London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise in London
London, United Kingdom

London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise

Outty Ranking 64 3.7 · 11,220 traveler reviews1.2 hoursFrom $19

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$19
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Outty Ranking

64/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.7/5

Based on 11,220 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise worth booking?

London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise is a 1.2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $19 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 3.7/5 rating across 11,220 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
64 / 100
Rating
3.7/5 (11,220)
Duration
1.2 hours
From
$19 per person

Discover London your way with a hop-on hop-off bus tour, plus a Thames River cruise included with selected tickets. Pass iconic sights including the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben while enjo

What you get

  • Recorded Commentary Available in 7 Languages
  • One-day, 24- or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket (depending on option selected)
  • Royal Walk, Harry Potter, and Jack the Ripper
  • 2-Hour Non-Stop Panoramic Evening Tour (Available With Selected Ticket Option)
  • Headphones
  • Free Wi-Fi On Board

About this experience

Discover London your way with a hop-on hop-off bus tour, plus a Thames River cruise included with selected tickets. Pass iconic sights including the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben while enjoying entertaining commentary on London’s history and culture. Your ticket gives access to three routes. The Red Route covers major landmarks such as Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and St Paul’s Cathedral. The Blue Route travels from Kensington Palace to the Tower of London, stopping near Harrods, the Natural History Museum and Notting Hill. The Green Route connects King’s Cross and St Pancras with Covent Garden via the British Museum. Choose a 24-hour or 48-hour ticket to enjoy the Thames River cruise. 48-hour tickets also include live guided walking tours in English: the Royal Walk, Jack the Ripper Walk and Harry Potter Walking Tour. Upgrade to include the Panoramic Evening Tour for stunning night-time views of London.

What's included

Included

  • Recorded Commentary Available in 7 Languages
  • One-day, 24- or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket (depending on option selected)
  • Royal Walk, Harry Potter, and Jack the Ripper
  • 2-Hour Non-Stop Panoramic Evening Tour (Available With Selected Ticket Option)
  • Headphones
  • Free Wi-Fi On Board
  • One-Way Thames River Cruise (Included With 24- and 48-Hour Tickets Only)
  • 3 guided walking tours (with 48-hour options)

Not included

  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off

Options you can book

  • 48-Hour Ticket & River Cruise

    Duration: 2 days: Unlimited use valid for 48 hours from time of first use. 3 Hop-on, Hop-off Routes: Unlimited Hop-on, Hop-off access for the duration of your ticket. Themed Walking Tours: Choose from 3 different themed walking tours, please speak to a member of staff on the day. One-Way River Cruise: Starting at either Tower Pier or Westminster Pier.

  • One day Hop-on Hop-off

    Duration: 1 day: Unlimited use valid for 1 Day from time of first use. 3 Hop-on, Hop-off Routes: Unlimited Hop-on, Hop-off access for the duration of your ticket.

  • 48-Hour Ticket & Night Tour

    Themed Walking Tours: Choose from 3 different themed live guided walking tours. Speak with a member of staff on the day to arrange these tours Duration: 2 days: Unlimited use valid for 48 hours from time of first use. 3 Hop-on, Hop-off Routes: Unlimited Hop-on, Hop-off access for the duration of your ticket. 7:30 PM Panoramic Evening Tour: Departure at London Eye (Stop 11). Full tour lasts 2 hours and is non-stop. With pre-recorded commentary. One-Way River Cruise: Starting at either Tower Pier or Westminster Pier.

  • 24-Hour Ticket & River Cruise

    Duration: 1 day: Unlimited use valid for 24 hours from time of first use. 3 Hop-on, Hop-off Routes: Unlimited Hop-on, Hop-off access for the duration of your ticket. One-Way River Cruise: Starting at either Tower Pier or Westminster Pier.

