Exploring London by bus is incredibly easy thanks to the city’s famous hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses. These convenient services let you jump off at any major landmark and hop back on whenever you’re ready to continue your tour.
But if you’re traveling on a tight budget, it’s also perfectly possible to see London by bus… simply by using regular public bus lines with your travel pass. While you won’t have a tour guide narrating the journey, you’ll still get to see plenty of iconic landmarks and bustling neighborhoods with the right routes.
In this guide, I’ll share the most scenic and practical bus lines for sightseeing in London—plus, when it might still be worth booking a seat on a classic sightseeing bus.
How to Visit London by Regular Bus Routes
1. Route 11: A Sightseeing Tour in Itself
Route 11 is a full sightseeing tour on its own! Running west to east across London, it offers easy access to:
- Stamford Bridge, home to Chelsea Football Club;
- Sloane Square, just steps from the excellent contemporary art museum, the Saatchi Gallery;
- Victoria, with its West End theaters like the Apollo Victoria and Victoria Palace Theatre;
- Buckingham Palace (the bus passes along the road right beside it);
- Westminster Cathedral and, a bit farther on, Westminster Abbey (you can book skip-the-line tickets here);
- Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament;
- St. James’s Park and the fascinating Churchill War Rooms Museum;
- Trafalgar Square, from where it’s a short walk to the National Gallery;
- The Strand, a famous London street near the London Transport Museum and King's College London;
- The City of London business district;
- St. Paul’s Cathedral—the last major highlight before the route ends.
Reading this list, you can immediately see why Route 11 is one of the best budget-friendly ways to visit London by bus. It passes so many of the capital’s must-see sites!
Check out the full list of Route 11 stops here.
Estimated time for the full route: 1 hour and 3 minutes.
2. Route 148 – The “Park Line”
Route 148 starts in West London and quickly reaches lovely Holland Park, a serene green space in upscale Kensington. It then runs along the Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park from the north before heading down to Hyde Park Corner and continuing along Hyde Park.
It continues past Green Park and near Buckingham Palace, then enters the Westminster district, home to Westminster Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.
Unlike Route 11, which stays on the north bank of the Thames, the 148 crosses the river at Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, continuing into the lesser-known neighborhoods of Elephant & Castle and Camberwell.
This line is perfect if you want to see central London’s green spaces and must-see monuments.
See the full Route 148 map here.
Estimated time between Holland Park and Lambeth North (right after crossing the Thames): 45 minutes.
3. Route 9 – Through London's Most Elegant Neighborhoods
Route 9 begins in Hammersmith, West London, heads just south of Holland Park, and runs through the posh areas of Kensington and Knightsbridge, skirting the southern edges of Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park.
This route is a great way to reach London’s world-class museums like the Natural History Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum… or to do a little window shopping at the legendary Harrods department store.
The bus continues to Hyde Park Corner, runs alongside Green Park (again, just minutes from Buckingham Palace), and heads to Piccadilly Circus—a must-see for many first-time visitors to London.
Then it drops down to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, before cruising along the Strand and finishing at King’s College London.
Check the Route 9 map here.
Estimated time between Kensington and King’s College: 1 hour.
4. Route 15: From Charing Cross to the Tower of London
Route 15 is a great way to explore London by bus, as it travels from the city center eastward. Starting at Charing Cross, it heads down the famous Strand—mentioned earlier—and continues through the City of London to St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The bus then descends toward the Monument commemorating the Great Fire of London and continues to the Tower of London, once used as a prison.
The second half of the route is less eventful, but Route 15 includes stops near unique landmarks not covered by earlier routes—making it a strong contender for your DIY bus tour of London.
Check out the full list of Route 15 stops.
Estimated travel time from Charing Cross to the Tower of London: 36 minutes.
5. Route 14: Museums, Theaters, and Central London Charm
Route 14 begins in West London, near the vast Richmond Park (famous for its free-roaming deer), though the bus route itself is a bit too far to walk into the park.
Key stops on this line include Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge Stadium and the West Brompton Cemetery (a fascinating stop of a different kind). The route passes directly in front of the Natural History Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum, then continues up Brompton Road, past Harrods.
From there, it skirts Green Park to reach Piccadilly Circus and continues along the iconic Shaftesbury Avenue—London’s theater district! You’re also near Chinatown, Soho, Leicester Square, and Covent Garden.
Finally, it stops near the British Museum, with the final destination being Russell Square. This is a great bus option for hitting many of the city’s cultural highlights in one ride.
Estimated travel time from Chelsea FC to Russell Square: 1 hour 9 minutes.
6. Route 24: A Journey Through North and Central London
We haven’t yet explored North London—but it deserves a spot! Route 24 is perfect for reaching some of the city's quirkier and lesser-known spots.
It runs through Victoria (mentioned earlier) and loops past Buckingham Palace, Westminster Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey.
