England · HOP-ON HOP-OFF BUS TOURS

The 15 Best Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours in England

31 tours  ·  from $20 a head

An open top is the fastest way to work out a city on day one, and the ticket usually runs 24 or 48 hours. The 15 below compare routes, validity and which bundle a river cruise, priced per person.

London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise - The Thames cruise and the 48-hour extras
Cruises & Boat Tours, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, Thames River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in London

London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise

1.London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 10,803 reviews · 3 hours 35 minutes (approx.) · from $39Our pick

Use a 24 or 48-hour Big Bus pass to see London by double-decker bus across three routes. Ride past Buckingham Palace, Westminster, St. Paul’s, the Tower, Notting Hill, and the British Museum. The 48-hour option adds three walking tours and an evening panorama. A one-way Thames cruise is included with 24 and 48-hour tickets.

“Worth every penny saw so much of London drivers so friendly and helpful. The busses were frequent with no waiting”

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London Tootbus Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and Thames River Cruise - The north-central route: museums, stations, and Covent Garden
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London Tootbus Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and Thames River Cruise

2.London Tootbus Hop on Hop off Bus Tour and Thames River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3,834 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $53

See London from an open-top double-decker bus on three routes linking Buckingham Palace, Westminster, the Tower, museums, Notting Hill, and King’s Cross. Use the app to track buses, plug in the audio guide, and add a Thames sightseeing cruise valid for the same period as your pass. A guide named Leon has also led especially engaging departures.

“This is a really good way to get to see landmarks and areas of the city. It's convenient to get off to walk around and get back on later to continue the tour. An audio track is available to plug into, and headphones are provided. We opted for the river tour as well, and the commentary provided by the boat operator was entertaining. He also made an effort to speak slowly and clearly for people who were unfamiliar with the language/accent or who had trouble hearing. Much appreciated!”

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Liverpool City Sights Hop On Hop Off City Tour - 24hr Ticket - Start at Gower Street or the waterfront
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Liverpool City Sights Hop On Hop Off City Tour – 24hr Ticket

3.Liverpool City Sights Hop On Hop Off City Tour – 24hr Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,555 reviews · 50 minutes (approx.) · from $19Best value

See Liverpool from an open-top or enclosed bus, with commentary, 14 stops, and a 24-hour ticket. You’ll pass the Cavern Club, Beatles statues, cathedrals, museums, China Town, and the Baltic Triangle. Guides such as Kim add lively local stories, while a free glass of bubbly awaits at the Philharmonic Dining Rooms.

“Ended up upgrading to the Beetles blue line tour. This hop on hop off was very affordable because you got the route to see must see places in Liverpool regarding the Beetles and then you were able to get off and do the hop on hop off of Liverpool. Truly got a very good perspective of the city historically and as the home of the Beetles”

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Ghost Bus Tour of York - Clifford’s Tower and York’s darker past
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Ghost Bus Tour of York

4.Ghost Bus Tour of York

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,404 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Board a classic Routemaster in central York for a 60 to 75 minute evening tour of haunted sites and grim local history. Guides such as Phil Graves, Frank Stein, and Jon Doe mix ghost stories, jokes, audience participation, and small surprises. You pass Clifford’s Tower, York Minster, and Dick Turpin’s grave before returning to the starting point.

“Fun and, history brought to life with humour. The tour was just the right duration. Highly recommended.”

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Gray Line London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise - Start with the central sights at the London Eye
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Gray Line London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

5.Gray Line London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2,064 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $32

See London by open-top bus on Red, Blue, and Orange routes, with audio commentary in 12 languages, Wi-Fi, and a Thames boat ride included with the 24-hour ticket. You can pass Buckingham Palace, the Tower, St. Paul’s, Westminster, Notting Hill, and more. Live guides such as Mark, Tim, and Mike may appear on selected Blue routes.

“Very crowded and we had to sit down in the bus. Harder to see the attractions BUT it was rainy so less chance of getting wet.”

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London by Night Bus Tour with Christmas Lights and Live Guide - The Strand and the Savoy-inspired lights
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London by Night Bus Tour with Christmas Lights and Live Guide

6.London by Night Bus Tour with Christmas Lights and Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,040 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $41

Ride from the London Eye through The Strand, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Oxford Street, Fortnum & Mason, and Big Ben. A live English-speaking guide adds history, jokes, and Christmas traditions. The open top gives the best views, but seats are first come, first served and the bus does not stop during the 60 to 90-minute route.

“This was a great tour to do of the city on the first couple of days upon arriving. Getting to see a lay of the land and the beautiful Christmas time lights was lovely. I would 100% recommend getting there well before the 15-minute suggestion on the instructions. The earlier you are the more likely you are to pick your preferred seating, as it first comes first serve and you are not necessarily guaranteed a spot on the top/open part of the double bus to see all the lights. I would also suggest booking the tour during a time where there is not rush hour, or don't book anything after…”

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London: Afternoon Tea Bus Tour - 1960s Routemaster Bus - Victoria to Knightsbridge: the first stretch
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London: Afternoon Tea Bus Tour – 1960s Routemaster Bus

7.Afternoon Tea Bus Tour – 1960s Routemaster Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,032 reviews · 1 hour 25 minutes (approx.) · from $87

You’ll spend about 85 minutes on a vintage double-decker bus, enjoying afternoon tea while passing London sights including Harrods, Knightsbridge, Hyde Park, and Mayfair. Staff serve sandwiches, scones, cakes, pastries, and hot drinks, with pre-recorded commentary and music along the way. Seating is assigned, and the bus returns to Victoria Coach Station.

