage Red London Bus Tour and Thames Cruise for Two

• Available March to October, Sunday to Friday

Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour for One Child

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Posted on 11th September 2023 Categories London Travel Tips

By: Author Julianna Barnaby

Best Bus Tours in London

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Looking for the best bus tours in London? Don’t miss this insider’s guide. 

London is a historic city packed with legendary landmarks, monuments, and attractions. The only problem with that is there’s almost too much to see and do! 

That’s why guided bus tours are by far the best way to see a city if you are just here for a whistle stop. And as cities go, London has some of the best.

Whilst there is a ‘bus-load’ of traditional tours that concentrate on simply exemplifying London’s highlights, there are some that serve up the city with a twist. 

Why not admire Buckingham Palace as you indulge in afternoon tea? Or drive through Leicester Square as a genuine West End performer serenades you? 

Whether you want to see the historic side of the city or the futuristic side, you’ll find the experience for you on this list of the best London sightseeing bus tours.

The Best London Bus Tours

Big bus tour.

First up is the classic hop-on-hop-off London bus option. Almost every major city around the world has one of these, and we have to say, London’s is undoubtedly one of the best. With your one or two-day ticket, the open-top Big Bus Tour takes you to all of the bucket-list landmarks throughout the city on a two-hour round trip.

Starting at Marble Arch, it transports you to Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, London Eye, Covent Garden, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London, and finally Victoria where you can reach Buckingham Palace.

Along the way, expect quality commentary from your audio guide on the significance of the streets and buildings you pass.

By the end of your Big Bus Tour, you’ll feel like London is your second home.

Best for: seeing the city’s highlights at your own pace

Price:  Classic ticket (one-day)  £19.50 per adult and £14.50 per child Premium ticket (two-day): £44.10 per adult and £35.10 per child

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Ghost Bus Tour

Although London today is a fun and exciting place to be, that wasn’t always the case. You see, it has a somewhat gruesome and gruelling history. Think torture, execution, and mass burials. Spooky, right? With a dollop of horror mixed with a splash of comedy, The Ghost Bus Tour London takes you on a heart-racing loop of the city’s top sights to reveal their tumultuous past.

Once you board the retro Routemaster bus, you’ll be greeted by a costumed guide who tells theatrical horror stories throughout the 75-minute tour about the legends of the London landmarks.

Along the way, you will pass Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, the Shard, and the London Eye. There’s nowhere else in the city that will let you into London’s darkest secrets about the torture techniques used in the Tower of London, the mass burial in Cross Bones Graveyard, and much more.

Best for: a unique insight into mediaeval London Price: £28 per adult and £19 per child

Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

You haven’t really experienced England without indulging in the ritual of afternoon tea – and what better way to do so than on a private afternoon tea tour bus around London?

Board the 1960s retro Routemaster bus, complete with stylish houndstooth seats, to join Brigit’s Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour .

On the 90 minute journey, you will get to see all of London’s highlights including Big Ben, the London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and much more. However, you may just be too busy sipping tea and devouring the delicious sandwiches, pastries, and cakes to notice!

After all, the cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and lemon tarts are to-die-for. 

Luckily, an audio guide provides fascinating commentary on the sights you pass, making sure you don’t miss a thing. You can even swap your tea for a glass of sparkly to see the city in style.

Best for: experiencing British culture

Price: £45 per adult and £35 per child

London Christmas Lights by Night Tour

If you happen to be heading into town during the festive period, the London Christmas Lights by Night Tour should definitely be on your Christmas list. Why? Well, if there is one thing better than seeing London’s biggest landmarks like Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, and Hyde Park, it’s seeing them illuminated by millions of alluring Christmas lights.

On this dazzling one hour and 45 mute tour, you are guaranteed to see the very best of the city’s jolly light displays. You’ll even pass by Trafalgar Square where London’s official Christmas tree, dressed head to toe in glittering lights, reaches high into the night sky.

As you are entranced by the city’s festive glow, a live guide will share their local insight into the must-see sights you’ll pass along the way, including Tower Bridge, Marble Arch, Big Ben, London Eye, and much more.

Best for: getting in the Christmas spirit

Price: £29 per adult and £16 per child

Harry Potter Bus Tour

Board your very own Knight Bus (luxury coach) and prepare to see London as you’ve never seen it before — through the eyes of the chosen one, Harry Potter . 

On this cinematic Wizards London Bus Tour tour, expect to see many of the places Harry himself saw on his adventures through the city as he fled from his enemies, fought with dementors, and boarded a train to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.A guide, charged with insider info on the making of the movies, will take you to the very locations featured in the iconic Harry Potter films.

Hold onto your sorting hats because you’ll undoubtedly be mind-blown as you stop for pictures by the legendary Number 12 Grimmauld Place, Diagon Alley, The Leaky Cauldron, Millenium Bridge, and of course, Platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross Station.

Best for: a themed tour of London

Price: £32.50 per adult and £21 per child

London Time Tour Bus

Travel through time with the genius Professor Quantum on this sensationally strange sci-fi city bus tour.

Inspired by Back to the Future, the London Time Tour Bus will take you on a fantastical one-hour journey from London’s industrial past, to its modern present, and all the way into the future on an original Routemaster bus.

Professor Quantum will have you smiling, gasping, laughing, and listening intently as he tells you stories and anecdotes along the way that promise a unique insight into the city.

Of course, he will also point out all of London’s best historic, modern, and futuristic sights including the houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Downing Street, and London Eye.

Best for: an entertaining tour of London for all the family

Price: £20 per adult and £14 per child

Bustronome Gastronomic Bus Tour

Discerning tourists with a penchant for the luxurious and a palette for the delicious will find the Bustronome Gastronomic Bus Tour to their taste. It is, after all, the most refined bus tour in London.

Board their high-end double decker bus complete with panoramic views and extra sumptuous seats, and let the wait staff wine and dine you as you are chauffeured for two hours around the city’s famous sights.

