A hop-on hop-off bus can help you get your bearings on a first visit, especially when you want to see several landmark areas before deciding where to spend longer. Big Bus is one of the operators we suggest comparing. The right ticket depends on the routes, time available and whether you actually want the included river cruise.
A sightseeing bus is an attraction as well as transport. Allow for traffic and wait times, and use the Underground or a normal bus if you need to reach an appointment quickly. For a side-by-side view of operators, see our London bus tours comparison.
How Big Bus London tickets work
Big Bus sells different hop-on hop-off durations and attraction bundles. Ticket names, online prices, child ages and inclusions change, so compare the live Big Bus ticket list for your date. Check whether validity means a calendar day or a number of hours, when it starts, and which routes your ticket covers.
- Short sightseeing day: Choose a ticket that covers the areas you want most; allow time for at least one stop rather than staying aboard all day.
- Longer visit: A multi-day ticket can suit days with several neighbourhoods, but compare its total price with a one-day tour plus public transport.
- Attraction bundle: Big Bus currently lists combinations with venues such as the London Eye or Tower of London. Read each attraction’s entry and reservation terms before booking.
Which Big Bus ticket suits your trip?
- One Day Ticket: bus rides on the day of use across the main Red, Blue and Green services. This is the simplest choice if you want the open-top ride and plan other Thames activities separately.
- Discover: 24 hours of bus travel with a one-way river cruise. It works well for a first day when you want to cross the city by road and see the Thames from the water.
- Essential: 48 hours of bus travel, a one-way river cruise and guided walking tours. It gives you room to get off and explore on both days.
- Explore: 48 hours, a one-way cruise, walking tours and an evening tour. Choose this if you will actually use the extra evening circuit.
- Attraction bundles: some packages pair bus travel with the Tower of London, London Eye or Madame Tussauds. The London Sizzler currently combines a 48-hour bus ticket with the Tower of London and a standard London Eye visit; choose your attraction slots before structuring the bus days.
Ticket inclusions and the final price depend on the product you select. Compare the total for the exact number of adults and children in your group, especially if a family ticket is offered.
Is a Thames cruise included?
Selected Big Bus tickets include a one-way Thames cruise. It is part of the ticket package, not an extra free journey that every bus ticket provides. Confirm the pier, direction, cruise operator and redemption instructions for your chosen product. A one-way cruise can work nicely between Westminster and the Tower; if you need a return journey, check the cost separately.
We would use the one-way cruise to link two sightseeing areas, for example Westminster and the Tower, rather than taking it solely for a quick photo. Leave time to walk from your bus stop to the pier and follow the sailing direction shown on your ticket. If your itinerary already includes a river boat, compare the bus-only and combined tickets.
Routes, stops and timetable
The main routes pass many central landmarks, while connecting routes can help you reach a starting point. Stop numbers, first and last buses, diversions and service frequency change. Use Big Bus’s live service information and route map on the day, especially around ceremonies or road closures.
Choosing a route rather than sitting through traffic
Red Route: a good first circuit for Westminster, Trafalgar Square and the Tower area. Get off for the sights you want to visit and use the next bus to continue. Blue Route: useful for west London, including Kensington and its museums. Green Link: a connection to the main routes from a different starting area. Because the exact stop locations and frequency change, save the current map before leaving your hotel.
For a first day, board near your hotel, ride to Westminster, explore on foot, then rejoin the bus towards the Tower. One or two well-chosen stops feel much more satisfying than spending the whole day on a full circuit. Our one-day London itinerary shows how to combine central sights with a river ride.
Walking tours, night tours and attraction entry
Some Big Bus packages currently include guided walks or an evening tour; others do not. Check the exact tour meeting point, departure time, availability and whether a separate booking is needed. Night tours are generally a set circuit rather than an ordinary hop-on hop-off route.
If you buy an attraction bundle, reserve the attractions that need timed entry and then fit your bus rides around those slots. A fast-track option may shorten a particular entry queue, but it does not remove security screening. The London Eye’s ticket time is the time to join the relevant queue, not a promise of immediate boarding. Use the QR codes and boarding instructions in your confirmation email and operator app.
Our quick check before buying
- Mark the stops and paid attractions you would genuinely use.
- Compare bus-only, bus-and-cruise and attraction-bundle totals for your travel date.
- Check whether your chosen cruise or walking tour needs its own slot, and leave room for traffic.
A good family day might start with the Red Route to Westminster, continue with a Thames cruise to Tower Pier, and finish with time at the Tower or Tower Bridge. A second day could use the Blue Route for Kensington and a museum. These are routes to enjoy rather than a checklist: only add the guided walk or evening tour if your group still wants to be out at that time.
Hi, we are Alberto and Amy, the London locals behind PlanTrip London. We’ve lived in London since 2010 and have spent every year since exploring the city, from its famous landmarks to the markets, pubs, parks and hidden corners most visitors never find. Over the years we became the go-to trip planners for friends and family visiting London, so we created this site to share the same first-hand, tried-and-tested advice with you. Every itinerary, tip and recommendation here comes from our own experience with our two children, so you can plan a London trip that’s easier, better value and far more memorable.