I realized with incredulity the other day that although I have visited London about 16 times over the last two decades, I have never ridden on a London bus. I don't know why, I guess I just got hooked on tube travel (even though the actual tube bears practically no resemblance to little map http://homepage.ntlworld.com/clivebi...tube/tube.html). Anyway when I go back this fall, I intend to ride lots of buses. But for the record, I would like to know from those who ride them regularly, what are the advantages over tube travel, leaving aside the obvious fact that you can see where you're going? Thanks!

Buses might get you closer to your final destination, especially (though this isn't usually an issue for tourists) as you go out of the centre.

And because you can see where you're going, you get a rather better sense of where things are in relation to each other.

Oh, and in the centre, buses might be an easier way to get from some points to others, once you've taken into account the distances and the amount of stairs and changing on the tube. So might walking, in some famous cases.

Probably this is not important for you...but it involves a lot less walking than tube If one has to measure the time that loses walking inside the tube station, unless the trip is really long..maybe the bus is quicker

I know; I'm always amazed at the amount of walking I do underground. Patrick, this trip I plan to go to Chiswick and Finchley, which are sort of out of Tourist London, I think. In central London, I tend to walk unless time is a big factor. And I agree with your remark about getting a better sense of where things are - I know some parts of town fairly well and I could get off the bus when I see something that I know is close to what I'm looking for (and when the bus has come to a complete stop)!

I love riding London Buses - esp when i can nab a seat up top over the driver in the upper front window

great views

but buses can be frustrating - especially when one does not turn up for what seems hours then two of the same number come by

Last month i waited for a main bus in front of Harrods for what seemed like hours - every other bus that stopped at that stand came by two or three times - the one i wanted never did so i hopped on another and went somewhere else.

The Tube however trundles by every few minutes - but yes bus if you are not in a hurry - they can get snarled in London's still oft horrendous traffic (in spite of the Congestion Charge) as well.

They are also cheaper - one day bus passes are good for all of great London and cost 3.5 or 4 pounds - a tube ride 1.5 pounds apiece (4 quid without an Oyster Card, which also gives you reduced bus ticket and pass prices i believe)

For me, I think that getting closer to your stop is a big plus. There's nothing really wrong with the buses, other than traffic jams. I'm crazy about using the Oyster pass for both Tubes and Buses.

But, personally, I'm a TubeHead!

On our first several trips to London we were afraid to ride the buses. We finally conquered our fear and now prefer them to the tube. As mentioned, you get to see so much more of London and your feet will thank you.

There are times when the tube makes more sense, like if you need to get across town quickly, but the buses are great.

And do try to get the top front seats if you can. We lovingly refer to them as the seats of terror.

After living in London for six months and riding the tube every day into work, I would say that I always felt happier on the bus because I could actually breathe. Though very efficient, the tube was hot and crowded in rush hour, and I never got a sense of where I was actually going. Still, for me the tube was all about getting someplace fast.

This last time I visited London in November, I took both the tube and the buses. The buses seemed to take longer, but I was more relaxed, the scenery was pretty, and I felt less harried in general. I also got a good sense of the layout of the land.

One big advantage with the tube - the stops have names.

Will you really know exactly where you are every time the bus stops......

Good point, RM67 I try to figure out...and well, if I fail one stop they are not usually too far Anyway, if I really want to go down at a stop..I ask the driver to tell me

If I'm not familiar with a bus route, I check out the posted route at the bus stop and find out what the stop BEFORE my stop is. Then when I think I'm getting close to my stop, I keep an eye out for the bus stop names (on the bus stop signs.) That way I know when to push the "stopping" button and prepare to get off.

They have started putting signs and a human voice system calling out the stops on some routes...saw it in action on the 148 route...perhaps it gets repetitive for a passenger already on the bus to keep hearing a voice saying 148 to so and so...Queensway....but indeed it's helpful...

At night when there is no traffic, the buses can be just as fast as the tube...sometimes coming back to my hotel from the theatre I opt for the bus rather than the tube and it seems as if the ride is just as quuick as the tube...also there are some great lines that follow the same route as the hop on and off bus but for 90p with an oyster card or £3 for the day as compared to what...14 or 15 quid for the hop on and off...(or course you don't get the commentary or the open top level!)..but th3 #15 route from Oxford Street all the way to the Tower of London is an incredible route as is the #12 (although it starts at Oxford Circus) which takes you by Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Parliament, the London Eye to one of my favorite museums near Elephant & Castle, the Imperial War Museum.....

brodeypetey:

From Chiswick or Finchley it makes sense to use a train to get into the centre. Depending on exactly where you're staying, you might need a bus to get to the station: and if there's anything you're planning to explore in the areas around there, local buses could be very useful.

Your best bet is to look at the local bus maps and see what the options are:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaro...green-2051.pdf

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaro...ntral-2090.pdf