While the lunch tour tempts you with its three or four-course menu featuring simmered beef shank red fruit and pistachio ganache macarons, the six-course dinner menu may just win you over. Plus, you can add a wine pairing to make your tour that bit more mouth-watering.

Best for: a luxury tour experience

Price: starting at £120 per adult and £50 per child

Wartime London Bus Tour

Having been almost completely destroyed by the Blitz, the scars of World War II can still be seen in London today — if only you know where to look. Fortunately, the Wartime London Bus Tour ’s guides have you covered.

Embark with them on a sobering three-hour journey back to this tumultuous time. Along the way, you will see buildings still damaged by shrapnel, original signs pointing to air-raid shelters, and monuments celebrating wartime heroes.

As you do, the guides will share both heart-breaking and heart-warming stories of events that unfolded in London during the Blitz. And if that doesn’t choke you up enough, wait until you hear the old news broadcasts, sound effects, and period music that accompany them.

Best of all, you will get to visit the actual wartime headquarters where Allied forces tactfully planned the German defeat, and other monumental sites.

Best for: a true insight into London’s modern history

Price: starting at £55 per adult

The Beatles Evening Bus Tour

The A Ticket to Ride tour may not be on the Beatles’ actual tour bus (we wish), but if you board it, you’ll be taken to the very spots where the band lived, recorded, hung out, and played in London.

Photo stops include the iconic Abbey Road crossing, video filming locations, the Scotch of St James Club, and even the rooftop where the band played their parting gig. After seeing Paul McCartney’s house, the Magical Mystery Tour set, and much more, it will be impossible to stop the Beatlesmania from resurfacing.

Throughout the tour, a guide will deliver fun facts, stories, and rare insights into the lives and legends of each Beatles member. And of course, what would a Beatles tour be without a few of their best songs and videos being played as you go?]

Best for: seeing the city’s alternative sights

Price: starting from £64 per person

London Night Tour 

It’d be wrong to say that London comes to life at night (it’s well and truly alive by day), but there’s certainly a charm to seeing this city lit up in all its glory. This London Night Tour will take you around the glitzy city so you can soak it all in and snap away for the perfect pic to grace your Instagram photo dump.  

This tour comes with an English-speaking guide and audio guides in eleven languages. Through the 90 minute ride you’ll pass by Big Ben with its illuminated clockface, The Houses of Parliament and skirt the River Thames where you can see all sorts of folk living London life to its fullest. 

Probably the highlight of the whole tour though: A run through the neon wonderland that is Piccadilly Circus – Never anything less than impressive by night. 

Best for: Seeing London all lit up and looking pretty 

Price: From £27 per person  

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Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour With the London Eye

This great option combines two great London sightseeing attractions: a hop-on-hop-off bus tour and The London Eye. 

You’ll be able to jump on and off the bus tour at any point as it skirts along side the River Thames between Westminster and The Tower of London, taking in some of London’s most historic buildings. 

You’ll then have the chance to hop off the bus and onto the London Eye to take a spin on what is arguably London’s most iconic landmark (sorry Big Ben). Up there you’ll catch the city from an angle that a tour bus just can’t provide, before getting back on the bus and finishing your tour. 

The tour itself comes with audio guides and can be taken in options of one, two, and three day tickets. A ride on The London Eye is included in the price of the tour ticket. 

Best for: Truly seeing all of London

Price: From £69 per person

James Bond Bus Tour 

Want to dive into the world of Britain’s top secret agent? You can explore a hidden side of London on the James Bond Bus Tour . It’ll scoot you around London showing you all the places (real and fictional) that James Bond is associated with in the capital.

That means you’ll be taking in the real life filming locations, spotting spies at the MI6 HQ, touring the Whitehall locations that served as home for the secret agent’s offices and checking out spots that inspired Ian Flemming to write the character into being.

All this comes with a side of trivia from your tour guide who’ll be quizzing you on the films and their actors as you tour 007’s London. 

Price: From £37 per person

Practical Tips and Advice for booking a London Bus Tour 

• After you’ve toured the city bus, you will have a better idea of which places you want to take a closer look at on a London walking tour, which you can check out here .
• If the bus tours don’t take you to the places you want to go, why not try a DIY bus tour and simply board the public buses to your personal must-see destinations
• Be sure to book ahead to guarantee a spot on the tour of your choice as they often fill up fast
• Get a seat on the open deck for the best views of London’s landmarks

Which London Bus Tour is Best?

It may be because we haven’t had lunch yet, but our favourite has to be the Ghost Bus Tour – if only for the heady combination of lols and sleepless nights.

Looking for More London Tour Guides?

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• The Ultimate Self-Guided Literary Walking Tour of London

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City Sightseeing London Double Decker Bus Hop-on/Hop-off Tours

City Sightseeing London 24hr Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Free River Cruise

City Sightseeing London 48hr Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Free River Cruise

Full details, london's best open-top bus tour....

Hop-on and off an iconic London double-decker bus and let City Sightseeing guide you around Europe’s most visited city. From Big Ben to the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace to St Paul’s Cathedral and a ride over the infamous Tower Bridge, with 20 stops to explore this is the perfect way to see this stunning capital's highlights. Tickets are available for 24 or 48 hours.

Our guide to City Sightseeing London Double Decker Bus Hop-on/Hop-off Tours

Jump onboard the famous red buses and let your  London  adventure begin! Choose from a flexible single or multi-day pass, start your experience at a stop of your choice then let City Sightseeing immerse you in  London ’s rich history, diverse culture, and striking architecture.    

Stop at famous landmarks including the Tower of  London ; home to the Crown Jewels, take a stroll through the largest of the Royal Parks, Hyde Park, or hop off at St Paul’s Cathedral and marvel at the dome that has dominated the city’s skyline for more than 300 years. 

