Lights And Bites Routemaster Bus

London: Christmas Lights & Bites Tour. Rated 4.1 across 185 reviews. Runs 1.5 hours. From $60.

Overview

This tour puts you on a converted 1960s Routemaster bus for a ride lasting about 90 minutes past London's main Christmas lights. You board at Embankment, then travel past the Thames, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Hyde Park, Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square, along with Whitehall, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Parliament Square and the London Eye. A guide shares Christmas stories and London history as you go, with holiday music playing on board.

Drinks are included and the staff keep topping them up: tea, coffee, hot chocolate or soft drinks. Festive bites and sweet seasonal treats come alongside. The interior is warm and cozy, which makes it a comfortable way to see the lights.

It suits travellers after a relaxed way to take in the seasonal displays. Reviews repeatedly mention friendly staff, good music and an atmosphere that feels genuinely festive. It is less suited to anyone who wants a full meal, since the food is snacks rather than a proper dinner.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at EmbankmentThe bus departs from Bus Stop 40B, a short walk from Embankment Station and opposite Embankment Pier, within walking distance of Trafalgar Square and Charing Cross.
2. Ride past the ThamesThe route passes the river and heads toward the main light displays, with commentary on London's Christmas traditions.
3. Oxford and Regent StreetYou pass the twinkling lights of Oxford Street and the sparkling displays along Regent Street.
4. Hyde Park and PiccadillyThe bus continues past the winter glow of Hyde Park and the lights of Piccadilly.
5. Trafalgar Square and WhitehallYou travel through Trafalgar Square and past the historic landmarks of Whitehall.
6. Parliament and the EyeThe route takes in the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Parliament Square and views of the illuminated London Eye.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this tour before you book.

• Dress for the bus. One reviewer found the upper deck cold and wished for knee blankets. Wear warm layers, especially if you plan to sit upstairs.
• Snacks, not dinner. The food is festive bites and sweet treats rather than a meal. One reviewer advised not to expect a quality snack, so treat the food as a bonus rather than the main event. Drinks such as tea, hot chocolate and coffee are included, and staff are happy to top them up.
• Photography can be tricky. Some travellers report that windows were not clean or defogged, which made photos difficult.
• Traffic affects timing. The listing states the tour lasts approximately 90 minutes but that journey time can vary with London's traffic. Keep some flexibility in your evening plans.
• Guides and music. Reviewers describe the guides as brilliant and informative, with cheerful music throughout. The commentary draws on London's Christmas traditions and history.
• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup.

Common issues. The main complaint in reviews is photography: several travellers say the windows were not clean or defogged, which made shots of the lights difficult. One reviewer noted the upstairs area was cold and would have liked blankets, so warm clothing matters. The snacks get mixed comments, with one traveller calling them unlimited drinks but not a quality snack. Journey time can also stretch beyond 90 minutes depending on traffic, and there is no hotel pickup or drop-off.

What To Decide Before You Go