Open-Top Night Ride, Live Guide

London by Night Bus Tour with Christmas Lights and Live Guide. Rated 4.5 across 2,049 reviews. Runs 1 hour 30 minutes. From $40.

Overview

This is a seat-on-the-bus ride, not a hop-on hop-off pass. You board an open-top bus near the London Eye on Belvedere Road, stay on board for roughly an hour and a half, and roll past London's Christmas lights while a live English-speaking guide talks you through the city. The route passes the London Eye, the Strand, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Oxford Street, Fortnum & Mason and Big Ben, all seen from the bus rather than on foot.

The pitch is simple: the listing sells this as a way to escape the chaos of the bustling streets and admire the illuminating displays that cover the capital. Tinsel, Christmas trees, twinkling lights and decorated shop windows go by while the guide mixes history, facts and jokes. Several travellers described the guide commentary as the best part of the ride, with history and stories about the buildings and displays passing by.

It suits visitors who want the lights without the crowds and who do not mind sitting still in central London traffic. It is not a good pick for anyone who wants to stop and photograph each display, since the bus keeps moving, and there are no breaks or restroom on board. Children from babies upwards can come, with under-fives travelling free on a lap.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Belvedere RoadThe departure point is the tourist bus stop on Belvedere Road, London SE1 7NA, in front of the London Eye. Waterloo is the nearest tube station, about a 2 minute walk. Arrive 15 minutes before departure time to allow for boarding.
2. Pass the London EyeThe tour sets off from beside the London Eye and passes it as the bus moves into central London.
3. Pass the Strand and Trafalgar SquareThe bus passes the Strand and Trafalgar Square, where the guide points out the sights and their history.
4. Pass Piccadilly CircusPiccadilly Circus goes by, lit up for the festive season.
5. Pass Regent Street and Oxford StreetThe heart of the lights: the bus passes the grand displays along Regent Street and Oxford Street, along with the decorated windows of Fortnum & Mason.
6. Pass Big Ben and returnThe final landmark is Big Ben, after which the tour ends back at the meeting point on Belvedere Road. The operator notes the itinerary and its order may change, and on light-traffic days the tour may run 60 to 70 minutes.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this tour goes, from traffic to where you sit.

• Dress for the cold. The top deck is open and December evenings in London are cold, so hats, gloves and warm layers matter. Several travellers said the cold was noticeable on the upper level even when they enjoyed the ride.
• Sit on top if you can. The tour carries a maximum of 72 travellers.
• Expect traffic. The operator warns that traffic around Christmas is heavy and the route may alter slightly on some days. Reviews back this up, with several mentioning long delays, though most still enjoyed the lights. On lighter days the tour may only take 60 to 70 minutes.
• No breaks or restroom. There are no stops and no restroom on board, so use facilities before boarding. Infants must sit on laps unless a child seat is purchased for them. Children aged 0 to 4 travel free but do not occupy a seat.
• Photography is limited. The bus keeps moving throughout, so there is no opportunity to step off and take your time with the displays. Anyone who wants to linger over the lights should plan a separate walk.
• Check the meeting point. A few reviewers reported confusion over where the bus parks, with the map pin not matching the actual bus. The listing gives the tourist bus stop on Belvedere Road, in front of the London Eye, and it is worth confirming the location before setting out.

Common issues. The main complaints are practical. Traffic is heavy around Christmas and the bus can spend long stretches stationary, and the route or its order may change on the day. Some reviewers had trouble finding the exact bus at the meeting point, and one said the windows were dirty enough to spoil the view. The operator also notes dates of operation may shift because the Christmas lights schedule is confirmed late.

What To Decide Before You Go