funny london bus tour

18 unusual London tours: quirky & fun options

Want to get beyond the icons of London? Booking a place on one of these unusual London tours will make your trip to the UK capital memorable.

The UK capital is the type of place where you would never be bored, but you could go broke, because there are so many fun things to do in the city, particularly in the form on unusual London tours.

Yes, there is indeed a time-honoured tourist trail in London of go-to-a-museum-see-Tower-of-London-ride-the-Eye-go-to-West-End-show, etc. But there are plenty of other bizarre and whacky activities to do in the city – like eating in the dark or trying your hand at taxidermy .

Tours are an excellent way to see a city and London is no exception. Yet, rather that trailing around the same old spots, why not try something a little bit different? Particularly if you’re going on a date in London and want to do something a bit different.

I’ve rounded up some of the most unusual tours you can do in London. Get onto it!

This post forms part of my guide to London . Check out this 4 day itinerary for the city and read tips on how to not look like a tourist in London .

Disclosure: This post on unique London tours may contain affiliate links. If you click through for additional information or make a purchase, it may result in a small commission, at no extra cost to you. See my privacy policy if you require more information. Thank you for supporting a small content creator.

Unusual London tours by day

Here are some unusual tours in London, which will take you through the city during the daylight hours.

Get Around Quickly

1. Harry Potter Walking Tour

Potterheads unite! This free walking tour will take you through the finer sights of London, whilst pointing out locations from the Harry Potter films, such as the real Diagon Alley (the gorgeous Leadenhall Market) and the bridge blown up by Death Eaters. (If you’re a massive fan, you’ll probably want to check out the Warner Brother’s Harry Potter Studio Tour at some point as well).

Be sure to tip your guide at the end!

Plus, if you fancy going full Potter, you may consider spending the night in a Wizard themed hotel .

There are stacks of other Harry Potter tours available and if you’re after a paid option that’s a bit quirkier, why not take one which comes with a boat ride ?

2. Climb the Roof of the O2

The O2 in North Greenwich is a multi-purpose indoor arena.

A fun London date idea (if you’re both okay with heights) is to climb to the roof of the O2 , in order to take in 360° views of the city.

Yup, it’s not an event for the fainthearted, or those who suffer from vertigo. But, it’s sure to be memorable.

3. Street Art Tour

Street art isn’t in itself unusual, but London does have a lot of unique street art, particular in the city’s east.

In this tour , you’ll learn about the work of the artists in the city, while you explore one of London’s most interesting areas.

After the tour is complete, you’ll learn how to make some street art of your own.

4. Hidden London Tours

As far as unusual London tours go, these are some of my favourites, mostly due to the level of history that is involved.

London Transport have opened up some of the disused stations and tunnels across the city’s Underground network – from Euston’s Lost Tunnels, to Aldwych Station and the bunker where Winston Churchill took refuge during the height of the Blitz during WWII.

A word of warning – these tours sell out FAST. The website has the ticket release dates, so make your decision and pick a backup, just in case the tour you want sells out.

Discover what it’s like to tour Euston Station’s lost tunnels .

5. The London Loo Tour

This has to be one of the most unusual London tours… can I go so far as claiming perhaps in the world?

As the name suggests, here is an opportunity to tour some of London’s finest public facilities. The Loo Tours operate through Waterloo and Bloomsbury, with a third tour dedicated to the life of Thomas Crapper, a pioneer of bathroom fittings.

Now you know why toilets are often referred to as “crappers”. Are you as delighted as I am?

And why not wind up your day by going and drinking in a toilet bar? The Bermondsey Arts Club and Cocktail Bar is a personal favourite of mine.

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6. Tour Highgate Cemetery

Why not take a stroll through Highgate Cemetery ?

The graveyard is divided into two sections – the East and the West. The East is the final resting place of literary great George Eliot, the artist Patrick Caulfield and the cemetery’s most famous resident, Karl Marx (you know – the founding father of Communism).

The West can only be seen as part of a guided tour, which enable you to stroll up the Egyptian Avenue, through a pair of giant obelisks to the Circle of Lebanon cedar tree, which is older than the cemetery itself. Then there are the graves of course, such as the Terrace Catacombs and the very impressive Mausoleum of Julius Beer, built by a grieving father in homage to his daughter.

7. James Bond Walking Tour

His name is Bond… James Bond and he’s a British icon.

If you’re a fan of 007, or love exploring film locations on your travels, hop on a tour that will lead you around to various London icons that feature in the Bond films and immerse yourself in his world.

You’ll also visit real locations frequented by spies and discover secret bunkers within the city, amongst many other interesting historical facts.

8. Unseen Tours

Unseen Tours are tours with a philanthropic difference.

These tours are led by people who have experienced homelessness. 60% of each ticket price is paid to each guide.

So, go learn something new about a popular area of London and get to know someone who you may not have necessarily crossed paths with, in the process.

↠ RELATED: BEST DAY TRIPS FROM LONDON

9. Hidden City

Here’s a tour that will get your brain juices flowing while you see the city’s sights.

After registering a team with Hidden City , you’ll be sent a bunch of cryptic clues to your mobile phone. Each clue will lead you to a new location a short walk away.

Once you’ve solved the clue, you text your answer back, in order to receive the next clue. There are around 12-20 for each trail, which will take anywhere from 2-4 hours to solve (pending on your thinking abilities and level of jet lag at the time).

There is a range of tours available, from the Shoreditch street art themed, to the more niche Moriarty’s Game, where you’ll follow a Sherlock Homes inspired trail put together by his quick-thinking nemesis.

10. See Secret London by Bike

A city as big and as old as London has a lot of secrets.

From historical landmarks, to kooky characters, you’ll learn about them all on this 4 hour tour around the city … on a bicycle!

11. Deptford Creek Tour

Once a month the folk at the Creekside Discovery Centre will don their waterproofs and gumboots and take a group of willing participants to explore Deptford Creek during low tide .

The creek is home to a range of biodiversity (making it perfect for nature enthusiasts and budding biologists). As the trust declares, “You don’t have to leave London to have a wild day out.”

↠ RELATED: A WILD DAY OUT AT DEPTFORD CREEK

12. Medicine & Disease Tour

One of the more unusual London tours will take you back in time to London at its grimiest – a city where epidemics spread quickly .

You’ll pass by the oldest surviving medical society in England and see the site of Florence Nightingale’s first hospital and learn about how London grew from disease-ridden city, to the capital of a country which one of the greatest health systems in the world.

13. London by kayak

Keen to see London from a different angle and get an upper-body workout into your day? Why not book onto a kayak tour from Greenwich to Battersea (or vice versa)?

During this three-hour journey you’ll pass the city’s most notable landmarks, such as the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s, the London Eye, Houses of Parliament… this list goes on!

All equipment is provided.

14. Afternoon Tea Tour

This one is rather self-designed, but if you like tea, cakes and crustless sandwiches, why not go on your very own tour of some of London’s finer establishments?!

I’ve done the hard yards for you – here’s some places where you can get a decent and inexpensive high tea .

15. Gin Distillery Tour

The British love their gin and Sipsmith Distillery (great name) offer up the opportunity three times a week to learn a little more about London’s gin-soaked past, while you sip on a few spirits and see the stills in motion.

Unusual London Tours By Night

Here are some tour options to liven up your night (or evening, in some cases).

16. Secret Indian Food Tour

Love Indian food? You’ll find some great restaurants in London, particularly in the East-End.

You’ll be introduced to some notable Indian restaurants, allowing yourself to eat as much naan, korma, biryani and the like as your can handle.

Start this unique London tour with an empty stomach.

17. London Literary Pub Crawl

This literary pub crawl describes itself as being “less of a traditional tour and more of a guided performance”.

On this tour you’ll be very much entertained as you’re brought to where literary greats such as Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf, T.S Eliot and George Orwell drank, ate and worked (and you too can grab a tipple in the taverns and pubs that so inspired them!).

18. Herstorical Tours

After an unusual walking tour in London which mixes drama and history, adds a dash of comedy and sprinkles over a bit of feminism to boot?

It’s a pretty well-known fact that women’s stories haven’t exactly had a place in the pages of history. The good old patriarchy has done a solid job of silencing women’s voices and stories, so that as Laurel Thatcher Ulrich once quipped ‘well-behaved women seldom make history’ – and even the more ‘wicked’ of women are lost to the sands of time.

Herstorical Tours are trying to right this wrong, in London at least. Their immersive theatre tours aim to uncover the city’s herstory, with a particular focus on the darker aspects of London’s past.

There’s currently two tours on offer – ‘Hex and the City’, which tell tales of London’s witchy past and ‘Harlots & Strumpets & Tarts, Oh My!’, which details the experiences of the West End’s sex workers in the 18th century.

Have you tried any of the above? Or are there any unusual London tours which you believe deserve a place on this list? If you’re after more inspiration in planning your trip to London, discover some things to do in south east London and what it’s like to take a mouse taxidermy class .

Where to stay in London

Opps, I pinned it again 📌

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How did I not know about the free HP walking tour?!?!?! Sounds worth the slog up to London for that alone! Couple it with the Murder Mile walk and it could just end up being the best day of my life.

My cousin is terrified of stuffed animals – totally gonna look into Taxidermy classes for her next birthday gift!

I feel the same way! You should do them next time you’re in London and report back. Although the train trip there may cost more than the tours themselves. Your cousin will hate it! Brilliant!

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Horrible Histories proudly presents its wicked river tour of the Terrible Thames!

