BEST OF CENTRAL LONDON - RED ROUTE

Sit back and enjoy the best of what central London has to offer on our red route.

Travelling as far as Victoria and Marble Arch in the west and the Tower of London in the East, you’ll see the most iconic landmarks of the city including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the London Eye and St. Paul’s.

With the tour lasting around two hours and ten minutes, there are plenty of opportunities to learn fascinating stories and historical facts from our live-guided English commentary which is guaranteed on every red route bus – making it even more special! If English isn’t your first language, you can also plug in, relax and enjoy engaging recorded commentary in one of 12 different languages. With stops at key points around the route, it’s simple to jump off and continue your adventure on foot or to visit some of the great attractions close by. Simply use our live tracking (available on the Big Bus app) to locate the next bus and hop back on to continue your tour.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:  Buckingham Palace – Big Ben & Houses of Parliament – Westminster Abbey – The London Eye – St Paul’s Cathedral - Tower of London – Tower Bridge - Covent Garden – Trafalgar Square – Piccadilly Circus – Marble Arch 

• Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Operates: Every day
• Frequency:   Every 10-15 minutes in summer and 10-20 minutes in winter
• First Bus:   08:00 Last Bus:  18:00 (from stop 1) Blackout Dates:  None but an amended service will run on Christmas Day

BEST OF THE WEST - BLUE ROUTE

The blue route really is the best way to experience the West of London from the museum quarter south of Hyde Park to the leafy streets of Kensington and Bayswater. On route, you’ll see famous landmarks including Harrods, the Natural History Museum, the V&A, the Science Museum, Kensington Palace and Notting Hill.  With the tour lasting one hour and fifteen minutes, you can plug in, relax and enjoy engaging recorded historical and cultural commentary in one of 12 different languages. With stops at key points around the route, it’s simple to jump off and continue your adventure on foot or to visit some of the great attractions nearby. Locate your next bus using our live bus tracking (available on the Big Bus app) to hop back on board and continue your tour.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Marble Arch – Mayfair – Green Park - Hyde Park Corner – Harrods – South Kensington Museums – Kensington Palace – Notting Hill – Paddington 

• Duration:   1 hour 15 minutes
• Operates:   Every day (except Christmas Day)
• Frequency:   Every 15-20 minutes
• First Bus:   08:00 Last Bus:   18:00 (from stop 4) Blackout Dates:  Christmas Day

ATTRACTION LOOP – ORANGE ROUTE

The orange route, the Attraction Loop, provides a direct connection between some of London’s most loved attractions. Rub shoulders with the rich and famous at Madame Tussauds at Baker Street before heading directly to London’s Southbank to enjoy The London Eye, The London Dungeon, Sea Life London Aquarium and Shrek’s Adventure. The route runs both ways so you can hop-back on at Westminster Bridge, enjoying sights such as Lambeth Palace, Buckingham Palace and Marble Arch as you make your way back to Baker Street. 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Madame Tussauds – Regent Street – Trafalgar Square – Whitehall – 10 Downing Street – Houses of Parliament and Big Ben - London Eye – Sea Life London Aquarium – Shrek’s Adventure – The London Dungeon - Lambeth palace – Buckingham Palace – Marble Arch

• Duration:   1 hour 30 minutes (45 minutes each way)
• Operates:   Every day (except Christmas Day) 
• Frequency:   Every 20-30 minutes
• First Bus:   08:50 Last Bus:   18:15 (from stop 34)
• Blackout Dates:  Christmas Day

NORTH TO CENTRAL LINK - GREEN LINK

The green route links the beautiful, regenerated area of St Pancras and King’s Cross with the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden making its way through Bloomsbury en route. Much has changed in the last decade, St Pancras and King’s Cross now offers an array of cultural and foodie delights as well as a walking route along the canal to the notorious Camden Market. The route also links the key train stations in these areas and the hotels in Bloomsbury to our longer, central red tour from our Covent Garden and Temple stops.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: British Museum – Kings Cross & St. Pancras Stations – Covent Garden – Temple 

• Duration:   1 hour
• Operates:   Every day (except Christmas Day) 
• Frequency:   Every 20-30 minutes
• First Bus:   08:20 Last Bus:   19:00 (from stop 37)
• Blackout Dates:  Christmas Day

PANORAMIC NIGHT TOUR (APRIL-SEPTEMBER ONLY)

This ticket lets you choose between three departures of our panoramic night tour per evening with pick-ups and drop-offs at the London Eye, Victoria Station and Marble Arch. See London by dusk with audio commentary in 12 different languages to enlighten you about the city's glorious past and present. Taking in sights including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London; the night tour is a great way to round off a day in London.
 
