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Ready to tour London by bus?
You’ve come to the right place. I live in London, and have spent a lot of time figuring out the best London bus tours so that you can make the most of your trip to this incredible city.
In this guide, we’re going to explore the best 17 London bus tours – all led by expert guides who want to share their knowledge and help you have a memorable time.
If you’re like, just cut to the chase already, then don’t worry.
⏳ Don’t have time to read the whole list?
The best London bus tour is this Hop-On and Hop-Off bus tour.
The best London bus tour if you want the classic sightseeing experience is this Big Bus Hop-On and Hop-Off Bus Tour and the best bus tour in London if you want something a bit different is this Spooky London Ghost Vintage bus tour.
They both have hundreds of amazing reviews, so there’s no going wrong.
London is a massive city that can be much easier to explore by bus, and there are plenty of London bus tours that will cater to your specific interests, whether that be music history, architecture, filming locations in London, or something else entirely!
If you want to see what your other options are, here are the best London bus tours that are definitely worth your time.
PS – booking in advance is highly, highly recommended so you don’t miss out.
Easy Guide: Best London Bus Tour Picks
| #1 PICK 🏆 | Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Classic London Tour | 4 out of 5 Stars, 7,300+ reviews | ▶ Book Here! |
| #2 PICK | London by Night Open Top Sightseeing Tour | 4 out of 5 stars, 540+ reviews | ▶ Book Here! |
| #3 PICK | Rock Music Bohemian Soho and North London Tour | 5 out of 5 stars, 10+ reviews | ▶ Book Here! |
Best Classic Bus Tours in London
1. Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Classic London Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars, 7,300+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1-3 day pass | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Big Bus is the most iconic London bus tour and one of my favorite of the sightseeing tours that are hop-on/hop-off style.
Choose the red route if you have less time, or the blue route if you want to see more of London, and enjoy being whizzed around the city with information at each stop about what you’re looking at (the worst kind of bus tour is one where they don’t even tell you!).
Big Bus operate in multiple cities around the world, so the formula isn’t new in London, but it’s a tried-and-tested hop-on and hop-off tour, and that’s why it makes my list as the best one if you’re just going to do one bus tour in London.
2. Vintage London Bus Tour with Optional London Eye
⭐️ RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars, 370+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours 30 minutes | ✔️ BOOK NOW
The difference between this bus tour and a normal sightseeing tour is that you get to travel in style on a vintage London bus, not one of the ugly themed hop-on and hop-off bus styles.
The London Eye can also be included in your sightseeing ticket, which is a fantastic way to cover both at once as you’ll finish at the London Eye and not waste any time in traveling there (because the bus will take you!).
This is not a hop-on and hop-off variation, so this is also great if you don’t really need to get on or off and just want to sit and enjoy the views.
3. London Tootbus Must-See Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
⭐️ RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars, 3,500+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour 30 – 2 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW!
Tootbus is newer on the scene in London when it comes to bus tours, but they’re doing amazing and have fantastic reviews and lots of repeat customers.
There are three different circuits to choose from to customize your London bus experience, and the upper deck is obviously the best place to sit (particularly when you’re going over the bridges!).
Tootbus is a great option for families with kids in London, as it has a little bit more of a casual vibe than the Big Bus options.
4. London Vintage Bus Tour with Thames Cruise
⭐️ RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars, 170+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Want to combine your London sightseeing bus tour with a Thames river cruise?
This is your best bet!
So many people want to do both during their time in London, and this is a great option for that, combining land and river for an epic sightseeing day out.
For the record, I prefer doing a sightseeing cruise with sightseeing bus in the warmer months, and a sightseeing bus with the London Eye (a previously listed tour – scroll up a bit) during the colder months just for comfort.
5. Golden Tours Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus
⭐️ RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars, 600+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 day | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Golden Tours offer a hop-on and hop-off sightseeing tour around London that rivals the other big companies, and they are easy to spot with their blue and orange coloring.