Visit Westminster where Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are on the doorstep while a short walk takes you to Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, and Downing Street, home to the Prime Minister.  

What's more, if you book a 24hr or 48hr ticket and take advantage of a  free river cruise  from Westminster or Tower Pier... not to be missed. The 24-hour ticket includes a one-way cruise between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier. You can start the cruise from either pier. The 48-hour ticket includes a same-day return trip to and from Greenwich Pier.

List of stops 

• Belvedere Road
• Aldwych (One Aldwych Hotel)
• Ludgate Hill (St Paul's Cathedral)
• Queen Victoria Street (The City) - stop closed until further notice
• London Bridge
• Tooley Street (Tower Bridge)
• Tower Hill (Tower of London)
• Victoria Embankment
• Westminster Bridge (Big Ben)
• Horseferry Road  - stop closed until further notice
• Buckingham Gate (Buckingham Palace)
• Buckingham Palace Road (Victoria Station)
• Buckingham Palace Road, Stop Z12
• Grosvenor Gardens
• Queen Elizabeth Gate, Hyde Park
• Marble Arch (Speakers Corner)
• Marble Arch (Park Lane)
• Pall Mall East (Trafalgar Square)
• Westminster Bridge (South)

Ticket Options

Choose from the following durations of tickets:

• 24-hour + free river cruise - hop on and off as many times within a 24-hour period and enjoy a complimentary sightseeing cruise along the Thames
• 48-hour + free river cruise - hop on and off as many times within a 48-hour period and enjoy a complimentary sightseeing cruise along the Thames

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Highlights of London with River Cruise - 3.5 Hours

Our highlights of London tour is the perfect way to introduce yourself to the city. Enjoy a panoramic bus tour with a live guide and watch the Changing of the Guard Ceremony outside Buckingham Palace. You’ll enjoy amazing views of the city’s most famous attractions, including Westminster Abbey, The Tower of London, and the London Eye, as well as enjoy a private cruise along the River Thames. End the trip with an optional flight on the London Eye or a traditional fish & chip meal.

Our highlights tour of London is available every day in the morning and afternoon.

• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure

Highlights of London

• Discover the city onboard a restored open-top 1950’s Routemaster Bus. This is the iconic red bus that is a symbol of London. See London’s most famous sites and disembark for a photo stop outside of Westminster Abbey, where King Charles was crowned. Watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace
• Learn more about the city with an onboard commentary from a professional guide
• Take a cruise along the River Thames that passes Shakespeare’s Globe, Cleopatra’s Needle, Tower Bridge, The Shard and the Tower of London.  During the summer months, we use a private boat that is on exclusive hire to our customers

River Thames Cruise

Choose to add-on to your tour the following upgrades at checkout:

Tour with Cruise plus London Eye

Following your bus tour and river cruise, we will transfer you to the London Eye with tickets to enjoy a flight on the famous Ferris wheel. Enjoy amazing views from high above and spot landmarks like the Houses of Parliament and River Thames.

Tour with Cruise plus Fish & Chip Meal

At the end of your tour and cruise, enjoy a delicious fish & chip meal. This is the national dish of Britain!

Tour with Cruise plus London Dungeon

Includes tickets and transfer to the London Dungeon, which recreates scenes from London’s scary history. Discover 360 sets with gripping storytelling

Tour with Cruise plus London Aquarium

Includes tickets and transfer to the London Aquarium. You’ll get to see amazing creatures, including seadragons, sharks, turtles and more!

what to know:

• The tour departs at 07:45 and 13:00 from London Victoria Coach Station
• This Highlights of London tour lasts approximately 3.5   hours (without upgrades)
• It includes a London vintage bus tour with photo stops outside of Westminster Abbey, viewing of the Changing of the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace and a River Thames Cruise.
• When the Changing of the Guard does not take place, we stop instead for photos of Buckingham Palace.
• You can choose to add-on upgrades at checkout. We provide transfer to all venues
• This is a fully guided tour and includes an individual headset to hear the guide’s commentary
• Since this is an open-top tour, it’s recommended to bring a raincoat! On rare occasions, the open-top bus may be changed to a closed-top bus

Tour Booking

Terms and conditions, you might also be interested.

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Fully Guided Day Tour of London

Afternoon Tea Bus with London Sightseeing - 1.5 Hours

Highlights of london - 2 hours.

London Hop on Hop off Bus with Optional River Cruise

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• About this activity

Vintage Double-Decker London Bus Tour with Cruise & Additional Options

• Free cancellation available
• Mobile voucher
• Instant confirmation
• Chance to add Cream Tea at Harrods or London Eye options
• Scenic ride in a restored classic red double-decker bus
• Exclusive River Thames cruise
• Photo stops at Westminster Abbey & Buckingham Palace
• Iconic Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace

Activity location

• London, GBR

Meeting/Redemption Point

• 164 Buckingham Palace Road
• SW1W 9TP, London, GBR
• Sun, Jun 2 -
• Mon, Jun 3 $75
• Tue, Jun 4 -
• Wed, Jun 5 $62
• Thu, Jun 6 $75
• Fri, Jun 7 $62
• Sat, Jun 8 -
• Sun, Jun 9 $62
• Mon, Jun 10 $62
• Tue, Jun 11 $62
• Wed, Jun 12 $62
• Thu, Jun 13 -
• Fri, Jun 14 $62
• Sat, Jun 15 -
• Sun, Jun 16 $62

Tour with Cruise

• Activity duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes 3h 30m 3h 30m

Select this option for the bus tour and boat cruise.

