How much does it cost for a hop-on hop-off bus in London?

London hop-on hop-off bus tickets start from £25 for 24 hours with City Sightseeing or Golden Tours, and from around £32 with Big Bus Tours. A 48-hour upgrade typically adds £6 to £12. Booking online is 10 to 15 per cent cheaper than paying at the bus stop, and most tickets include free cancellation.

What is the cheapest hop-on hop-off bus in London?

City Sightseeing and Golden Tours are the joint-cheapest at £25 for a 24-hour ticket booked online. Big Bus Tours starts from around £32. Booking online rather than at the bus stop saves a further 10 to 15 per cent, and all three prices are checked regularly against GetYourGuide's live rates.

Does the hop-on hop-off bus stop at King's Cross?

No, none of the three operators run a scheduled stop directly at King's Cross. Their core loops are centred on Westminster, the West End, the City and the South Bank; City Sightseeing's route, for example, passes Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey rather than King's Cross. If you are staying near King's Cross, it is a short Tube ride to a central stop such as Trafalgar Square or Victoria, where you can join any of the three routes.

Which hop-on hop-off bus is best in London?

City Sightseeing is the best overall choice: it has the highest traveller rating (4.3 from over 8,000 GetYourGuide reviews) and the joint-lowest price from £25. Big Bus Tours is best if you want the most stops and the most frequent buses. Golden Tours is the budget option, especially with its attraction combo deals.

Is 24 hours or 48 hours better for the hop-on hop-off bus?

For most visitors, 24 hours is enough. You can ride the full loop and hop off at 3 to 4 stops in a day. The 48-hour pass is worth it if you want to ride multiple routes or use the bus as transport across two days of sightseeing.

Do hop-on hop-off buses run in the rain?

Yes, they run in all weather. The lower deck is fully enclosed, so you stay dry. The top deck is open, and some operators provide ponchos in wet weather. Rain is part of the London experience, and the views from the top deck are still worth it with a waterproof jacket.

How busy are hop-on hop-off buses in summer 2026?

Summer (June to August) is the busiest period. Buses on the main red route fill up between 10am and 3pm, especially at popular stops like the London Eye and Buckingham Palace. Book your pass online in advance to avoid queuing at the stop and to lock in the best price. Online bookings include free cancellation so you can adjust if your plans change.

What is the best price for a London hop-on hop-off bus in 2026?

Online prices are typically 10 to 15 per cent lower than walk-up prices at the stop. For summer 2026, City Sightseeing and Golden Tours both sell 24-hour passes from £25 online, and Big Bus starts from around £32. Book through the operator links on this page for the best available rate with free cancellation.

Best Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours in London: 2026 Comparison

Quick answer

City Sightseeing is the best all-rounder (from £25, rated 4.3 from over 8,000 reviews), Big Bus Tours has the widest route coverage (from £32), and Golden Tours is the budget pick (from £25). All three offer free cancellation when booked online.

Updated: 6 August 2026

Top pick

Best for First-time visitor

City Sightseeing

Highest rated (4.3 from 8,000+ reviews) and joint-cheapest at £25. The safest all-round pick.

Book nowFree cancellation • Instant confirmation

Best for Families

Big Bus Tours

Most frequent departures and the widest stop coverage, so less standing around with restless kids. From £32.

Book nowFree cancellation • Instant confirmation

Best for Budget trip

Golden Tours

From £25 with combo deals bundling in attractions like Madame Tussauds and the London Eye.

Book nowFree cancellation • Instant confirmation

Quick Comparison: All Three Operators

Quick verdict: City Sightseeing is the best all-rounder with the highest traveller rating and the joint-lowest price, Big Bus Tours has the widest route coverage, and Golden Tours is the budget pick with attraction combo deals.

Three operators sell hop-on hop-off bus passes for London online. Here is how they compare at a glance, with each link going to that operator's own bookable ticket.

Operator	Best For	24-hour from	Traveller rating	Book
City Sightseeing	Best overall value and rating	£25	4.3 (8,000+ reviews)	Book now →
Big Bus Tours	Most stops, biggest fleet	£32	4.1 (4,700+ reviews)	Book now →
Golden Tours	Budget trips, combo deals	£25	3.8 (1,200+ reviews)	Book now →

Ratings and prices are live GetYourGuide figures checked in July 2026. A Thames river cruise is included with or bookable alongside most tickets; check the ticket options on the booking page. Booking online is typically 10-15% cheaper than paying at the bus stop and includes free cancellation.

How Hop-On Hop-Off Works

Hop-on hop-off bus tours use open-top double-decker buses that follow set routes through central London, stopping at or near all major landmarks. You buy a pass (usually 24 or 48 hours) and can get on and off at any stop as many times as you like during that period. Each bus has live or recorded commentary explaining what you are seeing. The buses run on a loop, so you can ride the whole circuit for an overview or use them as transport between attractions. Most routes start between 8:30am and 9am and the last buses depart around 5pm to 5:30pm.

