Discover the best London bus tours, from classic sightseeing trips and open-top bus tours to evening, movie-themed and even afternoon tea experiences. Many tours offer hop-on hop-off flexibility, letting you explore attractions, enjoy lunch or go shopping at your own pace.
Why book a London bus tour?
London is one of the most walkable cities in the world, and visitors have no trouble exploring its iconic landmarks on foot. However, sometimes you just want to sit back, relax and enjoy the sights from the comfort of your seat.
A London bus tour is the perfect experience to do just that. So hop on, get comfortable and take in as many of the capital's top sights as you can in one day, without feeling exhausted at the end of it! Plus, you can combine a London bus tour with afternoon tea or dinner on board, walking tours, boat rides and even ghost stories! Check out our selection of the best London bus tours below and book your tickets today!
Open-top bus | Iconic sights | Bestseller
Explore London at your own pace with the Golden Tours hop-on hop-off bus tour. Choose between four routes and hop off at more than 60 stops, including Shakespeare's Globe and Westminster Abbey. As well as having your transport covered, you can enjoy added extras including free walking tours and a 24-hour Thames river pass.
Cost and duration: Enjoy a London bus tour around iconic sights from just £39. Decide between 24-hour, one day, 48-hour or 72-hour ticket options, depending on the length of your stay in the city.
Stop 1, Bulleid Way, London, SW1W 9SR
From £34.44
Open-top bus | Key landmarks | Expert guide
Jump aboard the world’s first electric Routemaster bus for a family‑friendly tour through central London. This hour‑long journey takes you past Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus and more. Enjoy a smooth ride and live commentary filled with stories and historical insights, engaging for both kids and adults as the landmarks pass by.
Cost and duration: This non-stop, open-top bus tour of London costs £29.25 for adults and £17.25 for children, and a family ticket option is available for £75.75.
Book your seats today for this all-electric open-top bus tour of London.
Tourist bus stop, 1 Belvedere Road, London, SE1 7NA
From £22.50
Coach tour | Top attractions | Bestseller
See some of London’s most iconic landmarks and sites in one go with The Total London Experience. This full-day tour takes in the likes of St Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London on a luxury coach. There’s also a chance to see the famous Changing the Guard ceremony, take a boat trip to Greenwich and see views from the London Eye.
Cost and duration: Enjoy these attractions and more with The Total London Experience. The tickets vary in price and duration, dependent on the experience option you choose to book, but prices start from £129 for adults and £119 for children.
Book tickets for The Total London Experience to tour and explore the city's most iconic sights.
Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 9SZ
From £116.10
Open-top bus | Night tour | Expert guide
Wrap up and book a seat for the London by Night Open Top Bus Tour, which departs from Waterloo and lasts 90 minutes. Taking you through Trafalgar Square, the lights of Piccadilly Circus, past Big Ben and more, this London bus tour is a perfect opportunity to see the capital after the sun sets, with most attractions lit up in glorious fashion.
Cost and duration: Tickets for the 90-minute evening bus tour cost £29 for adults and £16 for children, and a family ticket option is available for £78.
Tourist bus stop, 1 Belvedere Road, London, SE1 7NA
From £29.00
Open-top bus | Iconic sights | Expert guide
See some of London's most iconic sights on a panoramic open-top bus tour with live guide. Spot famous attractions including Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus and the Tower of London from the comfort of your seat, while hearing fascinating facts and stories from your guide. Multilingual audio guides are also available.
Cost and duration: This non-stop, open-top bus tour of London costs £35 for adults and £19 for children, and a family ticket option is available for £89. The tour can take between 90 minutes and two hours (subject to traffic on the day).
Book your seats today to enjoy this guided open-top bus tour of London.
Tourist bus stop, 1 Belvedere Road, London, SE1 7NA
From £28.00
Panoramic bus tour | Afternoon tea | Iconic sights
Enjoy a range of sweet and savoury treats and a glass of prosecco aboard the Traditional afternoon tea bus tour. Journey through the city and spot some of London's most iconic sights and attractions from the comfort of your seat.
Cost and duration: The afternoon tea bus tour costs between £49 and £69 for adults and £44 and £64 for children, depending on which deck you would like to sit on. The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, subject to traffic on the day.
Ready to indulge? Secure your spots on the afternoon tea bus tour now.
Panoramic bus tour | Afternoon tea | ABBA soundtrack
Party like a “Dancing Queen” on the ABBA-inspired "Here We Go Again" afternoon tea bus tour. Sing along to ABBA's greatest hits as you tuck into delicious sweet and savoury afternoon tea treats. Perfect for ABBA fans, admire London’s sparkling landmarks on a panoramic tour of the capital while enjoying an epic playlist along the way.
Cost and duration: The "Here We Go Again" afternoon tea bus tour costs between £49 and £69 for adults and £44 and £64 for children, depending on which deck you would like to sit on. The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, subject to traffic on the day.
