Exploring London: Red Bus Tour Duration And Attractions

London's red bus tour is a great way to explore the city and its iconic landmarks. The tour typically lasts around 2 hours and 30 minutes, with buses running every 20 to 30 minutes. Visitors can hop on and off at various stops, allowing them to explore attractions, take photos, and even spot royalty at their own pace. The tour covers famous landmarks such as Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Tower of London. With entertaining commentary and stunning views, it's a perfect introduction to London's rich history and culture.

Tour duration and frequency

The duration and frequency of a London bus tour vary depending on the operator and the route chosen. Here is some information on a few of the options available:

Big Bus Tours

Big Bus Tours offers two different routes, with buses operating from 08:40 to 17:10 and 08:30 to 17:00 respectively. The frequency of buses is every 20-30 minutes. The duration of the tour depends on the ticket purchased, with options for 24 hours, 48 hours, or a flexible ticket with a free date change. They also offer a night tour option.

Tootbus

Tootbus offers three main sightseeing routes, with a free hop-on, hop-off river cruise pass and three free walking tours. The frequency of buses is not specified, but they do offer an app with real-time bus tracking. The duration of their standard tickets is 24, 48, or 72 hours, with cheaper "London Discovery" tickets that do not include the river cruise. They also offer shorter, non-stop tours such as the Bar Bus (1.5 hours) and the London Kids Tour and Christmas Lights Tour (both 90 minutes).

Golden Tours

Golden Tours provides hop-on, hop-off bus tours with two walking tours included. Their buses operate from around 8:30 am to 5 pm, with evening services also available. The frequency of buses is similar to the other operators, with a wait time of around 20 minutes. The standard duration of their tickets is 24, 48, or 72 hours, with a cheaper "calendar day" ticket that covers until the end of the day of purchase. They also offer a fully guided 1.5-hour Express ticket.

Premium Tours

Premium Tours offers a guided orientation tour of London's main sights on an open-top vintage red London bus. This tour does not have a hop-on, hop-off facility and includes a few photo stops and a river cruise. The duration and frequency of this tour are not specified.

Ticket types and prices

Big Bus Tours

Big Bus Tours offers 24-hour, 48-hour, and night tour tickets. The 24-hour ticket includes a hop-on, hop-off ticket, a one-way river cruise, and three guided walking tours. The 48-hour ticket includes the same, but for two days. The night tour includes a panoramic evening tour of London. Adult tickets for these tours start at £45.00, and you can save up to 10% online.

Golden Tours

Golden Tours offers a hop-on, hop-off bus tour with four routes and over 60 stops. The tour also includes a 24-hour Thames river pass. Ticket prices start at £32, and you can choose between 24-hour, one-day, 48-hour, or 72-hour ticket options.

The Total London Experience

The Total London Experience is a full-day guided bus tour that includes sights such as St Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London. The tour also offers the chance to see the Changing the Guard ceremony, take a boat trip to Greenwich, and see views from the London Eye. Ticket prices start at £99 for adults and £89 for children, with variations in price and duration depending on the experience option.

London by Night Open Top Bus Tour

This 90-minute tour departs from Waterloo and takes you through lit-up London attractions such as Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus. Ticket prices are £27 for adults, £15 for children, and £74 for a family ticket.

Open Top Bus Tour with Panoramic Views

This 90-minute to two-hour tour (depending on traffic) includes a live guide or multilingual audio guide. You'll see sights such as Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, and the Tower of London. Ticket prices are £29 for adults, £14 for children, and £76 for a family ticket.

Taylor's Version) London Afternoon Tea Bus

This 90-minute tour (depending on traffic) is inspired by Taylor Swift and includes a curated Taylor Swift playlist. Enjoy sweet and savoury treats and a glass of prosecco as you take in the sights. Ticket prices range from £49-£69 for adults and £44-£64 for children, depending on which deck you sit on.

The Ghost Bus Tours

This 75-minute tour combines comedy with chilling facts from London's past. You'll visit sites of murder, torture, and execution and learn about the ghosts of London. Ticket prices are £25 for adults and £17 for children, with family, senior, and student tickets also available.

Christmas Lights London by Night Bus Tour

This two-hour tour (depending on traffic) takes you past London's landmarks lit up for the festive season, including the London Eye and Piccadilly Circus. Ticket prices start at £29 for adults and £12 for children, with variations depending on whether you book seats on the lower or upper deck.

