Open Top Vintage Bus Tour and River Thames Cruise

5
(4 reviews)

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Step into the heart of London with a memorable sightseeing tour aboard a classic 1950s Routemaster bus, accompanied by live commentary from a professional guide. Pass by the city’s most iconic attractions, including Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the London Eye, with plenty of opportunities for amazing photos. Visit historic Westminster Abbey and see Buckingham Palace, where you can witness the Changing of the Guard. Enhance your day with a private guided River Thames cruise offering spectacular waterfront views of landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament and Shakespeare’s Globe. For an added treat, you can upgrade your tour to include a ride on the London Eye, a visit to the Tower of London, a traditional fish and chips lunch, or afternoon cream tea at the famous Harrods Tea Rooms. This London sightseeing experience is the perfect blend of classic charm and unforgettable views, ideal for first time visitors and those looking to enjoy the city’s most famous highlights in comfort.

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Open Top Vintage Bus Tour and River Thames Cruise Price & Options

Tour with cruise

  • Meet up point is a 10 minute walk from Victoria Train Station.
  • Look for Premium Tours staff in high visibility vests holding clipboards they will guide you to the correct coach.
  • You can choose your starting time: 07:45 or 13:00, as selected during booking.
  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes early. Late arrivals or no shows cannot be refunded.
  • Ride through London aboard a classic 1950s Routemaster double decker bus with live commentary from a professional guide.
  • Pass by iconic landmarks including Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, and St Paul’s Cathedral, with a photo stop at Westminster Abbey.
  • Pause at Buckingham Palace for a memorable photo opportunity outside the residence of the British monarchy.
  • Take a private cruise along the River Thames, offering beautiful views of landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, The Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
  • This exclusive experience is available with Premium Tours during the summer season.
  • You can return at either 11:30 or 16:30, depending on your chosen start time and itinerary duration.
  • The experience ends at each venue, giving you the flexibility to explore further on your own.

Inclusions

  • English speaking guide
  • Panoramic tour of London on an open top vintage bus
  • Thames River Cruise
  • Photo stop outside Buckingham Palace
US$ 81.84 US$ 76.59

Tour with Cruise and London Eye

  • Meet up is a 10 minute walk from Victoria Train Station. Look for Premium Tours staff in high visibility vests with clipboards who will guide you to the correct coach.
  • You can choose to depart at 07:45 or 13:00, based on the time selected during booking.
  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. Latecomers or no shows will not be refunded.
  • The experience lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, featuring stops at Buckingham Palace, the River Thames, and the London Eye.
  • You can choose to return at 11:30 or 16:30, depending on your selected departure time and the tour duration.
  • The tour concludes at each venue, allowing you to explore at your own pace.

Inclusions

  • Admission to: London Eye
  • English speaking guide
  • Panoramic tour of London on an open top vintage bus
  • Thames River Cruise
  • Photo stop outside Buckingham Palace
  • Transfers between the meet up location and each venue except for Madame Tussauds and Tower of London
US$ 129.33 US$ 124.13

Tour with cruise & Fish & Chips Lunch

  • The meeting point is a 10 minute walk from Victoria Train Station.
  • Look for Premium Tours staff wearing high visibility vests and holding clipboards they will direct you to the correct coach.
  • You can depart at 07:45 or 13:00, depending on the time selected at booking.
  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.
  • Latecomers or no shows are not eligible for a refund.
  • The experience lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, including visits to Buckingham Palace, a River Thames cruise, and a Fish & Chips lunch.
  • Return options are available at 11:30 or 16:30, depending on your departure time and the duration of the itinerary.
  • The tour ends at each venue, giving you the freedom to explore further at your own pace.

Inclusions

  • English speaking guide
  • Panoramic tour of London on an open top vintage bus
  • Thames River Cruise
  • Photo stop outside Buckingham Palace
  • Fish & Chips or Vegetarian dish for lunch
  • Transfers between the meet up location and each venue except for Madame Tussauds and Tower of London
US$ 108.23 US$ 103.00

Tour with Cruise & Cream Tea at Harrods

  • Meet up time is 13:00, with the meeting point located 10 minutes on foot from Victoria Train Station.
  • Look for Premium Tours staff in high visibility vests with clipboards they will direct you to the correct coach.
  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.
  • Latecomers or no shows are non-refundable.
  • The experience lasts approximately 4 hours, including visits to the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and a River Thames cruise.
  • Enjoy afternoon tea at The Georgian in Harrods, a classic London dining experience.
  • Return is at 17:00, with the tour ending at the store, allowing you to continue exploring at your own pace.