Join the party with tickets to the ABBA-themed "Here We Go Again" afternoon tea bus tour.
1960s Routemaster bus tour | Ghostly tales | Live actors
Sample some of London's grisly history with The Ghost Bus Tours. Climb aboard a classic 1960s Routemaster for a bus tour that combines comedy with spine-chilling facts from London's past. The haunted London tour bus takes visitors around the city, via sites of murder, torture and execution, to reveal the ghosts of London.
Cost and duration: Tickets for the Ghost Bus Tour costs £25 for adults and £17 for children, with family, senior and student tickets also available. The tour takes 75 minutes.
Take a ride to the dark side with tickets to a Ghost Bus Tour.
8 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5BY
From £25.00
Based on 2,059 reviews
Panoramic bus tour | Fine dining | Iconic landmarks
Indulge in the best of both worlds aboard Bustronome, which combines a luxury dining experience with London sights. Cosy up on the glass-roofed top deck of this luxury bus, where you'll get stuck into lunch or dinner, learn about London's landmarks via an interactive map and marvel at them from the comfort of your seat.
Cost and duration: Adult tickets start from £70 and children tickets from £40. The London tour bus length is subject to traffic on the day of travel.
Pair sightseeing and delicious food with Bustronome tour tickets.
Coach Bay, 40B Victoria Embankment, London, WC2N 6PB
From £70.00
Open-top bus | Night tour | Christmas bestseller
Sit back and enjoy an expertly guided tour of London's landmarks lit up by thousands of sparkling lights on this Christmas Lights London by Night bus tour. It's the perfect way to celebrate the festive season and see some of the city's top sights, from the London Eye to Piccadilly Circus, aboard a London open-top bus.
Cost and duration: Prices for the Christmas lights evening bus tour start at £24 for adults and £13 for children. Prices vary depending on whether you book seats on the lower or upper deck. The tour can take up to two hours, subject to traffic on the day of travel.
Buy tickets to the Christmas Lights London by Night bus tour for a magical ride this festive season.
Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 9SZ
From £25.00
Open-top bus | Iconic sights | Expert guide
The ultimate introduction to the capital, the famous open-top TootBus tours are the total London package. With entertaining on-board English-speaking guides, three main sightseeing bus tour routes, a free hop-on hop-off river cruise pass, three free walking tours and an exclusive Kids' Club, visitors are spoilt for choice when planning the ultimate day out in London.
Cost and duration: The cost and duration of TootBus tours vary by route, but prices for the sightseeing bus London start at around £28, with family discounts available on select tours throughout the year.
17-19 Cockspur Street, Trafalgar Square, London, SW1Y 5BL
Based on 7,402 reviews
Day trips from London
For those who want to venture past London's borders, there are countless day trips that offer a cheap way to see some of the best parts of the UK.
Grab a ticket and travel out of the city to tick off even more iconic destinations that offer great value and plenty of fun, from Windsor Castle to Stonehenge and Bath.
For more sightseeing inspiration, discover the best attractions in London, book a landmark-packed tour and check out our top sightseeing tips.
How much does a London bus tour cost?
London bus tour tickets vary in price depending on the experience option you are looking to book, but can start from as little as £24. Prices may vary for weekday and weekend bookings, and where you book your seats. Most bus tours have set prices for children and adults, while family, senior and student tickets are also available.
How long does a London bus tour take?
Most London bus tours have a set time for how long the experience will take, although this can vary subject to traffic on the day. Bus tours with one day, 24-hour, 48-hour or 72-hour ticket options let you jump on and off so you can explore the city, have lunch or visit London’s top attractions.
How do you take a London bus tour?
You can book a London bus tour online, where you can choose from sightseeing tours of London’s best landmarks, night-time tours, seasonal tours or afternoon tea tours. Explore London at your own pace with the best hop-on hop-off bus tours, or select an experience where you hear fascinating facts and stories from an expert guide.
What is the best London bus tour for families?
For families wanting to make the most of their time or who have little ones who can only walk so far in a day, the best option is the hop-on hop-off bus tour. Visitors can enjoy access to three exciting routes that stop right outside all the best kid-friendly attractions, and it even includes a free walking tour.
If you're looking to impress the kids on their next day out in London be sure to book them on an afternoon tea bus tour. As they enjoy taking in the sights they'll get to tuck into sweet and savoury treats including traditional English scones with jam and cream.
Are London hop-on hop-off tours worth it?
In short – absolutely! Consider your hop-on hop-off bus tour a handy transport service that helps tick off as much sightseeing as possible for up to three days in London.
It is the perfect option for those seeking value for money when it comes to getting around the city, covering more than 60 stops that you can hop on and off at as many times as you want. Alternatively, stay on board to enjoy the sights from the comfort of your seat.
The buses also serve the city's hotel districts, meaning you don't have to worry about how you'll get back to your accommodation at the end of a long day of exploring.