What's included, what's not

• What's included What's included Guided tour of London via vintage double-decker bus
• What's included What's included River cruise
• What's included What's included Live tour commentary provided in English
• What's excluded What's excluded Hotel pickup and drop-off

Know before you book

• Children 3 and younger are complimentary.
• This activity is not wheelchair accessible.
• Changing of the Guard takes place in the morning only. The Changing of the Guard is subject to change/not take place. When the ceremony does not take place, you will stop for photos of Buckingham Palace instead.
• There is no photo stop outside the Tower of London on the morning tour, you will view the Tower of London from the river cruise instead.
• Check-in is 15 minutes prior to the booked tour start time.

What you can expect

Ride through central London aboard a classic red double-decker bus to see some of the city's most renowned landmarks and attractions. Then, sail down the River Thames on a relaxing cruise. After taking in the sights from the water, head over to Buckingham Palace to catch all the pomp and pageantry of the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

Jump aboard a splendidly restored double-decker Routemaster bus, an English icon from the 1950s, and set off through the city streets. Gaze out at views of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye as you ride along, and then by the bustle of Trafalgar Square, the modern architecture of The Shard, and the instantly recognizable span of Tower Bridge. Stop to snap photos of Westminster Abbey, where royal coronations have been held since the 11th century. If you have opted for the afternoon tour, you also have a photo stop at the Tower of London.

Next, swap the bus for a boat as you set off on a cruise down the Thames. The boat is on private hire for exclusive use by Premium Tours.Enjoy a guided commentary whilst sailing up river. Pass beneath Tower Bridge and London Bridge, and the Tower of London. Spot historical landmarks like Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, and see the obelisk known as Cleopatra's Needle rising from the urban landscape. Step back onto shore and make your way to Buckingham Palace, where your tour concludes at the perfect location for watching the famous Changing of the Guard outside the Buckingham Palace which was the official residence of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

11 cool facts about London’s iconic double-decker buses

A national symbol of England , the red double-decker bus is one of the first things every visitor to London can’t resist snapping a photo of. But why exactly is this public bus so iconic? Here are 11 cool facts about London’s double-decker buses you should know:

1. They’re not just tourist icons

To Londoners, these striking double-decker buses are a part and parcel of daily life. Every day, over 7,500 London buses carry 6 million passengers on more than 700 different routes. A single double-decker bus can seat up to 100 passengers.

2. The first double-decker “bus” was horse-drawn

The idea of double-decker transport first arose in the late 19th century, even before motor vehicles were created. In 1827, George Shillibeer, an English coachbuilder, was commissioned by a Paris businessman to design a vehicle that was stable enough to carry a large number of passengers.

Following the popularity of the Paris omnibus service, Shillibeer then brought the design to London. By the late 1840s, these horse-drawn omnibuses began building an additional deck to accommodate even more passengers, as London’s narrow streets were unsuitable for an accordion-type bus.

3. Double-decker buses used to have open tops

Today, London’s double-decker buses are fully enclosed. But it wasn’t until the 1930s that buses started to come with roofs over the upper deck. Although open-toppers were preferred for unblocked views of the city, those sitting on the upper deck were often exposed to inclement weather and faced safety risks.

Luckily, you can still find open-top double-decker buses in London today. The famous double-decker tour bus, operated by Big Bus , allows you to choose between the open-air upper deck or covered lower deck, depending on the weather. On balmy summer nights, an open-top evening tour will let you explore London’s nightlife in comfort.

4. Double-decker buses weren’t always red

Why are London’s double-decker buses painted red? The answer dates back to the early 1900s, when the city’s transport system was operated by different companies. To stand out from its competitors, the London General Omnibus Company decided to paint its entire fleet red. When the public London Transport took over, it chose to keep the same iconic color. This is also the same shade of red used on the London Underground roundel and the Royal Mail postbox, which you can learn more about in the Postal Museum .

Although London’s buses are traditionally red, special colors have been rolled out for events such as the Queen’s Silver and Golden Jubilees. In the past, buses that traveled on the outskirts of the city were also painted green to fit in with their country settings.

5. “Pirate” buses used to ply the streets of London

After World War I, the London General Omnibus Company faced a shortage of buses as a large number of them were used to transport soldiers and weapons during the war. This, coupled with lackluster service, prompted the rise of other companies looking to challenge London General’s monopoly. These were known as “pirate” buses, and London’s roads turned into battlefields, where pirate and London General buses raced to pick up passengers.

The most well-known pirate bus was the Chocolate Express, which operated from 1922 to 1934. These buses were painted a chocolate brown, and you can still find one in the London Transport Museum today, which also immortalizes other vintage London buses.

6. They started the trend of hopping on and off

In the past, London’s double-decker buses allowed people to get on and off the bus wherever and whenever they wanted, even while the bus was in motion. However, this eventually fell out of favor as buses would have to maintain a slower speed to allow passengers to catch them, and there were also safety concerns.

Today, you can safely hop on and off by joining these bus tours , where you can conveniently disembark and reboard a bus at different attractions.

7. You can still ride the classic Routemaster

Featuring a half-cab engine and open rear platform, the AEC Routemaster is one of the most familiar models of the London double-decker bus. It even inspired the New Routemaster, which is still operating in London today.

Given the Routemaster’s iconic status, Stagecoach London began running two “heritage” routes, where passengers could ride a Routemaster around tourist areas like the Tower of London , St. Paul’s Cathedral , and Trafalgar Square . Unfortunately, the heritage buses were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, and were eventually axed in 2021.

Thankfully, you can still join a Vintage London Bus Tour and zoom past the city’s famous sights on a retro double-decker Routemaster.

8. There’s a legendary phantom ghost bus that terrorizes London

According to local legend, one late night in the 1930s, a man driving along Cambridge Gardens in west London suddenly swerved because a double-decker bus had hurtled towards him, despite having no driver or passengers on board.

Over the years, more accidents occurred in the same area at the same time. All had eyewitness accounts of a speeding double-decker with no driver that seemingly vanished into thin air.

Last heard of in 1990, it’s unlikely that you’ll encounter this spooky bus. But if you’re looking for a thrill, the Ghost Bus Tour of London will take you on a journey through London’s dark history—you’ll even get to travel on an iconic 1960s Routemaster bus.