Before you book

Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Languages
de, pt, cmn, en, it, fr, es
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Every day
Group size
Up to 15 travelers per booking
Operated by
Big Bus London

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
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Your ticket’s validity period begins from the date and time it is activated.
  • Buses are all equipped with ramps for wheelchairs or strollers
  • Activate your mobile voucher or QR at any of the designated Big Bus stops
  • Infants aged 3 and under travel free of charge and do not require a ticket
  • 1-Day Ticket does NOT include a River Cruise.
  • Please note that Stop 1 – Green Park is currently affected by a long-term closure of the main bus stand. While the Blue and Red Tours will continue to pass through this stop, boarding is impacted. As a result, the Red Tour now starts and ends at Stop 2 – Hard Rock. Customers are advised to board from this location.
  • If you purchased a 48-hour ticket, 3 walking tours are included. Meet your guide at the Big Bus Stop listed below and have your printed or digital ticket ready. Please arrive 15 minutes before departure. All tours are live guided and conducted in English only. Tours last approximately 1.5–2 hours. Royal Walk – 10:00 | Stop #8 Trafalgar Square Jack the Ripper Walk – 13:00 | Stop #19 Tower of London Harry Potter Walking Tour – 16:00 | Stop #21 Westminster Pier
  • Download the Big Bus Tours app to access and activate your ticket, track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.

Photos

London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise in London, photo 2London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise in London, photo 3London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise in London, photo 4London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise in London, photo 5London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise in London, photo 6London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise in London, photo 7

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 11,243 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

The guide

3 mentions

Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

Traveler reviews

11,243 verified traveler reviews for London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

5 star
5,116
4 star
2,135
3 star
1,297
2 star
1,055
1 star
1,640
Sort
njdshs · August 2026

London

Great tour and really enjoyed the boat portion which I wasn’t even going to use initially, but after sitting in so much traffic on the bus, it offered a nice change of scenery.

via Tripadvisor

Eileen_O · August 2026

Not as easy to navigate...

Not as easy to navigate as we thought Different routes in different directions complicated our travels Not as easy as crossing the street to go back a stop

Response from the operator: Hi Eileen, We’re sorry to hear that navigating the different routes wasn’t as straightforward as you expected. We understand how the direction of travel and location of connecting stops can make planning your journey more challenging, particularly when exploring an unfamiliar city. We appreciate you sharing your experience, as feedback like this helps us identify where we can make our route information and guidance clearer for our guests. We hope you were still able to enjoy your time exploring London. Madalina@BigBusTours

via Viator

Jean_H · August 2026

Buyer beware!

We were told to get off the bus on the other side of town. The circuit never complete. It was getting dark, and as two senior women, we were very uncomfortable. The guide and driver just couldn't be bothered for information. This was a waste of time and money. Although we have 48 hour passes, we don't trust you.

Response from the operator: Hi Jean! Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations, and we appreciate you bringing this to our attention. We value your feedback and would welcome the opportunity to learn more about your experience. If you would like to share more details, please feel free to contact us directly by email or via our Live Chat. We would be happy to look into this further. Alexandra@BigBusTours

via Viator

Deb_G · August 2026

Very good experience!

We toured the entire Blue route. It was great! We saw almost everything from the bus. Then we got off and took the river cruise

Response from the operator: Hi, Deb! Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed touring the entire Blue Route and that you were able to see so many of the city's highlights from the bus. It is also great to know that you continued your experience with the river cruise. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us, and we hope to welcome you back on board for another adventure soon! Alexandra@BigBusTours

via Viator

Michelle_T · August 2026

Good idea to see many icons of a city

Always a good idea to do this for an overall idea of a city. The opportunity to make decisions later if you want to re visit a certain icon.

Response from the operator: Thank you for your review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found it to be a great way to get an overall feel for London and its iconic landmarks. Hop-on, hop-off tours are designed exactly for that purpose, allowing guests to explore the city, discover new places, and then return later to spend more time at the attractions that interest them most. We appreciate you choosing Big Bus Tours and hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon! Andrei@BigBusTours

via Viator

Good to know

Duration
1.2 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
All ages
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Every day
Price range
$19 to $70
Booked in 30 days
3,927
Verdict
Solid Choice

Why this scores 64

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)7
Review evidence (18% weight)100
Booking momentum (14% weight)100
Value for money (12% weight)100
Listing quality (10% weight)100
Local standing (8% weight)0
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.

How much does London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise cost?

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Prices start at $19 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 London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise take?

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Plan for about 1.2 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 London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.7/5 across 11,220 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 London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise?

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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 London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise suitable for kids and families?

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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

How far in advance should I book London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise?

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Around 3,927 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 1.2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise 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 Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour. 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.

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