After three terrific years, we’re back and sailing again in 2024! So climb aboard and prepare to hear the horrible history of the most famous river in the world!

Tremble in terror at the Tower! Sizzle at the Savoy! Give Cleopatra the needle! Be washed away at Westminster! Lose yourself in Lambeth! Get gobsmacked by the Globe! Hold onto your head at London Bridge and escape from Execution Dock!

Take a dive with Horrible Histories into the stories of King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Julius Caesar, Queen Boudicca, Jack the Ripper and Captain Kidd, in this history of the Thames with the nasty bits left in!

Ticket information

Ticket information and how to book.

STANDARD TICKETS

Adult – £25.00 Child (Ages 3 – 15)* – £15.00 Senior – £20.00

FAMILY TICKETS

2 adults, 2 children – £70.00 1 adult, 3 children – £60.00

To book family tickets , please enter the desired amount of tickets on our ticketing page and the discount will be applied at checkout.

*Under 3’s do not need a ticket but will need to be sat on the lap of a parent / guardian.

SCHOOL GROUPS 10+ Tickets – £12.50 per child and 1 teacher goes free for every 10 children.

We are running tours on selected weekdays this year specifically for school groups, please see the calendar for more information. If you are looking to bring a large group it may be possible to add in extra tour time / day , please email [email protected] to enquire.

To book a school group please email [email protected]

GROUPS 10+ Adult – £23.00 | Child – £13.00 Groups sized 10 – 30 can book online and the groups discount will automatically be applied to your tickets when you purchase them. You can also book directly with the team at [email protected]

ACCESS Birmingham Stage Company and Woods Silver Fleet are dedicated to improving the accessibility for all visitors to this new experience and ask that any assisted wheelchair access that is required is booked in advance.

Customers with Access requirements will be able to purchase a full price ticket for any cruise, subject to availability. One additional carer/companion ticket will be made available free of charge for those who are members of the KX Tickets Access Scheme or hold an Access Card, please visit https://www.kxtickets.com/access for more information

Please visit our FAQs where we have more information and for all access bookings please email [email protected]

For our full and detailed information document on accessibility for our tour please CLICK HERE

PRIVATE HIRES For Private Hires, please email [email protected]

Terrible Thames will run during the school holidays and on selected weekdays for school groups. The tours run between 9.45 and 15.45 but vary on different days, so please see our ticketing page for the full schedule.

Follow us @terriblethames

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Plan Your Visit

Tower Bridge Quay

Previously st. katharine's pier - next to tower bridge.

Tower Bridge Quay is situated on the north bank of the Thames, on the east side of Tower Bridge , and immediately in front of the Tower Hotel. The pier is approx. 10 minutes walk from Tower Hill Underground station. Our postcode is E1W 1LD.

DO NOT GO TO TOWER BRIDGE PIER!

what3words is an easy way to find and share exact locations, every 3 metre square has their own unique 3 word identifier. curiosity.pirate.rides is the unique 3 words for our location at Tower Bridge Quay.

Nearest station Tower Hill

Bus routes – 15, 100, what the people say.

All comments taken from the Terrible Thames Facebook page or customer emails

The BEST THING we did on our recent trip to London. Can't recommend HIGHLY enough!

Andrew Hawksworth

No better way to see and hear about London. EXTREMELY entertaining. Highly recommend.

A BRILLIANT ride along the Thames. One for the MUST DO list for London.

Hayley Clark

10/10, SUPERB, ENTERTAINING, FUNNY, GRUESOME and had some of the best facts of the river entwined in the story. The parents were as enthralled as the kids.

Absolutely BRILLIANT! The highlight of my children's trip to London.

Laura Madden

Terrible Thames has to be one of the greatest things we’ve done in #TeamHarris. What an AWESOME adventure!

Sean Harris

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT. As soon as we had finished my kids wanted to do it AGAIN!

JOANNE GLENNERSTER

I can honestly say I have never been so impressed with any other family experience - it was perfect!

PHILIP ALSTON

Our FAVOURITE day trip of the year!

This was BRILLIANT. Ages 5 – 75 in our group and everyone LOVED it! We haven’t stopped talking about it.

REBECCA BISHOP

The best Thames trip we have done – FANTASTIC for adults and kids!

Magnificent to see just how thrillingly history can be brought alive! 10 out of 10!

NEIL EDWARDS

What the press say!

‘A rip-roaring, riotous sightseeing tour kids and adults will never forget!’

‘A fun, enjoyable, spirited alternative to more po-faced London tourism – may it sail on and on!’

'Smart, witty and enthralling, Terrible Thames is totally terrific family entertainment!'

LondonTheatre1

'It creates a joyous ride that has everybody floating with happiness!'

All That Dazzles

‘A wonderful and entertaining trip - immersive theatre at its best. It cannot fail to surprise and delight!’

GLOBAL MOUSE TRAVELS

‘It was clear that as everyone disembarked, they were exhilarated!’

LONDONTOPIA

‘A terribly good London adventure for families – it appeals to the kiddos on every level’

LONDON FOR KIDS

'It’s fantastic - a unique take on the standard sightseeing tour and a great way for the whole family to explore London together. I’d definitely say it’s one of the best things to do in London with kids.'

GLOBE TROTTING

‘We disembarked from the boat on a real high, going over everything we’d learnt’

‘My kids were thoroughly entertained and begged to go on the tour again!’

THEATRE BUBBLE

‘A unique take on London to thrill both children and adults alike!’

SOUTHEND THEATRE SCENE

'This is nothing like your usual boat tour - a great whistlestop tour filled with unusual facts and stories you won’t get anywhere else! We loved it!'

CARDIFF MUMMY

Horrible Histories – Terrible Thames Tour is a new venture from award-winning theatre producers Birmingham Stage Company and Woods’ Silver Fleet, a family-run company of Thames Watermen since 1866.

Together they are bringing together their extensive experience of performance and river sightseeing tours to create an experience like no other.

Producers – Birmingham Stage Company and Woods Silver Fleet

Writers – Terry Deary and Neal Foster

Director – Neal Foster

Design – Jackie Trousdale

Music – Matthew Scott

Sound – Nick Sagar

Choreography – Kenn Oldfield

Boat design, management and crewing – Woods’ Silver Fleet

Production Manager – Adrian Littlejohns

Marketing, Advertising and Social Media  – Natalie Yalden and Rona Kelly for Tandem Marketing Worldwide

Press Relations – Chuff Media

Sales and Ticketing Director – Tommy Luck Consulting

Concept Design – Feast Creative

Horrible Histories books are published by Scholastic Ltd. Horrible Histories is a trademark of Scholastic Inc. and is used under authorisation. All rights reserved. Illustration © Martin Brown.

Horrible Histories Feather pen

Terrible Thames tote bag

Terrible Thames T-shirt Azure Blue Age 5 - 6, Age 7 - 8 and Age 9 - 11

Terrible Thames cap - blue

Terrible Thames postergramme inc map of the Thames

Terrible Thames Pirate pen

I have a question and need to speak to customer service

Please email our customer service team on [email protected] or you can visit https://www.kxtickets.com/contact for more information.

If you purchased with another ticket provider please contact their customer service team to assist you.

Will I be dropped off where I boarded?

The tour is a round-trip and you will disembark at Tower Bridge Quay where you joined the trip.

How long is the boat trip?

The boat trip will last 45 minutes.

Are the boats heated/air conditioned?

Our boat has heating within the interior lower deck. It does not have air conditioning as the vessel is not a new build but we have plenty of windows for fresh air.

What if it is raining on the day of our trip?

Our top deck will always be open to customers to enjoy the amazing sights of London. However in the event of rain the performers will carry out the performance on the lower interior deck, which is fully enclosed with windows so you can also enjoy the sights of London on the Terrible Thames Tour.

Does the boat have an open deck area?

Our boat has two decks. The upper deck is fully open-air with wonderful views. The lower interior deck is fully enclosed with windows to enjoy the sights on the Terrible Thames Tour.

What if I miss my tour due to transport issues?

Travelling in London can often be impacted by engineering works, strikes and other incidents on public transport that are out of our control.

Please allow as much time as possible to get to your booked tour time so you are not disappointed.

Are there toilets on board?

Gender neutral toilet facilities are available on the lower deck of the vessel.

Is there a cloakroom on board?

We do not have cloakroom facilities for the Terrible Thames cruise. There is an allocated space to store items such as prams/pushchairs and scooters on the lower deck only. These items are not permitted on the upper deck.

Which pier does the Terrible Thames Tour sail from?

Our scheduled Terrible Thames cruise operates from Tower Bridge Quay (formerly St Katharine Pier) on the north bank of the Thames, east of Tower Bridge (in front of the Tower Hotel. Postcode – E1W 1LD. The pier is approximately 10 minutes walk from Tower Hill Underground Station.

Is there shelter on the pier?

There is no covered shelter on Tower Bridge Quay so please ensure you have appropriate attire to deal with the sometimes unpredictable English weather!

Will I get to see Horrible Histories characters onboard?

The tour is conducted by two actors, but unlike the Horrible Histories stage shows, they do not change into historical characters when telling the stories.

Will the characters be in costume?

You will be meeting two characters on board the boat but unlike the Horrible Histories stage shows, the fast speed of the journey through constantly changing historical periods means the characters do not change into historical costumes

How long in advance should I arrive at the pier?

We have a limited embark and disembark period for each Terrible Thames cruise. You should arrive in good time in order to board the vessel promptly at the time on your ticket. If you are buying tickets on the day, please allow some extra time to purchase.

Is food and drink available to purchase?