“Lovely food and service! The scones were delicious ! We had a difficult time hearing the narration, of course people were chatting too. They don't let you choose to sit on the top or bottom tables on the bus. It would be good to be able to know how the seating is decided and to be offered a choice. Overall it was a fun experience.”

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Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing River Cruise on the Thames - Westminster Pier: the classic starting point
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Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing River Cruise on the Thames

8.Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing River Cruise on the Thames

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,256 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $33

Use a 24-hour City Cruises pass to explore London from the Thames, boarding at Westminster, Waterloo near the London Eye, Tower Pier, or Greenwich. Sit in the glass saloon or open air, hear onboard commentary, and hop off for sights such as Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and Greenwich. Boats run from 10am until the last sailing.

“Was only brief trip at 4pm from Tower Hill to Westminster. Nice weather and great commentary. But ticket said was for 24hrs but disappeared on Viator site next day so could not use. Not good if sold as 24hr ticket.”

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City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Bookable Extras - Red Route: London’s greatest hits in one loop
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City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Bookable Extras

9.City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Bookable Extras

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,224 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $37

See London from an open-top double-decker across red, blue, and green routes. Hop off at Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Harrods, the British Museum, and more. Choose a 1-day, 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour ticket, with Thames cruises, a heritage bus, and a night tour included on longer options.

“Very informative, unfortunate the strike caused the tour to be 5 hours instead of 2.5. It gave us lots of ideas on what we wanted to go see”

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City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour - Stops 7 through 10: Christ Church and the famous university core
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City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

10.City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,042 reviews · 40 minutes (approx.) · from $27

See Oxford from an open-top bus with a 24 or 48-hour pass, audio commentary in 14 languages, and 18 stops from the railway station to the colleges. Guides such as Lesley and Martin lead the included 45-minute walking tour, a helpful extra for first-time visitors with limited time.

“It was a rainy day but there were patches of sunlight and we got to see Oxford, walk around, and see this colorful town had a good time!”

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London by Night Sightseeing Open Top Bus Tour with Live Guide - Buckingham Palace and the royal center of London
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London by Night Sightseeing Open Top Bus Tour with Live Guide

11.London by Night Sightseeing Open Top Bus Tour with Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 977 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40

This 90-minute Golden Tours ride takes you past Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, and Piccadilly after dark. You’ll hear live English commentary, with audio guides in 12 languages. Guides such as Joe, Tim, Emma, and Dominic are known for lively stories and humor. Dress warmly and arrive early for top-deck seats.

“Tour guide was very knowledgeable and we learned a great deal on the tour. Weather was an issue but we were able to sit under an overhang on the top of the bus.”

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Ghost Bus Tour of London - Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament
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Ghost Bus Tour of London

12.Ghost Bus Tour of London

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 961 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $38

Board a 1960s Routemaster near Trafalgar Square for a 60 to 75 minute English-language tour of London’s darker side. Guides such as Scar, Cedric, Ben, and Stan use comedy, stories, and bus theatrics while you pass the Tower of London, St Paul’s, Fleet Street, Westminster Abbey, and more. Expect spooky history with a strong theatrical streak.

“Last minute add on…Cedric gave an entertaining and engaging description of the ghastly facts of London (including a brief history of Scotland Yard and Jack the Ripper). Very energetic and amusing performance as he traverses both levels of the interactive double decker frequently.”

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Ciy Explorer: Hop On Hop Off Liverpool Sightseeing Bus Tour - Stop 2: Liverpool Canal Link and Albert Dock
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Ciy Explorer: Hop On Hop Off Liverpool Sightseeing Bus Tour

13.Ciy Explorer: Hop On Hop Off Liverpool Sightseeing Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 915 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $19Top rated

City Explorer Liverpool takes you around the city’s main sights on a 24-hour hop-on hop-off pass. Expect live commentary from guides such as Viv, Sean, David, Phil, and Garry, with stops near Albert Dock, both cathedrals, Chinatown, and St Luke’s Bombed Out Church. The city tour does not include the Beatles route.

“Very clean buses. The staff were really friendly & a good commentary. Buses turned up on time. It was warm enough to sit outside on the top deck.”

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London: Hop-On Hop-Off 1 Day River Thames Adventure - Uber Boat - Westminster Pier gives you the grand opening
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London: Hop-On Hop-Off 1 Day River Thames Adventure – Uber Boat

14.Hop-On Hop-Off 1 Day River Thames Adventure – Uber Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 707 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $34

Use a one-day Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pass to ride the Thames between Putney and Barking Riverside. Board at piers such as Westminster, Tower, Canary Wharf, and Greenwich, then hop off for London landmarks. Boats have indoor seating, covered outdoor areas, and a café-bar. Plan around busy periods, tides, and possible waits.

“Norman at Grenwich was a star. He helped us 💯, fabulous Customer Service. He went beyond his duty and should be recognised 👍”

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Vintage London Bus Tour Including Cruise with London Eye Option - Trafalgar Square, the Law Courts, and St Paul’s
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Vintage London Bus Tour Including Cruise with London Eye Option

15.Vintage London Bus Tour Including Cruise with London Eye Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 586 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85

Start in Victoria aboard a 1960s red Routemaster, passing Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Parliament, Big Ben, St Paul’s, and the Tower of London. Cruise from Tower Pier to the London Eye, then choose a London Eye ride or afternoon Stonehenge visit. Guides such as Alan, Lisa, Steve, and Magnus add lively historical detail.

“Great overview tour of London, hits all the major spots tourists need to see! The vintage bus was very cool and fun to ride on.”

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