20 Best Hop On Hop Off London Bus Tour Activities! (One Day in London)
Only have one day in London? Want to book the best London bus tour?
Awesome, you are in the right spot! We will take a look at the best London sightseeing bus options and help you plan!
On our last trip, we were able to book one of the best London bus tours! It allowed us to create an amazing 1- day London itinerary. We are excited to share with you all of the fun stops so you can plan the perfect one-day London itinerary for your trip.
London is an amazing city with so much to offer! One day in London is not enough time to explore everything, but it will give you a taste that will make you want to come back.
The best way to see London if you only have a short amount of time is to book the best hop on hop off bus London has to offer. The Original London Hop On Hop Off Bus tour now known as the Tootbus, is the way to go! It is one of the best London bus tours for families!
In this post, we will show you the best double-decker bus tour London has to offer. We will address what the best London Hop on Hop off bus tour is and compare a few companies. We will also give you a complete guide to major attractions that are located at each stop. This will help you plan your one day in London.
Let’s plan the best hop on hop off London bus tour!
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Which Hop On Hop Off London Bus Tour Route to Choose? 
On our recent trip to London, we were able to go on a hop-on hop-off bus tour! We had 3 options to choose from.
London Bus Tour Companies
- Tootbus London Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour
- Big Bus London Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour
- City Sightseeing Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour
- Golden Tours London Hop on Hop Off Bus
We went with the Orginal London Hop on Hop off but tour now known as Tootbus. We found they had the best London bus tour routes. The prices were similar. Some companies offer a River cruise.
Comparison Chart for London Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour Companies
| Tootbus | Big Bus | City Sightseeing | Golden Tours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 17 -45 pounds | 40 -45 pounds | 28-54 pounds | 17-50 Pounds |
| Routes | Yellow, Blue, Green | Red, Blue, Green | Green, Blue, Red | Blue Red |
| Cruise Included | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
London Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour Tickets
The London double decker tour starts as you purchase your ticket. It is best to purchase your ticket ahead of time. There is no need to print your ticket.
When you arrive in London just show your ticket on your phone to the bus driver at any of the stops. The bus driver will scan it and give you a paper ticket and headphones to listen to a tour of London as you ride the bus.
You are given exactly 24 hours to ride the bus. Meaning if you get on at 5:00 pm (17:00) Monday you have until 5:00 pm (17:00) Tuesday to ride.
Hop On Hop Off London Routes
There are five hop on hop off London routes to choose from!! London is a big city! They are color-coordinated and list the attractions at each London hop-on hop-off bus stop.
The Original London Hop-On Hop-off Bus Map
The Yellow Original Hop-On-Hop-Off London Route
The Yellow Route is the most popular and best London Hop on Hop off bus route. It hits many well-known tourist attractions that you would want to visit on your first time in London, such as:
- Buckingham Palace
- Westminster Abby
- Big Ben
- London Eye
- Tower Bridge
- Tower of London
- St. Pauls Cathedral
- Piccadilly Circus
- Trafalgar Square
- Hyde Park
- Marble Arch
Blue Royal Borough Hop-On-Hop-Off London Bus Route
The Blue Route hits some of the same tourist attractions that the yellow route hits as well as museums and other locations. All of these museums are free! This is one of the best London sightseeing tours.
- Kensington Palace
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Royal Albert Hall
- Science Museum
- Natural History Museum
- West End
- Buckingham Palace
- St. James Palace and Park
- Downing Street
- Westminster Abby
- Big Ben
- London Eye
- Marble Arch
- Paddington Station
Orange British Museum Hop-On-Hop-Off London Bus Route
The Orange Route provides some fabulous stops that are not available on other routes. The British Museum is a favorite. This museum houses the Rosetta Stone and has other historic treasures to take in. It too is free.
And if you are a Harry Potter fan, no more needs to be said.
- British Museum
- Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross Station
- Chinatown
- Trafalgar Square
- National Gallery
Purple Hop-On-Hop-Off London Route
The Purple Route will take you to places that are on other routes but can get you there quicker.
- Kensington Gardens
- Marble Arch
- Hyde Park
Red Hop-On-Hop-Off London Route
The Red Route is the only shuttle that takes you to Madame Tussauds, which is a wax museum. This museum does have admission.
- Madame Tussauds
- Marble Arch
- Hyde Park
Our Experience On Our One Day In London Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
We really liked being able to see the entire city as we took the London bus and river tour. The buses were not crowded and we were always able to get on and have a nice seat.
There were people at each stop to guide you on the bus and let you know when the next one would be arriving. The service was incredible and I highly recommend it especially if you only have one day in London!
One Day in London Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour in London
Now that you know the routes, let’s begin planning your one-day in London itinerary.
