London: London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

London looks best from three angles. This package pairs the London Eye, Thames cruise, and open-top bus so you can see the city from above, from the water, and at street level. I especially like the freedom to hop off near Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, or St Paul’s Cathedral, then continue when you are ready. The river cruise adds a calm break from London traffic, while the Eye gives you a clean view over Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

The main drawback is traffic. A bus ride that looks short on the map can crawl during busy hours, and bus waits can stretch at certain stops. I also like that the ticket works for either 24 or 48 hours, but you must reserve a London Eye time slot after booking. Plan that part early, particularly in summer.

Key points to know before booking

• Three ways to see London: Ride an open-top double-decker bus, sail between Westminster and Tower Pier, then rise above the city on the London Eye.
• Best value comes with 48 hours: You get more time for the three bus routes, plus three guided walking tours.
• The London Eye requires a separate time reservation: Use the Big Bus booking portal after purchase to secure your preferred slot.
• Traffic changes the pace: The bus is useful for sightseeing and reaching major areas, but it is not a fast replacement for the Underground.
• The Big Bus app matters: It shows stop locations and live bus positions, though some people find the map confusing at first.
• A strong first-day orientation: You can see the city’s major sights without trying to decode every Tube line on your first morning.

What the $74 package actually gives you

At $74 per person, this is not simply a bus ride. You receive a 24-hour or 48-hour Big Bus ticket, access to three routes, one London Eye admission, and a one-way Thames cruise. The 48-hour option also includes three guided walks: the Royal Walk, Jack the Ripper walk, and Harry Potter walk.

The value depends on how actively you use it. If you ride one short bus loop, take the boat, and visit the Eye, the cost may feel close to buying each part separately. If you use the bus to reach several parts of central London and take one or two walking tours, the package becomes more useful.

I see the 48-hour ticket as the better choice for most first visits. London is too large to cover comfortably in one day, and the extra time lets you use the bus as a sightseeing ride rather than a rushed shuttle. One useful feature is that the 48 hours begin when you first activate the bus ticket, not necessarily when you book it.

The 24-hour version can work well if you have one packed day and already know what you want to see. You can combine the London Eye, Westminster, a boat ride, and a full bus loop. Just leave room for traffic and queues.

Start at the London Eye or another central stop

You can activate the bus ticket at any Big Bus stop. Suggested starting points include the London Eye, Marble Arch, Victoria Station, and Trafalgar Square. The London Eye stop, listed as Stop 12 near Westminster Bridge and the Lion Statue, is a practical starting point because it puts you close to the Eye, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the river pier.

You can either add the booking to the Big Bus app with your activity provider reference number or show a mobile or printed voucher to a Big Bus staff member or driver. I would use the app if you are comfortable with it, then keep the voucher available in case you need help.

The bus is easy to recognize by its cream and dark red coloring, which matters at busy London stops where several sightseeing companies may be nearby. Big Bus staff are positioned at many stops and can point you in the right direction. Stop signs and maps can still take a little study, so allow extra time when changing routes.

The London Eye: book the time before you arrive

The London Eye is the headline attraction here, and it earns its place. The wheel gives you a 360-degree view across central London, with the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben especially clear from above. One full rotation is included, and the large enclosed cabin gives you time to take photographs without feeling rushed.

The best scheduling trick is to book an early time if you want shorter queues. One useful pattern is an evening slot, when you may rise in daylight and descend after the city lights begin to appear. Another practical choice is first thing in the morning, when the queue can be lighter.

You must reserve the Eye time separately through the Big Bus Manage My Booking portal. Do this soon after booking the package. The bus ticket does not give you a free choice of arrival time at the wheel.

The standard admission can still involve a queue, even with a reserved time. The line generally moves steadily, but allow more time than the ride itself. The wheel is popular for good reason, so this is not the place to schedule a tight connection with the boat.

