Review: Hopping On A London Bus Tour

I would often scoff at the open-top bus tours filled with poncho-wearing tourists, thinking it was all a bit cheesy and, well, touristy. But, I’ve always had a secret urge to see my home city of London from a different view, discover a bit more about the history and be a tourist in my own town.

With my friend, Gen, over from Singapore it felt like the perfect opportunity to embrace the tourist inside me. Along with my three-year-old daughter, we embarked on our adventure around London with Big Bus Tours. There are a number of London bus tour operators available but Big Bus Tours has the biggest fleet of open top buses in London and live commentary which was both informative and entertaining.

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We started at Waterloo, there is a stop close to the station, in view of the London eye on York Street. We went on a Wednesday afternoon and started far later than we would have liked (tip: get there early).

Waiting For Big Bus Tours

Unbeknownst to us, there were student protests in central London. This meant the traffic was even worse than it normally is in central London and diversions were in place so the route was slightly different. It also meant we were waiting a while to get on the bus due to the unexpected circumstances. Usually buses on the red route are every 5-15 minutes.
The London Eye

Once on the bus, there was room to leave the buggy downstairs and we headed up to the top deck. Being a November day it was a cloudy, drizzly affair but we managed to refrain from using the ponchos (although they were useful to sit on so our bottoms didn’t get wet). My daughter and I spent most of our time in the brilliant area undercover on the top deck so we stayed dry and out of the elements.

Under cover on Big Bus Tours

The red route took us all around the key London landmarks from St Paul’s to the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament.

It’s a hop-on and hop-off service so you can get off at most of the big sites and have a look around. We decided to stay on for most of the way around which takes around one hour. It’s a brilliant way to get your bearings in the city so good to go around once and then decide which landmarks you want to take a closer look at.

Our guide, Neil, was excellent. After what must have been a frustrating day with route closures and bad traffic he remained upbeat and friendly. I’ve lived in London for ten years and didn’t know many of the little gems of knowledge he had to share with us nor many of buildings, like Lambeth Palace. Hidden away in the shadow of Westminster, it is the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Lambeth Palace Lambeth PalaceThen there is the structure, Monument, designed by Christopher Wren and built in 1677 to commemorate the Great Fire of London. But I didn’t realise that it is the tallest hollow structure that you can climb. Yes, there are 311 steps to the top – and you even get a certificate as proof when you get back to the bottom.

Monument

Then there is the magnificent Tower of London, home to Kings and Queens, the Crown Jewels and the scene of beheadings, the most famous being King Henry the VIII’s second wife, Queen Anne Boleyn. But, did you know that people actually live at the Tower? The Beefeaters, who act as tour guides around the tower, and who are ex-military  servicemen and women, live inside the fortress with their families. Now that’s an impressive address to have!

Tower of London

Even as a Londoner who has walked past the city’s famous monuments time after time, it was enlightening to see London from a different perspective and learn more about the city I live in so I would recommend this bus tour for tourists and non-tourists alike. In fact, I will definitely do it again at some point.

As for my daughter, well, she really enjoyed riding on the bus and commented on some of the buildings but she was more concerned with spotting squirrels running up trees and pointing out the cranes around Victoria station – currently a building site. You’ve got to love them! Fortunately, under fives go free!

Trip on the open top bus tour

Tickets for the Big Bus Tour are £26.50 full price for an adult, £12.50 for children over five – for 24 hours – starting from when you board the bus. Discounted tickets are available if bought online and family tickets are available. The tour also includes a river cruise on the Thames and three free guided walking tours. When you take into account these perks, the knowledge you are provided with and the amount you would spend anyway on London transport getting around – the price is a lot more reasonable than it may at first appear.

**Disclaimer: I was given complimentary tickets for the Big Bus Tour for the purpose of this post but all my opinions are honest and my own.

What is it like to go in an open-top bus tour in London?
Wander Mum
Life Unexpected


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Wander Mum

I've always loved to travel so when my two daughters came along, I didn't stop. Travelling as a family can have its ups and downs but I love showing my children the world and helping others navigate travelling with children in tow.

74 Comments
    1. Yes, really good thing to do with your daughter. I’ve haven’t done enough walking tours – need to explore them too. I love finding out new bits of info about London. Thank you for joining the first #citytripping xx

  1. I love Big bus tours or the Hop on Hop Off tours! I think they are a great way to learn new tidbits about your city and it’s a nice relaxing way to revisit your town from the tourist’s perspective. In Stockholm, we have Hop on Hop Off boat tours 🙂 #citytripping

    1. You’re spot on Lisa, they are quite relaxing and you can just sit back and be fed all the knowledge without a head in a guidebook. Hop on hop off boat sounds great! X

  2. Looks like fun. I’ve done some walking tours which are great for discovering hidden bits of the city, but never done a bus tour. One for when the little one is a bit bigger! #citytripping

    1. I definitely need to do some more walking tours – really helps you to process all the information (providing the little ones are behaving)!

    1. Haha – I know – we do forget. It was really good fun – it wouldn’t be London without a bit of drizzle – fortunately no torrential rain though! X

    1. Yes, it’s really fun- and informative. I reckon once you add up all the transport you would have taken over two days in London, the price doesn’t work out too bad. X

  3. It’s a great idea being a tourist in a city you know well. There’s always so much to see and discover, particularly if you’ve got a little one in tow. You’ve inspired me to try one of the open top tours.