We are working on exciting plans to introduce food and drink, so watch this space, but until then you are able to bring your own snacks and drinks onboard.

Where can I park nearby?

The closest car parks near Tower Bridge Quay are City Quay Car Park, E1W 1AE or London Thomas More Square, E1W 1YU. Online booking in advance is recommended. Just Park also has available spaces online in the immediate area of the pier which can be pre-booked online for your desired date.

Is there an age restriction?

All ages are welcome, but children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult on board. Children aged 0-3 go free, if seated on the lap of a parent or guardian. However, please note the tour is best suited for children aged 5 and above.

How long are the queues to board on the day?

We cannot predict passenger numbers for each cruise and length of queues will vary according to how busy each cruise is. However, boarding is swift and our host will be on site to assist whilst you are waiting to board the boat.

Do you check bags?

For security purposes we may from time to time undertake random bag searches or checks. This is done for the security of our passengers, crew and performers.

Are bikes allowed on-board?

We don’t allow bikes on board, although kids’ scooters are permitted and can be stored on the lower deck.

How long is the cruise?

45 enthralling minutes!

I want to bring my dog on board with me - is this possible?

Assistance Dogs are allowed on all Terrible Thames cruises at the Captain’s discretion. We ask you to contact the reservations team to book your ticket in advance. Please see our accessibility statement for more information and inform [email protected]

I lost something on board? Who shall I contact?

If you think you have lost an item of property aboard the vessel, you should notify us via our social media channels. Please provide full descriptive details of your item, details of when and where it was lost, and full contact information so that we can get back in touch. Terrible Thames cannot accept responsibility for any items that may have been lost on board.

Terms and Conditions

Terms and conditions are subject to the provider you have booked your ticket with. If your ticket was purchased via our official website, terms and conditions can be found at https://www.kxtickets.com/terms-conditions

Can I buy my tickets online?

Yes, you can purchase all our ticket types on the Terrible Thames Website www.terriblethames.com

Do you accept all methods of payment?

You can pay online using VISA,  MASTERCARD or AMERICAN EXPRESS.

How do I book a family ticket?

When booking please select 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 1 child and the family discount will be applied automatically at checkout.

What is your refund and exchange policy?

Refund protection can be offered, details of which are here https://www.kxtickets.com/ticket-refund-protection

Can I buy tickets on the day? Do I need to book tickets in advance?

We recommend tickets are bought in advance as ticket availability on the day is not guaranteed. However, it is not compulsory to book Terrible Thames Tour in advance. These can be purchased at our dedicated pier Tower Bridge Quay (Next to Tower Bridge) on the day of travel. We request all groups 10+ are booked in advance with the reservations department prior to travel.

Are there any fees on top of the ticket prices?

We do not charge booking fees but there is a £1.50 transaction fee

Can I pay cash on the day?

We are currently not accepting cash bookings on the day, but you can purchase tickets at Tower Bridge Quay on the day using a debit/credit card.

Are you able to accommodate large groups?

We are able to accommodate public groups up to 120 on our boat.

Groups sized 10 – 30 can book online and the groups discount will automatically be applied to your tickets when you purchase them.

You can also book directly with the team at [email protected]

Can I change the date and time of my booking?

Please ensure that all information is correct at the point of purchase as tickets may not always be able to be changed. For assistance, please email [email protected]

Do I have to print out my ticket?

Passengers have to bring their printed ticket to board the cruise or show their ticket on a mobile device.

How do I get the tickets I booked online?

You will receive a confirmation email with a printable e-ticket attached as a PDF. Additionally, please write down your booking reference number. If you don’t receive the email or have a query about your booking, please contact your point of purchase.

Is it possible to claim a refund?

Tickets are non-refundable after purchase. If you have an extreme circumstance beyond your control, please email our customer service team at [email protected] Please check your refund policy of the company you purchased from.

Are your services wheelchair accessible?

As the Terrible Thames boat is not a new build we cannot offer step free access at present. A wheelchair lift and accessible bathroom facilities are in discussion to be installed. Please view our detailed accessibility information document HERE

What is your policy on assistance dogs?

The Ghost Bus Tours London

The Ghost Bus Tours

Unsure of what to do during your time in London? Look no further for sightseeing than The Ghost Bus.

Departing from  8 Northumberland Avenue  daily, outside the Grand Hotel, opposite the Sherlock Holmes Pub. Train stations in the immediate vicinity include Embankment tube station  (Underground – Bakerloo, Northern, Circle and District lines)  and Charing Cross station  (South Eastern main line) . If you can see Trafalgar Square, you’re in the right area!

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, dependant on traffic. There are no seat reservations, we operate on a strictly first-come first-served basis. We recommend that you arrive at least fifteen minutes early to ensure the best choice of seats. 

You will encounter all of the top attractions of London, including: The Houses of Parliament, London Bridge, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral and The Tower of London. Whether you are a tourist visiting London or a resident of the city, there is so much that will surprise you about the haunted history of London’s most famous and best loved tourist attractions. Please also note, although we will always try our best, on rare occasions we may be unable to visit every landmark listed on the tour.

Join us on the UK’s ONLY comedy-horror theatre experience on wheels.

Tour times, tickets, maps and the features of our route can be found below.

Adult = £25.00

Child (5 – 15 years) = £17.00

Family (2 adults + 2 children) = £63.00

Ghost Bus Tours Ltd, Lynton House, 7-12 Tavistock Square, London, England, WC1H 9BQ

T’s And C’s

Private hire, work with us, connect with us, award-winning comedy actors.

All of our tours are hosted by trained actors. We have been the recipients of a number of prestigious tourism awards including the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. We also host a venue at Edinburgh Fringe Festival annually, an internationally renowned hotbed for comedy acts.

Scott Monument

This Victorian-Gothic monument dedicated to Sir Walter Scott stands in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens. At 200 feet, six inches tall, it is the second largest monument in the world dedicated to a writer. The monument is adorned with countless figurative statues, including Scott and his dog.

Calton Hill

The site of the headquarters of the Scottish government, Calton Hill is also home to many other famous landmarks such as Holyrood Palace, the National Monument, the Nelson Monument, the old Royal High School, the Robert Burns Monument, the Political Martyrs’ Monument and the City Observatory.

Grassmarket

Directly under Edinburgh Castle is the historic market place of Grassmarket. As well as traditionally being the site for many hotels, hostels and taverns, it was also one of the major sites for public executions. 

The Royal Mile

A succession of streets forming the main thoroughfare of Edinburgh’s Old Town comprise The Royal Mile. From the castle gates at one end to the palace gates at the other, it is almost exactly a mile long. It is made up of Castlehill, the Lawnmarket, the High Street, the Canongate, and Abbey Strand.

Parliament Building

Established in 2004, the Scottish Parliament Building is the heart of Scottish politics. 

Holyrood Park

Holyrood Park is a royal park in central Edinburgh. It has an array of hills, lochs, glens, ridges and basalt cliffs. Arthur’s Seat at the center of Holyrood Park is the highest point in Edinburgh.

St. Giles Cathedral

The principal place of worship of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. Built in the 12th century, it was named after St. Giles, the patron saint of Edinburgh. 

Greyfriar’s Church

One of Edinburgh’s oldest surviving buildings, Greyfriar’s Church was established by the Franciscan order of Greyfriars in 1620. The churchyard was at one time used as a prison and is also the site where Greyfriars Bobby guarded his owners grave until death.

Greyfriar’s Bobby

At the corner where Edinburgh’s Candlemaker Row and George IV Bridge meet, a statue of Bobby the Skye Terrier sits. Bobby was renowned for having guarded his owners grave for over 14 years, until Bobby died himself. Loyal beyond the grave.

Edinburgh Castle

Dominating Edinburgh’s skyline from it’s perch upon the Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle is the iconic sight of Edinburgh. In it’s history of over a thousand years, it has been sieged an astonishing twenty-six times, leading to it being dubbed “one of the most attacked placed in the world”.

St. Cuthbert’s Grave

The site surrounding St. Cuthbert’s Church has been a place of Christian burial for over a thousand years, although today, the oldest surviving headstone is that of Reverend Robert Pont, who died in 1606. It has seen it’s fair share of grave robbery too over the years!

Knavesmire Gallows

One of The Strays of York, Knavesmire is a marshy area in York. It was the usual site for public hangings for a long time, the gallows were originally erected back in 1379. Today it is a recreational area and the host of many of York’s public events.

Terry’s Chocolate Factory

Also known as The Chocolate Works, Terry’s Chocolate Factory was opened in 1926 to produce Terry’s chocolate. It was closed in 2005 when Kraft Foods acquired Terry’s and outsourced production to mainland Europe.

Dick Turpin’s Grave

This notorious highwayman, horse thief, poacher, burglar and killer was executed in Knavesmire, York in 1739 for his many deeds. Turpin ascended to the status of ‘hero’ and ‘legend’, romanticised by subsequent dramatic interpretations of his life. He now lies under York.

Clifford’s Tower

The ruins of York Castle, known as Clifford’s Tower overlook York. Built on the orders of William I, the tower served as a fort until a major explosion in 1684 rendered it uninhabitable. It was then used as a prison until 1929.

Golden Fleece Pub

They claim to be the most haunted public house in York! The Golden Fleece is an inn and public house that dates back to the sixteenth century, facing on to The Shambles.

The Shambles

Originally home to over twenty five butcher’s shops, The (Great Flesh) Shambles name originates from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘Fleshammels’ which means ‘meat shelves’, referring to not only the butcher’s hooks, but also the shelf-like structure of the buildings themselves. Some of The Shambles buildings date back to as far as the fourteenth century. 

