City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons
Traveler rating
3.9/5
Based on 1,631 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons worth booking?
City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons is a 1.3-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $34 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 3.9/5 rating across 1,631 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 66 / 100
- Rating
- 3.9/5 (1,631)
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- From
- $34 per person
City Sightseeing London on our Hop-on Hop-off Bus tour will be the best way to explore the capital of England with the rich history and culture. Take in the views and visit iconic sites like Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London at your leisure. We have selected key tour stops to allow you to see all the sites London has to offer in touching distance. From The Shard, to Big Ben to Oxford Street, we cover all the best places in London. With our 24, 48 and 72-hour tickets, we even offer a free river cruise to explore London by water as well as other exciting inclusions (excluded in the 1-Day Today Ticket).
What you get
About this experience
City Sightseeing London on our Hop-on Hop-off Bus tour will be the best way to explore the capital of England with the rich history and culture. Take in the views and visit iconic sites like Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London at your leisure. We have selected key tour stops to allow you to see all the sites London has to offer in touching distance. From The Shard, to Big Ben to Oxford Street, we cover all the best places in London. With our 24, 48 and 72-hour tickets, we even offer a free river cruise to explore London by water as well as other exciting inclusions (excluded in the 1-Day Today Ticket).
What's included
Included
- AI-powered City Sightseeing app featuring live bus tracking app adapted to your needs!
- 1-day, 24-hour, 48-hour or 72-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour
- Audio guide in 11 languages + headphones
- Single journey on the River Cruise (24-hour ticket only)
- Stops near the major sights
- Night Tour (72-hour ticket only)
- Greenwich return on the River Cruise (48 and 72-hour tickets only)
Not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Options you can book
Today Ticket- 1 Day Ticket
Today Ticket : This ticket includes a 1-day hop-on hop-off bus tour and the Self-Guided Royal London Tour (in English)
2.5-Hour Express Panoramic Bus
This ticket includes a 2.5-hour single loop of London with no hopping-off
48-Hour Bus + River Cruise
48-Hour Bus + River Cruise: This ticket includes a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour and a River Cruise.
72-Hour Bus + River Cruise
24-Hour Bus + River Cruise
24-Hour Bus + River Cruise : This ticket includes a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour and a River Cruise.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- ar, de, ru, pt, cmn, ja, en, it, pl, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- City Sightseeing Ltd - UK and Ireland
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Red Route: Frequency: every 15 - 20 minutes. Tour duration: 2.5 hours. Sunday - Friday: First departure from Stop 1 at 9am. Last departure from Stop 1 at 6:20pm. Last full loop at 5:20pm. Saturday: First departure from Stop 1 at 8:45am. Last departure from Stop 1 at 7pm. Last full loop at 6:30pm
- Red Route audio guide languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Arabic
- Green Route: Duration: 90 minutes. Departures from Stop 1: Friday - Sunday: 9:30am, 10am, 10:30am, 4:10pm, 4:40pm, 5:10pm and 5:40pm. This route is not available Monday - Thursday
- Green Route audio guide languages: English, French, Spanish, German and Italian
- Blue Route: Duration: 80 minutes. Frequency: every 30 minutes. First departure from Stop 20 at 9:30am. Last departure from Stop 20 at 5pm. Last full loop at 5pm
- Blue Route audio guide languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Kids commentary
- Customers can start their tour at any of the stops along the routes. Stop 1 on the Red Route and Green Shuttle Service is Belvedere Road
- Stop 11 Buckingham Palace is closed every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am - 12pm due to the Changing of the Guards
- Mobile and printed paper vouchers are both accepted on this tour and can be accepted at any of the stops along the routes. Vouchers can be used any day within 12 months of travel date selected at check-out
- 24-hour ticket includes a one-way cruise between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier. You can start the cruise from either pier. Departs every 40 minutes. Duration: 35 mins approx. First departure (both piers): 10am. Last departure (from Tower pier): 6:55pm. Last departure (from Westminster): 7:20pm. You will be given your cruise ticket when you redeem your voucher on the bus
- 48 and 72-hour tickets include a same day return trip to and from Greenwich Pier. Departs every 40 minutes. Duration: 35 minutes approx. First departure to Greenwich (from both piers): 10am. Last departure to Greenwich from Westminster Pier: 4pm. Last departures from Greenwich to Westminster Pier: 5:50pm. You will be given your cruise ticket when you redeem your voucher on the bus
- Night Tour (included in the 72-hour ticket only): Operates daily at 7:30pm, 8pm, 8:30pm, 9:15pm, 9:45pm and 10:20pm (April - September). Operates daily at 7:30pm and 9:20pm (October - March). Departure Stop: Outside Green Park Station
- Kids commentary: Blue Route - Mia Cloo's London Quest. Ask your driver for a free copy of our Mia Cloo's London Quest booklet. Available in English
- 2.5-Hour Express Panoramic bus tour (if option is selected): includes a 2.5-hour panoramic single loop of London only, with no hopping off. Every seat on our top deck offers 360-degree views of London's top sights. You'll be treated to perfect shots of London's skyline with nothing in your way and informative audio guides point out histories, secrets, and the city's lively spirit. You can start your journey at any of our stops on the Red Route. Please note, this is not a hop-on hop-off service. Buses run every 20 minutes until 3:30pm, then every 30 minutes. First departure from Stop 1 at 8:45am. Last departure from Stop 1 at 6:30pm
- Stop 12 Horseferry Road will be suspended Monday - Friday until further notice due to extensive traffic conditions around the Lambeth Bridge area. The stop will continue to be served on Saturdays and Sundays only. The nearest alternative boarding point is Stop 10 Westminster Pier (next to Big Ben)
- Stop 17 Grosvenor Gardens (Red Route) is temporarily closed until further notice. Customers should use Stop 16 Buckingham Palace Road instead, located directly outside Victoria Station
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 1,627 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
1,627 verified traveler reviews for City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Thumbs down on City Sightseeing bus tour London
The communication with City Sightseeing bus tours is extremely poor. I recommend NOT using this company We waited at a bus stop for over an hour. When we tried to check the service updates, there was nothing about that stop being passed by. We saw other company buses pass two or three times. When we walked to the next stop, they suggested there was a service update but could not show it. The field agents could not communicate directly with the main office or the buses. The app sucks. There was no staff person at Green Park, which is a major stop in London. I would not recommend using this company, although their partners that provided the night bus and the boat trip were very competent.
