Which london bus tour and how much?
 

Our flight arrives early on day one and would like a light itinerary for the day especially since we have to wait a few hours before check-in time. I am therefore inclined to do a bus tour rather than acquaint myself with the bus system after more than 12hrs of flying! Which london hop on hop off bus tour should we take? One trip report here suggested to take a bus tour covered on top - in case it rains. We will be in London in mid-June. I can't seem to find any bus tour with a covered top deck.

And finally, how much do you tip the bus driver and commentator?

There are two companies that can help you out...

1) Big Bus (www.bigbustours.com); and
2) The Original Tour (www.theoriginaltour.com)

Both give a good service and will aquaint you with London. They both have several routes to chose from.

I'd personally recommend using The Original Tour's yellow line/route to give you the best introduction to the city of Westminster and the City of London. This particular tour lasts for just over two hours (it's also hop on, hop off).

First tour departs at about 8.30am, though I'd recommend waiting till about 9.30 and after (usually the guides don't put too much effort into the earliest tours... a general rule of thumb - the more passengers on the bus, the more effort the guide gives and the more enjoyable the tours become).

To join the yellow route at the very beginning of its journey - head to Picadilly Circus. From there, ask for directions to a street called Haymarket or Coventry Street (both are between Picadilly Circus and Leicester Square. Not sure where the bus currently departs from as there are major roadworks going on in the area - go to the Haymarket first, the staff there will help you out).

Ticket price for adults: £18 (although I think you can get it cheaper online).

As for needing a bus with a cover - not that important. Yes it's possible to be caught in the rain, weather depending. If this happens, simply move downstairs out of the rain/drizzle. Alternatively collect a free rainmac from the guide (both companies hand out these rainmacs/ponchos).

If a covered top is important for you some of Big Busses fleet have covers that can be drawn back in case of rain.

Tip the commentator/guide and driver however much you feel the tour was worth. I've heard of tips ranging from as little as £1 to as much as £20. Again, it depends on how much you enjoyed your time on board.

The way to get the most from your ticket is to remain on the bus for the entire duration so you get a good feeling for the layout of the city and the various attractions. There after take the tour once more and jump off at the sites that appeal to you most.

Have fun!
Cameron

Oh, just a quick after thought.

The time that you'll be in London there is a huge possibility that the temperature will be reasonably high and the sun will be out (it is a misconception that it is always overcast and raining in London. The weather is mostly unpredictable but not always rainy).

Which thus means you want to bring sunscreen (in case the sun is out) and you'd want to be on an open top bus.

Being in any enclosed busses will be extremly hot, especially since we have no idea what air conditioning is all about.

Cameron

Thanks for the info Cameron. Can I buy tix from the hotel concierge and join mid-way through the tour?

Of course. In fact your concierge will be an excellent source of local info too.

No need to buy from the concierege (and therefore have to tip him). You can buy tickets on the bus. You can get on at any of the many bus stop. They are circle tours so you can get on anywhere and ride the full loop, or hop on and off and on again anywhere on the route.

At some of the busier stops,there are ticket sellers standing on the pavement (sidewalk) and you'd buy your tix from them. Otherwise just pay the bus driver.