London Original Tour
The London Original Tour is one of the oldest hop-on hop-off bus tours in London. Their London hop-on hop-off tours offer a convenient way of experiencing the vibrant cultural life and rich historical legacy of London.
You just need to step on board to explore all of the city’s highlights hassle-free. Just hop onto one of their buses and hop off at any of the 30+ stops when you want to take a closer look at an attraction.
Today, the Original Tour is Tootbus (The Original Open Tour Bus) London. Whether you’re a local or visiting for the first time, these open-air double-decker buses are a convenient and entertaining way to discover the city.
Why Choose London Original Tour?
The London Original Tour has been operating since 1951 and was the first Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing company.
Its bus routes are designed so that the stops are within close walking distance of the city’s top landmarks and attractions.
You can choose from two routes – the Yellow Original Route and the Blue Royal Borough Route. There is also a special Kids’ Tour and a Night Tour/
It is an excellent way to avoid the stress and expense of planning your transportation in a new city. The HOHO buses have well-planned fixed routes that make it easy to plan an itinerary.
With the Original Tour, you can listen to pre-recorded commentary in English and several other languages which can be listened to with headphones to learn about the history and interesting facts of the attractions as you pass them.
Your London Original Tour Ticket Options Explained
HOHO Ticket
- Use hop-on-hop-off buses across London for either 1, 2, or 3 days along the various London Original Tour routes.
- Enjoy discounted prices at various attractions across London, such as Westminster Abbey and the London Eye.
- Certain tickets have a complimentary cruise along the River Thames from Westminster Pier to Tower Pier.
- Listen to pre-recorded commentary in 10+ languages on the bus to learn key facts about London.
Flexible Cancelation Policy: Get a full refund on canceling this ticket up to 24 hours in advance.
Discounted Ticket: Get tickets for children aged 5-15 at a reduced price. Infants younger than 4 ride for free.
HOHO Ticket with Add-Ons
- 1, 2, and 3-day passes that will let you see London’s highlights from a double-decker bus.
- With certain tickets you can on a complimentary Thames river cruise where you can hop on and hop off at Westminster Pier and the Tower of London.
- Entry to certain attractions is included when you purchase the ticket.
- Listen to an audio guide in 10+ languages and learn more about the city’s landmarks.
Flexible Cancelation Policy: Get a full refund on canceling this ticket up to 24 hours in advance.
Discounted Ticket: Get tickets for children aged 5-15 at a reduced price. Infants younger than 4 ride for free.
London Original Tour Timetable
Yellow Original Tour Route
- Timing: 8:30 AM to 6 PM (on week days) and to 7 PM (on weekends)
- Frequency: Every 10-15 min
- Loop: 2 hours 20 minutes
Blue Royal Borough Route
- Timing: 8:30 AM to 6 PM (on week days) and to 7 PM (on weekends)
- Frequency: Every 15-20 min
- Loop: 3 Hours
Yellow Original Tour Route
The Yellow Route takes you to all the main Central London landmarks, including Tower Bridge, Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, London Eye, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery, Downing Street and Borough Market, and more
The first bus starts at Grosvenor Garden at 8:30 AM and the last bus is at 7 PM.
Blue Royal Borough Route
The Blue Route covers the best of Central and West London. Highlights are Buckingham Palace, Lambeth Palace, London Eye, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Harrods, the museums, Kensington Palace, Hyde Park, Notting Hill, Marble Arch, etc.
The first bus departs from Grosvenor Garden at 8 AM and the last bus leaves at 6 PM.
Highlights of the London Original Tour
Buckingham Palace
Visit the Queen’s residence at Buckingham Palace. Stroll through the vast palatial gardens and witness the Change of Guards ceremony, at this treasure trove of royal experiences.
Tower of London
The Tower of London is a historic castle located on the North bank of the River Thames. Built in 1070, it has served as a prison, treasury, armory, residence, and even a zoo. Today, it also houses the Crown Jewels.
St. Paul's Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral is one of Europe’s largest cathedrals Listen to the haunting acoustics in the Whispering Gallery and soaking in the breathtaking views offered by the Stone and Golden Galleries.
Westminster Abbey
One of the UK’s most important religious buildings, Westminster Abbey the burial and memorial site of writers, actors, scientists, thinkers, and other famous historical significant figures.
British Museum
The British Museum in the Bloomsbury area of London is a public museum. It has one of the largest permanent collections of art, history, and culture in the world, with over eight million works.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in Central London. Covering 350 acres, it connects to Kensington Gardens in the west. Don’t miss the Serpentine lake, Hyde Park Corner, and the nearby Marble Arch.
London Eye
Experience a breathtaking view of London from atop the 443-feet high London Eye observation wheel located near the River Thames, for a unique perspective of London.
River Thames
Explore the beautiful River Thames on a River Cruise. Travel under the London Bridge, see the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and admire the Festival Hall and the London Eye.
London Original Tour Visitor Tips and Guidelines
- Plan your day ahead in advance as the bus routes are in a loop and there are a few points where you can change over to other routes.
- Consider the nearest stops and the timings of the attractions you wish to visit as well as the days they are closed.
- If possible, pre-book your tickets as you can avoid spending time in the queues outside attractions.
- While the top deck is exciting to sit on, ensure you pack protective sun gear, like sunscreen and a hat, especially in the summer.
- If you want the best close-up views of the sights as you pass by, sit in the seats on the right-hand side of the bus.
- Carry snacks and water in a small backpack while you take the tour, especially if you wish to take a route loop and don’t wish to get down in between.
- London is great for walking and some of the neighborhoods are best experienced by getting down and walking around, like Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, and Oxford Street. Make sure you visit these areas before or after the Bus tour timings so that you can make the best of using the bus to get around.
Frequently Asked Questions About London Original Tour
A. The Original Tour is one of the best and oldest hop-on hop-off tours in London.
A. Hop-on hop-off buses are tourist buses that allow you to board and leave whenever you like and sightsee at your own convenience.
A. You can purchase London Hop-on hop-off bus tour tickets online here.
A. There are multiple hop-on hop-off bus tours, most of which begin from £27.90.
A. London Original Tour hop-on hop-off bus tours run at a frequency of 10 to 20 minutes. However, at peak hours, buses may take longer.
A. There are two main Original Tour bus routes in London - the Yellow and Blue Routes. There is also a Night Tour Route and a special Kid’s Route.
A. Yes, you will get access to audio guides available in 10+ languages to learn more about the city.
A. Yes, the London Original Tour hop-on hop-off tours are accessibility-friendly for wheelchair users.