Inclusions

  • English speaking guide
  • Panoramic tour of London on an open top vintage bus
  • Thames River Cruise
  • Photo stop outside Buckingham Palace and Tower of London
  • Transfers between the meet up location and each venue
  • Exclusive cream tea with home baked scones served with clotted cream and preserves
US$ 131.97 US$ 125.45
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Highlights

  • Ride through London on a legendary vintage Routemaster double decker bus
  • Cruise along the River Thames and take in stunning views of London’s top landmarks
  • Witness the iconic Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace
  • Explore Westminster Abbey, the historic setting for royal events and coronations
  • Listen to the chimes of Big Ben and marvel at the Houses of Parliament’s architecture
  • Enhance your tour with optional experiences like the London Eye, a traditional fish and chips lunch, or a luxurious cream tea at Harrod

What's Included

  • Admission to attraction

What's Not Included

  • Admission to London Eye and Tower of London
  • Hotel pick up and drop off
  • Meals and beverages
  • Other personal expenses
  • Tips and gratuities

Not Suitable For

  • This activity is not wheelchair accessible.

Child Adult Policy

  • Free for children aged 0 to 2
  • Children aged 0 to 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult
  • Children aged 17+ will be charged the same rate as adults
  • Students with a valid ID are eligible for the student price

Things To Know

  • In certain cases, due to operational needs or adverse weather, the open top bus may be replaced with a closed top coach.
  • The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace typically takes place in the morning on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, subject to ceremonial schedules and weather. On days when it does not occur, a photo stop near the palace will be provided instead.
  • Transfer services are included for all featured venues except Madame Tussauds and the Tower of London, where the tour concludes, giving you the freedom to explore independently from those locations.
  • If your experience includes the cream tea at Harrods, please inform the operator at least 72 hours in advance if you have any gluten free or nut free dietary requirements. While every effort is made to accommodate allergies, trace amounts of nuts may still be present due to shared kitchen facilities.
  • Starting 31 March 2025, the cream tea will be served at the Harrods Café, located on the lower ground floor, with the same menu offering.
  • Carry a valid ID, passport (with at least 6 months’ validity), or student card if applicable, as these may be required at certain venues or for identification purposes.

Location

  • Victoria Railway Station

How To Redeem

  • Present your mobile voucher

Dress Code

  • This is an open top bus tour, so please dress appropriately and be prepared for rain or changing weather conditions. A raincoat or poncho is recommended.
  • Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes as the tour includes stops with light walking.

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellation of at least 48 hrs before travel date (Transfer charges will apply)
  • Extra cancellation or refund fees may apply. Any cancellations falling outside of the above policy are strictly non-refundable
  • The refund amount will be credited back to the same card used for booking

FAQs

Below are some commonly asked questions. If you have any additional inquiries or need further clarification, please reach out to our team via live chat, contact us form, or WhatsApp.

The tours typically depart from Victoria Coach Station at 7:45 AM and 1:00 PM. You can select your preferred departure time during the online booking process on this website (subject to change — please confirm at time of booking).
Yes, children aged 0 to 2 can join for free, and those aged 0 to 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Students with a valid ID can book at the student price.
Since the bus is open top, it's smart to dress for variable weather and bring a raincoat or poncho. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended because the tour includes light walking at stops.
You can cancel at least 48 hours before the travel date, but transfer charges will apply. Cancellations outside this window are strictly non-refundable. Refunds go back to the card used for booking.
No, this activity is not wheelchair accessible due to the nature of the vintage open top bus and river cruise.
You'll enjoy panoramic views of Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, St. Paul's Cathedral, London Bridge, the London Eye, and a photo stop outside Buckingham Palace.
You can book your tickets easily online right here on this website by choosing your date and preferred departure time, then completing the secure checkout.

Customer Reviews

5
(4 reviews)
Verified Reviews

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100% Positive Reviews

4 out of 4 customers recommend this experience

Excellent Rating

Average rating of 5/5 based on verified bookings

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Clara D.

Aug 11, 2026Verified

5

A Lovely Way to See London

We really enjoyed the vintage bus tour, especially sitting upstairs and seeing the city from a different perspective. The Thames cruise was a great addition and gave us some beautiful views of London's landmarks from the river. A relaxing and enjoyable way to explore the city.

MS

Mateo S.

Jul 28, 2026Verified

5

Two Great Experiences in One

This was one of the best sightseeing experiences we did in London. The vintage bus had a lovely atmosphere and took us past many famous sights, while the river cruise gave us a completely different view of the city. Definitely worth doing if it's your first time in London.

NB

Noura B.

May 22, 2026Verified

5

Great Booking Experience with JTR Holidays

Booked this experience through JTR Holidays and everything was very straightforward. Their customer service team was friendly and helpful when I had questions about the booking. We really enjoyed both the bus tour and the Thames cruise, and it was a great way to see several parts of London.

LO

Liam O.

Apr 14, 2026Verified

5

Beautiful Views and Great Atmosphere

The open-top vintage bus was such a fun experience. We got some great photos along the way and enjoyed seeing the major landmarks from the upper deck. The Thames cruise was probably my favourite part because you get a completely different view of London from the water.

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