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London hop-on hop-off tours timetable

Hop-on hop-off tours are one of the best ways to explore a city at your own pace with frequent services connecting major attractions. In London, Big Bus, City Sightseeing, Golden Tours, and Tootbus operate different routes, giving you a choice of timetables to suit your sightseeing plans. Scroll through to check departure times, route frequencies, and operating hours to plan when to hop on, where to get off, and how long to spend at each stop. 

City Sightseeing London hop-on hop-off timetable

Red route
Blue route
Green route

For a first look at London, the Red Route connects the city’s central landmarks, from the London Eye and Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, making it a useful choice for a broad sightseeing circuit.

TIMINGS
8:30am - 8pm (from Belvedere Road)
FREQUENCY
Every 15 minutes
DURATION
2 hours 30 minutes
London Eye overlooking the Thames River with cityscape in the background.

The Blue Route takes in London’s museum and cultural quarter, with stops near Kensington Palace, the Royal Albert Hall and several major museums, making it particularly useful for exploring West London.

TIMINGS
8:15am - 5:30pm from Marble Arch (Park Lane)
FREQUENCY
Every 30 minutes
DURATION
1 hour 20 minutes
Royal Albert Hall exterior with steps and statue in London, England.

The Green Route connects central London with key transport hubs and attractions around Bloomsbury, making it useful for reaching areas around the British Museum, King’s Cross and St Pancras.

TIMINGS
9am - 6pm (from Belvedere Road)
FREQUENCY
Every 30 minutes
DURATION
1 hour 30 mminutes
Historic building on Belvedere Road with London Eye in the background.

Recommended tour:

  • City Sightseeing London Hop-on Hop-off Tour with Optional Thames River Cruise

Big Bus London hop-on hop-off timetable

Red route
Blue route
Green route

The Red Route covers London’s central sights, linking Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, the Tower of London and other major landmarks on a comprehensive sightseeing circuit.

TIMINGS
8:15am - 6pm (from Green Park Underground)
FREQUENCY
Every 10 to 20 minutes
DURATION
2 hours 30 minutes
Tower of London exterior with river view and surrounding trees.

The Blue Route explores West London, connecting Kensington Palace and Gardens with Harrods, the Victoria and Albert Museum and other landmarks around Kensington, Chelsea and Victoria.

TIMINGS
8am - 7pm (from Victoria, Nova Complex)
FREQUENCY
Every 15 to 20 minutes
DURATION
3 hours 35 minutes
Kensington Palace with Sunken Garden, London.

The Green Route links North and Central London, connecting major rail stations and cultural sights including Euston, King’s Cross and Temple, making it useful for combining sightseeing with onward travel.

TIMINGS
8:30am - 6pm (from Woburn - Northbound)
FREQUENCY
Every 30 to 45 minutes
DURATION
1 hour 10 minutes
King's Cross Station facade with clock tower, London, bustling with people.

Recommended tour:

  • Big Bus London Hop-on-Hop-off London Tour with Optional Cruise

Big Bus London timetable

Tootbus London hop-on hop-off timetable

Yellow route
Royal blue route
Green route
Kids tour
Night tour

The Yellow Route brings together London’s most recognisable landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and Big Ben, making it a convenient option for seeing the city’s central highlights.

TIMINGS
8:30am - 5pm (from Coventry Street)
FREQUENCY
Every 10 to 30 minutes
DURATION
1 hour 30 minutes
Big Ben and Houses of Parliament viewed from a Thames cruise in London.

The Royal Blue Route explores London’s royal and West End highlights, passing Parliament Street, Notting Hill and Harrods while showcasing some of the city’s best-known shopping and cultural areas.

TIMINGS
8:30am - 5pm (from Piccadilly)
FREQUENCY
Every 20 to 30 minutes
DURATION
2 hours
Colorful houses on a cobblestone street in Notting Hill, London, part of the hop-on hop-off tour.

The Green Route connects central London with major rail stations and cultural sights, including the British Museum, Leicester Square and Covent Garden, making it useful for independent sightseeing and onward travel.

TIMINGS
8:20am - 5:20pm (from Wyndham's Theatre)
FREQUENCY
Every 60 minutes (No service between 11:16am - 03:20pm)
DURATION
1 hour 30 minutes
British Museum entrance with visitors, showcasing audio tour and priority access.

Designed for families rather than hop-on hop-off sightseeing, the Tootbus Kids Tour is a short live-guided journey past London landmarks including Big Ben, the London Eye and Westminster Abbey.

Recommended tours: Tootbus: Kids Tour of London

TIMINGS
11am - 3pm (from Charles II Street from Friday to Sunday & school holidays) (Timings vary in different seasons)
FREQUENCY
Every 45 minutes
DURATION
45 minutes
Tootbus Kids Tour of London

The Tootbus Night Tour offers a different perspective on London after dark, passing illuminated landmarks such as Big Ben, the London Eye and Tower Bridge on a non-stop evening journey.

TIMINGS
7:30pm (Apr & Sep), 5:30pm (Jan, Feb & Nov), 6pm (Mar), 8pm (May), 9pm (Jun), 8:30pm (Jul & Aug) & 7pm (Oct) from 1-5 Coventry Street
FREQUENCY
Fri, Sat & Sun from March, Sat in April, & daily during school holidays
DURATION
90 minutes
Open-top bus tour in London passing illuminated historic buildings at dusk.