You can hop off near Big Ben, then continue north through Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, and Leicester Square.
The route finishes in Camden Town, home to one of London’s most famous markets. You’ll cruise right through the heart of Camden via Camden High Street!
Find the Route 24 schedule and stops here.
Estimated travel time from Victoria to Camden: 50 minutes.
7. Route 26 and the City of London
This route covers some must-see spots in London that haven’t been mentioned yet, including the trendy Shoreditch district, home to famous Brick Lane street art.
The route starts at Waterloo Station (which used to be the Eurostar terminal before moving to St Pancras). There’s a lovely walk along the South Bank near the National Theatre—but bus 26 heads north, crossing the Thames via Waterloo Bridge.
It continues through the City, passing by St. Paul’s Cathedral and near “The Gherkin,” the iconic pickle-shaped skyscraper.
The route ends at Shoreditch High Street, the perfect area to explore vintage markets and indie boutiques.
It also stops near unique attractions like the Hackney City Farm or the quirky Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities.
Check out Route 26 stops here.
Estimated journey time from Waterloo to Shoreditch High Street – 46 minutes.
8. Discover London by Bus on Route 205
Route 205 runs through a part of London not yet mentioned in this guide: Regent’s Park. It starts at Cleveland Terrace near picturesque Little Venice and its canals, then passes through Marylebone, close to Baker Street and the Sherlock Holmes Museum, before skirting the south of Regent’s Park (where Madame Tussauds is located).
It then heads toward the major train stations Euston and King’s Cross—ideal for Harry Potter fans (at King’s Cross you’ll find a Harry Potter store and a luggage trolley embedded in the wall for the perfect photo op).
Route 205 continues to Shoreditch, a great base to explore Brick Lane and the surrounding area.
View Route 205 stops here.
Estimated time from Cleveland Terrace to Shoreditch High Street – 57 minutes.
9. Explore London by Bus on Route 390
Route 390 also covers many of London’s top attractions. It starts at Victoria Station, skims the edge of Buckingham Palace Gardens, then runs alongside Hyde Park.
The bus continues through the upscale Mayfair district and down Oxford Street, one of the most iconic shopping avenues in London.
It then travels north, passing through King’s Cross and crossing Regent’s Canal before ending in Archway. Archway is the most convenient stop for visiting the stunning Highgate Cemetery, a hauntingly beautiful Victorian burial ground I absolutely loved.
Check out Route 390 here.
Estimated journey time from Victoria to Archway – 1h15.
Regular Bus vs. Sightseeing Bus: Which Should You Choose?
| Criteria | Regular Bus | Tourist Bus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 🟢 Very low (Oyster) | 🔴 High |
| Audio Commentary | 🔴 None | 🟢 Available (multilingual) |
| Flexibility | 🟢 Excellent (many routes) | 🟢 Good (hop-on/hop-off) |
| Accessibility (strollers/wheelchairs) | 🟢 Yes | 🟢 Yes |
| Destinations Covered | 🟢 Famous and local spots | 🟢 Major tourist attractions only |
When Should You Book a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket?
In this article, I’ve shared several regular bus routes to explore London affordably—but don’t forget about the hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses.
They’re pricier, but what's the value? The key advantage is the onboard audio guide, available in multiple languages. Plus, the route is curated to include only key attractions, making it great for a structured, efficient visit.
This kind of guided London bus tour suits families with young children, seniors, travelers with mobility issues, or anyone with limited time.
You can book your ticket here (City Sightseeing UK, top-rated by travelers) or here (Big Bus).
See London By Night also offers a nighttime sightseeing route to experience London all lit up (info & tickets here).
Sightseeing with Afternoon Tea on a Bus
Another reason to splurge on a tourist bus? When the experience is unique! Some companies let you enjoy an authentic British afternoon tea onboard a double-decker bus.
Expect mini sandwiches, pastries, tea, and maybe some bubbly—all while soaking up London's iconic views.
Golden Tours runs the most famous option, the “English Tea Bus” (info & booking here), but there are other alternatives too.
Practical Tips for Using London Buses
Before wrapping up, here are some helpful tips if you’re planning to use London’s regular buses instead of a tour service.
First, bus stops are well marked with signs showing route numbers and directions. Keep in mind—cars drive on the left in the UK, so the bus might not arrive from the direction you expect!
Board through the front door, exit through the rear. Press the "STOP" button to request a stop.
Cash is not accepted on London buses. The cheapest way to ride is with an Oyster Card or contactless credit/debit card (just check for any international fees). You tap in when boarding but don’t tap out.
To check travel times and bus options, use TfL’s journey planner tool. You can also find the official London bus map here.
That map includes most of the routes mentioned above (right-click > “Save link as” to download):
I hope this guide helps you enjoy London by bus—a relaxing and scenic way to get around the city! Check out more tips if you want to explore London on a budget.
