Where can I buy Big Bus London tickets?

Right here on bigbuslondon.com. You get instant confirmation, a digital QR code, and free cancellation — all included. No queues, no hassle at the stop.

How much do Big Bus London tickets cost?

Tickets start from around £32 for the Night Tour and £41.70 per adult for the One Day bus-only ticket. The Discover (24h + River Thames cruise) starts from around £49, the Essential (48h + Thames cruise) from £65, and the Explore (48h + Thames cruise + Night Tour) from £79. Child fares are available for ages 5–15. The Discover, Essential and Explore tickets include a River Thames cruise that often costs around £20 separately.

Is it cheaper to buy online?

Yes — consistently. Walk-up prices at the stop are higher, and you lose free cancellation and instant confirmation. Booking here takes two minutes and guarantees your ticket before you travel.

Can I buy same-day tickets?

Yes, subject to availability. Buy online, activate in the Big Bus Tours app, and board at any stop. For the Night Tour, book early on the day — popular evenings sell out.

What is the difference between the One Day and Discover tickets?

Both are 24-hour passes. The One Day ticket covers the hop-on hop-off bus with audio commentary on board. The Discover ticket adds a River Thames cruise with City Cruises (board at Westminster, the London Eye Pier or Tower Pier). A River Thames cruise normally costs around £20/pax extra. It is included for FREE in your ticket. For most visitors, Discover is the better value pick.

What is the difference between the Essential and Explore tickets?

Both are 48-hour passes that include the River Thames cruise. The Explore adds the panoramic Night Tour of London by night, so you cover both daytime sightseeing and the city after dark on a single ticket.

When does my 24-hour or 48-hour ticket start?

From the moment you activate it in the Big Bus Tours app — not at midnight, not from purchase. Activate when you're ready to board on your travel day.

Do I need to pick a start time?

No, hop-on hop-off tickets are fully flexible. Just activate and go. The Night Tour is the one exception — you'll select a departure time at checkout.

Is the Night Tour the same as the day passes?

No. It's a dedicated panoramic evening loop that runs after dark — no hopping off, just London fully illuminated from the upper deck. Book it standalone or alongside a day pass.

How do I get my ticket after booking?

You'll receive a confirmation email with a booking reference. Download the Big Bus Tours app, tap 'Add Booking', enter your reference, and you're set. On travel day, activate and show the QR code to board. No printing needed.

What's included in my ticket?

All Big Bus London tickets include unlimited hop-on hop-off on the Red Route, open-top double-decker buses, and audio commentary in up to 9 languages. The Discover, Essential and Explore tickets add a River Thames cruise with City Cruises. The Explore ticket also adds the panoramic Night Tour. Attraction entry, meals, and transfers are not included.

How many stops are there?

The Big Bus London Red Route covers central London highlights including Trafalgar Square, Westminster & Big Ben, the London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, The Shard, Piccadilly Circus, Marble Arch, Knightsbridge / Harrods and Buckingham Palace / Victoria. Full stop list, map, and live times are in your confirmation and the Big Bus Tours app.

Are tickets refundable?

Yes — free cancellation up to 24 hours before your travel date for a full refund. Cancel or reschedule before that window and you're covered.

Can I change my travel date?

Yes, before the 24-hour deadline. Contact us with your booking reference and we'll sort it subject to availability.

Day routes rarely sell out. The Night Tour is the exception — capacity is limited per departure, so if you're set on a specific evening, book ahead to lock it in.

What if I miss the last bus?

Last service times are listed per stop in the Big Bus Tours app. Your ticket stays valid — if your 24 or 48-hour window hasn't expired, pick it back up the next day.

Is Big Bus London worth it in winter?

Yes. It runs daily year-round. Winter means shorter queues, quieter buses, and lower prices on weekdays. The open top deck is exposed but covered lower deck seating is always available — and the Christmas lights along Oxford Street and Regent Street are a highlight.

When is the best time to ride the upper deck?

Mid-morning on a clear day — best light, fewest crowds. Late afternoon in summer gives great golden hour light along the river between Westminster and Tower Bridge.

Absolutely. Child fares apply to ages 5–15; younger children travel free with an adult. Buses are pram and stroller accessible. The Night Tour works best for older kids given the later departure times.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes. A portion of the fleet has lower-deck wheelchair access, with accessible vehicles running throughout the day on the Red Route.

How does the River Thames cruise work?