9. The double-decker bus has inspired numerous books and movies

It’s said that Ian Fleming chose James Bond's code name “007” based on the bus that used to pass by his favorite pub. The James Bond movie Live and Let Die also featured the spy at the wheel of a Routemaster, after Roger Moore learned to drive a double-decker for the role.

London’s night buses, which have been around since 1913, inspired the “Knight Bus” in the Harry Potter series. It was even constructed out of Regent III double-deckers for the Prisoner of Azkaban movie. A talking double-decker, named Topper Deckington III, was featured in Cars 2 .

10. London is the first city to adopt zero-emission, all-electric double-decker buses

In 2006, London found that transportation was responsible for around 20% of its carbon dioxide emissions. Hence, the city decided to convert its entire bus fleet to hybrid vehicles. In 2015, London began running a trial of the world’s first electric double-decker bus, which officially entered service in June 2021. By 2037, London hopes to run a fully zero-emission fleet of buses.

11. You can dine on a double-decker bus

Ever dined on a bus? We’re not just talking about snacks at the back, but full-blown dining complete with tableware. Bustronome combines a bus ride with a gastronomic experience, taking you around iconic monuments as you tuck into gourmet food, prepared fresh onboard. You won’t even have to worry about spills as the silverware is magnetized to the table. And just in case, there’s even a bathroom on board. Tip: Don’t forget to look up—the glass roof offers stunning views as you pass by sights like Tower Bridge . Similarly, you can trundle past London’s landmarks while enjoying sandwiches and cakes on Brigit’s Afternoon Tea Bus .

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London's Best Bus Routes for Sightseeing

Stephen Lux/Getty Images 

There's a lot to see on a trip to London , and especially on your first trip to the city. Taking a bus is one of the easiest ways to get a good view of London without much hassle or expense; all you have to do is find out which route you want to take and then leave the driving to them while you gawk at the scene. London is covered by more than 700 bus routes, and many travel past some of the city's iconic sights. As a bonus, many of the buses are double-deckers , and what a great view you'll get on the upper deck. This list focuses on routes in central London only and includes links to a full guide that rounds up all the sights included on the route as well as helpful tips and additional information. 

London buses no longer accept cash fares, so you will need an Oyster card loaded with sufficient credit or a travelcard. You could also consider using a contactless payment card to pay for London transport .

If you are short on time and want to guarantee that you see all of the big sights in London , your best bet is the classic Big Bus Tours circular route.

No. 11 Route

This bus route is a perfect one to take if it is your first trip to London. The key section of the No. 11 route starts at Liverpool Street Station and ends at Victoria Station. It goes through the City of London and past such must-sees as  St. Paul's Cathedral , Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey.

No. 9 Route

Brendan Mccarthy/Getty Images

The best section of the No. 9 route starts in Kensington and ends on the edge of Covent Garden. It goes past Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park, along Piccadilly, past St. James's Palace and Trafalgar Square .

No. 73 Route

joe daniel price/Getty Images

The No. 73 route starts at Victoria Station and ends in Stoke Newington in northeast London. It goes past the Buckingham Palace gardens, Wellington Arch, Hyde Park, Marble Arch, along with the whole length of Oxford Street, and through Islington.

No. 26 Route

vladimir zakharov/Getty Images

The No. 26 route starts at Hackney Wick in east London and ends at Waterloo by the South Bank . It goes through Hackney and the City of London before traveling over Waterloo Bridge for fantastic views on both sides.

No. 24 Route

Stephen Rafferty/Getty Images

The No. 24 route starts at Hampstead Heath in north London and winds its way to Pimlico, near ​ Tate Britain . It goes through Camden and Trafalgar Square, as well as Parliament Square, where you'll get a glimpse of the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.

Laurie Noble/Getty Images

The RV1 route starts at Tower Hill, close to the Tower of London, and ends in Covent Garden. The route links the Tower of London to London Bridge and Borough Market, via Tower Bridge, and Waterloo and the South Bank to Covent Garden Piazza.

David Bank/Getty Images

This route starts in West Hampstead and passes through other upmarket North London neighborhoods, including St. John's Wood where the famous Abbey Road pedestrian crossing can be found, before heading along Oxford and Regent streets, through Piccadilly Circus and around Trafalgar Square, and ending in Waterloo with magnificent views from Waterloo Bridge.

London Monopoly Board Locations

Bruno Vincent/Getty Images

Visitors to London often walk London Monopoly board locations. It's easier if you take the bus on these four routes, which will drive you past all the Monopoly board locations. These routes all connect. Catch No. 205 at Marylebone Station, No. 78 at Liverpool Street Station, No. 72 at Old Kent Road, and No. 23 at Fleet Street. If you want an abbreviated tour, pick No. 23, where you will hit the jackpot and roll past the lion's share of Monopoly board names on just this one route.

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16 Most Scenic Double-Decker Bus Rides in the World (#10 Is a Hidden Gem)

Posted: October 11, 2023 | Last updated: October 11, 2023

When you think of a double-decker bus, your mind may automatically jump to London's famed two-floor, red buses — and rightly so. But there are many other incredible double-decker bus tours, where guests can sit in an open-air top floor worldwide. 

You may not be aware of the fun things you can get up to and the amazing sights you can see on these tours all over the world. So step up your travel game and climb aboard these 16 famous double-decker bus tours from around the world.

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Barcelona Bus Turístic – Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona's Bus Turístic is one of several popular double-decker bus tours in the city that lets riders hop on and hop off at dozens of incredible sites.

Audio guides are available in more than a dozen languages (headphones are provided on the bus), and riders can take in everything from La Sagrada Familia to Camp Nou football stadium.

Booking with Bus Turístic on one of your first days in Barcelona can help save money on travel by narrowing down which spots you can devote more time to.