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Buckingham Palace – Big Ben & Houses of Parliament – Westminster Abbey – The London Eye – Lambeth Palace - St Paul’s Cathedral - Tower of London – Covent Garden – Trafalgar Square – Piccadilly Circus – Marble Arch
 

• Duration:   1 hour, 30 minutes
• Operates:   Daily at 19:30, 20:00 and 20:30 (between May and September only)

Please Note:

Timings are always subject to change and traffic dependent so please do check with a member of Big Bus Staff locally if you are unsure. 

To view route map, please click here.

Accessibility: There is one wheelchair accessible space per bus. Please note: electric scooters are unable to be accepted on any of the buses.

 

WALKING TOURS DESCRIPTIONS   

THE ROYAL WALK

Allow our live guides to introduce you to the wonders of British Royalty with a walk commencing from either Green Park (stop 1) or Trafalgar Square (stop 8) at 10:00 every day. This walk will take you along The Mall where you can marvel at Buckingham Palace and be introduced to St. James’ Palace and the royal parks on either side. When the Changing of the Guard is taking place at Buckingham Palace (various – see website for dates), the walking tour will take you to a prime position to see this spectacle while on days when this is not the case, you’ll still have the opportunity to see the smaller ceremony at Horseguards and wave to the Queen (or at least her house!). This walk is not to be missed and offers an excellent addition to the bus tour, taking in a number of vantage points you won’t see on board.
 
INFORMATION: The tour is guided in English and departs at 10:00 every day from both Green Park (stop 1 – red and blue routes) and Trafalgar Square (stop 8 – red route) and will last approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
 
LITTLE LEGS KIDS WALK An excellent adventure for our little Explorers – the Little Legs’ Kids’ Tour will commence Saturday and Sunday (and daily from 27 – 31 May and in July and August) from Westminster Pier (stop 8) at 14:00. With an I Spy activity to complete as well as a pin badge for all those who take part, the Little Legs’ Kids’ Tour takes a route from Westminster Bridge to Trafalgar Square with facts, figures and jokes galore on route. Work off some energy and get an alternative view of London – this tour is a winner for parents and children alike.
 
INFORMATION: The tour is guided in English and departs every weekend (and daily from 27-31 May and June and August) from Westminster Bridge (stop 18) at 14:00. The tour will last approximately 45 minutes.

See London from a different perspective as you journey along the Thames.

Imagine the sights, sounds and smells which greeted merchants arriving into London in ancient times and the thousands of vessels carrying goods to and from the capital. Travel under bridges and watch Tower Bridge come into view; the most majestic of London’s bridges.

Enjoy recorded commentary picking out the best of the sights to see and revel in the opportunity to people watch along the Southbank and photograph the HMS Belfast from the water.
 
LOCATION:  You can board the river cruise at: Tower Pier (near stop 16) Greenwich Pier Westminster Pier (near stop 18) London Eye Pier (near stop 11)
 
INFORMATION: River cruises, operated by City Cruises, are included in all tickets with Classic Tickets offering a one-way cruise between Westminster Pier and the Tower of London (in either direction) and Premium and Deluxe tickets offering a return cruise between Westminster and Greenwich.

DEPARTURE TIMES: River cruises depart approx. every 20 minutes in summertime and every 40 minutes in winter. 
 
COMMENTARY:   On-board commentary in 8 languages - Italian, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese & English
 
REDEMPTION INSTRUCTION: Must present a valid Big Bus ticket to board the boat at one of the 4 designated piers.