London has been on your radar for months and you’ve already convinced yourself to try one of the most classic ways to see the city—a tour by hop-on hop-off bus in London. But, the problem is now, you did a lot of research and found out there are more than one operator with different routes, ticket types, prices and perks. Now, you’re really confused which one actually makes sense for your London itinerary?
Welcome to our blog! In this guide, we’ll compare the best bus tours in London by their routes, prices, benefits and overall experience, so you can choose the one that fits your travel plans best. Let’s dive in!
1. Tootbus – Best for Walking Tours
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Tootbus is a good choice if you want more than a ride around London’s landmarks. Its London Discovery ticket combines the bus tour with walking tours, while the Must See London option adds a river cruise.
Tootbus London tickets are available for 1, 2 or 3 days, priced at around €51, €57 and €62 respectively.
The London Discovery ticket includes four bus routes and six walking tours. The Must See London option includes the four bus routes plus a river cruise.
Tootbus Routes
- Red Route: The main central London route, passing sights such as the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and Trafalgar Square.
- Blue Route: A longer sightseeing loop of around two hours, covering South Kensington’s museums and major Westminster landmarks.
- Green Route: Connects central areas with important railway and cultural stations.
- Pink Route: Serves selected neighbourhoods and outer connecting areas.
- Black Route: A seasonal morning shuttle between Holland Park Avenue and Park Lane.
Why choose Tootbus? It offers a useful combination of sightseeing and walking tours. It is also regarded as an affordable option in traveller feedback.
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2. City Sightseeing – Best for Budget Travellers
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If keeping costs down is your priority, City Sightseeing London hop-on hop-off ticket stands out. Its tickets start at €34 for a one-day option, while 24-, 48- and 72-hour tickets cost €46, €64 and €72.
The operator has three main routes and also includes a Thames cruise with its tickets.
The 24-hour ticket includes a one-way cruise between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier, and you can begin the cruise from either pier. With the 48- and 72-hour tickets, you also get a same-day return trip to and from Greenwich Pier.
The 72-hour option additionally includes a Night Tour, making it useful if you want to see London after dark.
City Sightseeing Routes
- Red Route: Covers central London, including the London Eye, Big Ben and the Tower of London.
- Blue Route: Travels through West London and Kensington and Chelsea, passing museums and Harrods.
- Green Route: Connects hotel districts and northern and station areas with the main sightseeing routes.
There is also kids’ commentary available on the Blue Route.
Why choose City Sightseeing? The lower starting price and included river cruise make it an attractive option if you want the basics without spending too much.
3. Big Bus Tours – Best for Commentary
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Big Bus Tours is worth considering if the commentary is an important part of your sightseeing experience. Traveller feedback supplied for this comparison describes its commentary positively and notes that the buses are fairly frequent.
Big Bus Tours tickets range from €46 for the one-day and 24-hour options to €58 for the 48-hour Essential and €69 for the 48-hour Explore ticket.
The 24-hour Discover ticket includes a one-way river cruise. The 48-hour Essential adds three guided walking tours, while the 48-hour Explore includes those walking tours as well as a London Evening Tour.
Big Bus Routes
- Red Route: Covers central London on an open-top sightseeing bus.
- Blue Route: Runs from East to West, covering many of London’s major landmarks.
- Green Route: Connects King’s Cross, St Pancras and Euston with the sightseeing network.
Why choose Big Bus Tours? If you care about the quality of the commentary and want to combine your bus tour with a Thames cruise, it is one of the strongest choices. The 48-hour options are particularly useful for a more relaxed itinerary.
4. Golden Tours – Best for Live Guides
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Golden Tours London sightseeing takes a slightly different approach, with live guiding available on its Blue Route. Tickets are offered for 1, 24, 48 and 72 hours, priced at €48, €57, €62 and €68.
The 24-hour ticket includes two free guided walking tours, a Thames cruise and a live guide on the Blue Route. The 48- and 72-hour options include two free guided walking tours and a one-way river cruise.
Golden Tours Routes
- Classic Tour – Blue Route: This is the main central London route, covering the London Eye, Tower of London, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, the Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral and Piccadilly Circus.
- Essential Tour – Red Route: This route covers central and northern London, including Covent Garden, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, London Zoo, Madame Tussauds and King’s Cross.
- Museum Tour – Orange Route: Ideal for a museum-focused day, with stops around the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, V&A, Royal Albert Hall, Harrods and Buckingham Palace.
Why choose Golden Tours? The live guide can make the journey more engaging, especially if you prefer commentary from a person rather than recorded narration. The trade-off is that traveller feedback describes its buses as less frequent, with shorter operating hours.
So, Which Is the Best Bus Tour in London?
There isn’t one winner for every traveller. The best option depends on what you want from the hop-on hop-off bus in London.
- Choose Tootbus if walking tours and route variety matter to you.
- Choose City Sightseeing if you want the lowest starting price and a river cruise included.
- Choose Big Bus Tours if good commentary, frequent buses and a Thames cruise are high on your list.
- Choose Golden Tours if you prefer a live guide and want a route focused on London’s museums and major sights.
For a first visit to London, Big Bus is a particularly well-rounded option, thanks to its central routes, commentary, river cruise and additional walking tours on the longer ticket. If price is your main concern, City Sightseeing is harder to overlook.
Best Bus Tours in London at a Glance
*Please note, this table is created based on the products available on the London tourist bus page.
| Operators | Available ticket options | Approx starting price (in Euro) | Best for |
| TootBus | 1, 2, or 3 days | €51 | Walking tours and route variety |
| City Sightseeing | 1 day, 24, 48 or 72 hours | €34 | Budget-friendly sightseeing |
| Big Bus Tours | 1 day, 24 or 48 hours | €46 | Commentary and Thames experience |
| Golden Tours | 1 day, 24, 48 or 72 hours | €48 | Live guides and museum sights |
Image credit: Lucas Davies for Unsplash
Tips for Choosing Your London Bus Tour
Before booking, think about how much time you actually have. A one-day ticket works well if you mainly want to ride around the central sights, while a 48- or 72-hour ticket gives you more freedom to hop off and explore.
Also check what’s included. Some tickets add a Thames cruise, walking tours or an evening tour, which can make a slightly more expensive ticket better value. Moreover, if you’re struggling to make your itinerary, you can also read the top 10 must-see places in London: your 3-day itinerary to get an idea.
Finally, look at the routes rather than choosing purely by price. If museums are on your list, Golden Tours’ Museum Route may be more useful. If you want central landmarks, compare the main Red and Blue routes offered by each operator.
The right sightseeing bus is ultimately the one that fits your itinerary. Pick the routes that match the places you want to see, then compare the included extras and ticket duration before booking.
