See More, Spend Less: The Smart Way to Explore London

london for less


Whether you are a seasoned traveller or a first-time visitor to the city of London, it’s always overwhelming to plan your travel around the city. Given the sheer number of attractions and iconic landmarks, covering all the points can get exhilarating. But is there a way to plan your travel where you can easily cover most of city’s important landmarks? The answer is yes. Hop-On, Hop-Off tours are one such cost efficient and smart way to roam around the city ensuring you visit all the major landmarks. Let’s dive deep into what are Hop-On, Hop-Off tours and why they are the best choice for your next London sightseeing tour.



What is a Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour?

Before we jump into the details about what is the best plan for you, what all places to cover and travel trips, let’s understand what these tours are about. Hop-On, Hop-Off tours are like any other bus tours, but they come with added flexibility of hopping on and off wherever you like. You can visit places at your own pace and stay for as long or as little you want at a particular attraction. Also, these buses run at regular intervals from their designated spot, so its quite convenient for anyone taking the tour.


London Hop-On, Hop-Off bus

A London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus tour takes you to key attractions and areas of the city while allowing you to explore at your own pace. You can explore some of the most iconic landmarks like the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the British Museum. The beauty of this service is that you can hop off at any stop to explore the area and then hop back on to continue your journey.


How do These Tours Work?

The best part about these tours is that the buses run at regular intervals every 10-20 minutes from their designated stops. You can hop off at a location, spend as much time as you want and catch the next bus from the stop to continue exploring the city. Your ticket grants you access to these buses for a specified period, typically 24, 48, or 72 hours, allowing unlimited travel within that timeframe.


Different Routes of London Hop-On, Hop-Off Tours

These buses also follow specific routes. Some routes cover the iconic landmarks, while other routes take you through the scenic spots of the city.
  • Red Route: Covers the iconic landmarks of London like the Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, and the London Eye.
  • Blue Route: Perfect is you want to explore the royal history and top museums like Kensington Palace, Harrods, and the Natural History Museum.
  • Yellow Route: Covers all the cultural hotspots of London like the British Museum, Covent Garden, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Tower of London.
  • Green Route: If you want to experience shopping and entertainment stops such as Madame Tussauds, Regent’s Park, and Oxford Street this route is ideal.
  • Orange & Purple Route covers remaining sites like River Thames, Tower Bridge, Tate Modern and various food markets. You can also opt for Hop-On, Hop-Off bus & optional Thames Cruise for a more comprehensive experience.

best hop on hop off bus recommendations london


Benefits of Hop-On Hop-Off Tours 

  • Convenience: One of the main advantages of taking these bus tours is the convenience they provide. With flexibility to travel and explore places at your own pace, you can cover all the major attractions without the worry of booking separate transportation for each location.
  • Cost-effectiveness: By purchasing a single ticket, you can gain access to multiple locations without having to worry about the hassle of separate bookings for transportation. These tours also come with additional activities, by option for such ticket you can enjoy add-ons like cruises, entry tickets to attractions and much more.
  • Informative: These Hop-On, Hop-Off tours come equipped with audio guides in multiple languages. You can enjoy informative insights about the history of a place, know facts about an attraction for an enriching experience and much more!


Exploring London with Different Hop-On Hop-Off Providers

While picking providers for these tours can be confusing, we have hand-picked some of the tours that offers great value and experience while exploring London.


#1. Tootbus London: Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus & Optional Thames Cruise

Tootbus London offers a comprehensive Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour that includes an optional Thames Cruise. This tour is perfect for those looking to explore London’s landmarks from both land and water. The Thames Cruise offers a unique perspective of the city’s skyline and iconic bridges. Highlights of this tour include stops at the Tower of London, the London Eye, and Buckingham Palace.


#2. City Tour London: Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus

City Tour London provides an extensive Hop-On Hop-Off service that covers all the major attractions. This tour is ideal for first-time visitors who want a thorough overview of the city. With stops at landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Shard, this tour ensures you don’t miss any key sights. The buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi and audio guides, making your journey both informative and comfortable.


#3. City Sightseeing London: Hop-On, Hop-Off & London Eye

For those wanting to witness the aerial views of London can opt for City Sightseeing London Hop-On, Hop-Off & London Eye combo tour. This tour allows you to explore London’s Street and then enjoy the bird’s eye view from the London Eye. This ticket provides a great value offering a visit to city’s most popular attractions.


#4. City Sightseeing London: Hop-On, Hop-Off

This one here is the classic way of exploring London. The City Sightseeing London Hop-On, Hop-Off tour covers a vast number of stops, ensuring you get to see all the major attractions of the city. The flexibility of this tour means you can plan your itinerary according to your interests and pace, making it a personalized sightseeing experience.


#5. Tootbus London Kids: Open-Top Bus Tour

Travelling with kids? The Tootbus London Kids tour is specifically designed for families. This open-top bus tour features engaging commentary tailored for young minds, making it a fun and educational experience for children. Stops include family-friendly attractions like the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and Hamleys Toy Store.


Tips for Making the Most of Your Hop-On Hop-Off Experience

  • Plan ahead: Deciding which attractions to cover and planning your route ahead always helps for an efficient travel. While these tours provide flexibility it is always great to plan before for a hassle-free experience.
  • Start early: Starting your tour early in the day allows you to cover more attractions and avoid any afternoon rush. Not only this will help you avoid crowd but will also give you extra time to stop and visit attractions without feeling rushes.
  • Take advantage of combo tickets: Many providers offer combo tickets that include additional attractions or services, such as river cruises or entry to popular sites like the London Eye. These tickets provide excellent value and a more comprehensive sightseeing experience.


Wrap Up: The Smart Way to Explore London

Taking a London Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus tour is undoubtedly the smartest way to travel around the city. Whether you choose Tootbus London’s options with a Thames Cruise, or City Sightseeing’s London Hop-On, Hop-Off tour you are guaranteed a memorable and efficient travel experience. So, without any delay plan your next London holiday and make the most of your travel plan for an unforgettable getaway!


What about you, how do you like to explore London? Feel free to share any tips & advice below!

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ABOUTME

We overland. We eat plants and fungi. We live outside as much as possible. We are all connected. A female travel blogger overlanding and writing about ecotourism, ethical and sustainable travel, socially conscious travel and housesitting. An online travel magazine since 2015.

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