Ready to Book? Top Picks for This Experience

Red open-top double-decker sightseeing bus in London

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

4.3 (8.1k+)Full dayFrom £25

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London Eye

4.6 (39.2k+)30 minutesFrom £25

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Big Bus vs City Sightseeing vs Golden Tours

City Sightseeing runs the famous red open-top buses seen in cities worldwide and is the highest-rated London operator on GetYourGuide, scoring 4.3 from more than 8,000 reviews. Recorded commentary is available in multiple languages and tickets start from £25, making it the best overall pick for most visitors. Check City Sightseeing prices and book. Big Bus Tours is the largest operator with the most frequent service and the widest route coverage, and its ticket can be combined with an optional Thames river cruise. Tickets start from around £32. Check Big Bus prices and book. Golden Tours is a London-based operator and Gray Line partner, and the budget option from £25, with combination deals that bundle the bus with attractions like Madame Tussauds and the London Eye. Check Golden Tours prices and book. All three cover the same core landmarks, but their routes, frequency, and extras differ.

Route Comparison

Big Bus runs colour-coded routes covering Westminster, the City, and Kensington. Their red route passes the most landmarks and is the one most visitors choose. Book the Big Bus route. City Sightseeing follows a central loop that takes in Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, and the London Eye. Book the City Sightseeing route. Golden Tours runs two main routes with a focus on the central sightseeing core, plus a connection past Harrods and Kensington. Book the Golden Tours route. Frequency is every 10 to 20 minutes on the main loops in summer, stretching to 30 minutes in winter or on outer sections. A Thames river cruise is included with or bookable alongside most tickets, though the boat operators and departure piers vary. All three operators stop near the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the London Eye.

Ready to Book? Top Picks for This Experience

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

4.3 (8.1k+)Full dayFrom £25

Book Now

Tower of London

4.6 (31.7k+)2-3 hoursFrom £37

Book Now

Price Comparison

London hop-on hop-off bus prices: from £25 for 24 hours (City Sightseeing, Golden Tours) or from £32 (Big Bus Tours), all cheaper when booked online than at the bus stop.

City Sightseeing and Golden Tours are the joint-cheapest, with 24-hour tickets from £25 when booked online. Big Bus starts from around £32 for 24 hours. Upgrading to a 48-hour pass typically adds £6 to £12 with any operator, and it is worth it if you want to use the bus as transport across two full days. All three offer online discounts of 10 to 15% versus paying at the stop. Family tickets (2 adults, 2 children) are available from all operators, and children under 5 travel free on all services. Where a Thames cruise is included it is worth £12 to £15 on its own, so factor that into the value comparison. Book the £25 City Sightseeing pass here or compare the operator links in the table above. Want the full ticket breakdown first? Our City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus page lists what the pass includes, the route it covers, and live availability.

Which to Choose for Families

For families, City Sightseeing is the safe pick: the classic red open-top bus is an attraction in itself for children, the central loop is short enough to hold their attention, and dedicated kids' commentary is available on the audio system. Book City Sightseeing for families. Big Bus suits families who plan to hop off at lots of stops, as its higher frequency means less waiting around with restless children. Book Big Bus for families. Golden Tours works well for budget-conscious families, especially with its combo tickets that bundle the bus with child-friendly attractions like Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE. Book Golden Tours for families. All three allow pushchairs to be folded and stored on the lower deck. Sitting on the top deck at the front is the most exciting spot for children.

Ready to Book? Top Picks for This Experience

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

4.3 (8.1k+)Full dayFrom £25

Book Now

Buckingham Palace

4.6 (8k+)2.5 hoursFrom £33

Book Now

Tips for Getting the Most from Your Ticket

Start early in the morning to make the most of your time window. Ride the full loop first without getting off, then use the rest of your pass to hop on and off at the stops that interest you most. Sit on the top deck for the best views and photo opportunities, but be prepared for wind and occasional rain (bring a light jacket even in summer). The front seats on the top deck fill up first, so boarding at quieter stops gives you the best chance of getting them. Combine your bus ticket with the included Thames cruise for variety. Avoid the buses during school holidays and weekends between 11am and 2pm, when they are busiest. In summer 2026, buses on the main red route regularly sell out of pre-booked slots by midday, so book your pass in advance to guarantee your preferred departure. Ready to book? Secure the City Sightseeing pass here with free cancellation and instant confirmation, or use the operator links in the comparison table above.

Recommended Tours

Highly Rated

Free cancellation

Full day

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Explore London's top sights from an open-top bus, hopping on and off at your own pace.

London Eye

See London from 135m up with 360-degree panoramic views from the iconic observation wheel.

Tower of London

Explore 1,000 years of history and see the Crown Jewels at this iconic London fortress.

Buckingham Palace

Tour the magnificent State Rooms of the King's official London residence.

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