London Tootbus Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and Thames River Cruise

See London from above the traffic. London Tootbus gives you a flexible way to cover Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, and other major sights without wrestling with a street map. I like the three routes and the included Thames cruise, but service gaps and confusing stop names can test your patience.

I also like the open-top views, helpful drivers, children’s commentary, and real-time bus tracking in the app. The main catch is reliability: some passengers report long waits, missed buses, or sudden service changes, especially when traffic or demonstrations clog central London.

Key points to know before you ride

• Three routes cover a large slice of London: Central London, Buckingham Palace and the West End, plus Russell Square, King’s Cross, St Pancras, and the British Museum.
• The Thames cruise adds real value: You can ride between Westminster Pier and Tower Hill, with commentary from the boat crew.
• The Yellow route is the strongest choice: It links many of the big sights in a compact central circuit and received especially warm praise.
• The bus can save your legs: You will see more than you could on foot, though the Underground is faster for point-to-point trips.
• The audio is useful but uneven: It includes adult and children’s versions, yet some passengers had trouble with syncing, volume, or limited narration.
• Allow extra time: Traffic, crowds, demonstrations, and occasional service gaps can turn a simple hop-on hop-off ride into a slow afternoon.

What this London bus tour actually gives you

Tootbus sells a sightseeing pass rather than a fixed two-hour excursion. The advertised ride lasts about two hours if you stay aboard, but your ticket can be valid for one, two, or three days, depending on the option you choose.

That distinction matters. If you want a quick overview on your first morning, stay on for a full circuit. If you want transport between sights, use the pass as a loose sightseeing shuttle. You can get off at a palace, museum, bridge, or square, spend as long as you like, then board again at a designated stop.

The price starts at $53.74 per person. That is not cheap as a transport ticket, but it can work well if you use it for a full day or two and take the river cruise. It is less attractive if you only ride once, especially since the London Underground will usually get you across town faster.

You receive a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. The cruise ticket is valid for the same period as your bus pass, so a one-day bus ticket gives you a one-day cruise option, not an open-ended boat ticket.

The central route from Coventry Circus to Tower Hill

The main circuit begins at 1 Coventry Street, in front of Shake Shack. This is a handy starting point near the West End, and it is also the first and last departure point for the route.

From there, the bus moves through some of London’s most familiar central sights:

• Trafalgar Square
• Whitehall
• Horse Guards Parade
• Westminster
• Westminster Bridge
• The London Eye
• Waterloo
• Covent Garden
• St Paul’s Cathedral
• London Bridge
• Tooley Street
• Tower Hill and the Tower of London

This is the route I would choose for a first look at London. It brings together royal ceremony, government buildings, historic churches, river views, and the City of London in one broad sweep.

Trafalgar Square makes a good first stop if you want a central orientation point. From here, you can walk toward the National Gallery, though the gallery itself is not listed as a bus stop. Whitehall then leads you toward the political heart of the city, with the Houses of Parliament and Westminster nearby.

The Westminster Bridge stop is especially useful for the London Eye and river views. The bridge itself gives you a strong view of Parliament on one side and the London Eye on the other. This area can be crowded, so do not expect a quick hop-on hop-off exchange at every moment of the day.

Waterloo is practical rather than scenic, but it connects the route with one of London’s major transport hubs. Covent Garden is more atmospheric, with streets and public spaces that reward a walk. Since the bus stop is listed at Aldwych, you are close enough to make Covent Garden a natural break in the ride.

St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the best stops on the entire tour. The bus brings you close to Ludgate Hill, and the cathedral’s great dome is easy to spot from the road. If you plan to go inside, use your sightseeing pass as transport and save enough time for the visit.

The route then moves toward London Bridge, Tooley Street, and Tower Hill. London Bridge is a useful base for the riverfront, Borough Market area, and views toward Tower Bridge. The actual Tower Bridge stop is not listed separately, so check the current stop map if Tower Bridge is a priority. Tower Hill is the clear stop for the Tower of London.

The main weakness of this route is traffic. Central London streets can be slow, and a demonstration or road closure can hold buses for a long time. One reported delay lasted close to two hours, with traffic and street noise making the audio hard to follow. That is not a normal sightseeing day, but it shows why I would not use this bus for an appointment or timed attraction.

The Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park circuit

A second route begins at Grosvenor Gardens near Victoria. It takes you past:

• Buckingham Palace
• Horseferry Road
• Lambeth Palace
• Westminster Bridge
• Parliament Street
• Horse Guards Parade
• Trafalgar Square
• Piccadilly
• Green Park
• Hard Rock Cafe
• Hyde Park
• Harrods
• The museums
• Gloucester Road
• Kensington Palace
• Notting Hill Gate
• Bayswater
• Paddington
• Oxford Street
• Marble Arch
• Victoria Station

This circuit is a good match for a full day built around royal London and the West End. Buckingham Palace is the obvious highlight. Get off at Buckingham Palace Road if you want to see the palace area, then rejoin near Victoria or another marked stop.

Green Park and Piccadilly are useful for walking between royal sights and the West End. The Hard Rock Cafe stop gives you another clear landmark for finding your way, while Hyde Park offers a welcome change from dense central streets.

The route also serves Harrods and the museum district near Thurloe Place. This is useful if you want to combine bus sightseeing with shopping or a museum visit. The listed museum stop is broad, so check the app or printed map before getting off. Stop names are sometimes based on a nearby popular attraction rather than the exact location, which has caused confusion.

Kensington Palace and Notting Hill Gate give this route a more residential and western feel. Bayswater and Paddington are practical stops for hotels and transport connections, while Oxford Street and Marble Arch bring you back toward the commercial center.

This route covers plenty of ground, but it is not always the fastest way to move between stops. If you are going from Victoria to Paddington, for example, use the bus for views and convenience, not speed. The Underground may be quicker, while the bus lets you see how the districts connect.

The Russell Square and King’s Cross route

The third circuit begins around Woburn Place at Russell Square and runs through:

• Euston Station
• King’s Cross Station
• St Pancras Station
• The Royal National Hotel
• The British Museum
• Wyndham’s Theatre
• St Martin-in-the-Fields
• Covent Garden

This is the shortest-looking route on the map, but it serves a different purpose. It connects several major rail stations and gives you access to the British Museum and Covent Garden.

The British Museum stop on Great Russell Street is the key reason to use this circuit. If the museum is on your list, this route can make the approach easier than navigating unfamiliar streets. Russell Square, Euston, King’s Cross, and St Pancras are also helpful if you are staying near one of those stations.

The circuit ends its sightseeing value around the West End. Wyndham’s Theatre and St Martin-in-the-Fields put you near theaters, Trafalgar Square, and central London. The Covent Garden stop also links this route with the main central circuit.

Do not expect this route to function like a frequent city bus. The service level can vary, and some passengers have waited 45 minutes or longer. Check the app before walking to a stop, and keep a backup plan for important connections.

Why the Thames cruise is worth adding

The Thames cruise is the strongest extra included with the ticket. It runs through the central river corridor, with stops including Westminster Pier and Tower Hill. Depending on the operating pattern, it can help you connect the Westminster area with the Tower of London side of the city while giving you a far better view of the riverfront than a bus can provide.

The boat commentary has earned especially warm praise. It is described as entertaining, clear, and paced well for people who are not familiar with the accent or who have difficulty hearing. That is a useful contrast with the bus audio, which has been less consistent.

The cruise also changes the rhythm of the day. After sitting above traffic, you get open river views and a different angle on Parliament, bridges, and the City. I would use it as a sightseeing ride rather than a strict transport connection, since river schedules and bus schedules may not line up perfectly.

Remember that the cruise is valid only during the same period as your bus ticket. A one-day pass means you need to use the cruise during that one-day validity window.

Audio commentary, apps, and stop finding

The bus provides audio commentary for adults and a separate children’s version. Headphones are supplied, and the commentary aims to give background while you ride. It can be informative, but you should not expect a live guide on every bus.

Some passengers found the recorded narration thin, with too much music and not enough explanation. Others had trouble getting the commentary to connect or found that it did not match the bus’s exact position. The system may work well for you, but I would treat it as an extra, not the whole reason to book.

