Big Bus Tours in London, United Kingdom, offers an extensive sightseeing experience across the city’s iconic landmarks. With three main routes covering central London, Kensington to the Tower of London, and connections to major train stations, visitors can explore the city’s rich history and culture. The tours provide multilingual commentary, flexible hop-on hop-off options, and various ticket packages to suit different preferences and budgets.
What Are the Main Routes Offered by Big Bus Tours London?
Big Bus Tours in London operates three primary routes:
- Red Route: Covers central London
- Blue Route: Spans from Kensington Palace to the Tower of London
- Green Route: Connects St Pancras and King’s Cross stations to Covent Garden
Red Route Details
- Coverage: 25 stops in central London
- Key Landmarks:
- Westminster Abbey
- Big Ben
- St Paul’s Cathedral
- Tower Bridge
- Buckingham Palace
- Tower of London
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Frequency: Every 10 to 20 minutes
Blue Route Highlights
- Key Landmarks:
- Kensington Palace
- Harrods
- Hyde Park
- South Kensington museums
- Notting Hill
- London Eye
- Tower Bridge
- Duration: About 3 hours and 20 minutes
- Frequency: Every 10 to 20 minutes
Green Route Features
- Purpose: Connects major train stations to central routes
- Key Stops:
- St Pancras
- King’s Cross
- British Museum
- Covent Garden
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour
- Frequency: Every 20 minutes
How Much Do Big Bus Tours London Tickets Cost?
Ticket prices for Big Bus Tours London are as follows:
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Child | From £29.00 |
| Adult | From £39.00 |
Package Options
- 24/48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off London Tour
- Optional River Thames Cruise add-on
- Online booking for better deals and combo options
What Amenities Are Available on Big Bus Tours London?
Big Bus Tours London offers several amenities to enhance your sightseeing experience:
- Onboard Commentary:
- Available in five languages:
- English
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Italian
-
Provided through complimentary headphones
-
Accessibility:
-
Wheelchair-accessible buses (advisable to check in advance)
-
Convenience:
- Hop-on hop-off flexibility at designated stops
- Interactive map and stop guides for journey planning
What Are the Operational Hours and Frequency of Big Bus Tours London?
The operational hours and frequency vary by route:
Red Route Schedule
- First stop: 08:40
- Last stop: 17:10
- Frequency: Every 10 to 20 minutes
Blue Route Schedule
- First stop: 08:30
- Last stop: 17:00
- Frequency: Every 10 to 20 minutes
Green Route Schedule
- Operating hours similar to other routes
- Frequency: Every 20 minutes
How Can Visitors Maximize Their Big Bus Tours London Experience?
To get the most out of your Big Bus Tours London experience:
- Plan Ahead:
- Use the interactive map to identify stops of interest
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Consider multi-day tickets for comprehensive exploration
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Timing:
- Start early to maximize sightseeing time
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Be aware of last departure times from each stop
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Flexibility:
- Take advantage of the hop-on hop-off feature
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Explore areas of interest at your own pace
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Combo Deals:
- Look for package deals that include river cruises or attraction entries
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Book online for potential discounts and promotions
-
Seasonal Considerations:
- Be prepared for weather changes, especially on open-top buses
- Check for any seasonal route variations or special tours
What Are the Key Landmarks Covered by Big Bus Tours London?
Big Bus Tours London covers numerous iconic landmarks across its routes:
- Westminster Abbey
- Big Ben
- Houses of Parliament
- St Paul’s Cathedral
- Tower Bridge
- Buckingham Palace
- Tower of London
- Kensington Palace
- Harrods
- Hyde Park
- South Kensington museums (including Natural History Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum)
- Notting Hill
- London Eye
- British Museum
- Covent Garden
Each route offers a unique perspective on London’s history, architecture, and culture, allowing visitors to tailor their sightseeing experience to their interests.
How Does Big Bus Tours London Compare to Other Sightseeing Options?
Big Bus Tours London offers several advantages over other sightseeing options:
- Flexibility: The hop-on hop-off format allows for personalized exploration.
- Coverage: Extensive route network covers major attractions and neighborhoods.
- Information: Multilingual commentary provides historical and cultural context.
- Convenience: No need to navigate public transport or deal with parking.
- Value: Combination tickets offer access to multiple attractions at a competitive price.
However, considerations include:
- Fixed routes may not cover all areas of interest
- Potential for traffic delays in busy city center
- Weather dependency for open-top bus experiences
What Should Visitors Know About Accessibility on Big Bus Tours London?
Big Bus Tours London strives to accommodate all visitors:
- Wheelchair-accessible buses are available on most routes
- Advance notice is recommended for specific accessibility needs
- Staff are trained to assist passengers with mobility challenges
- Audio commentary is available for visually impaired visitors
- Written route information is provided for hearing-impaired guests
It’s advisable to contact Big Bus Tours London directly for detailed accessibility information and to ensure appropriate accommodations are available for your visit.
By offering a comprehensive and flexible sightseeing experience, Big Bus Tours London provides an excellent way for visitors to explore the United Kingdom’s capital city, its history, and its iconic landmarks.
References:
1. https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/place/234056-big-bus-london-tours
2. https://www.hop-on-hop-off-tickets.com/london-bus-tours/london-big-bus/routes-and-stops/
3. https://www.bigbustours.com/en/london/blue-route-london