Black Swan Pub

This fifteenth century public house and inn is a hotbed of ghostly history. A haunt truly unlike another!

York Minister

The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter, better known as York Minster, is one of the largest cathedrals in northern Europe. The Minister is the seat of the Archbishop of York and the second highest office of the Church of England.

St Crux Parish Church

Erected in 1888, on the remains of a medieval church of St. Crux, which was shut down and eventually demolished after becoming unsafe, it’s tower leaning dangerously. The remaining parish is now home to the exuberant ornaments retained from the original church.

This four-storey gatehouse sits at the limits of the walls surrounding York city. It was originally a fort capable of being defended on every floor.

St.Mary’s Abbey

These ruins in the York Museum Gardens were once the richest abbey in the north of England. The original church was founded in 1055 and dedicated to St Olaf II of Norway. All that remains today are the north and west walls, the pilgrim’s Hospitium, the west gate, and the King’s Manor.

Holyrood Palace

Opposing Edinburgh Castle at the other end of the Royal Mile. It has served as the principal residence of the Kings and Queens of Scots since the 16th century. A witches ghost is said to haunt the palace.

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is a famed suspension bridge linking Tower Hamlets and Southwark across the River Thames. Originally built between 1886 and 1894, the bridge is an iconic symbol of London itself.

The most popular paid tourist attraction in the entire United Kingdom. Erected in 2000, it was originally known as the Millennium Wheel or the Millennium Eye. At the time it was the largest ferris wheel in the world, it is now only the largest ferris wheel in Europe.

The tallest building in the United Kingdom and the European Union. It was completed in July of 2012 and is the residence of many restaurants, bars and even a hotel.

Tower of London

“What hasn’t taken place here?” might be a better question. The Tower of London has variably served as an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public record office and the home of the Crown Jewels of England. It was originally built in 1078 by William the Conqueror, following the Norman conquest of England. It was originally resented and held as a symbol of oppression.

St. Paul Catherdral

Situated at the highest point in London, Ludgate Hill, St’ Paul’s Cathedral is the second largest church in the UK and one of London’s most recognisable sights. It was originally constructed in 1697 by Sir Christopher Wren as part of the rebuilding project following the Great Fire of London. The cathedral is dedicated to St. Paul the Apostle.

Downing Street

Built by Sir George Downing in 1680, Downing Street is the heart of British politics. The Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer both reside on the street. The street is understandably inaccessible to the public, but can be viewed from Whitehall.

Buckingham Palace

Our royal family’s primary residence. Originally erected as a large townhouse for the use of the Duke of Buckingham, the townhouse was acquired in 1761 by King George III and quickly transformed into a palace fit for a king.

Westminster Abbey

A titan feat of Gothic architecture, built in 960, with many additions over the years. Since the coronation of William the Conqueror in 1066, all coronations of British monarchs have taken place right here.

Trafalger Square

The home of political demonstrations, contemporary art and of course Nelson’s Column. Trafalgar Square was named as such to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar. The site was once known as Charing Cross and was the original site of the King’s Mews.

Classic Routemaster Bus

Our large fleet of vehicles is comprised entirely of 1960’s Routemaster double-deckers. These gorgeous vintage buses are a wonderful reminder of London’s rich transport history. Lovingly restored in our signature ‘midnight-black’ livery, finished with antique lampshades and plush red velvet curtains.

High Class Customer Care

We are proud of our consistently outstanding reputation for customer service. Whether you are booking online, booking over the phone or booking on the street from one of our sales representatives, you will truly be in good hands prior to boarding with us. Our trained actors are then primed to entertain you for the duration. Try one of our Private Hires for a real touch of the exclusive VIP experience.

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Bus Tours In London

Almost as iconic as the city's own landmarks is the sight of a London tour bus. One of the best ways to the see the capital, the bus tour brings you superior views of the city skyline from a perspective you won't get on your everyday wanderings. Read our recommendations for the best bus tours in London, from where to see the bright lights by nights, to the quirkiest afternoon tea in the city.

Last edited by Abbie Leyton

Think you know London? Think again, because Bustronome is taking you on a journey around the city like you've never seen before NOt only will you get 360-degree views atop an iconic double decker bus, but also a stunning feast as you take in the sights.

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Brigit's Afternoon Tea Ltd

Add a little luxury to your London bus tour aboard this cute and quirky afternoon tea bus. See the sights of the city while you chow down on finger sandwiches, cakes, macaroons and oodles of tea. Tottering past Buckingham Palace, Harrods, Notting Hill and loads of other tip top London destinations, it's one of the best bus tours in town.

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Immerse yourself in the story...

Featured Tours!

Churchill & London in WW2 Tour

Changing the Guard Tour

Changing the Guard extra! Tour

Secret Old London Tour

Hidden London Tour

Secret London Tour

The London Loo Tour

London’s Lost City Tour

Controversial Statues Tour

Liar Liar London Quiz Tour

Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour

London’s Grime & Punishment Tour

Bizarre Old London Tour

The Harry Potter Tour

Curiosities of London Tour

Shakespeare’s London Tour

Saints, Sinners & Celebrities

Martyrs, Murderers & Merrymaking

Nazi Dogs, Playboys & Naughty Royals

Pigeons, Princes & Peculiarities

Secrets, Scams & Superstition Tour

Hidden Signs, Films & Rivers of Beer

The Experience

Our walks are created and led by accredited and knowledgeable guides who pepper their tours with humour, innovation and fun.

So as well as learning of the incredible history of this great city, you will have a good time too!

See what our tours are like – watch the video

Bullshit London have been offering improbably fun comedy walking tours since 2013.

 **** COVID 19 Update ****

June 2021 - I'm delighted to be offering private tours for groups. Please get in touch if you want to book.

I am your Bullshit tour guide. Your rent-a-fool.

Here I am. Trying to look somewhat amusing.

My name is Reuben. I am Britain's honestist bullshitter.

Why would anyone come on this tour where you don't learn anything?

It's a great question. Here are my top 3 answers.

1) I am, or at least aim to be, funny.

Humour is subjective but  most of the people who have come have tended to laugh quite a lot.

I wouldn't have kept doing it this long if they didn't.

I might be stupid but I'm not stupid.

2) What's everyone's obsession with "the truth?"

I mean look around! The world is full of horror and suffering.

The lies I tell are certainly not all happy and pleasant, but even if they're violent and horrible 

at least you know they're not true. Honest Bullshit. That's what I offer. The comfort of escaping the real world of suffering into a fantasy world of suffering.

{Please note I may be lying right now and some of my lies may actually be true}

3) Walking around and looking at stuff is nice

It's just nice. It's nice to walk around. It's nice to look at stuff.

I pick my routes carefully to combine big landmarks with smaller, interesting, buildings or features.

Add some jokes, mix with good company and garnish with imaginatively deployed puns.

It's a recipe for a highly pleasant time.

If you'd like to book a tour or have any questions please click here to get in touch with me.

If you'd like to know more about the bullshit journey of the last seven years including information on some of the bespoke tours I've created and the book I made. Please click here .

"Puts the city back in mendacity.... the perfect way to learn less about the capital"

- matt brown,  the londonist, i am dedicated to giving you an honest good time in a dishonest fashion., i appreciate that this might cause some trust issues., if you doubt the calibre of my bullshit, please read some reviews ..

Click here to see our amazing TripAdvisor reviews 

I must say we had such a wonderful day , great service on time and as for the tour guide Joe he was just magic full of information my girlfriend loved his tales of London, can’t recommend it high enough a wonderful day ? ? ?

Peter was very good at keeping everyone entertained on board & he’s knowledge of the buildings & London in general was spot on. The staff who were there to meet us bent over backwards to help resolve the issue with the children not being able to sit up on the top deck as the seats were full so we had the option of catching the later tour which had less passengers & the children were quite happy to wait. Thank you guys for assisting us & making not just my child but the few other couples who also had the same issue a very enjoyable Christmas experience. Topnotch service!!

Great way to explore London!

I went on the classic tour recently with a friend. We didn’t really know what to expect but our tour guide was really funny whilst being informative. The bus was great too!

Recommended,thoroughly enjoyed it.Thumbs up

The Classic Tour was awesome!! I learnt so much and the Tour Guide George was very funny and was full of many interesting facts and knowledge from all around London. I would defiantly recommend it to family and friends. Good value for money. It goes around Buckingham Palace,St Paul’s Cathedral, Southwark, The Strand, Trafalgar Square and many more.

Great value 1.5h overview

We were sat on the open top deck of an old London bus. Our guide was excellent, full of amusing anecdotes and facts. No long boring narratives going into endless depth on something you don’t want to hear about.

Suitable for all ages.

If you are short on time, and want something a little more budget wise (from a price point of view) this tour is a must. Thoroughly recommended and enjoyed by our party of four. Highlight for most was being stopped as the next vehicle in line to await Tower Bridge being raised. Perfect timing. I think the same company also offers a night time ghost option as well. Based on our day tour, I would certainly give that a go if the opportunity arose.

Really good commentary

I went with a friend and we both agreed how informative the guide was. Despite the roads being busy we felt safe with the driver that we had. Really worth taking the tour. Best way to see London is on a top deck of a bus!