US Landmarks Tour of London

This eight-hour tour takes you past US landmarks in London, such as Madonna's former home and the Abraham Lincoln Statue. Ticket prices are £129 for adults and £119 for children.

TootBus Tours

TootBus offers three main sightseeing bus tour routes, a free hop-on, hop-off river cruise pass, three free walking tours, and an exclusive Kids' Club. Ticket prices start at around £28, with family discounts available on select tours.

Bustronome Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

This luxury dining experience includes a meal and interactive map to help you learn about London's landmarks. Ticket prices start at £70 for adults and £40 for children, and the tour length is subject to traffic.

Big Bus Tours (Classic, Premium, and Premium Plus)

The classic ticket includes a free one-way river cruise, while the premium two-day ticket comes with a return cruise. The Premium Plus ticket enables you to do three days of sightseeing. Ticket prices start at £41, and the duration varies by route.

Route and landmarks

The London Red Route bus tour takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the route without getting off the bus. The bus has a frequency of 20-30 minutes, and you can hop on and off as many times as you like during your tour.

The Red Route takes you through Central London, where you can see iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, and the Tower of London. The route also includes famous museums such as the Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Rooms, the Florence Nightingale Museum, and the London Transport Museum.

The route starts at Green Park Underground, next to the Ritz by the entrance to Green Park Tube Station. From there, it heads towards Piccadilly and the Hard Rock Cafe, before making its way to Park Lane, where you can find the London Hilton. The route then takes you to Marble Arch, Regent Street, and Piccadilly Circus.

Next, the bus heads towards Trafalgar Square and Pall Mall, where you can see the National Portrait Gallery. The route continues to Whitehall, where you can see the Horse Guards and the entrance to Westminster Tube Station. From there, you'll be able to see the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben up close.

The bus then crosses the Westminster Bridge Road to get to the London Eye, before making its way to Waterloo, the Southbank Arts Centre, and Covent Garden. The route continues to Aldwych, where you can see the Royal Courts of Justice and St. Paul's Cathedral.

The bus then heads towards London Bridge, Tooley Street, and Tower Hill, where you can visit the Tower of London. The route then takes you back across the river to Temple Underground Station and Victoria Embankment, where you can see the Westminster Pier.

Finally, the bus heads back to the starting point at Green Park, passing by Buckingham Palace Road, where you can visit the Queen's Gallery and Westminster Cathedral.

Commentary and languages

The Big Bus Tour of London offers pre-recorded commentary in several languages. The commentary is available via complimentary earphones that you will receive when you board the bus. You can choose from the following languages:

• English
• French
• German
• Italian
• Spanish

The tour also offers digital commentary in 5 different languages. The website does not specify which languages are offered, but it is likely that they are the same as the pre-recorded commentary languages.

The tour duration is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, with a frequency of 20-30 minutes. The Red Route covers Central London, allowing you to see iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and the London Eye.

Booking and boarding

• Booking Options: You can book your tickets for the London bus tour online through the official website or through affiliated sales partners. Tickets can also be purchased directly from a member of the Big Bus Tours staff at any designated stop or even on the bus itself. Most London hotel concierges also sell tickets.
• Ticket Types: The London bus tour offers various ticket types to cater to different needs. The Essential Ticket is their best-value sightseeing option. You can also choose between 24-hour, 48-hour, and Night Tour tickets, each offering different inclusions such as walking tours and river cruises.
• Ticket Pricing: Adult tickets for the London bus tour typically start at £45.00. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more, and children between the ages of 5 and 15 are eligible for reduced pricing. Children under 5 can travel for free.
• Booking Date: When booking your ticket, you must select the date you intend to start the tour. If your ticket is valid for multiple days, it must be used across consecutive days, starting from the date chosen at the time of booking. Some tours may also require you to select a specific time of travel to secure your seat.
• Redeeming Your Ticket: To redeem your ticket, simply show it (either printed or on a device) to a staff member at any designated stop or aboard the bus. They will issue you a receipt that will serve as your pass to hop on and off the bus during the validity period of your ticket.
• Boarding Process: You can board the bus at any designated stop along the route. The frequency of buses is approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The first bus usually departs around 8:30 am to 8:40 am, and the last bus is around 5:00 pm to 5:10 pm, depending on the route.
• Onboard Experience: All tours feature pre-recorded commentary in multiple languages, including English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Complimentary earphones are provided when you board the bus. You are free to hop on and off the bus as many times as you like during your tour or stay onboard for the entire route.

Frequently asked questions