The app is meant to show real-time bus locations and the nearest stop. That is useful in theory, especially in a city where stops can be hard to spot. Yet the app has also been described as slow to open and difficult to navigate, and one passenger found its location information inaccurate.

Bring the printed map if you receive one. It can be faster than waiting for the app to load, particularly when you are standing on a busy pavement trying to decide where to board. Also pay attention to landmarks, not just stop numbers. Stop numbering changes from route to route, and names do not always match the exact roadside position.

Comfort, staff, and the real service trade-off

The double-decker buses offer indoor seating and an open-top deck. The upper level gives you the best view, but the lower level is more practical in poor weather or heavy traffic. There is no restroom on board, and food and drinks are not included.

The best part of the human service is often the drivers and crew. Several reports describe drivers as courteous, friendly, and helpful. One guide named Leon received particular praise for his humor and clear knowledge of London. Live staff may not be present on every departure, so the experience can vary.

The weak point is frequency. Some days have enough buses and open seats, while other days bring waits of 30, 45, or even 60 minutes. A bus has also reportedly passed a stop without slowing, and another service change forced passengers to leave one bus and wait for another going the opposite direction.

That inconsistency affects value more than the ticket price does. If you board quickly and use the pass for a full day, the cost can make sense. If you spend much of the day waiting, you may have been better off using the Underground and walking between sights.

Who will get the most from Tootbus

I would consider this tour for a first visit, especially if you want a broad view before choosing which sights deserve your time. It suits families, older visitors, and anyone who prefers not to navigate several Underground lines.

The children’s audio option is a useful touch for families, while the open-top deck gives children a clear view of the city. The cruise also breaks up the day and can be easier than keeping everyone interested through a long bus circuit.

You may want another plan if you have only a few hours, need precise arrival times, or dislike waiting. London traffic is not under the operator’s control, but the uneven bus frequency is still a real concern.

Service animals are allowed, the tour is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The mobile ticket is convenient, though you should have it ready before boarding rather than searching for it while the doors are open.

My practical plan for using the pass

I would begin at Coventry Street or Grosvenor Gardens and take one full circuit without getting off. That gives you a city overview and helps you decide which stops deserve a longer visit.

Next, I would use the central route for Westminster, St Paul’s, London Bridge, and Tower Hill. Add the Thames cruise between the Westminster and Tower Hill areas if the timing works, but keep enough flexibility for delays.

On a second or third day, the Buckingham Palace and Kensington route is better for royal sights, Harrods, museums, Notting Hill, and Paddington. Use the Russell Square route when the British Museum, King’s Cross, or St Pancras is your main target.

Keep the Underground in reserve. The best London sightseeing plan uses the bus for views and orientation, then switches to faster transport when you are crossing town.

Should you book this London Tootbus tour?

Book it if you want a flexible introduction to London, value panoramic views, and will use the pass for at least a full day. The three routes reach a wide range of major sights, and the Thames cruise makes the package more useful than a bus ride alone.

I would be cautious if your schedule is tight or if waiting frustrates you. Check the app, carry the printed route map, allow generous time, and do not build a timed attraction around the next bus.

At $53.74 per person, this is a reasonable sightseeing package when you ride often and take the cruise. It is poor value for a single short ride. For many first-time visitors, the smartest approach is to use Tootbus for orientation and scenic connections, then rely on the Underground and your own feet when speed matters.

FAQ

How long does the Tootbus London tour last?

A complete ride takes about two hours, but the pass can be valid for one, two, or three days depending on the option selected.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $53.74 per person. The final price may depend on the pass option you select.

What routes are included?

The pass includes three routes covering central London, Buckingham Palace and western London, and the Russell Square, King’s Cross, St Pancras, British Museum, and Covent Garden areas.

Is the Thames River cruise included?

Yes. A hop-on hop-off Thames River cruise ticket is included with the bus pass.

How long is the cruise ticket valid?

The cruise ticket is valid for the same period as your bus ticket.

Is audio commentary available?

Yes. Adult audio commentary and bespoke children’s audio commentary are included.

Can I track the buses?

Yes. The Tootbus app provides real-time bus tracking and shows the closest stop, although you may also want to use the printed map.

Is there a restroom or food on the bus?

No. Restrooms, food, and drinks are not included on board.