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City Sightseeing Cape Town – Cape Town, South Africa

City Sightseeing’s Cape Town bus tours give passengers access to three different routes, with the hop-on, hop-off buses passing through several major tourist destinations.

Audio tours are available in 15 languages, and the bus loops stop at breathtaking attractions like Table Mountain’s cableway station and the Camps Bay Strip, where riders can check out the stunning beach.

Big Bus Chicago – Chicago, USA

Big Bus is not the only hop-on, hop-off double-decker bus option in the Windy City, but it’s one of the more popular choices.

The tour stops at major attractions throughout the city, like the Chicago Riverwalk, Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), Millennium Park (home of The Bean), and Navy Pier.

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Big Bus Dubai – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Big Bus also has an option to explore Dubai on one of their double-decker buses.

Choose from a 24-hour, 48-hour, or five-day hop-on, hop-off ticket and visit the city's stunning landmarks, including Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building), Heritage Village, and Palm Jumeirah.

DoDublin – Dublin, Ireland

DoDublin’s hop-on, hop-off bus tour is one of the most popular in Ireland’s capital city. Riders can book 24- or 48-hour passes and check out several of the city’s famed landmarks.

A tour guide will give riders the low-down as they visit top tourist destinations like Trinity College and the Book of Kells, the Guinness Storehouse, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and more.

Edinburgh Tour – Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh Tour takes passengers on a big, green bus to many of Scotland’s capital city’s most stunning landmarks — from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The tours begin at Waterloo Place and feature a live guide. Passengers are free to hop on and off at any time while their ticket is active or ride for the duration of the tour (about an hour).

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Big Bus Hong Kong – Hong Kong, China

Big Bus also offers hop-on, hop-off tours of Hong Kong that hit all the major sites — from Victoria Peak and Lan Kwai Fong to Victoria Harbour.

Riders can listen to pre-recorded commentary (available in 10 languages) and choose a 24-hour, 48-hour, or night tour ticket, which includes a stunning nighttime view of the Kowloon Peninsula.

Big Bus Las Vegas – Las Vegas, USA

Big Bus’s Las Vegas tours take riders to all the major sites — from the Strip and the Bellagio fountains to the Downtown District — in their open-air, two-floor buses.

These hop-on, hop-off tours also feature live guides, so riders can be entertained and educated about the area. Riders can buy 24-hour, 48-hour, or night tour tickets.

The Classic Tour – London, England

Naturally, there are many incredible bus tours in London, home of the famed red double-decker buses. The Classic Tour, which packs riders onto a vintage 1960s double-decker Routemaster, is a fan favorite.

The tours feature hilarious live guides and take riders through the city’s top tourist destinations — from Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London to St. Paul’s Cathedral.

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New York Iconic – New York, USA

There are many hop-on, hop-off bus tour options in New York City, but a relatively lesser known, yet still highly rated, option is the big, orange New York Iconic bus tour.

The company offers different tour options — like a Downtown tour, an Uptown tour, or an All City Express tour (that hits hotspots like Grand Central Station and the Plaza Hotel). Many tours also come with a live guide.

France Tourisme – Paris, France

A two-hour tour where riders can listen to commentary in one of five languages, France Tourisme’s Paris double-decker takes passengers to some of the City of Light’s most stunning landmarks.

Riders will be able to enjoy the beauty of the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, and the Louvre Museum — and learn about the city’s rich history while doing so.

I Love Rome – Rome, Italy

I Love Rome’s hop-on, hop-off bus tour takes passengers on a hot pink bus to some of the ancient city’s most popular and stunning landmarks.

The open-air bus stops at the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, Vatican City, and more. And with buses running every 15 to 20 minutes, passengers can spend as long as they like at each stop.

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Big Bus San Francisco – San Francisco, USA

Big Bus San Francisco offers several options for tour enthusiasts visiting the Bay Area.

They offer the classic 1- and 2-day hop-on, hop-off tours (which hit the city’s hot spots), options to add a visit to Alcatraz into the ticket price, or a wine tour that takes riders to several Napa Valley wineries.

FunVee – Singapore

Those looking for a fun weekend excursion in Singapore should consider the FunVee bus tour, which offers incredible views of Singapore’s skyline.

The double-decker bus tour runs on Saturdays and Sundays and takes riders past stunning sites like Sri Mariamman Temple, Merlion Park, Marina Bay Sands, and Gardens by the Bay.

Big Bus Sydney – Sydney, Australia

Big Bus also offers several packages for riders in Sydney. Each tour covers the city’s most well-known landmarks — like Darling Harbour, the Sydney Opera House, and Bondi Beach.

Some packages include extra excursions, like a pass for the company’s hop-on, hop-off harbor cruise, or admission to attractions like the Sydney Tower Eye.

City Sightseeing Toronto – Toronto, Canada

City Sightseeing offers a great Toronto double-decker bus tour where riders can hop off at more than a dozen prime locations throughout the city.

The bus stops at sites like the Royal Ontario Museum, the famed CN Tower, Queen’s Park, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and more. Consider booking your bus tour with a travel credit card to earn travel rewards while you explore.

Bottom line

A city bus tour is a smart way to get your bearings when visiting somewhere new since you’re paying for transportation to many top tourist destinations in one shot.

The great thing about many of these tours — aside from the very flexible hop-on, hop-off options — is that they’re one of the best smart travel hacks that can save you money. 

Visit one of the tours on this list next time you're visiting one of these terrific locations worldwide. 

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The Original Tour is now Tootbus London

Ratp dev sightseeing activities will resume operation in london under a new brand: tootbus (the original open tour bus)..

This announcement follows the unveiling of Tootbus Bath and Tootbus Bristol, which were launched earlier in May.

… for a new City experience:   “ Let the city take you by surprise” 

Tootbus offers tourists the chance to experience the vibrant cultural life and rich historical legacy of London by taking in its most beautiful treasures. Visitors need merely step on board a Tootbus and let the city surprise them.

