London hop-on hop-off buses (specifically City Sightseeing) generally start at Stop 1 on Belvedere Road, located behind the London Eye, with the first buses departing around 08:45. Other major, central boarding points for various operators include Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, and near major train stations like Victoria or King's Cross.
As the two main hop-on, hop-off bus tours in London, you really can't go wrong with Big Bus Tours or Golden Tours; their routes are similar (though different colors/names) and visit the same main sights, and tickets are priced competitively. Big Bus Tours is included in the London Pass, whereas Golden Tours is not.
How long is the hop-on hop-off bus route in London?
Red Route: 2 hours, 30 minutes (approx.) Blue Route: 3 hours, 35 minutes (approx.) Green Link: 1 hour, 10 minutes (approx.) Please allow for more time if you plan to hop on and off at any of our stops.
London's "1 hour rule" refers to the Hopper Fare, which allows unlimited bus and tram journeys for a single £1.75 fare within one hour of your first tap-in, using the same contactless or Oyster card. It means you can switch between buses and trams as much as you like, even linking with the Tube or DLR (though the main benefit is bus/tram hopping), without paying again, provided your subsequent taps are within 60 minutes of the initial touch.
Before You Book a London Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour, Watch this First!
Where does the Thames river cruise start and end?
Thames River cruises vary, but popular ones often start/end at Westminster Pier, near the Houses of Parliament, or the London Eye Pier, offering circular routes or one-way trips to destinations like Tower Bridge (Butler's Wharf), Greenwich, or even further to Hampton Court, with operators like Thames Sightseeing, City Cruises, and Uber Boat by Thames Clippers providing various services from short sightseeing to hop-on/hop-off options.
There's no better way to explore London than on an iconic, double decker bus. Hop on-board an Original Open Top London Bus Tour, and we'll show you all the sights including: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower of London, The London Eye, Westminster Abbey plus much more.
For the most iconic sights, choose routes like the #9, #11, or #15, hitting Westminster, Trafalgar Square, and the Strand, while the #88 offers a mix from Camden to Parliament, and the #26 covers the City and South Bank, with the #148 giving Holland Park views; consider the #465 for Surrey Hills scenery if you venture outside central London for a nature escape, notes MyLondon.
No, you only tap in (touch on) when boarding a London bus or tram; you do not need to tap off (touch out) when you get off, as it has a flat fare, and tapping off could actually cost you more money. For buses, you just tap your Oyster card or contactless card/device once on the yellow reader by the driver when you board.
While "prettiest" is subjective, Henley-on-Thames is widely considered a top contender for the most picturesque town on the Thames, known for its classic English charm, historic buildings, vibrant Regatta, and beautiful setting near the Chilterns. Other contenders for beauty include Marlow for its idyllic riverside setting, Windsor for its iconic castle, and charming spots like Richmond for riverside pubs and greenery.
On our London tours, you will see Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, St Paul's Cathedral, St. James Palace and many more! Complete your visit to London with a cruise along the river Thames.
How long is the tour? The Red Route lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, with buses departing every 10 to 20 minutes. The Blue Route lasts about 3 hours and 20 minutes, with buses running every 10 to 20 minutes. The Green Route lasts about 1 hour, with buses running every 20 minutes.
Freedom Pass. Providing Londoners over the age of 66 and those with eligible disabilities free public transport across the capital and on local buses across England.
Freedom Pass is a concessionary travel scheme, which began in 1973, to provide free travel to residents of Greater London, England, for people with a disability or over the progressively increasing state pension age (60 for women in 2010, increased to 66 for everybody until about 2026, then increasing further).
The UK's £2 bus fare cap, originally ending in 2023, was extended multiple times and eventually transitioned to a £3 cap in England (outside London) from January 2025 to December 2025, funded by the government to help with living costs. However, some regions, like Liverpool City Region and Telford, have stepped in with local funding to keep their specific £2 caps running longer, with Liverpool aiming for 2026, while the national scheme shifted focus to the £3 cap to support bus services long-term.
