FAQs

The Big Bus Tour is a sightseeing tour of London on an open-top double decker bus. An entertaining commentary is provided by live guides, and a recorded commentary is available in a choice of languages. You may hop on and off at any of the Big Bus stops to visit attractions and places of interest. The Tour also includes a free river cruise and 4 walking tours.

There are many locations where you can hop on and off the London Tour. Each has been selected because it provides access to an attraction or place of interest.  You can hop on and off as many times as you wish and are of course welcome to stay on board for the entire circuit. Please see the Tour Highlights to discover more.

The Big Bus Tour runs every day of the year except Christmas Day, the 25th December.

You can start the tour at anytime between 08.30 and 18.00hrs. Your ticket is valid for 24 hours, so if you start your tour in the afternoon, you can use the tour inclusions until the same time the following  day. Tours run approximately every 10-15 minutes. Timings are subject to change, so please do check with a member of Big Bus Staff or contact us if you are unsure.

You may start your tour at any of the ‘hop-on, hop-off’ points. The principal starting points for the tour are Baker Street Station, Marble Arch, Trafalgar Square, Green Park and Victoria Station.

Your ticket is valid for 24 hours from the time you first join the tour. A complete circuit of the Live guided tour – red route takes approximately 2.15hrs . A full circuit of the Recorded commentary tour – Blue Route takes approximately 3.15hrs. If you plan to use the hop on and off facility please allow extra time.

The sightseeing tour offers a recorded commentary in your choice of either English, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, German, Chinese or Portuguese. These languages have been carefully selected to ensure the tour is available to as many London visitors as possible. The commentary is delivered to you via complimentary earphones that you will receive when you board the bus.

You can purchase tickets either on this website, on the bus, from members of Big Bus staff, from the Big Bus information Centre, at most hotels or by calling us directly.

If you purchase a discounted fixed date ticket on this website then yes, you must travel on the date selected. If you purchase an open date ticket, you can travel on any day.
You are welcome to buy your ticket on the day if that is your preference.

Yes, discounts are available for groups of twenty or more. For more information on groups sales please contact us.

Yes, buses are available for private hires. Please have a look at our Private Hire page to find out more, or contact us directly to discuss your requirements.

Generally, our first buses depart at 08:30 in the morning. Last bus times vary depending on the time of year. They are usually 16:30 in November to February, 17:00 in March and October, and 18:00 April to September.

No. Traditionally, buses are not allowed to stop in front of Buckingham Palace. We do, however, have a stop at the side of the Palace, where you can hop off to take pictures.

Yes, all tours are included with your ticket and you can interchange between them at will.

On the Live Commentary tours our guides will inform you. On the Language Tour, the commentary will include advice on all of our stops.

No, with the exception of the river cruise, entrance to attractions is not included in the ticket price. However, you can purchase tickets for London attractions from Big Bus Tours, which can often save you money and time queuing.

Until 29th February 2012, we will be offering an automatic extension to all tickets purchased either at our bus stops, in the Big Bus Information Centre, through other agents or online.  Your ticket will therefore be valid for 48hrs instead of 24hrs - giving you twice as long to enjoy your experience!  If you are making a purchase online the extension will not show up in your shopping basket, but will appear on your bus ticket when you redeem your printed voucher before starting your tour.

The Cruise departs from Tower Pier, Waterloo Pier or Westminster Pier, and takes approximately 30 minutes.

No. You will need to buy your ticket or exchange your voucher from one of our representatives upon boarding the bus. They will then provide you with a ticket that includes your pass for the cruise.

A child ticket is available for children aged between 5 and 15 years. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children aged under 5 may travel free of charge if accompanied by a dedicated adult.