Well organised, truly great guide – highly recommend

We were greeted by a couple of really friendly staff outside The Grand Hotel and then “on board” by the bus guide, who made sure we were all comfortable (with free rainproof ponchos!) before we set off. He was an excellent, well-informed, enthusiastic guy, who gave loads of information for 100% of the journey. The trip covered a huge amount of central London and we were thankful that it wasn’t a “hop-on, hop-off” but a complete circular trip – takes about 1.5 hours I think. Very, very good and very reasonable price. We are happy to highly recommend. We are Londoners and so know a lot about the history of London and the places along the route, but the guide surprised us with a couple of facts unknown to even us oldie Londoners. Good stuff!!

London revealed !!

Took the kids aged 9 and 7. Our host MC Giles was quality.. Bearing in mind he does it day in day out (for 16 years – noted) he made the experience fun and exciting. We learned so much about this wonderful city. Get on the bus and take it all in! A cracking 90 minutes that I will remember forever!! The kids were mesmerised which means it was well worth it for them. Bravo!

Amazing tour through historic London

Very amazing and entertaining tour. Our guide was Joe and he was fantastic. So many interesting things we found out about the main places: Big Ben, Trafalgar square, House of parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral and other statures and buildings. You could sense his passion about London history. The tour took about 75 min and it was worth the money.

Fab views of London

We were in London for the weekend and decided to hop on the classic bus tour. We’re so glad we did, we usually take the underground every time we visit and just don’t get to see what London is all about. Really enjoyed sitting on the top deck with the sun on our faces and the wind in our hair. Our guide was brilliant, knowledgeable and entertaining. Saw so many sights and learned a few bits too. Well worth it.

A tourist must-do!

A really enjoyable open top bus tour around the main parts of London. A very informative guide who made it really interesting & funny even though it was raining! Very easy to book tickets and a central location to start the bus tour is easy to get to and find. The company were really helpful as we missed our selected time slot on the Sunday and spoke to the office who let us transfer our tickets to the Monday tour very easily and without any issues at all. Would highly recommend!

Potted history of central London

Had a fantastic experience on this tour. Staff were courteous and organised. We were met on the street by the bus beforehand. The tour guide was brilliant – he delivered a comic and informative take on London. It would be good to do this tour as your first experience if staying for a few days as you’ll get lots of ideas about what to do or see for the remainder of your visit.

We booked this tour with a Groupon deal. Very good value for money and very enjoyable. Not a long tour, maybe 75 minutes but we saw so many top London sights and the commentary was informative and amusing. Definitely go for the top deck as you see so much more. Might try the Ghost Bus Tour next.

Excellent tour!

After walking thousands of steps I wanted to sit and have a comfortable tour with a real live tour guide. I was very pleased with this. The tour was £21 in comparison to the other tours at £30. We hit a multitude of places on the almost an 1 1/2 hour tour (it’s not hop on hop off). Jamie the tour guide was fabulous!

The tour guide was funny and full of interesting anecdotes. I enjoyed the tour very much. It was nice not to have the bus constantly stopping to drop off and pick up passengers and the tour was just the right length. Highly recommended.

Lovely Jubbly! Much Better than Hop on Hop Off

We read the other reviews and were not disappointed. The commentary was spot on, funny, informative and suitable for all ages. Enjoyed hearing the stories about London and it’s history

Don’t waste your time on the hop on hop off buses, take the tube instead and get a Classic Tour ticket instead.

I should add they were very easy to deal with on the phone when we missed our original scheduled time we had booked for and had to change to another day.

Much better than hop-on, hop-off

If you want a quick overview of the major London sites, this is the way to go. The Classic London tour was informative and slightly humorous. The loading point was convenient and we ate lunch beforehand at The Sherlock Holmes, which was right across the street. We snagged the front seat on the top (WELL worth paying extra for the top…I highly recommend that) and the kids (8, 10) were especially thrilled with our seat. Great views of all the top sites and excellent picture opps. Note: tipping is not necessary, but the guide will mention it is welcome at the end of the trip.

Totally AMAZING. Loved it and highly recommend.

Great tour! The guide was very enthusiastic, knowledgeable and funny. I was here on business and only had a short period to see the city and this tour let me see the main sights quickly. Left the bus feeling informed and entertained. Would recommend.

Marvellous experience

The trip is easy to book on line. The tour left and returned on time and followed a most interesting route. Well worth it as a 75 minute tour. The guide was a young lady named Claire who made the tour so amusing and informative by her knowledge and wit.

Very informative and exciting

The guide was really full of energy and he added humour to the tour which was really funny. The route covered all the sites that we wanted to see and overall it was very impressive and exciting.

Good bus tour

The bus tour guide is really informative with dark comedy included not for sensitive people it’s a good price as well the only problem I had is the soft seats on the top level where wet from the rain

great improvisational skills

Just when we started the tour, a long trail of crowd walked by, demonstrating for the war in Syria, so the bus could not move for 20 minutes. all that time our guide was talking to us about the city, the status we could see ahead of us. And he was funny. After the 20 minutes we still got the whole tour, so we did not miss a thing. Great job!

A good tour taking in a good range of sights

A good tour which showed us an interesting choice of the main sights London has to offer. Very good value for money. Happy to recommend it.

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St Paul’s Cathedral, London, is an Anglican cathedral, the seat of the Bishop of London and the mother church of the Diocese of London. It sits on Ludgate Hill at the highest point of the City of London and is a Grade 1 listed building.

Trafalgar Square is a public square in the City of Westminster, Central London, built around the area formerly known as Charing Cross. Its name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, a British naval victory in the Napoleonic Wars with France and Spain that took place on 21 October 1805 off the coast of Cape Trafalgar, Spain.

Buckingham Palace is the London residence and administrative headquarters of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focal point for the British people at times of national rejoicing and mourning.

Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, is a large, mainly Gothic abbey church in the City of Westminster, London, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster.

The Shard, also referred to as the Shard of Glass, Shard London Bridge and formerly London Bridge Tower, is a 95-storey skyscraper in Southwark, London, that forms part of the London Bridge Quarter development. Standing 309.7 metres (1,016 ft) high, the Shard is the tallest building in the United Kingdom, the fourth-tallest building in Europe and the 111th-tallest building in the world.

The Tower of London, officially Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the square mile of the City of London by the open space known as Tower Hill.

The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. The structure is 443 feet (135 m) tall and the wheel has a diameter of 394 feet (120 m). When it opened to the public in 2000 it was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel.

Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London built between 1886 and 1894. The bridge crosses the River Thames close to the Tower of London and has become an iconic symbol of London, resulting in it sometimes being confused with London Bridge, situated some 0.5 mi (0.80 km) upstream

Downing Street is a street in London, United Kingdom, known for housing the official residences and offices of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. “Downing Street” is used as a metonym for the Government of the United Kingdom.

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14 Best Bus Tours in London for a Panoramic View of the City

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Those who are looking for some guidance on the best bus tours in London , this article has got you covered! Riding along on top of a double decker bus has to be one of the essential things to do in London for any visitor looking to get a deeper insight into the city.

If you’re in a rush, I’ve picked the top 3 bus tours in London summarized in the table below. For more information and further options, keep reading!

Want to dive straight in? Browse our catalog now!

• bus tours in London

1 – City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.3/5 ( 2856 reviews )

“Great tour, very nice and helpful people. You’ll pass all the sights, get off where you want and get on again when you’re done. You will receive a map on the bus and there are earphones available to listen to the recorded information that is available on the bus at each attraction.” Simone, Getyourguide

Experience the best of  City Sightseeing UK and see the major streets, landmarks and squares of London during a classic double decker bus ride! A ride on one of the best hop on hop off bus tours in London is definitely one of the essential activities to do when visiting the capital!

Stop off and explore different attractions and neighborhoods during your bus journey and enjoy the flexibility of taking your sightseeing at your own pace! Enjoy the panoramic views as you cruise across Westminster Bridge, you gaze up at the iconic Big Ben and you zoom past Hyde Park!

Summary of the tour:

• Hop on and off at your leisure
• Choose between three routes
• Enjoy 24 or 48 hour access

A fun day out discovering the main sights of London from the comfortable elevated position of our double decker. It was good to get free earphones to listen along to historic facts and curiosities about the various landmarks on the bus commentary and receive an included map to get our bearings!

2 – Brigit’s Afternoon Tea Bus in London

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 1276 reviews )

“Fabulous time on the bus. It was a lot of fun. The food was delicious with a wonderful assortment of savoury snacks and amazing cakes.” Tricia, Viator

Hop onboard Brigit’s Bakery bus for a classic British afternoon tea experience ! Cruise by the impressive window displays of Harrods department stores and look out the window to spot the iconic Big Ben!

Expect plenty of sandwiches and cakes to snack on during the tour along with an audio commentary introducing the sights and a few background facts, providing an excellent overview of central London.

Gaze out across the vast Hyde Park and people-watch as the bus cruises along down the fancy streets of Mayfair! Look out for the impressive Nelson’s Column at Trafalgar Square and the colossal National Gallery!

• Afternoon tea on board
• Savory and sweet treats available
• Audio commentary throughout

A wide range of savory and sweet afternoon tea treats. The staff were friendly and the background music provided a convivial and relaxed ambiance. The audio commentary helped to orientate us as we navigated our way around the different sights. Highly recommended!

3 – London by Night Sightseeing Bus Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 771 reviews )

“We had an enjoyable evening on this tour. Our guide was funny and informative. It was a nice way to get an overview of the city. It was beautiful seeing everything lit up at night.” Lorraine, Viator

Travel around London by night in a double decker open top bus with Evan Evans tours . Discover the areas of Westminster and Knightsbridge and get to see some of London’s iconic landmarks illuminated such as the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey! Avoid day time traffic jams and take in the magical glow of the city lights after dark!

