Old Moaner Travel
I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list
London Getting Around: Sightseeing Buses
There is certainly a modern fad for city bus tours.
At one time it was only major cities which attracted such tours but now it seems they are two a penny.
They are however a great way to explore London for the first timer, although as I said in the bus section you can do it far cheaper buying a good guide book and catching normal service buses ….. and you have the added satisfaction of knowing you have planned it yourself and saved yourself a fortune.
There are three major operators in London. (Prices correct as at February 2020 and are "on the street" prices, booking online is cheaper)
The Original London Sightseeing Tour offers three circular routes, with three additional feeder routes from mainline stations.
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Your ticket allows access to all routes and, as is standard, you can hop on, hop off as you wish. Some tours have live guides (usually departing every half hour), whilst other have recorded commentaries, departing every 5 – 12 minutes.
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Tickets include a river cruise and three walking tours - Changing The Guard, Rock ‘n’ Roll or Jack The Ripper. Tickets can be purchased for 24, 48 or 72 hours
A 24 hour adult ticket costs £34 with a child ticket £16 more info
Three circular routes are also covered by The Big Bus Company and they also a one-way river cruise included in the cost, but only one guided tour on foot – Royal London.
Buses run every 15 – 30 minutes and commentaries may either be live or recorded.
A one calendar day adult ticket costs £39 , with a child ticket £20 more info
The third main operator is Golden Tours and surprise, surprise they also have three main circular routes, again taking in all the sights. Like the others they offer a free river cruise and this time two different walking tours one Royal London and one The Beatles walking tour.
A 24 hour adult ticket costs £34 , with a child ticket £16 more info
So, as you can see there is little to choose between the three operators.
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