Heading to London this spring with my husband and daughter. My second trip, their first. We want to take a hop-on, hop-off bus tour our first full day there (which I didn't do the first trip), but can't decide between the Big Bus tour and the Original London Sightseeing Tour. Their routes seem to be pretty similar; any real difference between them, or is one as good as the other? Thanks!

Janelle, <BR>I would say they are just about the same. I think they all stop at the same places. All are double decker buses, so you can freeze on the open top deck if you like! The one benefit that I enjoyed was the opportunity to buy your tickets on the bus for some of the attractions they take you to. We bought our tickets for Madame Toussauds that way. We saved a couple of pounds and even better, we were allowed to go to the front of the queue to enter. <BR> <BR>We rode the Big Bus when we were there last March. I'm heading back again this March to spend a long weekend. I may give the other a try. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps! <BR> <BR>Beth

Beth: Are you saying that the Big Bus allows you to buy tickets on board? I think I took the Big Bus from Marble Arch. Do you know where the other stops are?

I used the Big Bus in London and loved it and, yes, froze on the open top but it was worth it for the view. Try to get the front seat as it's somewhat shielded from the elements. In fact, used it for 2 days because it was so convenient and then switched to the underground. I thought their commentary was great and the commentators personable - not like reading out of a book.

I see that Gray line has an Original Bus Tour and Arriva has an Original Bus tour. Are they both the same? And if not which one do you recommend?

http://www.theoriginaltour.co.uk

Or - do it yourself for $30 less with a bus pass, a tour guide (freely available at Tourist Centres), and this map: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/pdfdocs/cen_bus.pdf

Thank you. I'll order my bus tickets. Also someone suggested getting the London Pass to get into museums easier. Would you recommend that? We are in London 2 nights, 1 full day.

The London Pass rarely pays for itself. Unless you race around London and spend very little time at each place, you can't amortize it.

Besides, many museums and libraries in London are free anyway.

Notice also that www.bigbus.co.uk has a slightly different package as originaltour. You might like their add-on goodies better.

I just bought the tickets through the Original on the website you gave me. I understood that the original cruise was round trip and the Big Bus was 1 way?

You may get back on the Big Bus tour after the cruise, should you choose to that. You only need to go back to the bus stop where they dropped you off for the cruise. The bus only runs until about 6:30 pm.....It is a great way to see the city &quot;above ground&quot;. Very informative.

You do NOT have to go back to the cruise start. You can get on any bus, at any company stop*, for as long as your ticket is valid.

* Big Bus stops at Tower Hill (north bank) and Hay's Galleria (south bank) at the east end of the cruise.