London Bus Tour: Big Bus
Routes, Stops, & Schedule
The London Big Bus tourist bus has 3 different routes. You'll journey around London on board an open-top double-decker bus, taking in the incredible sights of one of the most visited cities in the world with a fantastic audio guide. The 24- or 48-hour London bus tour tickets also include a boat trip on the River Thames if you desire.
Come and admire some of the most popular stops along the routes, such as London Bridge, the London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London and Westminster.
In addition, you'll have an audio guide so you can learn lots of fun facts about London's history, monuments and much more.
You can check out the bus routes and list of stops here.
Bus Lines
The buses operate daily from 9 am to 5 pm approximately. However, the exact frequency and schedule may vary depending on the season:
- Red Line: this is the most comprehensive route, lasting 2.5 hours and covering some of London's must-see spots. Due to renovation works at Stop 1, this route currently begins and ends at Stop 2 (Hard Rock). The bus runs every 15 to 20 minutes.
- Blue Line: this route passes through the museum quarter south of Hyde Park and takes you to the Tower of London in East London. You'll see world-famous spots such as Buckingham Palace, Harrods, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Kensington Palace, the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, Notting Hill, St. Paul's Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey. This route lasts 3 hours and 35 minutes and runs every 20 minutes.
- Green Line: this route provides a link between North London and Central London. It's ideal if you're staying outside the city centre. It takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes and runs every 45 minutes.
Ticket Options
During the booking process, you can choose one of the following options:
- Same-Day Ticket: with this ticket, you can enjoy the London sightseeing bus tour only on the day you have selected. Please note that this ticket does not include the Thames cruise
- 24-Hour Ticket: valid for 24 hours and includes the Thames cruise
- 48-Hour Ticket: valid for 48 hours and includes the Thames cruise and various guided tours of London
- 48-Hour Ticket + Evening Tour: includes a 48-hour ticket, the Thames cruise, various guided tours of London, and a 2-hour evening tour on an open-top bus
Boat Ride
Please note that this cruise is only included for the 24-hour and 48-hour tickets (it's not included in the same-day ticket).
This is a one-way cruise between Westminster and the Tower of London. The boats run daily between 9 am and 5 pm. The exact frequency and schedule may vary depending on the season.
The boats depart from the following points:
- Tower Bridge Dock (near stop 16 on the sightseeing bus)
- Westminster Dock (near stop 18 on the sightseeing bus)
London Walking Tours
These tours are not included in the ticket for the day of the reservation, nor in the 24-hour ticket.
The 48-hour tickets include a guided walking tour of London:
- Royal Sites Tour: starts at 10 am at stop 8 and lasts 1.5 hours. On this tour, you'll discover the royal ceremony in London, including the Changing of the Guard on the programmed days.
- Jack the Reaper Tour: starts at 1 pm at stop 19 and lasts 2 hours. You'll follow the steps of the famous Whitechapel Murderer and his victims through the lesser-known places in the area.
- Harry Potter Tour: starts at 4 pm at stop 21 and lasts 2 hours. You'll explore different filming sets and inspiration for the Harry Potter films.
How Does It Work?
The London Bus Tour ticket is valid for 24 or 48 hours from the time it's first used, depending on the option chosen. During this time, you can hop on and off the buses as many times as you like.
Activities in London
Fancy exploring some of the sites you'll see from the bus? Purchase your tickets to the London Eye, the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.
More Information
Duration
1 - 2d.
Language
The activity takes place with recorded commentary in English.
Included
Unlimited use of the Big Bus London buses during the selected time
Headphones for each person
River Thames boat cruise (not included in the ticket for the same day of the reservation)
Evening bus tour (only included in the 48–hour ticket with the evening tour)
London walking tour in English (only included in the 48–hour ticket)
When to book?
You can book up to the tour start time subject to availability. Book now to guarantee your spot.
Type of voucher
Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.
Accessibility
Varies according to the attraction included.
Sustainability conditions
All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code.
Our providers commit to:
- Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle.
- Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
- Uphold fair employment standards.
- Foster the growth of local communities.
- Preserve the integrity of local culture.
- Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
- Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
- Operate with honesty and transparency.
- Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.
This particular activity contributes as follows:
- No printing of documentation required.
Pets
Not permitted.
Frequently asked questions
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Q - Can you take luggage on the bus?
A - Yes, you can bring cabin sized bags and backpacks on the bus.
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Q - What happens in poor weather conditions?
A - Depending on the weather conditions, in certain circumstances, the open-top bus may be modified to a bus with a roof to protect passengers.
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Q - What is the ETA?
A - The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is a mandatory electronic travel permit for certain nationalities visiting the UK for tourism, business, or transit. It’s applied for online, costs £16, and is linked to your passport.
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Q - Which local supplier will be providing the tour?
A - Big Bus Tours Gbp Corporate name: Big Bus Tours Ltd Registered Office: 5th Floor, 110 Buckingham Palace Road, London, United Kingdom Tax Identification Number (VAT ID): GB115160653 Contact information Email: info@bigbustours.com Phone: +44 0 20 7808 6753
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Q - Who needs an ETA?
A - Everyone needs an ETA to travel to the UK, except British and Irish citizens and those who already require a visa to enter the country.
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Q - How do I apply for the ETA?
A - You apply online through the official UK Government website or app. You’ll need a valid passport, a recent photo, your travel details, and a payment card. Approval can arrive within minutes, though it may take up to three working days. Once granted, the ETA is valid for two years (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first).
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Q - What happens if I travel without an ETA?
A - If your nationality requires an ETA and you don’t have one, you won’t be allowed to board a flight to the UK—even for a layover.
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Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?
A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.
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Q - How to book?
A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.
If you have any other questions please contact us.