via Tripadvisor
MrRob
The wait time at stops is long and the lack of communication from ppl with red coats was unprofessional
Response from the operator: Hi Robert, We appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. We're sorry you were left waiting so long for a bus and didn't receive the assistance or updates you needed from our staff. Providing clear information at our stops is an important part of our service. We'll raise your comments with our London operations team to review the waiting times and the way our on-street staff communicate with passengers. We'd welcome the opportunity to find out more about what happened. You can reach us through https://city-sightseeing.com/es/contacto, where our customer service team can review your experience in more detail. Thank you again for bringing these issues to our attention. We hope to have the chance to welcome you aboard under better circumstances. City Sightseeing London Team
via Viator
Horrible experience
We had a horrible experience. The busses did not run as frequently as other companies. One driver stopped but would not let anyone on, another “paused” at a stop but did not take on passengers. We had a “we are running ahead of schedule” stop for ten minutes that seemed totally nonsensical. It took so long to get to our intended stop that we had to take an expensive cab back to our hotel because the buses had finished for the day. AND they never responded to our message on the app. I paid for two days but did not try again the second day. This was a total waste of money.
Response from the operator: Hi MaryEllen, Thank you for taking the time to share the details of your experience in London. We sincerely regret the difficulties you encountered with bus frequency, boarding and communication, particularly as they disrupted your plans and led you to arrange alternative transport. We'll refer your comments about boarding procedures and service intervals to our London operations team. We would also like to examine your particular case. Please complete our contact form at https://city-sightseeing.com/es/contacto, including your booking details, so we can investigate what happened and provide you with a response. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to address your concerns. We hope to provide you with a better experience in the future. City Sightseeing London Team
via Viator
Watch out for the bus...
Watch out for the bus drivers some are so rude. They don’t want to help you. I paid for two days finally found the stop on the second day
Response from the operator: Hi Diane, We're sorry to hear about the difficulties you experienced during your visit to London. Finding the correct bus stop should be straightforward, and our staff should always be approachable and willing to help passengers with directions or questions. Your comments about the drivers' attitude are concerning, and we'll bring them to the attention of our London team. We also want to review the difficulties you had locating the stop, particularly as you purchased a two-day ticket. Please contact us through https://city-sightseeing.com/es/contacto with your booking details so we can look into your experience more closely. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. City Sightseeing London Team
via Viator
Traffic makes the tour longer!
The bus was fine , the traffic in London was not!! Remember to jump on and off and can walk ahead of a few stops…
Response from the operator: Hi Maryellen, Thanks for sharing your experience and your useful tip for fellow travellers! London's busy streets can sometimes make journeys longer than expected, particularly during peak hours. That's why the flexibility to hop off, explore on foot and rejoin the route later can be such a handy way to discover the city. We appreciate you choosing to travel with us and hope you enjoyed exploring London despite the traffic! City Sightseeing London Team
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $34 to $83
- Booked in 30 days
- 571
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by City Sightseeing Ltd - UK and Ireland, who run 7 experiences we rank across 7 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 72.3.
See everything City Sightseeing Ltd - UK and Ireland runsWhy this scores 66
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons cost?
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Prices start at $34 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons take?
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Plan for about 1.3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.
Is City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.9/5 across 1,631 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons?
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Around 571 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 1.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in London?
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London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour, Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit London?
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May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in London?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons?
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Included: AI-powered City Sightseeing app featuring live bus tracking app adapted to your needs!; 1-day, 24-hour, 48-hour or 72-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour; Audio guide in 11 languages + headphones; Single journey on the River Cruise (24-hour ticket only); and Stops near the major sights. Not included: Gratuities; Hotel pickup and drop-off; and Food and drinks, unless specified. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
What languages is City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons offered in?
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It is offered in Arabic, German, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, English, Italian, Polish, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Transportation options are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in London. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons?
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Across 1,631 reviews averaging 3.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Add-Ons?
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There are 5 options to choose from, including Today Ticket- 1 Day Ticket, 2.5-Hour Express Panoramic Bus, 48-Hour Bus + River Cruise, 72-Hour Bus + River Cruise. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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