London Weekend Break

Bus tours of London

There are a number of companies offering sightseeing bus tours of London and all give you a selection of options to choose from.

Most tours provide you with a ticket that lasts for 24 hours and that allows you to get on and off the buses at the various stops that are of interest to you.

These tours usually offer a live commentary (via a tour guide) on the sights that you drive past and recorded commentaries are available in languages other than English.

You can normally select between a complete tour of the entire city, which may take in over 70 stops, or a more restricted tour covering specific areas and attractions. Tickets are usually sold in "colour" coded options relating to specific tour routes.

Some bus tour companies also include extras like a river cruise, a walking tour or a children's play pack. (Continued below.)

Most buses are open topped which makes them ideal for taking photographs and they tend to run at fifteen to thirty minute intervals.

You can also buy tickets to some of the city’s major attraction whilst commuting to see them and many of these bus tour companies sell "fast entry" tickets that allow you to bi-pass some of the longer queues.

For something a little bit different, one company offers tours that utilize an amphibious vehicle that takes you not only on London’s roads, but also down the Thames (known as frog or duck tours).

Buying tickets

Buying your tickets online and in advance usually saves you a couple of pounds per ticket and tickets for adults tend to be in the region of twenty pounds per person (around half that for a child). Family tickets are also available.

Always be sure to shop around and get the best deal available.