The short answer: London has four main hop-on hop-off bus operators, Big Bus, Tootbus, City Sightseeing and Golden Tours. All run open top double-deckers on loops past the big sights, with audio guides, and most tickets include a free Thames river cruise and walking tours. Prices run from around 25 to 45 pounds for 24, 48 or 72 hours, cheaper booked online. It is one of the best ways to get your bearings on a first day, especially with children.
A hop-on hop-off bus is the classic way to see London for the first time. You ride an open top double-decker on a loop past Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge and the rest, and get off wherever you fancy, then catch the next bus when you are done. It is not the fastest way around town, but it is the easiest way to orient yourself, and a genuine treat with the roof open on a fine day. Here is who runs them, what you get, what it costs, and whether it is worth it.
The Main Operators, Compared
Four companies run hop-on hop-off tours in central London. They cover much the same sights, so the choice comes down to route, frequency, extras and price.
- Big Bus Tours. The best known, with the most frequent buses and widest coverage, plus a free Thames river cruise and walking tours included, and live guides on some departures. Usually the priciest, but the most polished.
- Tootbus London. The greener, official feeling option, with hybrid and electric buses, themed routes and good family entertainment. A strong all rounder.
- City Sightseeing. The global red bus brand, reliable and widespread, with a clear audio guide in many languages. A dependable middle choice.
- Golden Tours. Often the best value, covering the key sights with a river cruise usually included. The one to check if price is your priority.
Hop-On Hop-Off London at a Glance
| Operator | Known for | Usually includes | Ticket from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bus Tours | Most frequent, most polished | River cruise, walking tours, live guides | Around 40 pounds |
| Tootbus London | Greener buses, family friendly | River cruise on some tickets, themed routes | Around 38 pounds |
| City Sightseeing | Reliable, multilingual audio | Audio guide, add on cruise | Around 33 pounds |
| Golden Tours | Best value | River cruise, key sights | Around 28 pounds |
Prices are indicative 24 hour adult rates and change often. Booking online in advance is almost always cheaper than paying at the bus stop.
What You Get and How Tickets Work
Tickets are sold by duration, typically 24, 48 or 72 hours from first use, so a longer ticket lets you spread sightseeing over several days. Almost all include a recorded audio commentary in multiple languages, and the better value tickets bundle in a Thames river cruise and one or more guided walking tours, which adds up to real savings if you use them. Children's tickets are cheaper, and under fives usually travel free. Buses run every 10 to 30 minutes depending on the operator and season.
Check hop-on hop-off tickets and prices Compare all operators
Is a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Worth It?
Honestly, it depends on who you are. For a first time visitor, a family, or anyone with only a day or two, it is one of the best purchases you can make, you see all the headline sights, get your bearings, and save your legs, with the river cruise and walks thrown in. If you are a repeat visitor, comfortable on the Tube, or travelling on a tight budget, London's own public transport covers the same ground for far less.
Weather and traffic, the honest bit: the open top deck is glorious in sunshine and miserable in rain, and central London traffic can make the loop slow at peak times. Ride early in the day and in good weather for the best of it. If you would rather have a private, door to door option instead of a shared bus, a private car and driver is the opposite end of the scale, comfortable but far pricier, and better for specific trips than general sightseeing.
Tips for First-Time Riders
- Book online ahead. It is cheaper than buying at the stop, and you can compare operators in one place.
- Start early. The earlier you board, the more of the loop you fit in, and the quieter the top deck.
- Grab the front of the top deck for the best views and photos, and bring a layer, it is breezy up there.
- Use the extras. If your ticket includes a river cruise and walking tours, plan to actually use them, that is where the value is.
- Consider a sightseeing pass. If you are also visiting paid attractions, an all in one pass sometimes bundles a bus tour and can work out cheaper.
See passes that include a bus tour Compare tickets on Viator
Planning the rest of your sightseeing? See our guide to the best things to see in London and unique things to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hop-on hop-off bus in London?
Big Bus Tours is the most frequent and polished, with a river cruise and walking tours included, while Golden Tours is usually the best value. Tootbus is the greener, family friendly choice and City Sightseeing a reliable multilingual option. The best one for you depends on the route, the extras and the price, so compare before booking.
How much is a hop-on hop-off bus tour in London?
A 24 hour adult ticket costs roughly 25 to 45 pounds depending on the operator, with 48 and 72 hour tickets offering better daily value. Children pay less and under fives usually travel free. Booking online in advance is almost always cheaper than paying at the stop.
What is included in a hop-on hop-off ticket?
Most tickets include unlimited rides on the loop for the duration you buy, a recorded audio guide in several languages, and, on the better value tickets, a free Thames river cruise and one or more guided walking tours. Always check exactly what your chosen ticket includes.
Is a hop-on hop-off bus worth it in London?
For first time visitors, families and anyone short on time, yes, it is a great way to see the headline sights and get your bearings, especially with a river cruise and walks included. Repeat visitors comfortable with the Tube, or those on a tight budget, may prefer London's public transport, which is far cheaper.
How long does the full hop-on hop-off loop take?
A full circuit without getting off takes roughly two to three hours depending on the route and traffic. In practice you hop off along the way, so most people spread it across a day or two using a 24 or 48 hour ticket.
Can I use a hop-on hop-off bus for just one day?
Yes. A 24 hour ticket is the standard entry option and is plenty to cover the main sights in a single busy day, particularly if you start early and make use of any included river cruise.
Which hop-on hop-off bus is best for families?
All the operators are family friendly, with cheaper child tickets and free travel for the youngest. Big Bus and Tootbus both offer child focused audio and entertainment, and the open top deck is a hit with children. The flexibility to hop off for a break makes any of them easier than walking with kids.
Do the buses run in winter and bad weather?
Yes, the tours run year round, with a covered, heated lower deck for cold or wet days. Services are less frequent in winter, so check the timetable, but you will not be left standing in the rain.
The Bottom Line
A hop-on hop-off bus is the easy, flexible way to see London's greatest hits on a first visit, and the included river cruise and walking tours make the better tickets good value. Pick your operator on route and extras rather than brand, book online to save, ride early and up top in good weather, and you will have the whole city laid out in front of you by lunchtime.
About the Author
Sources and fact-check
Operator, route, inclusion and price details were checked against the official operator websites and booking platforms in September 2026. Prices and timetables change with the season, so confirm the current price and what is included on the live booking page before you buy.
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Clara Whitby is Welcome2London’s AI travel curator, known to readers as The Londonologist. She was created by our editorial team to help first time visitors plan London and the rest of the UK with confidence: where to stay, how to get around, what is worth your money and what you can happily skip. Every guide she presents is researched from official sources and checked by the Welcome2London team before it goes live.
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