The Tootbus experience has been designed to offer tourists a convenient, entertaining, open-air way to discover or rediscover the city. Whether the passenger is a local or someone visiting for the first time, Tootbus London guarantees an exciting journey full of surprises, from historical landmarks to hidden gems.

After a year-long pause due to COVID-19, our teams are committed to once again providing our passengers with a safe and memorable tour of the city. Tootbus London is re-opening with some changes:

• a more digitalised service to simplify and enhance the experience for our customers: with our new website ( www.tootbus.com ), buying a sightseeing ticket has never been so easy and convenient
• a restructured offer to better match consumer demand among a more locally-based and family-oriented clientele 

On board Tootbus London open-top buses, the open-air experience is fully compliant with the public health measures and recommendations currently in effect . Tootbus London is proud to have received Visit Britain’s “We are Good to Go” accreditation.

A whole new audio-guide experience  

With this new identity comes the promise of a fun experience for international tourists and locals alike. The commentaries in the Tootbus audio guide have been wholly revised to help visitors form lasting memories and emotional bonds with the city as they travel to their next sightseeing stop, restaurant, or attraction.

Forging a closer connection with Londoners is a crucial aspect of the experience for visitors to the city. On Tootbus, that aspect is assured by our local guides; engaging characters who relish the chance to give passengers an authentic taste of their beloved city.  

For the convenience of our passengers, the exclusive Tootbus audio guide commentaries will be available in the Tootbus mobile app, so they can enjoy the experience wherever and whenever they want to.

Another new feature of Tootbus London is the audio guide specially created for children. Narrated by a local child exploring the city with his foreign friend, in a way that is fun and engaging, the kid’s audio guide is nonetheless informative and packed with history.

A singular identity for a deep-rooted company 

The Original Open Tour has been a part of London’s cityscape since 1951. It was the world’s first Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing company and has received multiple awards over the years. Now part of RATP Dev, our company continues to innovate and uphold our commitment to giving visitors an excellent service and an authentic experience of the city.

We have wholly revised our service to line up with consumer demand in today’s market: in addition to Hop-On Hop-Off tours, Tootbus offers unique experiences such as the Night Tour, the Kids’ Tour, and more recently the London Bar Bus, with live music on board.

We have long been a part of London. Over the decades, we have hosted countless tourists from all corners of the globe. Over the decades, we have worked hand in hand with our fellow Londoners and the local authorities. After the unprecedented times we have faced, we are even more committed to giving visitors a chance to marvel at the wonders of this extraordinary city. A city tour that is comfortable, convenient, memorable, responsible, and dotted with little-known gems of culture and history.

Catherine Booth, Managing Director of Tootbus London: “Over the last several months, we have been hard at work crafting novel and unique experiences for visitors to London. Today, we are delighted to be back up and running in the city under this new brand. We are proud to share our vision of getting London’s tourism and entertainment sector back on its feet. Our whole team is eager to welcome visitors on board the Tootbus experience and our new digital platform makes it easier for our customers and partners to book and buy tickets.”

About the company

We're not called The Original Tour for no reason. The Original Tour really was the original sightseeing bus tour in London. Since 1951, we have been providing sightseeing bus tours around the city. Our tour was first introduced by London Transport as Service J for the Festival of Britain, where we invited tourists to hop on board to tour ‘around the town for half a crown’.

In the early days, we operated a non-stop circular tour of London and tickets cost just 50p for adults and 30p for children. We were the first to introduce the, now popular, open-top bus tours and in 1970, we extended our service to include coach tours in the City, Windsor and Hampton Court.Showing no signs of putting the brakes on, we lead the way once again and introduced live guides on our tours in 1984. When the 90s arrived we launched audio commentary in 8 languages, our popular hop-on hop-off service and, after several name changes, we became The Original Tour in 1992.Now, over 65 years later, we are part of the RATP Group, the world’s 5th largest public transport provider. We are immensely proud of the innovative sightseeing bus services we have introduced over the years which are now common in cities all over the world. With multiple awards and a dedication to excellent service, enjoy the original way to see London with The Original Tour . 

About RATP Dev

Founded in 2002, RATP Dev operates and maintains urban public transport networks in 13 countries on four continents (Egypt, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzerland, Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Hong Kong – S.A.R. China, the Philippines, and the United States of America). With more than 1.5 billion passengers travelling on its networks every year, RATP Dev demonstrates its extensive and renowned expertise every day through a wide range of mobility services:   rail transport, regional express rail, tramways, buses, cable cars, and sightseeing tours. The RATP Group has long operated the Paris public transport network, one of the largest such networks in the world. But beyond Paris, in France and around the world, RATP Dev brings to bear the technical expertise and experience of the RATP Group to lead the way in driverless and   tramway operations.   For more information, go to: www.ratpdev.com

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Double decker bus crashes into bridge near Paddington Station

A double-decker bus has crashed into a bridge near Paddington Station, causing traffic chaos.

Images from the scene of the crash show the front of the bus crumpled against the steel frame of a bridge close to the transport hub in central London.

Met Police officers rushed to close off the scene while traffic was disrupted on the approach to Paddington.

The incident took place on Bishop’s Bridge Road near Paddington, and it is understood that the area the bus was attempting to enter is a taxi rank serving the station.

The bridge into which the bus crashed bears a warning stating that the structure is 12ft high, while the standard London double-decker bus is around 14ft high.

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BYD BD11 launched: a new double decker EV bus for UK market

BYD has raised the curtain on a new EV double decker bus model customized for the UK market. The model, named BYD BD11, features Blade Battery modules integrated in the chassis (as the B12 presented at Busworld 2023). The bus, specially tailored for London, is set to enter service later this year. And plans are […]

BYD has raised the curtain on a new EV double decker bus model customized for the UK market. The model, named BYD BD11 , features Blade Battery modules integrated in the chassis (as the B12 presented at Busworld 2023 ). The bus, specially tailored for London, is set to enter service later this year. And plans are in place “for a provincial model to follow soon after”, BYD states.

