City Sightseeing: London Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour with Optional Thames River Cruise (72-Hour Pass + Thames River Cruise + Night Tour)

Your experience

Red Route

The Red Route takes you through the city's most iconic spots and the Thames River, offering panoramic views from the open-top buses.

Schedule

• First bus: 8:30am from Belvedere Road (8:45am until Feb 28)

• Last bus: 6pm from Belvedere Road (5:30pm until Feb 28)

• Frequency: Every 15 mins

• Popular stops: Grosvenor Gardens, London Bridge, Westminster Bridge

Blue Route

History and art lovers, hop on the Blue Route, which takes you across the most popular London museums and halls.

Schedule

• First bus: 8:40am from Marble Arch (8:50am until Feb 28)

• Last bus: 5pm from Marble Arch (4:50am until Feb 28)

• Frequency: every 20-30 mins

• Popular stops: Royal Albert Hall, Harrods, Victoria and Albert Museum

Green Route

If you wish to connect to the Red Route from major hotel areas like Bloomsbury, you can then board the shuttles on the Green Route.

Schedule

• First bus: 9:18am from Waterloo Road (9:20am until Feb 28)

• Last bus: 4:43pm from Waterloo Road (3:50pm until Feb 28)

• Frequency: every 30 mins

• Popular stops: Lancaster Place, Southampton Row

Please click here for detailed route maps and boarding points.

You can join a tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.

Thames River Cruise

The 24/48/72-hour hop-on hop-off tickets also offer a one-way cruise across Thames River. Witness the London Eye, Millenium Bridge, Shard, Tower of London, and more from the blue waters.

• First cruise: 10am from Westminster Pier & Tower Pier

• Last cruise: 4pm (for 48-hour ticket) & 7:20pm (for 24-hour ticket) from Westminster Pier, 5:50 pm (for 48-hour ticket) from Greenwich, 6:55pm (for 24-hour ticket) from Tower Pier

• Frequency: every 40 mins

• Duration: approx. 35 mins

Panoramic Bus Tour

• Departure: 8:45am to 5:30pm from Belvedere Road

• Duration: 2.5 hours

Know before you go

Accessibility

• The buses are wheelchair accessible.

• Just a heads up, each bus can only accommodate 1 wheelchair at a time. If there is already a passenger in a wheelchair, please wait for the next one.

Additional information

• Your dogs are welcome on the buses.

• Please note that the ticket validity begins upon boarding the bus.

• A 1-day ticket is valid for 1 calendar day, whereas the 24-hour ticket is valid for 24 hours. For example, if you hop on at 10am, then your ticket remains valid till 10am the following day. Whereas a 1-day ticket is valid till midnight 12am of the selected date, irrespective of the tour start time.

• Specific details related to the add-ons in your tickets, like night tours, cruises, and meeting points, will be shared in the ticket post-booking.

• The panoramic bus tour is operational all year round, except on December 25. You can start your journey at any of the stops. Please note this is not a hop-on hop-off service. This is a panoramic single-loop tour. Unlike the hop-on hop-off tours, passengers remain on board for the duration of the journey.

Tour timings

Thames River cruise

24-hour pass

• First cruise: 10am from Westminster Pier

• Last cruise: 6:55pm from Westminster Pier

• Frequency: Every 40 mins

• Duration: Approx 35 mins

48-hour pass

• First cruise to Greenwich: 10am from Tower & Westminster Piers

• Last cruise to Greenwich from Westminster Pier: 4pm (no-return ride available)

• Last cruise to Westminster Pier from Greenwich: 5:50pm

• Frequency: Every 40 mins

• Duration: Approx 35 mins

T15 Routemaster Heritage route

From Trafalgar Sq/Charing Cross stop F

• First bus: 9:30am

• Last bus: 5pm

• Frequency: Every 30 mins

From Tower Hill/Tower of London stop TA

• First bus: 10:30am

• Last bus: 6pm

• Frequency: Every 30 mins

Night tour

See London's top sights lit up against the night sky on this guided tour with an English-speaking live guide!

Schedule

April to September

• First bus: 7:30pm from Green Park Station

• Last bus: 10:15pm from Green Park Station

• Frequency: Every 30 to 45 minutes

• Duration: 90 minutes

October to March

• First bus: 7:30pm from Green Park Station

• Last bus: 9:20pm from Green Park Station

• Frequency: Twice a night

• Duration: 90 minutes

Panoramic bus tour

First buses and last complete departures on Red Route:

• Stop 1: Belvedere Road, behind the London Eye, 8:45am – 5:30pm

• Stop 5: London Bridge, Monument, 9:12am – 4:17pm

• Stop 7: Tower Hill, Tower of London, 8:59am - 4:34pm

• Stop 15: Buckingham Palace Road, Stop Z12, 9:13am – 4:28pm

• Stop 22: Haymarket, 9:03am – 5:03pm

• Stop 25: Westminster Bridge (the London Eye side), 8:55am – 5:17pm

Opting for a Hop On Hop Off London bus tour offers unparalleled convenience and flexibility, especially for those new to the city. These tours provide a comprehensive orientation, allowing you to familiarize yourself with London's layout and major attractions. The open-top buses offer fantastic views of landmarks such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the Houses of Parliament. The system typically works with multiple routes covering different areas of the city. Major stops often include popular tourist destinations, making it easy to explore specific sights. 

Tickets are usually valid for a set period, such as 24, 48, or 72 hours, allowing you to hop on and off as many times as you like within that timeframe. The general experience includes audio commentary in multiple languages, providing historical and cultural insights as you travel. This makes it a relaxed and informative way to see the city.

• Booking your Hop On Hop Off London tickets online offers several advantages, primarily better planning and flexibility. 
• By booking in advance, you can review the different routes and stops, choose the pass duration that best suits your needs, and secure your spot. 
• This website provides a trusted source for verified Hop On Hop Off options, making it easy to compare deals. 
• The booking process is straightforward: review the routes and stops, select your preferred pass duration, book online, and receive a mobile ticket via email. 
• Many operators also offer apps with features like route maps and live bus tracking, enhancing your experience.

• Before taking a Hop On Hop Off London bus tour, it's helpful to plan your route in advance and identify the stops you want to visit. 
• Consider purchasing your tickets online to save time and potentially get a discount. 
• Remember to bring comfortable shoes, as you'll likely be doing a lot of walking. 
• Also, be prepared for London's unpredictable weather by bringing layers and an umbrella or raincoat.

• Be respectful of other passengers and follow any guidelines provided by the tour operator. 
• Avoid obstructing the aisles or interfering with the driver's operation of the bus.

A Hop On Hop Off bus tour in London is definitely worth it for first-time visitors who want a comprehensive overview of the city's main attractions. It's also a great option for those with limited time or mobility issues, as it allows you to see a lot without having to walk long distances. While it may not be the most in-depth way to explore each site, it provides a fantastic introduction to London's rich history and culture.