CJanzen

I have been trying to get an answer from this tour company about their routes and what the fee covers, but they haven't returned my call and their website route map is confusing. Has anyone used this tour bus company? Good recommendations?
We are a family of 7 adults and for most part, the first time to London. I have enjoyed these buses in many cities yet I wanted to make sure this isn't a sham with limited drop off sites.
Thanks for you help!

BigRuss

Take a #9 or #15 around the city, you'll see the same stuff and pay about 1/8 the price or less.

CJanzen

I'm ready for that! I am finding out there are admission fees for Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's - places I took for granted we could get in for free. Not anymore, too bad.

CJanzen

BTW, does #9 or #15 go over Westminster Bridge to the Eye of London?

annhig

Which one are you looking at? googling, I found at least three in london - here's the thread.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourc...hop+off+london

I've never used one of these buses but take public transport as suggested by BigRuss, or walk. for 7 adults, at about £25 a head, you'd do better just going to what you want to see, and then taking a taxi [or two] to the next place.

CJanzen

The thing I like about the hop on is the guided tour, but I will just act as the tour guide for the trip!

alanRow

They've been around for 20 years and are pretty reliable. The ticket lasts 24 hours and is valid on all their routes.

http://www.bigbustours.com

There's also the Original Tour which does similar and has been around for a very long time.

http://www.theoriginaltour.com/

So what exactly is the problem?

BigRuss

High cost. 25 per = 175 quid or about $265 for seven people to ride a bus. Transit passes and three copies of a Fodor's London guide for the group wouldn't reach 1/3 of that.

janisj

"<i>I have been trying to get an answer from this tour company about their routes and what the fee covers, but they haven't returned my call and their website route map is confusing.</i>"

OK - I'm not sure why the confusion. Both companies (Big and Original) have very clear maps on their websites.

Neither includes entrance fees to any sites. Both include a boat ride.

What else do you want to know??

ElendilPickle

We did the Big Bus tour in May 2007. We only had 2 1/2 days in London and it gave us the chance to see and hear about places we wouldn't have time to visit. As BigRuss said, you can do the regular London bus for a lot less money, but we didn't want to figure that out in our jetlagged condition.

We found their maps easy to understand and navigate.

Lee Ann

KayF

Here is a map of the main bus routes in central London -
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloa...al_bus_map.pdf

Routes 9 and 15 have the old Routemasters but I don't think it's every bus that's a Routemaster, some will be the new buses. No. 15 would be a good choice to see some of the sights, fare is £1.20 on an Oyster card per adult per bus ride.

Kay

Jayneann

We just did the Original Bus Tour and thought it was worth the cost, especially since we took advantage of the free boat pass that comes with the bus ticket. The guides on both the bus and boat were knowledgeable and we saw a couple of sights in London we probably wouldn't have seen our first time there. We booked online, so we paid £22.50 per person.