In a nutshell
- London has four different hop-on hop-off bus companies. We’ll help you figure out which one is the best choice.
- Short on time? Our top pick for a hop-on hop-off tour in London is this one: City Sightseeing.
- There are also hop-on hop-off combo tickets that let you pair your bus tour with a Thames cruise and other attractions.
What You Should Know About Hop-On Hop-Off London
Let’s kick things off with some good news: all hop-on hop-off operators follow very similar routes through London — so whichever you choose, you’ll cover the city’s highlights.
They all run double decker buses about every 15–30 minutes and offer 2–3 routes marked by colors.
The main route for each company runs through the eastern part of the city, where you’ll pass most of the major London sights.
All companies stop at these key landmarks:
- Tower Bridge
- Tower of London
- Buckingham Palace
- Big Ben
- Westminster Abbey
- London Eye
- The Shard
- Trafalgar Square
- Hyde Park
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
The Best London Hop-on Hop-off Bus: City Sightseeing
We’ve checked out all the hop-on hop-off companies, and the for us best London hop-on hop-off bus is City Sightseeing.
What makes City Sightseeing stand out is that the buses make fewer stops than the others. That keeps things simple while still getting you to all the big landmarks without constantly hopping back on.
There are three routes: red, blue, and green. The red route is the main one, taking you to places like Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the London Eye. Expect about 2.5 hours if you ride the whole loop.
Buses run every 15–30 minutes. The red line runs until 8 pm, while the last green and blue buses leave at 5:20 pm. Other companies usually stop around 5 pm — so with City Sightseeing, you get a bit more time to explore.
You can choose a day ticket, 24-hour ticket, 48-hour ticket, or 72-hour ticket. All but the day ticket also include a Thames river cruise. A great perk, since seeing London from the water is something we always recommend. And if you go for the 72-hour option, you get an evening cruise too — perfect for soaking up the city lights.
Advantages
- Best value for money
- Simple route network
- Stops at all major landmarks
- Route isn’t too long
- River cruise included with most tickets
Disadvantages
- Not part of any London City Pass
Book the City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off ticket
Overview of Hop-On Hop-Off Providers in London
There are four hop-on hop-off tours in London. They’re all quite similar, but there are a few differences. Our table gives you a clear comparison of all four:
| City Sightseeing | Big Bus Tours | Tootbus (formerly The Original Tour) | Golden Tours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Validity | 1 day, 24h, 48h and 72h | 1 day, 24h and 48h | 24h, 48h and 72h | 1 day, 24h, 48h and 72h |
| 24-hour price | £49 | £46 | £49 | £49 |
| Free for children | up to 4 years | up to 3 years | up to 4 years | up to 4 years |
| City Pass Discount | none | included in London Pass, London City Pass and Explorer Pass | none | included in London Pass and Explorer Pass |
| Combo Options | with boat trip, Tower of London, London Eye, Madame Tussauds, Sea Life, Afternoon Tea, and night tour | with boat trip, walking tour and night tour | with boat trip and walking tour | with boat trip |
| Routes | 3 routes | 3 routes | 3 routes | 3 routes |
| Stops | 24 (red line) 13 (green line) 16 (blue line) | 24 (red line) 5 (green line) 10 (blue line) | 18 (yellow line) 12 (green line) 22 (blue line) | 23 (blue line) 33 (red line) 26 (yellow line) |
| Frequencies | every 15-30 minutes | every 10-45 minutes | every 20-30 minutes | every 20-30 minutes |
| Operating Hours | 8:30 AM - 08:00 PM | 8:00 AM - 07:00 PM | 8:30 AM - 05:00 PM | 08:30 AM - 05:30 PM |
| Audio guide | Multiple languages (including English) | Multiple languages (including English) | Multiple languages (including English) | Multiple languages (including English) |
| Link to the ticket | book your ticket | book your ticket | book your ticket | book your ticket |
Combo Tickets: Combine Hop-On Hop-Off with Attractions
You can also bundle your hop-on hop-off ticket with other attractions. That way you get several experiences in one and can save money along the way.