Recommended tour:

  • Tootbus London Night Tour

Golden Tours hop-on hop-off timetable

Orange route
Red route
Blue route

The Orange Route focuses on London’s museum quarter, passing the V&A, Science Museum and Natural History Museum alongside the Royal Albert Hall, Harrods and Buckingham Palace.

TIMINGS
10:10am - 6:40pm (from Hyde Park Corner)
FREQUENCY
Every 30 minutes
DURATION
2 hour 20 minutes
Visitors explore interactive exhibits at the Science Museum in London.

The Red Route covers Central and North London, linking major sights such as Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, London Zoo, Madame Tussauds and King’s Cross.

TIMINGS
10:36am - 8:06pm (from Victoria)
FREQUENCY
Every 30 minutes
DURATION
2 hours 30 minutes
Enola Holmes wax figure with visitor at Madame Tussauds London.

The Blue Route is Golden Tours’ central sightseeing circuit, connecting Big Ben, the London Eye, Tower Bridge and other major landmarks for a compact introduction to London.

TIMINGS
9am - 6:40pm (from London Eye)
FREQUENCY
Every 20 minutes
DURATION
50 minutes
Tower Bridge in London at sunset, viewed from under an archway.

Recommended tour:

  • Golden Tours: London Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour with Optional Thames River Cruise
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Book your London hop-on hop-off tickets

Golden Tours: London Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour with Optional Thames River Cruise
Free cancellation
Book now, pay later
Flexible duration
Audio guide
More details
from
£25.20
City Sightseeing: London Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour with Optional Thames River Cruise
Free cancellation
Book now, pay later
Flexible duration
Audio guide
More details
The Original Tour: London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & River Cruise
Free cancellation
Book now, pay later
4 hr
4 hr
Guided tour
More details
from
£24.99
Combo (Save 20%): Big Bus 24/48-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour with Thames River Cruise + London Eye Tickets
Free cancellation
Book now, pay later
Flexible duration
Guided tour
More details
Big Bus: London Evening Bus Tour
Free cancellation
Book now, pay later
2 hr
2 hr
More details
from
£29.99
Combo (Save 10%): London Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour with Thames River Cruise + Madame Tussauds Tickets
Free cancellation
Guided tour
More details
from
£66.59
Golden Tours: Central London Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
Free cancellation
Book now, pay later
1 hr 30 min
1 hr 30 min
More details
The London Pass® by Go City: Access to 100+ Attractions
Book now, pay later
Flexible duration
Guided tour
Meals included
More details
Thames River Uber Boat Trip
Free cancellation
Flexible duration
More details
from
£11.40
Headout Pass London: Save up to 40% at All Top Attractions
Free cancellation
Flexible duration
Audio guide
Guided tour
Transfers available
More details

Frequently asked questions about the London hop-on hop-off bus timetable

What is the best time to ride the London Hop-on Hop-off buses?

London hop-on hop-off tours run throughout the year, hail or shine, so you can take the ride as you please. Since the buses are open-top, be sure to check London’s weather before your trip and pack accordingly. If it is sunny, you can enjoy the open-top upper deck more conveniently.

What is the difference between a 1-day London Hop-on Hop-off pass and a 24-hour Hop-on Hop-off pass?

A 1-day London Hop-on Hop-off tour lasts for one calendar day. A 24-hour pass, on the other hand, lasts for 24 hours from the first activation. For instance, if you first get on the bus at 9am, it will last till 9am the next day.

How frequent are the London Hop-on Hop-off buses?

Various bus operators like Big Bus, City Sightseeing, and Tootbus operate Hop-on Hop-off services in London. With many routes crisscrossing the city, buses are usually available every 20 to 30 minutes. Check your ticket details for the exact frequency of the bus on your chosen route.

What are the operating hours for London Hop-on Hop-off tours?

London Hop-on Hop-off tours generally operate daily from morning till evening. Exact timings vary with the operators and their routes. Please check your tickets for more information. 

Do London hop-on hop-off timetables change in winter and summer?

Yes. London hop-on hop-off bus times can change seasonally, with some routes running more frequently or for longer hours during summer and holiday periods than in winter.

Is there a night hop-on hop-off service in London?

Some London hop-on hop-off operators like Tootbus offer night tours, usually on a seasonal basis. These are typically non-stop sightseeing tours rather than regular hop-on hop-off services, with evening departures from central London.

When does the validity period of a London Hop-on Hop-off ticket start and end in a day?

London Hop-on Hop-off tickets are usually available in validity periods of 24, 48, or 72 hours. The hour count starts from your first activation on the bus and lasts for 24/48/72 hours, respectively. Please refer to your tickets for more details. 

How can I inquire about any changes or updates to the Hop-on Hop-off London timetable?

You can check the Hop-on Hop-off London timetable updates online. Most operators have their own apps that live track buses. Download them for easy access to the timetable and stop information. Read your ticket details carefully for more information.

How does the London Hop-on Hop-off work?

With just a single London Hop-on Hop-off pass, you can board and deboard the Hop-on Hop-off buses as much as you want within the validity period. Most of these bus stops are near popular London attractions, making sightseeing completely hassle-free without the stress of navigating public transport or expensive taxis.  

Where can I purchase my Hop-on Hop-off tickets?

You can purchase your London Hop-on Hop-off tickets online and enjoy the best deals.

Can I stay on the bus for the entire duration of the tour without hopping off?

Yes, you can stay on the bus for the entire loop duration without hopping off. It's recommended to do this before you start hopping off so that you get a quick overview of the city.