Hop-on-hop-off buses in London
Jan 21st, 2002, 08:42 AM
#1
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Hop-on-hop-off buses in London
Hi folks, I'm leaving for London this friday for a 2 day visit and was wondering if instead of buying a weekend travelcard it would be more interesting to try one of those tourist buses in which you can get on and off in the main tourist sites.
I've already been to London but now I'm travelling with my mom and I want to show her the most I can in just 2 days and I thought this would be a good idea..
Does anyone know what companies have these buses? How much do they cost? Is there a web site for any of them in which I can see the stops they make?
Is it really worth it or do I stick to the Travelcard?
Thanks !!
Deb
I've already been to London but now I'm travelling with my mom and I want to show her the most I can in just 2 days and I thought this would be a good idea..
Does anyone know what companies have these buses? How much do they cost? Is there a web site for any of them in which I can see the stops they make?
Is it really worth it or do I stick to the Travelcard?
Thanks !!
Deb
Jan 21st, 2002, 08:55 AM
#2
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debby,
i'm sure you will get varying responses on this one. it really is a personal choice. i think if you don't know the city that well and have limited time, it's not a bad thing. there are two big co.'s-the original bus tour and the big bus tour. i think the big bus is the one with the live narration. having done these when i first arrived and later with visitors who just insisted on taking them, i would definitely go with a live narration tour as it is much more interesting and much better value-as you can ask questions. i tend to drift when listening to a taped voice. the price should be about 15 pounds per person and probably includes a thames river cruise-if the weather is good you may want to do that.
if you want to do it yourself, you could try getting daily bus passes which are a bargain at 2 pounds a piece (8.50 for a 7 day i think). depending on where you are staying the 14 bus goes to the v&a museum, science, and history museums and harrod's, to hyde park, picadilly (past fortnum and mason, green park and the royal gallery)and to tottenham court road which is the bottom of oxford street. there are other buses with good routes, the 211 goes to westminster abbey and victoria area, and you could check out the 19 and 22-i think the 19 or 11 goes to trafalgar square and covent garden. you get the picture-so it would be easy to hop on and off one of these busses if you felt confident-routes are posted at all stops and on the buses themselves.
good luck!
i'm sure you will get varying responses on this one. it really is a personal choice. i think if you don't know the city that well and have limited time, it's not a bad thing. there are two big co.'s-the original bus tour and the big bus tour. i think the big bus is the one with the live narration. having done these when i first arrived and later with visitors who just insisted on taking them, i would definitely go with a live narration tour as it is much more interesting and much better value-as you can ask questions. i tend to drift when listening to a taped voice. the price should be about 15 pounds per person and probably includes a thames river cruise-if the weather is good you may want to do that.
if you want to do it yourself, you could try getting daily bus passes which are a bargain at 2 pounds a piece (8.50 for a 7 day i think). depending on where you are staying the 14 bus goes to the v&a museum, science, and history museums and harrod's, to hyde park, picadilly (past fortnum and mason, green park and the royal gallery)and to tottenham court road which is the bottom of oxford street. there are other buses with good routes, the 211 goes to westminster abbey and victoria area, and you could check out the 19 and 22-i think the 19 or 11 goes to trafalgar square and covent garden. you get the picture-so it would be easy to hop on and off one of these busses if you felt confident-routes are posted at all stops and on the buses themselves.
good luck!
Jan 21st, 2002, 09:04 AM
#3
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Thanks Amy, come to think of it 15 pounds is really expensive if you consider that the Weekend travelcard is about 6 pounds. I guess you're right..I can always use the bus system to get around on our own..and about the bus with the live commentary, the problem is that my mom's english is not that great so I doubt she'll understand most of what they're saying..
Thanks a lot for your help..
Thanks a lot for your help..
Jan 22nd, 2002, 08:42 AM
#6
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I enjoy the idea of a hop on and off bus, but in practice the original bus tour just didn't perform for us (but we only used it once). It was late arriving/departing and the taped message was difficult to hear. That said, it does go on a nice route through the city.
Jan 22nd, 2002, 09:19 AM
#7
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I loved the Big Bus tours. I noticed that the guides were very different but their little repartee was great. And they go everywhere where there is anything interesting to see. I can't imagine trying to do anything similar on city transportation! Besides, if it's not raining you can sit outside (bundle up) and it's a great view. Downstairs you miss a lot.