Admire the glittering lights of boats along the river Thames and the impressive Tower Bridge from the elevated position of the bus deck! Learn more about these significant sights thanks to a live guide who will talk you through a bit of history and important background facts!

• Sightseeing at nighttime
• Live tour guide on board
• Open top bus

A wonderful tour of London by night in the company of a knowledgeable and comical guide. It was very special to see many of the main London attractions lit up and we managed to get some atmospheric photos. The bus tour definitely covered a lot of ground and different London neighborhoods.

4 – Guided Harry Potter Locations Sightseeing Bus Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.3/5 ( 439 reviews )

“Rory was amazing, he provided a lot of interesting facts not only from Harry Potter films but also from other movies and cultural facts. He made this tour very fun” Adriana, Getyourguide

Harry Potter fans won’t want to miss this  Brit Movie Tours spellbindingly magical Potter bus tour to visit a whole handful of London filming locations and places that inspired author J.K Rowling!

Get off the bus to take photos of some top locations up close such as the world famous Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station . Discover London locations that inspired Gringotts Bank, the Leaky Cauldron Pub and 12 Grimmauld Place!

Featuring a knowledgeable and entertaining guide and a modern air-conditioned mini van, this definitely makes the shortlist as one of the best bus tours and Harry Potter tours in London!

Funny and informative guide with a great range of Potter trivia, behind the scenes stories and interesting anecdotes. You get to see more of the sights than you would during a traditional walking tour. Good amount of free time at the various stops to stretch the legs and take photos!

5 – Luxury 6 Course Bus Dining Experience

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 134 reviews )

“Everything was absolutely perfect. The food was amazing and the crew so sweet. We went with friends and had a really special evening.” Rebecca, Viator

Treat yourself to a luxurious gourmet dining experience with a twist- a sightseeing bus trip around central London! With Bustronome London you can enjoy an unforgettable evening as you tuck into a refined 6-course meal whilst gazing at fabulous London landmarks.

Follow along to an interesting audio commentary to brush up on your historical and cultural London facts! Highlights including passing by the Royal Courts of Justice, London Bridge, the Shard, the Houses of Parliament and the bustling Piccadilly Square!

For those looking for an extra indulgence, opt for the wine pairing menu to savor some outstanding flavor combinations!

A very romantic choice for foodies looking to share a special moment! See the lights of London change from dusk to night and finish up seeing all the streets of London illuminated! The service was exceptional and the dishes were thoughtfully presented.

6 – Comedy Horror Ghost Tour on a Bus

Rating: ⭐️ 4.3/5 ( 1568 reviews )

“The tour guide really did a great job. It was very funny. We had a lot of fun. The route was also very well chosen, we passed sights and learned a lot about dark London. We can definitely recommend it” Jasmin, Getyourguide

For those who enjoy a chilling ghost story, join The Ghost Bus Tours on their spooky route around London’s main landmarks! Get ready for a creepy bus conductor and on-board actors who will bring this supernatural theatrical journey to life!

Learn about the ghoulish tales surrounding Westminster Abbey such as the Unknown Monk spectral figure lurking in the cloisters or pass by the Tower of London, famed to be one of the most haunted buildings in the whole of Britain where many former prisoners faced execution or lay rotting in the dungeons!

Feel the goosebumps developing as you discover a different side of London on a ghost tour !

A memorable evening learning about the dark historic tales of London and iconic villainous figures such as Jack the Ripper. Good audience interaction with the guide and lots of entertaining jokes to keep the group engaged. The kids loved the atmospheric double decker bus!

7 – London Christmas Lights Tour on Open-Top Bus

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 361 reviews )

“A wonderful tour showing the stunning Christmas lights of London.” Lesley, Viator

This Christmas Lights bus tour by Golden Tours is guaranteed to bring you joy on a wintry night in London. See the city glow with Christmas spirit as you pass by some of its most famous attractions, including the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey.

You’ll also drive down Oxford Street and Regent Street , known for their world-renowned Christmas lights. On the way, enjoy live commentary that enhances your knowledge and experience. While you may be chilly on the outside, your heart will be warmed by the festive display.

A magical tour of the illuminated city by night. Managed to get some atmospheric photos of the street decorations and beautiful Christmas trees. The guide kept us entertained during the ride with a range of facts about London. Definitely glad we brought hats and scarves for sitting up on deck.

8 – London by Night Sightseeing Open Top Bus Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 457 reviews )

“The guide was amazing! The tour was a lot of fun. Even though traffic was really slow- the guide never ran out of interesting facts!” Jaycey, Viator

Join Golden Tours to discover London’s top sights at night time from the comfort of a double decker bus! This informative bus journey around London’s historic gems is definitely one of the  best things to do in London at night . Put your feet up, relax, and enjoy some spectacular panoramas!

Pass by the famous Buckingham Palace (the official residence of the British monarch) and the majestically illuminated Tower Bridge , a triumph of Victorian engineering! Other highlights include cruising through the bustling Piccadilly Circus with its bright electronic billboards and neon advertisements and the Tower of London (home to the crown jewels!)

The guide brought the tour to life with a wide array of detailed historical curiosities and insights into London culture! Despite the traffic, we were kept fully entertained as I was hoping the tour would last longer! London is magical at night and it was a great introduction to the city on the first night of our trip!

9 – Afternoon Tea Bus with a Glass of Prosecco

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 762 reviews )

“the tour & afternoon was brilliant. Took a friend with me who had never seen the sights of London & she was thrilled with it all plus a beautiful afternoon tea.” Kathryn, Getyourguide

If you are looking to enjoy the delights of a quintessentially British afternoon tea , this is one of best bus tours in London! Join Golden Tours as you take a panoramic tour around central London whilst tucking into some refined finger sandwiches, slices of cake and freshly baked scones and jam.

Add that element of finesse by accompanying your afternoon tea with a glass of Prosecco ! The tour will pass by iconic London sights such as the magnificent St Paul’s Cathedral, the famous London bridge and the historic Tower of London.

A lovely afternoon spent sipping tea and looking out of the bus windows at the sights of London. The servers were very helpful and made it an enjoyable experience. There was certainly a fun atmosphere on the bus.

10 – Golden Tours: London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.4/5 ( 1947 reviews )

“It was great experience and interesting routes. We have completed all of them and also it can be used as transport within the city” Lev, Headout

Embark on a London sightseeing odyssey with  Golden Tours where you can opt for a day pass, a 48 hour or a 72 hour ticket depending on the length of your stay in London. Explore 4 different routes through different parts of the city with a total of 70 stops, learning more about the history thanks to a live guide or an engaging audio commentary.

Admire views of the splendid  River Thames and breathe in the crisp London morning air! This tour is perfect for those who don’t have a good grasp of English because the audio guides comes in 12 different languages. Make the most of the free wifi onboard to keep upto date as you cruise around the city in comfort!

A great way to cover large areas of London for those who want to go at their own pace and stop off en route to visit a handful of attractions. Booking is easy and quick. The live guide was interesting and informative and there was even a 3D treasure hunt game available for kids.

11 – James Bond Bus Tour of London

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 47 reviews )

“Ian was great and funny. He gave us a lot of information and “insights” from movies. The tour has a good dynamic and duable with kids.” Simona, Viator

Enter into the glamorous world of British agent Bond on the Brit Movie Tours  007 bus adventure! Get ready for lots of Bond related trivia, facts about the books and the chance to see many of the London filming locations featured in the films!

Pass by the MI6 headquarters and the Vauxhall Bridge along with plenty of other Bond related hidden places whilst listening to the entertaining commentary of your passionate 007 guide! Check out the river Thames that featured in so many Bond movies such as ‘Die another Day’ and ‘Skyfall.’

This James Bond tour caters to both adults and children, making it suitable for all ages!

A fun and smooth day out discovering the different sites of London that we could recognize in the Bond films! Lots of fun facts about the various Bond actors that kept us full engaged throughout the tour! Great dynamic pace but we didn’t feel like we were being rushed at all.

12 – Big Bus Tour of London

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 2 reviews )

Hop onboard the double deck bus of  Big Bus tours for a comprehensive overview of London’s major historic and iconic landmarks! Choose from three different bus routes and pass by the glorious  St Paul’s Cathedral , designed by the celebrated Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London in 1666 or take photos of the eerie Tower of London guarded by the traditional beefeaters!

Catch a glimpse of the majestic  London Eye soaring above the river Thames as you make your way through the capital! Thanks to a one, two or three day pass you can take the tour at your own pace and stop off at as many sites as you desire along the way. Every ticket also includes a free river cruise so you can see the bridges and architecture from another perspective!

Thanks to the Big Bus tour we really feel that we got a great overview of Londons highlights. The onboard commentary was insightful and entertaining and we loved stopping off at Oxford Street for a spot of shopping and Kensington Gardens for a tranquil walk around the gardens and palace. A great sightseeing option with a thrown in river cruise manages to tick all the boxes.

13 – Tootbus Hop On Hop Off Bus Pass

Rating: ⭐️ 4.4/5 ( 171 reviews )

“A great way to see all the sights. Regular buses serviced all the popular destinations and more. Hopping on and off was easy and the best way to get as many attractions done as possible.” Anonymous, Klook

Spend the day exploring over 80 different stops on a wide variety of sightseeing bus routes offered by Tootbus . Thanks to the conveniently flexible ticket, you can hop off the bus to visit your preferred landmarks and then join the next bus to continue on your ride.

