London: London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

London is easiest to grasp when you see it from three angles, and this package gives you all three: open-top bus, glass capsule, and riverboat. You can ride past Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, rise above the Thames on the London Eye, then watch Tower Bridge and the city slide by from the water.

I like the freedom to hop off wherever your curiosity takes you, and I like the way the London Eye and cruise turn a sightseeing ride into a proper day out. The Big Bus app, with live bus tracking, makes the system far easier to manage.

The catch is London traffic. A full bus circuit can crawl, especially near central sights, and waits can stretch during parades, protests, or late afternoon congestion. This works best when you use the bus for views and short connections, not as a fast replacement for the Underground.

Key points at a glance

• Three views of London: See the city from the open top deck, the London Eye, and the River Thames.
• Book the Eye early: Your bus ticket does not automatically give you a time slot, so reserve one through the Big Bus booking portal.
• Start at the London Eye stop: Stop 12 beside the Lion Statue on Westminster Bridge Road is a practical place to activate your ticket.
• Use 48 hours wisely: The longer ticket gives you extra time, plus Royal Walk, Jack the Ripper, and Harry Potter walking tours.
• Expect traffic delays: The bus is scenic and useful for orientation, but it can be slow around central London.
• Take the app seriously: It shows stop locations and live bus positions, which helps prevent long, unnecessary waits.

Three ways to see London in one ticket

At $74 per person, this is not the cheapest way to move around London. The value comes from combining three paid sightseeing experiences with transport between many major sights. If you already plan to ride the London Eye and take a Thames cruise, the hop-on, hop-off bus adds useful sightseeing time rather than just another ticket.

You can choose a 24-hour or 48-hour bus pass. The clock begins when you first activate the bus ticket, so the 48-hour option gives you useful flexibility if you arrive late in the day. It is a better fit for a first visit spread over two days, while the 24-hour ticket suits a tightly planned day.

The package includes access to three bus routes, digital commentary in Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, free headphones, and Wi-Fi aboard the buses. Infants under two ride free, and ramps are fitted to all buses for wheelchair users.

Starting near Westminster and the London Eye

The suggested starting point is Big Bus Stop 12, beside the Lion Statue outside the London Marriott County Hall on Westminster Bridge Road. It is a sensible place to begin because the London Eye, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey are all close together.

You can show your mobile or printed voucher to a Big Bus staff member or driver at any stop. You can also add the booking to the Big Bus app using the Activity Provider Reference number, then activate it when you are ready.

The area around Westminster is one of the strongest parts of the route. From the bus, you get a quick look at the Gothic towers of Parliament and the familiar clock tower usually called Big Ben. Get off here if you want a closer look at Westminster Abbey or a walk toward Whitehall and Downing Street.

The London Eye deserves its own time slot. You must reserve the slot after booking, using the Big Bus Manage My Booking portal. Do this before your sightseeing day, since a general package ticket does not let you simply turn up at any time.

The London Eye from daylight into darkness

The London Eye is a single rotation in a large glass capsule, with broad views across central London. From the upper part of the wheel, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament sit below and across the river, while the Thames cuts through the city toward Tower Bridge.

The best time depends on what you want from the ride. An early slot can help you avoid the heaviest queues. A late afternoon booking gives you changing light, and one visitor timed the ride so the ascent happened in daylight and the descent came after dark. That is a smart way to get two different views in one rotation.

The standard ticket included here is not a priority entry ticket. The queue can still be long even when your time is booked, especially in summer. Arrive early for your slot, keep your party together, and allow time for the walk from the bus stop.

The capsule itself can feel busy at the loading area, but the ride gives you room to look around and take photographs. You will not get the same close detail as from street level, yet the Eye is excellent for understanding how Westminster, the river, and the central city fit together.

Riding the red, blue, and green routes

The bus network covers a wide area, including Westminster, the West End, the City, Kensington, and parts of northwestern central London. Major stops include Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park, Harrods, Kensington Palace, Notting Hill, and the South Kensington museums.

The open top deck is the place to sit when the weather behaves. You get clear views of statues, facades, bridges, and street activity that disappear behind Underground walls. On a wet or cold day, the lower deck gives you shelter, though the windows are not as good for photographs.

The recorded commentary adds context as you pass each district. It is available in several languages, and many passengers find it informative. The tone includes jokes and light banter, which some people enjoy and others find tiring after a few hours. You can always remove the headphones and use the ride simply as a moving view platform.

The three routes are useful for different purposes:

• The central route links many of the classic sights, including Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, the London Eye, and the Tower area.
• The route toward Kensington and Notting Hill gives you access to Hyde Park, Harrods, the museums, Kensington Palace, and Marble Arch.
• The wider route helps connect places such as King’s Cross, the British Museum area, and other central stops.

Stop markings and route changes can be confusing at first. Look for the cream and dark red Big Bus vehicles, since several sightseeing companies use similar stops. Staff members are often positioned near stops to point you in the right direction, but the app is your best practical tool.

Buckingham Palace, Westminster, and the West End

Buckingham Palace is an easy place to pause, especially if you want to see the setting for the Changing of the Guard. The bus gives you a broad first look, while getting off lets you walk through Green Park and continue toward Piccadilly.

Trafalgar Square is another useful stop. From there, you can walk toward the National Gallery, Whitehall, Covent Garden, or the West End. Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, and Regent Street show a different side of London, with theatres, shops, and busy central streets.

Do not try to cover all these places in one bus loop. A long continuous ride can take much of the day because the bus shares the road with ordinary traffic. I would use one morning to see the route, then get off at two or three places that genuinely interest you.