City Sightseeing offers five ticket packages. Which one is best for you depends on your plans in London — but make sure you actually use all the included attractions so you get the full value.
These are the five tickets:
- Single day ticket (get your ticket)
- 24-hour, 48-hour or 72-hour ticket incl. boat trip (get your ticket)
- 24-hour ticket incl. boat trip and Tower of London entry (get your ticket)
- 24-hour ticket incl. boat trip and tickets for London Eye, Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE (get your ticket)
- 24-hour ticket incl. boat trip and afternoon tea (get your ticket)
We think the 48-hour ticket with river cruise is the best pick. It offers great value, gives you two days of bus travel, and includes a Thames cruise.
Our Review on London's Hop-On Hop-Off Buses
Exploring London by hop-on hop-off bus is a fun way to get a quick first impression of the city, especially if you’re only in London for a weekend.
Just keep in mind that London traffic can be heavy, so delays can happen.
That’s why we recommend a 48-hour ticket. It gives you enough time to see the main sights without rushing.
Our favorite hop-on hop-off option is clearly City Sightseeing. Their buses take you to the top landmarks for 24 or 48 hours, and you’ll pass plenty more along the way. Plus, you can combine your ticket with other London experiences like a river cruise.
FAQ About Hop-On Hop-Off Providers in London
Do you still have a question? No worries — you’ll probably find the answer here.
Is a hop-on hop-off bus worth it in London?
London is packed with amazing sights, and a hop-on hop-off bus is a great way to get your bearings fast. It gives you a clear overview of where everything is, and you don’t have to worry about figuring out public transport between each attraction.
Is a hop-on hop-off ticket cheaper online?
With most providers, the online ticket is cheaper than buying it on the spot. You usually save between 10 and 15 percent. That’s why we recommend booking your ticket in advance — it’s cheaper and you don’t have to worry about sorting it out when you get there.
Are hop-on hop-off tours in London accessible?
All four hop-on hop-off companies offer accessible buses with a boarding ramp and designated wheelchair spaces. Big Bus Tours, Tootbus, and Golden Tours have fully wheelchair-accessible fleets, while most City Tour buses are accessible as well.
However, keep in mind that there’s no guarantee a space will be available, since each bus only has one wheelchair spot.
How much time does a hop-on hop-off tour in London take?
A ride along the main route takes about 2.5 hours with all providers. The other routes vary quite a bit, running anywhere from 30 minutes to 3.5 hours.
And of course, if you hop off to explore sights along the way, your trip will take longer.
Is a hop-on hop-off bus tour in London also good with kids?
Yes, hop-on hop-off tours are great with kids. Sitting in the front row of a red double decker bus is always a big highlight for little ones.
All companies let children up to age 5 ride for free. From age 5, there are family tickets and child tickets, which usually cost a little over half the adult price.
If you’re exploring London with kids, Tootbus can be especially fun — they offer a child friendly audio guide designed just for young travelers.
Are there any alternatives to hop-on hop-off buses in London?
Yes, that’s route 11.
It’s a regular public bus that follows a similar route to the hop-on hop-off buses. The best part: each ride costs under £2! Just note that you’ll pay every time you board and there’s no audio guide. But you still get to ride on a classic red double decker bus.
Can I bring my dog to a hop-on hop-off bus tour in London?
City Sightseeing and Tootbus allow small, well-behaved dogs on board.
Where do I start my hop-on hop-off bus tour in London?
You can start your tour at any stop. We suggest beginning on the main route in the east and hopping on at the stop closest to your hotel in London.
Are the hop-on hop-off buses already included in a London City Pass?
If you have the London Pass or the Explorer Pass, you can choose a 24 hour ticket with Big Bus Tours or Golden Tours. Big Bus Tours is also included in the London City Pass.
City Sightseeing and Tootbus are currently not included in any London sightseeing pass.
You can find more details about the different city passes in our London pass comparison:
Do you have any more tips about the hop-on hop-off buses in London?
These were our top tips and recommendations for hop-on hop-off tours in London. Have you taken one before? Share your experience in the comments!