The Top 10 London Bus and River Tours
Exploring a new city on foot can be a lot of fun, discovering something new around every corner. But when it comes to big cities like London, you’d end up exhausted after just one day of sightseeing if you’re doing it this way. If you want to rest your feet a little and pack even more sightseeing into the day, then a sightseeing bus or river tour is a great option.
There are lots of different tours depending on what you want to see, how you want to travel, and how much time you’ve got. So, let’s look at some of the best sightseeing tours for you to book for your London trip.
London Bus Tour
Hop-on hop-off London bus tour
Hop-on hop-off tours are popular in cities around the world. They let you tailor your tour to the sights that you’re interested in. Ride an open-top bus to see the best views across the city as you drive around London, along with commentary about some key sights and landmarks.
When the bus arrives at an attraction you’re interested in, just hop off and explore at your own leisure. There are lots of designated stops around the city, and buses will keep running throughout the day, so you can just hop back on another bus once you’re ready to see more of the city and head to your next stop.
You can book a 1, 2, or 3-day tour depending on how much you want to see and how much time you have in the city.
London at night tour
See the bright lights in the big city with a London bus tour at night. London’s skyline looks great lit up against the dark sky, so you can capture some striking photos of the city. Over 1.5 hours, you’ll go to some of the biggest attractions around Central London, including Big Ben, the London Eye, and Piccadilly Circus. Your tour guide provides interesting background on the main sights as well as some tips about the best places to go at night in London.
London’s ghost bus tour
If spooky ghost stories and grisly crimes are more your thing, then this is the tour for you. This 1-hour tour takes you around London at night in a black double-decker bus, taking you around haunted sites and locations known for murder, torture, and execution. Your tour guide will tell you macabre tales of the real-life history of certain locations, as well as the eerie myths and legends of others.
The Beatles tour
The Beatles are associated more with their hometown of Liverpool, but their booming career took them to London and beyond, so the city is home to lots of sights associated with the band. Take a city tour around the places they lived and played, filming locations for their movies, the headquarters of the band’s own record label, and the famous Abbey Road. Your guide will tell you lots of interesting facts and stories about the band and their careers along the way.
James Bond bus tour
James Bond fans will love this exciting tour around London, visiting filming locations from a variety of James Bond movies, from the classics to the present-day films. You’ll also get a tour of places related to Ian Fleming and the original James Bond novels, as well as some important locations for the real world of spies, like the MI6 building. Your tour guide will keep you well-informed along the way, with lots of facts and trivia to keep you entertained.
Harry Potter bus tour
If you’re more of a potterhead than a Bond fan, then this tour will be right up your (Diagon) alley. Explore the magical side of London with a 3-hour bus tour designed for Harry Potter fans. You’ll see filming locations around the city, from Diagon Alley to Platform 9 ¾, as well as some of the places that inspired JK Rowling while she was writing the novels. You’ll learn all about these places and some interesting background from your expert tour guide. Even the diehard Harry Potter fans might learn something new!
Check out more Harry Potter locations to visit around London.
London River Tours
Hop-on hop-off river tours
If you’d prefer to hop-on and hop-off along the River Thames, then you should choose this tour instead of the bus tour of the same style. You’ll enjoy great views from your boat, along with commentary about the sights. And then you can get off the boat at whichever stop takes your fancy, explore at your own leisure, and then get back on another boat once you’re ready to visit more attractions.
Thames river sightseeing
If you’d rather just sit back and relax on your boat while you see the sights and the skyline, then you can take the Thames river sightseeing tour that runs from Westminster to the Thames Barrier. You’ll see lots of big London attractions and travel past different districts of London while getting some really insightful commentary about the landmarks and London history.
The boats have both indoor and outdoor seating, and there’s even a bar where you can buy drinks and snacks.
Lunch/dinner/afternoon tea on the River Thames
Enjoy an even more leisurely cruise along the River Thames by choosing from a range of tours that serve you food and drink while you pass the great sights and landmarks along the banks of the Thames. Based on your schedule and budget, you can choose between lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea cruises, with a range of options available to book, including drinks and even live music on some tours. Plus, you’ll have the choice of audio commentary to learn more about the sights you’re seeing.
River Thames speedboat tours
If you’re looking for more of a fast-paced tour along the Thames, then you can book a speedboat ride. Get the adrenaline pumping and see the sights at the same time, such as Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and the HMS Belfast. You’ll find various tours of different lengths from a few operators, so you can choose a high-speed tour that suits you. Get some guided commentary on London’s sights during the slower parts and then get ready for some speed.
Whatever you choose, make sure you’re on time for your tour with a reliable London taxi service from Airport Transfers UK. You can book quickly and easily with us online for up to 30% off London transfers to and from lots of destinations across Greater London.