Included with the Discover, Essential and Explore tickets. Board with City Cruises on the River Thames at Westminster Pier, the London Eye Pier or Tower Pier — your voucher confirms the available piers and operating times. Just show your Big Bus QR code at the pier to redeem.

3.8

based on 13,562 reviews

·9.5 million visitors a year·

TripAdvisorTravelers' Choice

·9.5 million visitors a year

3.8

based on 13,562 reviews

·9.5 million visitors a year·

TripAdvisorTravelers' Choice

·9.5 million visitors a year

3.8

based on 13,562 reviews

·9.5 million visitors a year·

TripAdvisorTravelers' Choice

·9.5 million visitors a year

3.8

based on 13,562 reviews

·9.5 million visitors a year·

TripAdvisorTravelers' Choice

·9.5 million visitors a year

3.8

based on 13,562 reviews

·9.5 million visitors a year·

TripAdvisorTravelers' Choice

·9.5 million visitors a year

3.8

based on 13,562 reviews

·9.5 million visitors a year·

TripAdvisorTravelers' Choice

·9.5 million visitors a year

3.8

based on 13,562 reviews

·9.5 million visitors a year·

TripAdvisorTravelers' Choice

·9.5 million visitors a year

3.8

based on 13,562 reviews

·9.5 million visitors a year·

TripAdvisorTravelers' Choice

·9.5 million visitors a year

Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tickets

Name: Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tickets
Brand: Big Bus London
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (90 reviews)

3.8·Activity provider: Big Bus Tours London

Explore London with a 24 or 48-hour hop-on hop-off ticket. See iconic sights including the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, with a River Thames cruise included on most tickets.

About this activity

Free cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

Flexible ticket types

Pick the pass that fits your trip: One Day bus-only, 24-hour Discover, 48-hour Essential or Explore, or the Night Tour — subject to schedule and availability.

Duration 1 - 2 days

Check availability to see starting times

Driver

English-speaking driver

Audio guide included

Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish

Wheelchair accessible

Check availability

Checking live availability...

Prices shown are the lowest adult fare for each day. Final price depends on selected variant.

•Open-top and covered seating on Big Bus London sightseeing buses (vehicle type may vary)
•Hop on and off at multiple stops near top London landmarks
•Audio commentary to learn about London as you travel
•Choose One Day, Discover, Essential, Explore (48h), or the Night Tour at checkout

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

See more reviews

Cindy - Germany

December 23, 2025 - Verified booking

Great way to hit the main sights without walking everywhere. We used a 24h pass and hopped off near the Tower of London and back on later. Commentary was clear and the top deck was perfect for photos.

Stacey - United Kingdom

November 19, 2025 - Verified booking

Easy to find stops using the map in the confirmation email. Even on a grey day the upper deck was fun — good value for a first timer in London.

Guests from United States,Germany,United Kingdom,France,Spain,Italy,Brazil,Australia,Japan,Netherlands,United States,Germany,United Kingdom,France,Spain,Italy,Brazil,Australia,Japan,Netherlands,United States, Germany and over 100+ countries have loved this experience.

Hop-on hop-off bus access for the full validity of your chosen ticket
Onboard audio commentary (9 languages via complimentary wired earphones)
River Thames cruise with City Cruises — board at Westminster Pier, the London Eye Pier or Tower Pier (Discover, Essential and Explore only)
Night Tour panoramic loop (included in Explore; available as a standalone Night Tour ticket)

Not included

Hotel pickup or drop-off
Meals and drinks
Admission fees to attractions (Tower of London, London Eye, Westminster Abbey, etc.)
Gratuities

Location & Itinerary

Total duration

2 hours 15 minutes

Frequency

7-15 minutes

First departure

Trafalgar Square

at 8:30 AM

Last departure

Trafalgar Square

at 6:00 PM

1. Embankment / Trafalgar Square

•Get direction3 attractions

Central boarding hub near Trafalgar Square and Nelson’s Column.

2. Westminster Abbey & Big Ben

•Get direction3 attractions

Westminster, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

3. London Eye / South Bank

•Get direction2 attractions

South Bank — London Eye, Aquarium and riverside walk.

4. St Paul's Cathedral

•Get direction2 attractions

St Paul’s Cathedral and the historic City of London.

5. Tower of London & Tower Bridge

•Get direction3 attractions

Tower of London, Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast.