I love that the front of the upper deck is covered in case the weather is bad, while the back of the top is open to the elements in case the sun is shining (or you just want to brave it!).
They do audio tours instead of live guides on their buses, so it’s better if you want that pre-recorded experience or have already tried Big Bus or Tootbus.
Best Night Bus Tours in London
6. London by Night Open Top Sightseeing Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars, 540+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour 30 minutes | ✔️ BOOK NOW
London is completely different at night, and even if you’ve done a London sightseeing tour during the daytime, a London bus tour at night is such a memorable experience that I recommend to all visitors.
This tour takes you all around the most iconic London attractions to see them lit up and sparkling in the dark, including the bright lights of the London Eye, the Tower of London, and the iconic Westminster Abbey.
You’ll get to see a side of the city that many people never see, and it can be a great thing to do on your first night in London to try and beat that jet lag.
7. London Christmas Lights at Night Bus Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars, 130+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour 45 minutes | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Deck the halls in London with a beautiful Christmas lights bus tour during the winter season.
There is something so insanely magical about London in winter when the Christmas lights are on, and this tour will take you right down some of the most important streets like Oxford Street and Regent’s Street.
The best part is that on the upper deck, you’ll be right under and right up close to the lights, as well as have a great vantage point to lights on the sides of the street lighting up the shops.
It’s a really wonderful tour to take in London in the winter if you’re visiting around the holiday season, and one I recommend to my friends and family often.
Best Music Bus Tours in London
8. Rock Music Bohemian Soho and North London Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5 of 5 Stars, 12+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3.5 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
From Pink Floyd’s studio to the former home of Rod Stewart, the Rock Music Bohemian tour will take you through some of London’s most boho neighborhoods to let you into the world of rock music legends like The Clash, the Beatles, Sting, and so much more.
You’ll get to take a bus around town, meaning you can hit more places than if you go on a walking tour, and along the way you’ll also get to enjoy the architecture and charm of Camden, Islington, and of course the iconic Abbey Road.
Listen to the music blasting from your bus as you tour around the city, perfectly timed with the stops, and enjoy this wonderful world of London rock music with an expert (and hilarious) guide.
9. London Rock Legends Bus Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars, 350+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours 30 minutes | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Another fantastic option for music fans, the London Rock Legends bus tour is a great choice if you’re wanting to see Notting Hill, Soho, Chelsea, and more – and if those don’t ring a bell to you, think: Ringo’s House, Jimmy Page’s house, and tons of Queen-related locations.
You’ll zip around the city with your guide and leave feeling like you’ve truly learned something new about the musical history of London – this tour is similar to the one mentioned above, so choose which one works best for your schedule.
10. A Ticket to Ride: Beatles in London Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.6 out of 5 Stars, 170+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours 30 minutes | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Join the Beatles’ vibe on a chill evening bus tour through London, catching the city all lit up.
Cruise through the ‘Beatlemania’ era, from 1962 to 1969, and beyond, hitting up Mayfair, Marylebone, St John’s Wood, and the edge of Soho. Celebrate the ‘Fab Four’ spanning over 50 years.
Swing by cool spots like the Scotch of St James Club and other joints where the Beatles hung out.
Check out the pads and offices of the band members and their manager Brian Epstein, where they partied, met their significant others, and did their thing.
And, of course, take a casual stroll across the iconic Abbey Road crossing near the legendary recording studio.
11. London Rock Music Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars, 830+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Wanna dive into London’s rock history?
From where the Rolling Stones rocked their first record at ‘Tin Pan Alley’ to the famous Abbey Road zebra crossing, this tour has got it all covered.
Take your pick between morning, afternoon, or go all-in with the full-day London Rock Music Tour.
Check out Abbey Road, swing by Apple HQ, drop by Paul’s House, Ringo’s place, and Jimmy Page’s crib, plus a bunch more.
Your rock-savvy guide will dish out insider stories about your favorite musicians while giving you the lowdown on all things music.
