shelleyk

I will be visiting London in a couple of weeks with my 14 year old granddaughter. She would like to ride on an old fashioned double decker bus. Can anyone recommend such a bus on a scenic route that might take about an hour to an hour and half to cover. What is the bus number and where would I access it in Central London. We are staying near Victoria station and plan on doing the usual tourist things-Tower of London, V and A, a show, ect.

Havana128

Can you confirm what you mean by old fashioned? Do you mean the original Routemaster model?

PatrickLondon

The 15 is the only route where there are still "heritage" 1950s Routemaster buses. These run every 20 minutes, as well as the regular buses on the same route in the new design, between Trafalgar Square and Blackwall in east London, along the Strand and Fleet St, past St Paul's and the Tower.

If your granddaughter just wants to ride on top of any double-decker bus, then let her loose on the map and take your pick!

http://content.tfl.gov.uk/london-visitor-guide.pdf

shelleyk

Thank you for your prompt replies. She wants to ride on the 1950's red double deckers. I did not know that they were called Routemasters.

Patrick-So we can just go to Trafalgar Square and wait for the RouteMaster at the #15 bus stop? Do you have any idea how long it takes to get to the end of the route? I know we can get off at any time and get a bus back to Trafalgar Square, but she may be interested in riding all the way to the end.

jamikins

the interesting bits you will want to see run from Trafalgar Square to the Tower of London...I think it would be about 30ish minutes depending on traffic.

jamikins

Just checked and you get on the bus at Charing Cross (right by Trafalgar Square) and it takes approx. 40 minutes to get to Tower Hill.

shelleyk

Thanks so much. I think we will combine the bus ride with a visit to the Tower of London, or with a walk along South Bank from the Tate Modern to the Tower of London. Hope the weather is good enough in March for us to do some sightseeing via foot.

IMDonehere

See if you can the first row seats on the upper deck, it is like being on a carnival ride.

Hooameye

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London...%28Heritage%29

https://www.insightguides.com/destin...aster-bus-no15

janisj

If it was me -- I'd combine the #15 w/ a visit to the Tower of London.

Riding to the end of the line is fine too but it is a long trip out and back. Jump on a #15 near Charing Cross or along the Strand (wait for a Routemaster if that is what you want) - it will take you up fleet street and Ludgate Hill, past St Paul's, through the City, and you can get off at Tower Hill, then visit the Tower. Then you can either take a bus or the tube back - or catch a river boat.

jamikins

The weather should be fine to sight-see on foot in March. Just bring an umbrella and a scarf just in case if the weather seems inclement before you leave. Even when it rains here it is usually intermittent so you may have to pop into a store or pub to see it out but hopefully it doesn't last long!

flanneruk

Do understand, though, that practically all buses in central London are red double-deckers. The Routemasters are just colder, more polluting and more uncomfortable.

What's more, a substantial proportion of the journeys you'll be doing in London will be faster, cheaper or easier by bus than by tube, taxi or on foot. By all means try the Routemaster: but don't dismiss ordinary, efficient, buses as your normal mode of transport for much of your stay.

shelleyk

I was under the impression that there were no double decker buses left except for the Routemaster. I am so glad I asked this question. Granddaughter would be happy to ride on any double decker, and I would be happy to do as much transportation by bus as possible, as we would get to view more above ground than underground.

As an aside, this trip is a birthday present for my granddaughter who has never been abroad. DH and I have travelled extensively, but this is our first trip back to London since 1991.

Thanks so much for everyone's help.

And if anyone has any other suggestions to keep a 14 year old girl happy, please feel free to chime in.

chartley

You wil find double-decker buses all over Britain, and they come in a variety of colours. There are also double-deck long distance coaches. The upper-deck is best for seeing where you are going, both in urban and rural areas, but don't wait until the bus stops before making your way downstairs.

Many buses now have free wi-fi.

janisj

>>I was under the impression that there were no double decker buses left except for the Routemaster. <<

check out these photos for an idea what you'll find . . . (No lack of double deckers )

http://fleetowner.com/site-files/fle...donTraffic.jpg

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/wp-c...on-Traffic.jpg

http://i0.wp.com/campariandsofa.com/...70d-800wi1.jpg

BigRuss

<<I was under the impression that there were no double decker buses left except for the Routemaster. >>

Huh?

There are boatloads.

Look: the double-decker buses make sense in London because they have relatively narrow wheelbases, are shorter than normal city buses (compare to the Ivecos in Rome or GM buses in the US) and therefore can navigate London's narrow and twisty streets. Two decks means they can carry as many or more passengers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-decker_bus

London also has bendy-buses, which are a complete horror. Avoid them - they're slow and they generally suck.

shelleyk

Got it. I think we'll stick to the Roadmaster on the #15 route, and use the new ones elsewhere, when we can,

anicecupoftea

The new, new red double deckers with 3 sets of doors and 2 staircases are also called Routemasters, in a nod to nostalgia.

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/new-routemaster

You were supposed to be able to hop off the open back door anywhere when stuck in traffic, but unless there's a conductor on board (is there ever?), the doors only open at bus stops.

sofarsogood

no bendy buses in London

tt16489

There were plenty of those old hop on buses in London 10 years ago. This was until some American lawyer got tipsy and fall from one of them. After he sued the city for big money virtually all of the nice old buses got junked