The Thames cruise from Westminster to Tower Pier

The one-way Thames cruise takes about 40 minutes between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier, in either direction. Departures run roughly every 15 to 40 minutes in summer and every 30 to 40 minutes in winter.

This is one of the most relaxing parts of the package. From the river, you get a different view of Parliament, the South Bank, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, City Hall, and the Shard. The boat also gives your feet a break after walking around Westminster or waiting for a bus.

You can board directly at Westminster Pier or Tower Pier by showing your digital or printed City Cruises ticket to staff. The cruise includes live commentary, and the quality of the guide can add a lot to the ride. Bill and Pasquale received particular praise for making the trip lively and informative.

The boat is not a round trip, so think of it as scenic transport between two useful areas. Take it from Westminster to Tower Pier if you want to continue toward the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Take it in the other direction if you have explored the Tower area and want an easy return toward Westminster.

There are a couple of practical cautions. A cruise can be cancelled, so avoid making it the only way back to your hotel or station. One passenger also found the smell of engine oil unpleasant, though this is not a universal issue. Check the day’s departure information before building your whole schedule around the boat.

The red route links London’s biggest sights

The main sightseeing route takes you through the classic central London sights. You will pass or stop near Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, 10 Downing Street, Whitehall, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, and the London Eye.

This is the route I would use first to get your bearings. Stay on for a full circuit if you want the audio commentary and a broad look at the city. The recorded narration covers the sights in several languages: Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

The commentary is generally informative, and some people enjoy its light banter. Others find the jokes repetitive after several hours. Bring your own wired headphones if you have them, especially for children, since the complimentary earbuds may not fit every ear comfortably.

Hop off at Westminster if you want to visit the abbey, Parliament area, or the Eye. Buckingham Palace and Green Park are also natural stops, though the bus gets you near the sights rather than providing admission. You will need to plan separate tickets for attractions not included in this package.

The blue route brings you to the Tower and St Paul’s

The blue route is useful for the City of London and the eastern part of central London. It serves areas around St Paul’s Cathedral, the Monument, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, City Hall, and the Shard.

This is where the Thames cruise fits especially well. You can ride the bus toward the Tower, walk down to the pier, and take the boat back to Westminster. That pairing gives you a strong view of Tower Bridge from the water, often better than the view from a crowded street.

The Tower of London stop can be slow during busy late afternoons. You might find a long gap between buses, so check the app before leaving the area. The app’s live tracking is a real help, but the route map can be confusing until you understand the color-coded lines and stop locations.

St Paul’s Cathedral is another good hop-off point. The bus lets you combine the church with the City’s financial district, then continue toward the Tower. Remember that the ticket covers transport and commentary, not entry to St Paul’s, the Tower, or the Shard.

The green route reaches museums, Hyde Park, and Notting Hill

The green route broadens the experience beyond the classic royal and river sights. It serves areas connected with the British Museum, Marble Arch, Mayfair, Hyde Park Corner, Harrods, South Kensington museums, Kensington Palace, and Notting Hill.

This route is useful if you have a second day. You can spend the morning around the museums, ride through Hyde Park, and continue toward Kensington or Notting Hill without changing between several regular buses.

The bus is slow in places, especially when London traffic thickens. That slowness is part of the sightseeing appeal if you sit upstairs on a dry day, but it can be frustrating when you are trying to reach a timed museum visit. I would not use the hop-on hop-off bus as your only transport for a strict appointment.

The open upper deck gives you fine photo angles and a clear view of buildings that you might miss from street level. Carry a rain layer, even when the forecast looks kind. London weather can change, and the lower deck is the fallback when the top becomes uncomfortable.

Three guided walks on the 48-hour ticket

The 48-hour ticket adds three short walking options, each with a different focus.

The Royal Walk begins at Stop 8 at 10:00. It suits anyone interested in Buckingham Palace, royal ceremony, and the central sights around the palace area. Check the timing carefully because this walk is tied to a set departure.

