There is a lot to see on a trip to London, and especially on your first trip to the city. Taking a bus is one of the easiest ways to get a good view of London without too much trouble or expense; all you have to do is figure out which route you want to take and then let them drive while you watch the scene. London is covered by more than 700 bus routes, with many passing through some of the city’s iconic landmarks. As a bonus, many of the buses are double-decker, and what a great view you’ll get on the upper deck. This list focuses only on routes in central London and includes links to a comprehensive guide that summarizes all the places included on the route, as well as helpful tips and additional information.
London buses no longer accept cash fares, so you will need an Oyster card loaded with sufficient credit or a travel card. You could also consider using a contactless payment card to pay for London transport.
If you’re short on time and want to ensure that you see all of London’s great sights, your best bet is the classic Big Bus Tours loop.
Route No. 11
This bus route is perfect if it is your first trip to London. The key section of Route No. 11 begins at Liverpool Street Station and ends at Victoria Station. Drive through the city of London and past must-see sights like St Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.
Route No. 9
The best section of Route No. 9 begins in Kensington and ends at the edge of Covent Garden. Pass Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park, pass Piccadilly, pass St. James’s Palace and Trafalgar Square.
No. 73 route
Route No. 73 begins at Victoria Station and ends at Stoke Newington in North East London. It passes the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Wellington Arch, Hyde Park, Marble Arch, along the entire length of Oxford Street and through Islington.
Route 26
Route No. 26 begins at Hackney Wick in East London and ends at Waterloo via the South Bank. Drive through Hackney and the city of London before traveling over Waterloo Bridge for fantastic views on both sides.
No. 24 route
Route No. 24 begins at Hampstead Heath in North London and winds to Pimlico, near Tate Britain. Go through Camden and Trafalgar Square, as well as Parliament Square, where you can see the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.
Route RV1
The RV1 route begins at Tower Hill, near the Tower of London, and ends at Covent Garden. The route links the Tower of London with London Bridge and Borough Market, via Tower Bridge, and Waterloo and South Bank with Covent Garden Piazza.
139 route
This route begins in West Hampstead and passes through other upscale North London neighborhoods, including St. John’s Wood, where the famous Abbey Road pedestrian crossing can be found, before heading down Oxford and Regent streets, via Piccadilly Circus and around Trafalgar Square, ending at Waterloo with great views from Waterloo Bridge.
London Monopoly Board Locations
Visitors to London often walk past the London Monopoly board locations. It’s easier if you take the bus on these four routes, which will take you past all the locations on the Monopoly board. These routes all connect. Capture number 205 at Marylebone station, number 78 at Liverpool Street station, number 72 at Old Kent Road and number 23 at Fleet Street. If you want an abbreviated tour, choose number 23, where you will hit the jackpot and pass most of the Monopoly board names on just this route.