It doesn’t matter where you start from. We recommend that you purchase your tickets ahead of time, but you can also buy tickets the day of.
We found employees at every stop we came across ready to sell tickets, help you with directions, and direct you to which bus to get on, but this could be seasonal.
Let’s just start with stop one on the Yellow Line Hop-on-hop-off London route! There are so many things to do in London in one day.
I am going to list many many options, but you will have to decide which ones you want to add to your London 1-day itinerary. Booking the best booking hop on hop-off London bus tour is your first step.
1. Piccadilly Circus Area
On this one day in London sightseeing bus tour, Piccadilly Circus is a must-see.
Don’t forget to plug in your headphones for a history tour as you ride along. I recommended skipping Marble Arch and Hyde Park so that you don’t run out of time, and focus on Piccadilly Circus and other stops.
Piccadilly Circus is a really fun area (similar to Times Square in New York City). There are some theaters located in the area as well as a box office to buy discounted tickets to a show. If you love theater you might consider this.
Also, located in this area is a Lego Store, a four-story M&M store, and American fast food such as McDonald’s, Burger King, and Pizza Hut! I found when taking a tween to London, this is the place for them. Some familiarity mixed with the new.
2. Chinatown
Chinatown is located in the area as well. We thought it looked really cool. This is the place to try some authentic Asian food. If you walk through Chinatown you will be really close to Trafalgar Square.
3. Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a large area where many people gather. There are special events held in this area as well as protests. The National Gallery is in this area.
4. National Gallery
The National Gallery is an art museum. I’ll preface this by saying that I am not a huge art museum fan. But when I walked into this art gallery I really loved it because I had studied these well-known paintings in high school and they were very familiar to me.
Shopping Near Trafalgar Square
If you walk less than a mile from Trafalgar Square you will find some fun stores to shop at.
We had looked at Hardy’s Candy Store online before we left on our trip because they sell a special Harry Potter goodie bag.
We loved trying some of the British candy. The clerk was so nice and told us what his favorite was and we compared American candy to the British variety. It was fun! I have to admit that we Americans must really have a sweet tooth.
There are other cool stores, in this area especially if you are a Harry Potter Fan.
Once you explore this area and are ready to move on, jump back on the bus. Check out your map and plan your next stop!
Recommendation for One Day in London Itinerary
Being that you only have one day in London I would only plan to be in this area for 1-3 hours. There are so many things to see in London in 1 day. You have got to plan your time out carefully.
5. The London Eye Area
The London Eye is located on the south bank of the River Thames. It is the tallest observation wheel in Europe and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom.
The London Eye is not a Ferris wheel. It is an air-conditioned observation capsule. You will be very safe as you get the best view of the city. It takes about 30 minutes for the wheel to make a complete rotation.
We found that it was best to purchase tickets ahead of time.
6. The Shrek Experience
Shrek’s Adventures is a 4D experience that is great for kids. We wanted to go so bad! Our plane was delayed and made it that we arrived too late to go.
The hours of operation are 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on most days. Weekend times vary. so make sure to check beforehand!
It is better to get Shrek tickets ahead of time!
7. London Dungeon
The London Dungeon is a blast into the darkest history of London. It is an activity that I would recommend for teens and adults.
There are two underground rides, 360 sets, 20 live actors, 19 interactive shows, and 1000 years of history. The London Dungeon is worth a visit!
Hours of operation are 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on most days. Weekend times vary.
8. Sea Life Aquarium
The Sea Life Aquarium London is an extremely popular aquarium. There are really fabulous exhibits including walking with the sharks.
Hours of operation are from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. Weekend times vary.
Plan Ahead
If you want to do all 4 attractions listed above, give yourself about 6 hours. The London Eye takes about 30-40 minutes. The other attractions can take up to 2 hours each. Totally doable in one day in London.
Combo Ticket Pass
I found that it is much cheaper to buy a combo pass. If you already wanted to go on the London Eye adding these other attractions makes it only $10 more per attraction.
Plus, if you do not purchase your tickets ahead of time you will be waiting in long lines at the ticket office.
9. Tower Bridge
As you jump back on the best London hop-on hop-off bus tour you will pass St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Monument (built to commemorate the Great Fire of London), and The Shard.
Stop if these are on your bucket list. Otherwise, you’ll have to settle for a quick window view on the bus.
There are plenty of opportunities to get great shots of these landmarks from the top deck of the London double-decker tour.
One exciting landmark is Tower Bridge. The bus will cross this bridge before you arrive at the Tower of London.
10. Tower of London
Next on the one day in London big bus tour is the Tower of London! The Tower of London is a historical castle that houses the crown jewels. It is really quite amazing that this beautiful castle is in the heart of London.
It is recommended to stay at least 2 hours at this site. If it is a busy time of year you may want to allow more time. We loved our visit!