The Jack the Ripper walk begins at Stop 19 at 13:00. It focuses on the East End and its darker Victorian stories. This subject will not suit everyone, but it adds a very different mood from the polished royal route.

The Harry Potter walk begins at Stop 21 at 16:00. It can be a hit with families and film fans. One guide named Lea was praised for making the walk informative and enjoyable for children, while also covering a good amount of the city on foot.

These walks are not included with the 24-hour ticket. If you want them, the 48-hour upgrade gives you extra activities without requiring separate bookings for each walk.

How to plan one packed day

For a single day, I would start with the London Eye if you can get an early reservation. After the ride, walk around Westminster Bridge and Parliament before boarding the bus near the Eye.

Use the bus to reach Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square, then continue toward the Tower of London. From the Tower area, take the Thames cruise back to Westminster if boats are running. This plan gives you the air, land, and water portions in one day.

Do not try to visit every listed sight. The bus route passes many attractions, but passing Buckingham Palace is not the same as touring it. Choose one or two places to enter, then use the bus for the rest.

How to use two days without wasting time

With 48 hours, use the first day for Westminster, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and the Thames cruise. Keep the schedule loose after the Eye because queues and road conditions can shift your timing.

Use the second day for the Tower, St Paul’s, the City, the museums, Kensington, or Notting Hill. Add one of the guided walks if its time fits your plans.

The bus works best when you accept that it is part tour and part transport. Sit upstairs for a full route, then hop off when a place interests you. If you need to cross London quickly, use another form of transport and return to the sightseeing bus later.

Accessibility, weather, and practical comfort

All buses have ramps for wheelchair users, and the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Infants under two travel free. Since the London Eye and boat have their own operating arrangements, confirm the practical details for your party when booking.

Free Wi-Fi is available on the buses, and the Big Bus app includes route information, stop locations, and live bus tracking. The app is worth downloading, but do not rely only on its map. Ask the staff at the stop if you are unsure, especially when routes change because of parades, protests, or road closures.

Extended operating hours would make the package more useful, since several activities can end before you feel ready to stop exploring. Check the day’s final bus times so you are not left a long walk from your accommodation.

Who should book this London package?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors, families, and anyone with one or two days who wants a simple overview before choosing which sights deserve more time. It is also helpful if you prefer not to manage every Tube connection.

I would be more cautious if you already know London well or need fast transport. Traffic can turn a short journey into a slow one, and some bus waits are longer than expected. The recorded commentary may also feel repetitive if you ride for several hours.

For $74, the strongest value comes from using all three parts: reserve a good London Eye time, take the Thames cruise, and ride or hop off the bus across several areas. Choose the 48-hour option if your schedule allows it.

FAQ

How long is the ticket valid?

You can choose a 24-hour or 48-hour Big Bus ticket. The ticket begins when you activate it for travel.

Is the London Eye included?

Yes. Entry to the London Eye is included, but you must reserve a time slot after booking through the Big Bus Manage My Booking portal.

Is the Thames cruise included?

Yes. The package includes one one-way cruise between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier, in either direction.

How long does the Thames cruise take?

The cruise takes approximately 40 minutes between Westminster and Tower Pier.

Where can I start the bus tour?

You can board at any Big Bus stop. Popular starting points include the London Eye, Marble Arch, Victoria Station, and Trafalgar Square.

Are guided walking tours included?

The three guided walks are included only with the 48-hour ticket. They are the Royal Walk, Jack the Ripper walk, and Harry Potter walk.

What languages are available for the bus audio guide?

Audio commentary is available in Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The buses are equipped with ramps for wheelchair users, and the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Should you book it?

Book this package if you want a broad first look at London with minimal planning. The London Eye and Thames cruise are the strongest parts, while the bus gives you a useful overview and easy access to major sightseeing areas.

Choose 48 hours if you can. It gives you breathing room, includes the walking tours, and reduces the pressure to race from one attraction to the next. Just reserve the Eye early, track buses in the app, and remember that London traffic is part of the deal.