If it is billed as a hop on hop off bus yes then for the whole day you can get on and off anywhere en route.

Of course you can get on and off. But it's a very expensive bus. If you only want to see part of the route why not consider just doing it on foot or a regular London bus for a minute proportion of the cost?

Hi nytraveler, I thought of that but some of the routes are too far to walk to hence I need the bus to save on travelling. That could work too... I haven't booked anything so thanks for the advice, I will check again.

I think those buses are a great way to orient oneself to London or any large European city or British city of touristic interest - they are ubiquitous these days - they give running commentary in a Babel of languages - they are very very popular.

Bear in mind the traffic may bee in a grid lock and also you can access a hop on hop off boat, which we had to do and the view from the water is very different and a positive experience. I second PalenQ notes. we always do the hoho when in Europe and large ciries in the US/canada ie: San Fran, Seattle, Vanc. Worth the $$ we think!!!

The ticket for the Hop On Hop Off bus is actually for 24 hours so if you are clever, you can hop on again the second day, right before your 24 hours expires and stay on as long as you like. Or you can take your boat ride the second day, before the 24 hours expires.

It's a great way to spend your first jet lagged day when you may be a little stupid on your feet (at least I can be).

Some love the HOHO, but in London, I found it to be so traffic grid locked that I could walk a lot of places faster. We couldn't get off in the middle of the block and sat nearly half an hour within sight of the places we wanted to go. So, for me, not a good deal.

Agree with Sassafrass...traffic can be horrible! I'd rather walk or catch the tube to get in between places if traffic is heavy. If not I prefer the much cheaper regular buses. The commentary in these HOHO can be sketchy as I find it hard to hear if on top with a live guide, and the canned commentary isn't worth the huge cost.

I generally take a Hop On/Hop Off tour or two in every large city I visit. I am able to see much more of the city than I would otherwise do.

I've never had any trouble with getting stuck in traffic, but I guess it would be wise to do the tours outside of rush hour.

I've never been a fan of the HOHO bus, especially in London and always prefer to ride a real LT bus. The Underground has a handy little map that shows the bus routes in central London as well as the major attractions. But I agree that in rush hour it may be fast just to walk as buses can be gridlocked.

"but I guess it would be wise to do the tours outside of rush hour."

Not that applicable in central London since all hours the h-o-h-o buses operate are during daytime HEAVY congestion. Sunday's would be better - but otherwise there is no 'down time' re London traffic.

Check out the locations of major attractions in relation to the ordinary bus services and to tube stations on the TFL website:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/15101.aspx

And then work out if the commentary you get on a HOHO bus is worth the difference in cost.

For just getting around the city to visit various sites, I prefer the tube - faster, more efficient.

But I have ridden the HOHO bus and enjoyed it - the first time I visited London I used it as a general tour to get an overview of the city - I stayed on the bus for an entire circuit before transferring to another circuit to do that route.

The second time was with my parents, on their first trip to the city. Both times riding the HOHO were on the morning of flying in - a relaxing way to spend some time after being in transit for about 20 hours.