The routes cover all the essential London attractions such as the triumphal Marble Arch located on the edge of Hyde Park and the magnificent Westminster Bridge (the oldest surviving bridge across the River Thames in central London!)

Other highlights include the bright neon lights of Piccadilly, the fancy department stores of Knightsbridge, the iconic Big Ben and the majestic Houses of Parliament.

The buses were regular so there wasn’t much waiting around time. It was useful to follow all the routes of the Tootbus buses through the app. The tour was excellent for kids because on the main Yellow Route there is a specially designed children’s audio available in both English and French.

14 – BONUS TIP: NEW COMBO TOUR 48/72-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of London + London Eye Tickets

Hop on a flexible bus tour with a live English guide and an audio commentary available in 11 different languages! Explore 4 different bus routes with 60 different potential stops ! Whether you fancy seeing the wax sculptures at Madame Tussauds, taking a picnic in Regents Park or visiting the historic pubs of Fleet Street this bus has stops throughout the city!

Bonus Tip: If you are looking to visit more attractions yet are keen to save money, combo tours are a great option! Combine a stunning Thames River Cruise or take an unforgettable ride on the London Eye  for some breathtaking 360 degree views! Reach heights of 135 meters and snap some incredible city skyline shots.

Definitely glad we got a combo ticket to include a trip up the London Eye! It was amazing to get a birds-eye view of Buckingham Palace, St. Pauls and the Houses of Parliament. Later during the day we passed by many of these sites in the bus and could brush up on the historical context.

How to book a bus tour in London?

We hope this article has inspired you to hop on board a bus tour to get a real overview of the main London sites! There are lots of companies offering London bus tour experiences along with many travel websites selling these tours online. Many sites offer changing discounts, so prices may vary from one website to another!

In order to ensure that you grab the best deal available, use the Tourscanner search engine to compare the various offers, check out the reviews and seize the best prices!

• compare bus tours in London

11 Best London Bus Tours for Families in 2024 (ranked!)

This post contains affiliate links for which I may make a small commission to help keep the site running. You will not be charged extra for these items had you not clicked the links. Thank you for your help to keep the site running!

Ready to tour the amazing sights of London onboard a double decker bus?

You’ve come to the right place, as we’re going to explore the best 11 London bus tours for families that depart from London – all led by expert guides who want to share the beauty of this part of England and help you skip the tourist traps.

If you’re like, just cut to the chase already, then don’t worry.

The best bus tour from London is the London Tootbus Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and Thames River Cruise .

It has about 3,548 amazing reviews, so there’s no going wrong.

A London bus tour is an excellent way to see its attractions and landmarks with your family.

⏳ Don’t have time to read the whole list?

The best London bus tour for families is the London Tootbus Hop-on hop-off bus tour .

Click here to check prices and availability.

You can hop on and hop off at any stop and explore the various sights at your leisure.

If you want to see what your other options are, here are 10 more tours that are definitely worth your time.

So let’s get into the list of the best London bus tours for families, so you can book it already!

PS – booking in advance is highly, highly recommended, so you don’t miss out.

Hey! Want more honest UK tips and planning advice? Click here to join my London and UK Travel Tips Facebook group , where I can answer more of your questions!

Easy Guide: Best London Bus Tours for Families

1. london tootbus hop on hop off bus tour and thames river cruise.

⭐️  RATING:  4 out of 5 Stars, 3,500+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR

• Option to choose multiple-day hop-on hop-off pass
• Audio-commentary for adults and bespoke children’s audio-commentary
• Convenient real-time bus tracking with the Tootbus app
• Hop-on hop-off Thames River cruise ticket

Enjoy a bus tour of London without standing in line and avoiding the stress of rigid tour timings.

See London’s famous landmarks, amazing attractions, and popular monuments by comfortable, double-decker bus.

Hop on the bus at one of the many designated stops of your choosing, including London Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, or Tate Gallery.

Enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the open-top deck, or grab a seat inside as your bus takes you through town.

The kids-focused audio commentary and a complementary activity pack are sure to engage your kid’s interest.

This tour offers ultimate flexibility as you can travel on any of the transport links or tour routes.

The best thing about this tour?

It comes with an added bonus!

You can hop off and take a Thames River sightseeing tour or join a fascinating city walking tour depending on your preference. You can end the tour by disembarking at any stop along the route.

2. The London Pass®: Access 80+ attractions inc. Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 – 10 days | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Access to over 80 attractions
• 1-day river roamer pass
• Valid for 2 years from the date of purchase
• Digital guide with information and instructions

With so much to see in London, it’s quite difficult to accomplish it all in one day.

With The London Pass, you can choose a sightseeing credit package for up to 10 days and enjoy access to almost 80 attractions.

And the best part?

You can visit as many as you like each day!    

Redeem credits of your London Pass on a hop-on hop-off bus tour, London bike rental, Thames River Cruise, and more.

This pass includes a digital guide that’ll help you plan your itinerary to visit the best attractions of London, including the London Zoo, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and many more. 

This pass offers users flexibility and convenience as it’s valid for 2 years from the date of purchase and is only activated when you exchange credits at the included tour or attraction.

After that, the pass is valid for the remaining days, so it’s not a problem even if your travel plans change.  

3. Golden Tours London Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Sightseeing Bus Tour

⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 day | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Wi-Fi on all open-top buses
• Free one-way River Thames boat ride
• Hop-on hop-off bus ticket
• Audio guides available in 11 languages

One of the perfect ways for first-timers to see the iconic City of London is by traveling on an open-top, wheelchair-accessible double-decker bus.

Combine the flexibility of independent travel with the ease of tour with a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus pass.

See many attractions including Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, and Big Ben, then hop off to watch the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace, ride the London Eye, or tour the Tower of London.

Enjoy the panoramic view from the city’s biggest skyscraper, The Shard, experience the hustle and bustle of London’s South bank area, and see the majestic Westminster Abbey.

Listen to audio commentary as you pass various monuments and learn about the history of this city.

In addition, your pass includes a free Beatles or Royal London walking tour, an optional KidZania entry ticket, or a River Thames boat cruise.  

4. Vintage London Bus Tour Including Thames Cruise with Optional London Eye

⭐️  RATING:  4.0 out of 5 Stars, 380+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3 hours 30 minutes | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Local guide
• Panoramic tour of London
• Thames River cruise
• Upgrade options include London Eye and Stonehenge

Book your tour , hop aboard a double-decker bus in Victoria, and sit back and enjoy London’s famous sights as you travel around the heart of the city.

See some of London’s top attractions like the House of Parliament, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and more.

Then hop off your bus at the River Thames and join a short sightseeing cruise. Relax and admire popular landmarks like Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London Eye, and Tower Bridge as you sail down this iconic river.

Join your bus tour again to visit Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of Guards.

You can also upgrade your ticket to enjoy a flight on the London Eye and see the breathtaking, 360-degree views of London.

The London Eye 4D experience after riding the glass capsule is a must as it takes you on an incredible journey across London brought to life by multisensory effects and other visual aids.

Or you can take an afternoon Stonehenge visit upgrade and see this pre-historic stone circle on board a comfortable, round-trip shuttle bus. UNESCO-listed Stonehenge.

5. London Hop On – Hop Off Bus with River Cruise

⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 hour 15 minutes – 3 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Complimentary headsets
• Audio commentary in 13 different languages
• Wi-Fi on board
• Free River Thames cruise with the bus tour ticket

Discover London at your own pace and see the highlights of this amazing English capital while enjoying a ride in an open-top, red double-decker bus. 

Make the most of your time in London by taking a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.

Choose the duration of your tour according to your schedule by booking a 1-day, or a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour ticket.

Enjoy unlimited travel across several routes until your ticket expires and take in the views of popular sights including Big Ben and the Tower of London.

Learn about the history of these popular attractions by listening to the audio commentary, available in 13 different languages for your convenience.

You can hop off at any of the well-placed stops to take photos or explore the building you find interesting.

You’ll also get a complimentary walking tour and a river cruise with this bus tour.

6. English Afternoon Tea Bus with Panoramic Tour of London– Upper Deck

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars, 150+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 hour 30 minutes | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Unique afternoon tea experience
• Seating on the upper deck
• Glass of soft drink or Prosecco
• Friendly staff

Enjoy the wonderful views of London while sipping a delicious hot cup of tea for a unique afternoon tea experience!

Watch the hustle and bustle of the city as this 90-minute bus ride takes you through the heart of London.

Visit iconic landmarks like the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and many more.

No tea is complete without finger sandwiches, and this tour provides a wide range of homemade finger sandwiches including salmon and cream cheese to falafel and hummus and more are sure to excite your taste buds.

For people with a sweet tooth, the assortment of mini tea pastries and mouth-watering British scones served with jam and clotted cream provide the perfect dessert. 

Enjoy unobstructed views of popular tourist destinations as you pass by Buckingham Palace, the grand London residence of His Majesty, the King; the historically rich Westminster Abbey, which was originally a Benedictine monastery; the London Eye that offers breathtaking views of the city and other attractions including Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, and many more. 

7. City Sightseeing London Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 – 2 hours| ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Free river cruise
• Free self-guided podcast walking tour
• Green route now available as a shuttle service
• Great mix of stops

A convenient way to explore London’s top landmarks, a hop-on-hop-off bus tour allows you to experience the many facets of this versatile and lively city at your pace.

Avoid the hassle of navigating London’s underground system by simply hopping on and off a tour bus at designated stops.

Explore London on a sightseeing bus and save yourself hundreds of pounds on expensive taxi fares.

This tour offers a great mix of stops from museums to monuments to shopping areas.