Hours of operation are from 10:00 am – 4:30 pm. Weekend times are slightly different.
Tickets are best purchased ahead of time!
11. Buckingham Palace
Since we are talking about a one day in London trip, you will probably only want to hit the most iconic sites. Buckingham Palace is on the top of the list!
Buckingham Palace is the London residence of the Monarch in the United Kingdom.
Tickets
In the summer months, you can purchase tickets to see the State Rooms, The Queens Gallery, and the Royal Mews (stables) Ticket prices range from 26-120 pounds.
You can purchase tickets on the actual website or tours on Viator.
Hours of Operation
9:30 am- 7:30 pm (only in summer)
12. Museums of London – Blue Royal Borough Route
Now, if you did everything suggested on the hop on hop off London bus yellow line route you probably don’t have time to do anything else.
But, if you are wanting to experience a different part of London this route may be for you.
The first time we went to London, we had an 18-month-old baby and were in school. So while we did some of the most popular attractions, we opted for the free museums.
There are over 23 Museums in London that are absolutely free! I don’t think we knew that before arriving. We were so happy! The exchange rate was atrocious the first time we went.
After seeing Buckingham Palace it is very easy to jump to the blue line. From the bus, you will get to see Queen Elizabeth’s Gate. I would recommend staying on the bus and not getting off at this point.
13. Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert Museum is dedicated to decorative arts, design, and sculpture. It houses a collection of 2.27 million objects.
Admission
Free
Hours of operation
10:00 am – 5:45 pm
14. Science Museum
We loved going to the science museum with our little one. There were a lot of hands-on interactive exhibits. My family loves museums so taking this route is a win for us.
Admission
Free
Hours of operation
10:00 am – 6:00 pm
15. Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum in London is most famous for its dinosaur exhibit. One of the best things about all these museums is that the buildings themselves are so beautiful. Plus, you get to see some pretty awesome exhibits.
Admission
Free
Hours of Operation
10:00 am – 5:50 pm
16. Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall is a beautiful concert hall. If you don’t have time to see a show, daily tours are available starting at 9 am.
Tour Admission
Free
Recommendation for your 1-Day London Itinerary
If you love museums, I highly recommend going to this area. However, your one day in London may consist only of museums because of the time it will take to view them. They are amazing and beautiful and big!
17. Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is another residence set in the Kensington Gardens. Tours are available for around 20 pounds. If you love history and beautiful buildings this is a 1 day in London must-see.
Hours of operation
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
18. Madame Tussauds – Red Bus Route
Image Courtesy of Visit Britain Shop
After viewing Kensington Palace jump on the blue line until you get to the Hyde Park stop. You can catch the red shuttle and visit Madame Tussauds.
Madame Tussaud’s is a wax museum full of famous celebrities! You might really enjoy taking a picture with the Queen.
Admission
Tickets to Madame Tussaud’s start around 25 pounds and go up if you want to buy a combo pass.
Hours of operation
10:00 am – 4:00 pm most days of the week. Weekend times vary.
Hop on Hop Of London Orange Route
There is not really an easy way to jump to the orange line from the red shuttle. The best bet is to go to Piccadilly Circus and get on there.
19. British Museum
Admission
Free
Hours of operation
10:00 am – 5:30 pm
This museum is dedicated to human history, art and culture. We enjoyed this museum but it wasn’t a great one for kids.
20. Platform 9 3/4
If you are a Harry Potter Fan this is a must-see stop. You can get a special picture of pushing your trolley through the wall.
There is also a really nice store that sells Harry Potter merchandise that is unlike anything we have seen. There is a real flying golden stitch and unique things that will make your stop here worth it.
From Platform 9 3/4 you can catch a tour bus to Harry Potter Studios. This is an amazing tour and if you are interested in going you should book months in advance.
Are you Ready for your One Day in London Hop On Hop Off London Bus Tour?
I hope you are now prepared for your one day in London with the best hop on hop off bus tour.
I’m excited for you to choose your 1-day in London itinerary. You can easily spend a day in each section of the city. Good Luck! If you have any questions just ask in the Facebook Group.
I know we listed a lot of information with tons of fun things to do in London but if you are looking for awesome day trips from London we have you covered as well. Or if you want to take a ride on the Eurostar and get a taste of Paris that is another option!
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My husband and I are planning a trip to London soon… I think this would be a really great way to see the city and many of the important sites in a short period of time! Thanks for the information
You will have so much fun! Be on the look out for more post about London!
This looks so fun I could stay a whole week! I would want to visit every museum and attraction. The Hop-On Hop-Off bus looks like the way to go. So convenient!
I know I wish we had more time! There is so many amazing things to see!
My cousin and I were just discussing how we both want to visit Lindon again. I will save this post for later, great suggestions that you make will be helpful. Thank you for posting this.
