After many years helping friends and relatives plan London visits, we know the hardest part of choosing a sightseeing bus is deciding what you will actually use. An open-top bus is an enjoyable introduction to the landmarks, but a ticket with more routes, days or add-ons is not automatically the better buy. Compare the routes near your hotel, the cruise you want and the day’s realistic pace.
London hop-on hop-off buses: what to compare
| Operator | What to check before booking | Live information |
|---|---|---|
| Big Bus | Routes, 24- or 48-hour tickets, one-way cruise and attraction bundles. | Tickets and routes |
| Tootbus | Bus-only versus bus-and-cruise packages, walking audio tours and route choice. | Tours and map |
| Golden Tours | Calendar-day versus hourly tickets and whether your option includes a cruise. | Current tickets |
| City Sightseeing | Bus-only versus bus-and-river bundles, available ticket durations and stops. | London products |
Ticket names, fares, child ages, stops and timetables change. We have removed the old fare tables and fixed stop lists from this guide. Open each operator’s live route map for your visit date; roadworks and events can change the service.
Big Bus London
Big Bus has central sightseeing routes and connecting services. Its current range includes bus-only options, tickets with a one-way river cruise and some attraction bundles. The exact inclusions depend on the ticket. If you have limited time, choose the route that passes your priority sights and allow for traffic when getting off to visit one.
Our Big Bus guide explains how to build a day around it. Check its service information for current stops.
Tootbus London
Tootbus offers hop-on hop-off routes plus other products, including bus-and-cruise combinations and shorter themed rides. Compare the current tour range and live map. A shorter single ride is a different product from an all-day hop-on hop-off ticket, so read the validity line before paying.
Golden Tours
Golden Tours offers several ticket durations and central routes; select products include a Thames cruise. Its ticket list distinguishes a one-calendar-day ticket from tickets measured in hours. Check the service updates on your visit day, particularly around Buckingham Palace when ceremonial events affect stops.
City Sightseeing London
City Sightseeing lists London bus tours with optional river or attraction combinations. Compare a bus ticket with the bus-and-cruise option if you want both. Check the latest route map and start points in its app before setting out.
Is a sightseeing bus worth it?
We like the idea of using the first ride to get a feel for London, then choosing a couple of stops to explore on foot. If you are travelling with children, a slower day with a proper meal break is usually easier to enjoy than trying to cover every route. If the attractions you want are all close together, an on-foot itinerary and ordinary public transport may suit you better.
Before booking, compare the final price for your party, the stop nearest your accommodation, ticket start time, cruise direction, and whether a walking or night tour is genuinely included. For any sightseeing pass that advertises a bus tour, check which operator and ticket it gives you. A bus ticket is not a substitute for timed entry to attractions.
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.