Is anyone familiar with "Coach Tours" or something like that, which is somehow connected with Harrod's Dept Store. We have been thinking about doing a double decker bus tour just to get ourselves oriented. We have done the "hop on and hop off" thing in some other cities and seem to spend lots of time waiting in line (or queue I guess I should learn to say). I read in one of the guidebooks I have been using for research that Harrods has a "Coach Tour" that is a little more expensive, but leaves from Harrods and doesn't make any stops--just a trip around the city. The guidebook indicated that it was a little more expensive than the hop on hop off tours but was very nice, with tea included. I would like to find out about this before we get there (November) if possible and maybe buy tickets or make reservations, but I can't seem to find a website. Is anyone familiar with this?<BR>Thanks for all your help. I will try to not be too big a pest before our trip but there are so many questions that just aren't covered in the books.

I've done the Big Bus tour three times in London and never stood in line or waited much at all. Busses are very frequent. I think this is one of the best deals in London. Great for getting oriented.

I agree completely with grasshopper. Afterall, you don't have to get off at every stop - just what really interests you. I did it 2 years ago, never waited in line. Well worth it.

Barbara, I'm unfamiliar with the Harrod's tours. I've done the Big Bus tour, though, and I know it goes round the city in about two or two -and- a -half hours. Generally, I just sit there and let the city go past, even if we do stop and let on other riders. I don't think there's much of a queue. You can find out more about London's bus tours at http://www.bigbus.co.uk

The Harrods tour is more upscale and is pretty good. But not really for general sightseeing as it doesn't go to all of the places the Original and Big Bus companies do.<BR><BR>You will not have to wait in queues almost anywhere for the hop-on-hop-off tours because they seem to have an unlimited number of buses. I'm sure that is a exaggeration - but not much of one. On busy days they operate more buses to accomodate the hordes.