No problem, Hope it helps you plan your trip!
We love the hop-on, hop-off bus when visiting places for the first time and/or short on time. Provides such a convenient way to see the best attractions.
I agree 100%. Such a great way to see everything!
This looks like such a fun day! Your pictures are beautiful and your post is very informative. Thank you for sharing this
Thanks!
We’ve been talking about visiting London to see our English friends. What a great way to highlight the day.
It was a great experience!
Wow! What a day! Last year we tried a hop on hop off bus for the first time and found it was an easy way to get a great feel for a city.
Yes, I have tried it in a few cities and really liked it!
I love the idea of seeing all you want without the stress of how to get there!!
I know it is a genius idea!
Great Information! I love London!
I love London too! I want to go back!
I love hop on hop off buses. They really give you the lay of the land plus transportation between the sites. It’s a win-win. It looks like you had a great day in London.
Yes, I love that about the buses for sure. I feel like I have a grasp on the city!
I have always enjoyed the idea of this hop on hop off tour bus idea. I’ve never done it though. Thank you for the insight.
You should, it is so convenient!
What a fantastic way to see the city. I can’t wait to get to London.
It was such a great way to get around and explore!
London is a ton of fun. I’ll have to do this when I go back.
For sure! It was a blast!
We did this when we went too! It was a perfect way to see the city on a short trip. It rained while we’re there though and we only had the option for the top of the bus! We got so wet! But it was a great memory. Loved reading your post, brought me back.
Now that is a memory you will never forget!
It has been many years since I have visited London. I enjoy the museum.
They have so many fun ones, and I love that they are free!
We’ve never done the hop on, hop off tours but I can see the benefit for sure.
Yes, It is a great option!
This looks like the perfect bus tour! I love that they offer different routes depending on what you want to see. I would be hopping off at the Natural History Museum for sure!!!
Thank you so much for sharing!
The museum’s are really cool!
Thanks for your London tips and Tricks! Great photos too:)
No problem!
Beautiful photos! If I ever make it to London, a bus tour is definitely on my must do list.
Wow! What an amazing day! Thank you for sharing your adventures and beautiful pictures!
No problem!
I have always wanted to visit London! My husband and I are hoping to plan our trip together sometime soon! Thanks for the ideas!
You will love it! There are so many wonderful places to see!
This looks like a lot of fun.
It is a fun way to see London!
There is so much to see in London – you covered most of it! Love the hop on hop off – can continue sight seeing from your seat!
It’s nice because you know in Europe you are going to be walking alot, so its a nice break!
Your posts always inspire me to want to travel! Very comprehensive review!
Thanks! When I write the post it always makes me want to go back!
Looks like there’s so much to do and see! Sorry you missed the shrek experience. I hope you catch it next time you go!
Me too! I’m going to bring all my kids next time and put it at the top of my list!
What a great way to see London! Saving this to refer to when we visit!
Oh good! I hope it helps!
Wow! You got a lot accomplished! I love the hop on and off tours!
We were not able to do everything! I wish I could stay in London a month and see everything.
The hop on hop off bus tour sounds like a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time.
It is a great way to see the city!
Sounds like a wonderful trip! Thanks for all of the advice!
No problem! I love sharing!
What a fun way to tour London! How fun was the 9 3/4?
It was so much fun! We didn’t think we would make it but our train from France ended at Kings Cross! We were so excited!
The hop on, hop off bus sounds like a great way to explore!
It really is a great way to see the city!
This is such great information and beautiful pictures! We want to hop a plane and go to London now!!!
I keep saying I want to go back!
Such a busy day! London is on our bucket list, we will definitely think about doing this when we go!
Oh good!
Thank you for the detail! I haven’t been to London yet, but plan to go soon!
It is such a great place!
Never been to London but it’s definitely on my bucket list! Thank you for such a detailed post!
No Problem! London is so awesome!
The absolute best way to see a new city for the first time. It’s how I saw London for the first time as well. Great advice Lisa!
Thanks! I agree 100%
One of the ways to lessen the expense of travel is to take public transportation – something I tend to do more now that I am older, which is strange but true. Thank you for sharing!
That is true!
I spent four days in London and loved it! We heavily relied on the Tube and hop on/hop off buses. I love getting an overview of the city on the bus!
Me too! It really is a great option!
I have never been to London. 🙁 And I never knew these one day tours were a thing. What a great idea! Thanks, especially for the photos. Some day………
Yes, they are really cool options in any big city!
This looks like so much fun. I love adventure and buses so I would have a blast. Platform 9 3/4 would be my first stop.
I love all the Harry Potter stuff in London. It is amazing!
The London Dungeon looks so cool. That would definitely be something I would go to.
We will do that on our next trip with the family!