St Paul’s Cathedral, the City, and Tower Bridge

The City route brings you to St Paul’s Cathedral, the Bank of England, Monument, the Tower of London, and Tower Bridge. This is where the bus becomes especially helpful for first-time orientation. London’s financial district can feel like a maze on foot, while the open deck shows how the older monuments sit among modern office buildings.

Tower Bridge is the natural place to connect the bus with the river cruise. The bridge is photogenic from street level, but the view from the Thames is even better because you see its towers, upper walkway, and raised span from a clean angle.

The Tower of London stop is also useful, though the bus cannot replace time inside the attraction. If you plan to visit the Tower, allow several hours and treat the hop-on, hop-off ride as a way to reach it, not as the main event.

The Thames cruise from Westminster to Tower Pier

The included cruise runs one way between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier, or in the reverse direction. The journey takes about 40 minutes and includes live commentary. Boats usually leave every 15 to 40 minutes in summer and every 30 to 40 minutes in winter.

This is one of the most relaxing parts of the package. From the water, you get a different sense of London’s scale. Westminster, the Houses of Parliament, the riverfront, the City, the Tower of London, and Tower Bridge appear in one continuous view instead of as separate stops.

The cruise is not a round trip. Plan your route so the pier you choose moves you toward your next stop. If you ride from Tower Pier to Westminster, you can continue toward the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. Going the other way works well after seeing Westminster.

Live commentary is a real plus. Guides such as Bill, Pasquale, and Dave have been noted for making the ride lively and informative, though the exact guide cannot be promised. One practical warning: engine fumes may bother you on some boats, so move seats if the smell becomes unpleasant.

The 48-hour ticket and its walking tours

The 48-hour ticket includes three guided walking tours, which add a little more character than recorded bus commentary.

The Royal Walk begins at Stop 8 at 10:00. It is the natural choice if you want more attention on royal London, Buckingham Palace, and the surrounding streets.

The Jack the Ripper walk begins at Stop 19 at 13:00. It covers a darker side of London and suits you if you enjoy crime stories and East End history.

The Harry Potter walk begins at Stop 21 at 16:00. It is a good family option, and the walk can add details that are easy to miss from a moving bus. A guide named Lea has led this walk, with an approach that works especially well for children.

Check the exact meeting details for your date, since these walking tours are tied to set times. They are included only with the 48-hour ticket, so they may help justify paying for the longer option if you want more than transport and views.

Timing, traffic, and the best way to plan your day

Do not schedule the London Eye, river cruise, and a long bus circuit too tightly. London traffic can slow the bus to a crawl, and road closures for public events can force you to walk to another stop. Delays have been especially noticeable near the Tower of London in the late afternoon.

A practical one-day plan would be:

• Start early near the London Eye and take the Eye first.
• Walk to Westminster Pier for the cruise, or ride the bus toward Tower Bridge and board there.
• Use the bus afterward for Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and the West End.
• Get off for one substantial visit rather than trying to enter every attraction on the route.

For two days, use the first day for the Eye, Westminster, and the river. Use the second day for the Tower area, St Paul’s, Kensington, Notting Hill, or one of the walking tours.

The bus is not the fastest option between two known addresses. The Underground will usually be better when you need to cross London quickly. The Big Bus earns its keep when you want commentary, open-air views, and the chance to get your bearings without planning every street.

Is $74 good value?

The price makes sense if you will use the London Eye, cruise, and bus pass. Buying the three parts separately can cost more, but the exact value depends on the number of bus hours you use and whether you choose the 24-hour or 48-hour option.

The strongest value comes from the 48-hour ticket if you plan to ride on both days and take one of the included walks. The 24-hour ticket is still reasonable for a first look at London, but you need to start early and accept that traffic may limit how much ground you cover.

I would not buy this mainly for transportation. London’s public transit is better for speed. I would buy it for the combination of views, the easy access to major sights, and the chance to sit back while the commentary explains what you are seeing.

Who should book this package?

This suits first-time visitors, families, short-stay visitors, and anyone who wants a simple introduction to London. It is also useful if walking long distances is difficult, since the bus connects many major areas and has wheelchair ramps.

You will get the most from it if you are willing to plan around traffic and book the London Eye early. It is less suitable if you prefer quiet museums, independent neighborhood wandering, or fast point-to-point transport.

The app is worth downloading before you leave. It shows route information, stop locations, and real-time bus positions. Keep a little flexibility in your schedule, and use staff at the stops when the route map feels unclear.

Should you book the London Eye, cruise, and Big Bus tour?

Book it if this is your first London visit and you want a broad introduction in one or two days. The Eye gives you the city from above, the cruise gives you the best rest break, and the bus ties together sights that are scattered across central London.

Skip it if you already know London well or mainly need quick transport. For most first visits, though, the package offers a practical mix of orientation, famous sights, and memorable views. Start early, reserve the Eye, use the app, and accept that the bus is part sightseeing ride and part traffic gamble.

FAQ

How long is the ticket valid?

You can choose a 24-hour or 48-hour Big Bus ticket. The bus ticket provides unlimited hop-on, hop-off access during the selected period.

Do I need to reserve a time for the London Eye?

Yes. You must pre-book a London Eye time slot after booking the package. Instructions and a link to the Big Bus Manage My Booking portal are provided with your confirmation.

Where can I start the bus tour?

You can board at any Big Bus stop during operating hours. A recommended starting point is Stop 12 at the London Eye, beside the Lion Statue on Westminster Bridge Road.

Where does the river cruise go?

The one-way cruise runs between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier, in either direction. The journey takes about 40 minutes and includes live commentary.

Are the walking tours included with every ticket?

No. The Royal Walk, Jack the Ripper walk, and Harry Potter walk are included only with the 48-hour ticket.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All buses have ramps for wheelchair users. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.