Best Ghost Bus Tours in London
12. Spooky London Ghost Vintage Bus Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars, 480+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Join your spooky guide as you hit up notorious local haunts, hearing tales of restless spirits and passing by places with a dark history—St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, and the infamous Fleet Street.
As you roll through the city, keep an eye out for top attractions like Tower Bridge while your guide spills the beans on London’s haunted past.
The cherry on top?
You’ll be cruising in a retro 1960s Routemaster with a Gothic twist.
Get set for a laid-back, eerie adventure through the spookier side of London!
13. Comedy London Ghost Bus Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.3 out of 5 Stars, 1300+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Get ready to hop on the Necrobus for a ride on the creepy side of London! It’s like the city’s spooky history comes to life.
With on-board actors and tech tricks, this tour is all about giving you the heebie-jeebies while checking out London’s coolest and eeriest spots.
Picture this: a creepy conductor sharing all the ghostly deets, from haunted palaces to secret burial grounds.
The Ghost Bus Tour takes you all around town, hitting up the West End and cruising south of the river.
You’ll get the lowdown on Westminster Abbey, Fleet Street, The Tower of London, and London Bridge—all while soaking in the eerie vibes of the city’s oldest and most historic places.
Best Afternoon Tea Bus Tours in London
14. English Afternoon Tea Bus with Panoramic Tour of London
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars, 150+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour 30 minutes | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Ditch the crowds and hop on a double-decker bus to check out the coolest London landmarks without any obstructions.
Cruise around, see way more stuff than you would on foot, and to top it off, indulge in some classic British afternoon tea while you ride.
There’s even a bunch of menu options, so you can munch on what you love. It’s like soaking up the vibes of London while enjoying good eats and drinks on the upper deck.
Perfect for newbies trying to figure out the city!
15. Brigit’s Afternoon Tea Bus in London
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars, 900+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour 25 minutes | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Brigit’s is one of the most iconic afternoon tea buses in London, and you can’t go wrong with one of their afternoon tea bus tours.
In addition to the regular sightseeing tour, they also offer specialty afternoon tea London bus tours like ones for kids featuring Paddington, as well as ones during the holiday season where everything gets a good dose of Christmas as you look at the lights while enjoying tea.
They’re absolute professionals at making sure that you have the best time seeing the city with your pinkies up, and visitors to the city always rate this as one of their favorite things to do in London.
Best London Movie Bus Tours
16. Magical Harry Potter London Bus Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars, 130+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Harry Potter fans, all aboard!
Not the Hogwarts Express, sadly, but the Magical Harry Potter London Bus tour, where you’ll zip past so many Harry Potter filming locations while on tour.
London was where many of the scenes of the “muggle” world were filmed, and you can recognize important attractions like the Millennium Bridge featuring heavily in the movie franchise as the bridge the dementors destroy in the 6th film.
But it doesn’t stop there.
From the origins of Diagon Alley to other Harry Potter filming locations throughout the city, this is the perfect Harry Potter tour in London to pair with the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Watford to make sure you’ve truly followed in the footsteps of the Boy who Lived.
17. James Bond Bus Tour of London
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars, 30+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Dive into the awesome world of 007 with this super cool 4-hour James Bond tour around London!
Follow the footsteps of your favorite spy as you hit up filming spots from classics like ‘GoldenEye,’ ‘The World is Not Enough,’ and ‘Die Another Day,’ as well as recent hits like ‘Spectre,’ ‘Skyfall,’ and ‘No Time to Die.’
Get the lowdown on Bond trivia, from Sean Connery to Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.
Feel the spy vibes for real as you cruise past MI6, the actual spy headquarters in London.
Kick back in a comfy mini-coach with live commentary, and soak up the cinematic thrill of Bond’s adventures all over the city!
Want more London tours? Check these out!
- 15 Best London History Tours
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- 7 Best Borough Market Tours
- 7 Best James Bond Tours
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