Visit iconic monuments and attractions like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Harrods, Oxford Street, Tower of London, V&A – Victoria and Albert Museum, Royal Albert Hall, and The Shard. 

In addition, you can get a free self-guided walking tour pack depending on the option you choose.

Listen to an informational podcast as you walk past famous attractions and learn about their history, all for free!

8. The Big Day out – London Eye Ticket, London Hop-on Hop-Off Tour & River Cruise

⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Entry ticket to London Eye
• Thames River Cruise
• Recorded commentary in 5 languages
• Complementary earphones

Experience the many attractions of London from water, sky, and the streets with this excellent-value package that allows you to leisurely explore London.

Book a hop-on hop-off bus tour valid for 24 hours and visit top sights without spending a fortune on taxi fare.  

Enjoy the amazing aerial view of the city aboard the London Eye, sail past Big Ben and the Parliament House on a Thames River cruise, and visit multiple top sights of London including Notting Hill, Grosvenor Square, Statue of Eros, St. James Park, and many more on a double-decker bus.

Make sure to reserve your time slot for the London Eye ticket in advance using the link printed on your voucher.

Also take note that your Big Day out pass includes a one-way river cruise, which runs only from Fri-Sun.

9. Afternoon Tea Bus with Panoramic Tour of London– Lower Deck

⭐️  RATING:  4.0 out of 5 Stars, 30+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 hour 30 minutes | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Afternoon tea experience
• Seating on the lower deck
• Glass of Prosecco or soft drink
• General or vegetarian menu available

The famous tradition of enjoying high tea in London is not an experience to be missed.

And what better way to enjoy this than aboard a red, double-decker bus? Book a hop-on hop-off tour and cruise through London from West End to Charing Cross and enjoy fantastic views as you sip a delicious cup of tea.

Sample delicious cakes and finger sandwiches along with your tea, and for dessert try a classic scone with clotted cream.

Pass by top London attractions, including the vibrant Piccadilly Circus in London’s West End.

This popular junction connects Haymarket, Regent Street, Glasshouse Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, and Coventry Street and is a busy meeting place.

See the beautiful statues and fountain in Trafalgar Square and pass by Westminster Abbey, which boasts a rich history that’s more than a thousand years old.

No tour is complete without a visit to the London Eye or Buckingham Palace.

Visit these popular tourist attractions while being served excellent afternoon tea by a friendly and welcoming staff.

10. London Eye Fast-Track Ticket with Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise

⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Hop-on, hop-off bus ticket valid for 24 or 48 hours
• Fast-track entry ticket to the London Eye
• Thanes River Cruise

If you’re on a short visit to London, this tour offers one of the best ways to see this city and enjoy its various sightseeing experiences.

This convenient package allows you to cruise around town at your own pace.

Start with a hop-on, hop-off tour with a choice to pick from 24-, 48-, or 72-hour passes.

Then head over to the London Eye, where you can enjoy fast-track entry and panoramic views.

Other points of interest that you’ll pass on this tour include Mayfair, St. James Palace, HMS Belfast, Somerset House, Nelson’s Column, and many more.

Listen to recorded commentary as you pass by these famous attractions.

Available in 5 different languages, this commentary will help you learn more about the history of this iconic city.

You can also enjoy a river cruise with this package. However, take note that this cruise only runs from Fri-Sun.

11. Catch a Gourmet Lunch on a London Bus

• Bus tour through the heart of London
• Drinks (tea, coffee, water, and wine)
• Insider recommendations and tips from your local host

Ready to experience a unique bus tour of London?

Then check out this Catch a Gourmet Lunch on a London Bus tour.

Cruise through the heart of the city and enjoy the best view of all popular landmarks thanks to the panoramic glass roof of the bus.    

Enjoy a delicious meal made with a fusion of British and French cuisine along with drinks while cruising around on a luxury bus.

Prepared by an experienced chef, this tour offers an aesthetic and mouth-watering meal created by using different cooking techniques from around the world.

Experience fine dining on wheels while learning more about London’s historic landmarks with the help of an Audi Pen Guide.

This tour is perfect for a couple on a date or people who are on a tight schedule with lots to see.

Hey! Want to use our trusty guides to the best tours in other places across the UK? Check these out!

• 11 Best Tours of the Cotswolds from London in 2023
• 11 Best Tours of the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh in 2023
• 5 Best London Open Top Bus Tours
• 9 Best Scottish Outlander Tours
• 9 Best Ghost Tours in Oxford
• 5 Best Bath Ghost Tours
• 9 Best Bus Tours in Edinburgh
• 19 Most Unique London Tours
• 9 Best Day Trips to Oxford from London
• 7 Best Stonehenge Day Trips from London
• 7 Best Changing of the Guard Tours in London
• 11 Best Oxford Walking Tours
• 11 Best London Rock ‘n’ Roll Tours
• 11 Best London Museum Tours
• 3 Best Morse Tours in Oxford
• 11 Best London Beatles Tours
• 11 Best Walking Tours in Bath
• 13 Best Harry Potter Tours in Oxford
• 11 Best Jack the Ripper Tours in London
• 9 Best London Literary Tours
• 9 Best Street Art Tours in London
• 13 Best Evening & Night Tours of Edinburgh
• 15 Best London Pub Crawl Tours
• 11 Best London Bike Tours
• 17 Best Harry Potter Tours in London
• 17 Best London Foodie Tours
• 13 Best Ghost & Haunted Tours in Edinburgh
• 11 Best Edinburgh Walking Tours
• 11 Best Private Tours in London
• 11 Best Ghost Tours in London
• 11 Fun Tours of Royal London
• 13 Isle of Skye Tours for a Magical Time
• 13 Mysterious Tours of Loch Ness
• 7 Best James Bond Tours in London
• 7 Best Paris Tours from London
• 7 Best Stratford-upon Avon Tours from London
• 7 Best Tours of Bath from London
• 7 Best Black Cab Tours from London
• 11 Best Downton Abbey Tours in the UK
• 5 Best Graffiti Tours in London
• 9 Best London East End Tours

UK Travel Planning Guide: the FAQs

🏥 Should I buy UK travel insurance?

Absolutely yes. Basic coverage is not expensive, and as a visitor you are NOT covered under the NHS. Compare policies and prices with Travel Insurance Master here , a big name in the travel insurance business, and cross that off your list.

🔌 Do I need travel adapters for the UK?

Yes, you do, otherwise you won’t be able to plug in your electronics/phone/lifelines. I recommend this one , which is all-in-one so you can use it in other countries.

🚗 What do I need to drive in the UK?

The first thing you need to check out if you’re planning on renting a car in the UK is this guide to driving in the UK for visitors – the roads, signs, and driving experience will likely not be what you’re used to and it’s essential to prepare yourself to stay safe and aware.

🛌 What’s the best way to book hotels in the UK?

For UK hotels, Booking is the best site as it offers free cancellation on many properties. If you want an apartment, I always recommend VRBO over AirBnb.

📳 Will my phone work in the UK?

Yes – if you set it up right. Check out my guide on making your foreign phone work in the UK to ensure that you get the type of service you need.

🚿 Can I drink the water in the UK?

Yes, UK water is great and perfectly safe. But drink out of taps in any kitchen or use water fountains. Double check before drinking out of the taps in hotel bathrooms, though, as they may be on a different system. London water is safe to drink .

Heading to London? Want the best tips?

Check out my Ultimate Guide to London for Visitors. Using text, images and video, this guide is packed full of tips, tricks, safety advice, knowledge on how to get around and what to do, and more!

Moving to the UK or already an Expat?

Grab my book which covers moving to the UK, struggles I faced and that you might face too, and uplifting advice to help you along the way! Available in hard copy and on Kindle.

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THE 10 BEST Hop-On Hop-Off Tours in London, England

Hop-on hop-off tours in london.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Archaeology Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise

2. City Sightseeing London Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

3. Vintage London Bus Tour Including Cruise with London Eye option

4. Golden Tours London Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Sightseeing Bus Tour

5. Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing River Cruise on the Thames

6. Big Bus London Open-Top Evening Tour

7. The Big Day out - London Eye Ticket, London Hop-on Hop-Off Tour & River Cruise

8. London Tour Hop-on Hop-off Bus optional Thames River cruise

9. London: Harry Potter Walking Tour + Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

10. IFS Cloud Cable Car and Uber Boat by Thames Clippers Hop On Hop Off Pass

11. Tower of London with London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise

12. London Tootbus Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and Thames River Cruise

13. Ride of Routemaster and See London

14. London Tootbus Discovery Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

15. London Discovery by Day and by Night Hop-On Hop-off Tours

16. London Christmas Day 1 Day Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

17. London Eye Fast-Track Ticket with Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise

18. London by Night Tootbus Sightseeing Bus Tour

19. 7 Day Winter Tour of England and Scotland starting from London

20. London for 5 Days with Stay in English Families Home

21. Full Day London Pick & Mix Customized Tour

22. 7 Day Tour Exploring England and Scotland starting from London

23. full day london pick & mix customized tour, what travellers are saying.

• Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise
• City Sightseeing London Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
• Vintage London Bus Tour Including Cruise with London Eye option
• Thames 24 Hour Hop-On Hop-Off River Cruise
• Golden Tours London Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Sightseeing Bus Tour
• Vox City International Ltd
• Big Bus Tours
• Tootbus London
• Ceylon Pass
• Happy Tourist Pvt Ltd
• Thames River Sightseeing
• City Cruises
• Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
• Liudmila Saburova Russian Guide In England

Moscow Metro Tour

• Page active

Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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