6. The Shard & London Bridge

•Get direction2 attractions

Borough Market, Shakespeare’s Globe and Tate Modern.

7. Piccadilly Circus

•Get direction3 attractions

Victoria district — Buckingham Palace and royal parks.

8. Marble Arch & Oxford Street

•Get direction3 attractions

Hyde Park Corner with Knightsbridge and museum quarter.

9. Knightsbridge & Harrods

•Get direction3 attractions

Marble Arch, Oxford Street and shopping district.

10. Buckingham Palace & Victoria

•Get direction2 attractions

Piccadilly Circus, theatres and Soho nightlife.

From

£27

£34

per person

Free cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

Instant Mobile Ticket delivery

Receive your tickets instantly via email — no waiting, no printing needed.

Compare prices

Save up to £7.73 per ticket

Our priceBest

£27

Viator

Save £6.01

£33.50

GetYourGuide

Save £6.87

£34.36

Tiqets

Save £5.15

£32.64

Tripadvisor

Save £7.73

£35.22

Save up to£7.73 per ticket

Over 23 million tickets sold over a lifetime.

Select adults and children, then pick a date to open ticket options—or use Check availability.

Big Bus London Tickets – Frequently Asked Questions

Overall rating

4.8/5

15,045 reviewsbased on TripAdvisor

Value for money4.7/5

What people talk about most

Showing reviews for Value for money.

— Good value for a central-London itinerary

Ethan N., Denmark — June 2026

Explore Ticket — 48hr - Verified booking

“Booking on the official site was fast and the ticket showed up instantly in email. It was easiest to treat the bus as our base and jump off around Big Ben. Stops were easy to identify, so we never felt lost between attractions. For what we covered in one day, the overall value felt fair compared with booking separate bits last minute.”

— Good value for a central-London itinerary

Leila A., United Kingdom — November 2025

Essential Ticket — 48hr - Verified booking

“The website flow was straightforward and we were boarding within minutes. For a first-time visit, seeing Knightsbridge and Tower Bridge this way felt efficient. Audio commentary was clear and gave useful context without being overdone. For what we covered in one day, the overall value felt fair compared with booking separate bits last minute.”

— Good value for a central-London itinerary

Daniel N., Denmark — April 2024

Explore Ticket — 48hr - Verified booking

“I liked that everything stayed in one place: ticket, confirmation and route notes. We used it first thing in the morning, looped once, then hopped off at the London Eye. Wait times were reasonable and the app timing was mostly accurate. For what we covered in one day, the overall value felt fair compared with booking separate bits last minute.”

Reviewed by Noah from Guest Experience

16 June 2026

Appreciated — it is great to hear the day worked out for you, and that the pricing felt fair for what was included.

— Good value for a central-London itinerary

Zoe A., United Kingdom — September 2026

Essential Ticket — 48hr - Verified booking

“I booked directly on this site and the checkout + voucher flow was smooth. Our plan changed constantly and this worked well between Piccadilly Circus and The Shard. Top deck views were great, and we moved to the lower deck when it got chilly. For what we covered in one day, the overall value felt fair compared with booking separate bits last minute.”

— Good value for a central-London itinerary

Hugo N., Denmark — February 2025

Explore Ticket — 48hr - Verified booking

“Booking on the official site was fast and the ticket showed up instantly in email. It was easiest to treat the bus as our base and jump off around Tower Bridge. Stops were easy to identify, so we never felt lost between attractions. For what we covered in one day, the overall value felt fair compared with booking separate bits last minute.”

— Good value for a central-London itinerary

Amelia A., United Kingdom — July 2024

Essential Ticket — 48hr - Verified booking

“The website flow was straightforward and we were boarding within minutes. For a first-time visit, seeing Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park this way felt efficient. Audio commentary was clear and gave useful context without being overdone. For what we covered in one day, the overall value felt fair compared with booking separate bits last minute.”

Reviewed by Lucas from Guest Care

04 September 2026

Thanks for the honest read on value. We try to keep pricing stable so travellers know what they are getting before booking.

About this activity

Free cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

Flexible ticket types

Pick the pass that fits your trip: One Day bus-only, 24-hour Discover, 48-hour Essential or Explore, or the Night Tour — subject to schedule and availability.

Duration 1 - 2 days

Check availability to see starting times

Driver

English-speaking driver

Audio guide included

Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish

Wheelchair accessible

Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tickets

About this activity

Check availability

Highlights