    1. Ah, thanks Clare, glad I’ve provided some inspiration! There’s always something new to learn and this way you and the little ones are learning! X

  4. I didn’t know what you meant about the “poncho-wearing” tourists but I figure you’re given a plastic rain cape? Living in a dry sunny place and travelling lots in similar places that didn’t even occur to me!!! But I must say, when we don’t have long in a city and have the children with us we often take these tours to get our bearings. Most recently we took one in Krakow which was a good way to get to the further out places too. I never knew the Beefeaters actually live in the Tower. That’s quite something.
    Phoebe @ Lou Messugo recently posted…Silent Sunday – 8 November 2015My Profile

    1. Haha! Phoebe – you’re making me jealous. With all your sunshine talk! Yes, the bus actually provides plastic rain capes – especially useful this time of year! I think I’ll definitely do more in other cities too. Yes, the beefeaters have a pretty cool address! #citytripping x

  5. I’ve never done the bus tour(s) either – I guess it felt a bit weird, when I wanted to go for a ride I’d just get on a normal bus, hehe.

    I do agree though that as a Londoner you tend to overlook the ‘touristy’ things – I know I’m guilty of it far too often – I have to constantly remind myself to be more open minded.

    Sounded like you had a good day out – I must add a Hop-on Hop-off to my to-do list 🙂
    Penny @OnePennyTourist recently posted…WTM London 2015: My Day At The World Travel MarketMy Profile

    1. Hey Penny, it’s definitely worth doing! Sometimes you just have to embrace the tourist! Plus, you get much better views from an open top than a normal bus. The commentary was really impressive too xx

  6. We LOVED the hop on hop off tour in London with the kids. And, it was our first try as I too was always the one mocking the tourists. Now I think it is such a fantastic way to get acquainted in a new destination. Perfect for the day of arrival if you have time bc everyone is so tired to do anything else… this gives you an overview and you can return to your fav spots for further discoveries later in the trip. Maybe I should try one in my hometown too. I always see them in LA 🙂 #citytripping
    Mama Munchkin recently posted…Bulu Box- sponsoredMy Profile

    1. Yes, exactly – you are so right – particularly good after travelling. Although, I do remember falling asleep on the Barcelona bus tour after I arrived there – not sure how that happened!

    1. Yes, a really good day out! In the sunshine it would be incredible. Lambeth Palace is beautiful – lucky Archbishop! Thanks for linking up! X

  7. I’m actually a bit of a fan of hop-on/off buses to get your bearings – I’ve done the London ones once or twice as well with friends visiting, like you. I’ve never tried with my daughter though, I wonder if she’d just want to be hopping off the whole time, so interesting to see Mrs T stayed entertained (thanks squirrels).
    Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…City Tripping #1My Profile

    1. I think I’d definitely be tempted to do more when I visit other cities too after doing the London one. Yes, I was a little disappointed with Mrs T’s lack of enthusiasm for some of the landmarks although she liked the bridges, river and tower as well as the squirrels and sat pretty quietly on my lap for most of the journey x

  8. My local city is Oxford and I used to be a bit snobbish about the open bus tours that plague it….that was until I went on one when a friend came to visit and see the sights. It was great and I can see why they’re so popular. #citytripping

  9. I love bus tours, and think they are a great way to get an idea of a city, and to learn more about it (even useful in London, my hometown). You always have to contend with the weather, but this looks like great fun – glad your daughter loved it too! #citytripping

    1. Thanks Sarah. The weather is always going to be unpredictable but it was brilliant to have the undercover bit where we all congregated to stay dry.

  10. Back in my early travelling days I did so many open bus tours around the UK and Europe! It was the best way, particularly in a large city and when you don’t have much time to get your bearings and get around the major attractions – those with live commentary were always the best!!
    I must admit after moving to London to work though I never did any of the London tours – I think I trampled every square inch of London by foot at some point anyway but a wonderful way to show a visitor around, bar the traffic and congestion issues that central London is very prone to.

    1. The live commentary is brilliant…otherwise I just end up with my head in a guide book and miss half of the attractions! I’m really glad I did the tour – although I do love walking around London – especially on a beautiful summer’s day. As for the traffic, is certainly part of the London experience! x

    1. Oooh – I’ve never done one in New York before – bet it was amazing. Yes, I think if you take advantage of all the extras it’s not bad at all.

  11. I must admit Elizabeth, like you, I have in the past scoffed at tourists on open top buses:) However, I have since discovered several cities onboard an open top bus and I do not scoff anymore! As you highlighted above, they are fabulous for getting familiar with a new city and establishing where to spend more time. We have not tried one with our sons, we may try one on our next family city wkd (and just keep fingers crossed for squirrels!)
    Lisa (Travel Loving Family) recently posted…Christmas family events in GloucestershireMy Profile

    1. Haha- the squirrels are a highlight! I’m glad I’m not the only one who was a bit snobby about them. I’m glad I’ve been proved wrong and I’m definitely going to use them on city breaks in the future.

  12. I’ve never been in an open top bus tour and like you I’ve mocked those tourists on them too. However, I secretly want to go on the Edinburgh bus tour as I’m sure I’ll learn a lot I didn’t know too. Squirrels are fun to watch too though!
    Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather :). X
    Jenny recently posted…An Alternative Christmas Gift GuideMy Profile

  13. Oh wow! I love being a tourist in your home town, it’s so nice to see things from a different perspective. I lived in London for a time and I always wanted to do this tour. I wish I did now, it sounds really interesting. I definitely will next time I visit. Thank you so much for linking to #whatevertheweather. x
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  14. Ha ha, I usually don’t do those either, for a lot of the same reasons. But I did do it in Mexico City, and it was actually very nice. And very convenient, as covering the area it did would have been very stressful/time consuming on your own.
    beatravelling recently posted…Lake Titicaca!!My Profile

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