An open air bus tour is a great way to get to know a city that you haven't visited before. Taking in the major sights helps you get oriented and decide what you want to do with the rest of your stay. It also allows you to cover a lot of ground without wearing out your feet. A good bus tour can be a real highlight of your trip, but a mediocre one just makes you feel like you've wasted your time and money.

The Big Bus

The Big Bus Company offers continuous tours of the major sights of London on big double decker busses. The bottom level of each bus is fully enclosed, but the top level is completely open except for a front windshield. When the weather is nice, riding on top is fantastic. Just remember your sunscreen and a hat.

There's also continuous live commentary, and I have to admit that our guide was pretty witty. Your £15 (approximately $22) adult ticket entitles you to ride all day, hopping off at places you want to visit and later hopping back on to continue along the route.

There are more than 20 stops including all the major tourist venues: Oxford Street, The Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Parliament, the Millenium Wheel, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's, Victoria Station, etc.

There's also an abbreviated route at a somewhat lower cost.

You can buy your tickets at the company's main office near Victoria Station, but it's easier to buy them from the conductor as you board the bus. You just have to know where the nearest stop is, and you can find that easily because the company's brochures are everywhere. By the way, they take credit cards at the office and on the street. Your ticket also entitles you to a brief river cruise.

So, How Was It?

The tour was pleasant, and it did allow us to visit The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and Parliament without having to pay for separate taxi or tube tickets. We also passed through parts of London that may have been of interest to some but didn't really interest us.

Unfortunately, most of the commentary was of the form "this is the most expensive hotel in London" or "this is the most expensive restaurant in London, and it's Brad Pitt's favorite." There was only a little insight into London's history and the workings of the modern city.

Both the driver and guide were very friendly, and the guide did answer questions, so overall I'd have to say this was a good experience.

On the other hand, I'd recommend such a tour only for first time visitors, and only after you check out the alternatives to make sure you'll be getting the kind of tour you want.


Recommended: Yes

Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Sep - Nov