The new bus is 10.9 meters long and can accommodate up to 90 passengers . Until now, BYD has been providing EV buses, as well as double-decker models, within a joint venture with Alexander Dennis. Now ADL has developed a in-house electric bus range (although in late 2023 the company stressed that “in addition to its next-generation buses,  Alexander Dennis will continue to sell and support electric buses built in partnership with BYD “).

The BYD BD11 is the first in-house developed e-bus by BYD offered to the UK market.

The unveiling took place at the London Bus Museum, that also houses the first electric bus with a BYD K9E chassis dedicated to the London public transport network. In the UK over 1,800 BYD e-buses are currently in operation, with a total operating mileage of more than 80 million miles.

BYD BD11 features Blade Battery modules

The BYD BD11 becomes the latest vehicle to feature BYD’s renowned Blade Battery with a capacity of up to 532 kWh . It offers flexible and rapid charging options, supporting dual-gun charging and pantograph fast charging up to 500kW, which means that the BYD BD11 can be recharged in the shortest possible time, from 0 to 100 per cent in just two hours, the group states.

The Blade Battery is integrated into the chassis to save weight, increase driving range, and afford high levels of stability and maneuverability, while also increasing interior space for passengers.

The lightweight battery pack “has been designed to improve space utilisation by 50% more than a traditional battery pack, while maintaining high levels of energy density. Using each cell as a structural beam to help withstand force, the battery also achieves high levels of strength and torsional stiffness and has a low centre of gravity to increase stability and manoeuvrability”, BYD says.

BYD BD11, focus on the drivetrain

The BYD BD11 is driven by two 150kW electric motors . Incorporating multiple functions into a single assembly, the motors use an innovative 6-in-1 controller that simplifies the vehicle’s electronics for improved reliability. The electric motor controls, steering control unit, air compressor controller, DC-DC converter and power distributor unit are combined into a single package.

The 6-in-1 motor uses cutting edge Silicon Carbide (SiC) technology that yields and impressive 99.5% efficiency with a 15% weight reduction compared to traditional controllers according to BYD.

This set-up, BYD adds, “maximises energy efficiency and eliminates the need for a traditional drivetrain with separate axles and transmission. Combining a flat wire and an oil-free solution for a 15% weight reduction over conventional motors, the motor design allows for more efficient use of space, as well as improved cooling to enhance performance and power output. It offers up to 600 Nm torque for responsive acceleration, which is especially beneficial on steep inclines”.

ADAS suite for BYD BD11 double decker e-bus for UK

In addition, the BYD BD11 is equipped with an integrated thermal management system to optimise energy utilisation, plus active suspension control and a comprehensive suite of enhanced safety features, including the Advanced Driver Assistance System ( ADAS ).

The e-bus with London specification is indeed equipped with a range of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA).

It also meets the industry standard (R155/R156) for cybersecurity and software updates to ensure optimum system security throughout its lifecycle; regular updates will be made to maintain the security and integrity of software systems and protect the fleet against evolving threats.

An over-the-air (OTA) Fleetlink upgrade feature is being developed, which will allow the vehicle to be updated remotely to eliminate the need for physical visits to service centres . Fleet operators will be able to remotely access and upgrade the bus systems, ensuring that the BYD BD11 remains up to date with the latest software enhancements and optimisations.

“BYD is committed to technological innovation and spearheading the global transition towards eco-conscious public transportation,” comments Frank Thorpe , Managing Director, BYD UK Commercial Vehicles. “The BYD BD11 will play a pivotal role in contributing to the reduction of air pollution in London and, soon after, the UK’s wider carbon neutrality goals. We are proud to launch our own all-new electric double decker bus with highly innovative, world-leading technology for safe and reliable electric mobility, providing operators with modern eco-friendly eBus options that meet their specifications, thus providing more people the choice to use clean, non-polluting bus services in the future.”

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London is getting a brand-new fleet of electric double-decker buses

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has approved a new deal with a Chinese manufacturer for 100 swish new buses

Cleaning up London’s air is clearly on the agenda of London ’s newly re-elected mayor Sadiq Khan – and those emission-reducing ambitions were recently re-affirmed with the news that the city’s   ‘Boris Buses’ are getting the boot .

And wow, we’ve got more London bus news.  The Mayor just approved a deal between Go-Ahead Group (a UK transport company) and Chinese automaker BYD to build over 100 electric double-decker buses for London’s streets. 

Each of the buses will apparently cost around £400,000, which is supposedly around £100,000 cheaper than what can be offered by UK suppliers. 

However, the deal is not without its controversy. According to City AM , back in 2021 the United Nations wrote to BYD stating it had ‘received information’ that the company’s supply chain involved ‘alleged forced labour, arbitrary detention and trafficking of Uyghur [Muslims] and other minority workers’.

In response to that, TfL’s head of bus business development Tom Cunnington said: ‘We have been assured by the manufacturer that no unethical practices have taken place and would act immediately if provided with evidence to the contrary.

‘TfL is a member of the Electronics Watch Low-Emission Vehicle Programme, working to apply the worker-driven monitoring model of Electronics Watch to the electric vehicle market,’ he continued . ‘All bus companies have individual robust ethical and sustainability policies that ensure the highest standards are met on the environment and workers’ rights.’

More on London’s buses

From news of a  potential new Superloop bus route to the reasons people want to ban ‘floating’ bus stops , we bring you all the latest on London’s transport news.

Did you see that England is getting loads more wild bathing spots – and these 6 are near London ?

Plus: Why does this Elizabeth line station smell so bad?

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• Liv Kelly Contributing Writer

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