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

The best part of this London package is seeing the city from three angles: above the rooftops on the London Eye, at street level from an open-top bus, and from the Thames. It gives you a broad first look at the capital without asking you to plan every journey from scratch.

I like two things in particular: the bus stops near major sights, so you can turn a ride into a visit, and the river cruise gives you a calmer view of landmarks such as Tower Bridge. The audio commentary, live bus tracking and included headphones also make it easier to get oriented as you go.

The trade-off is time. London traffic can slow the bus to a crawl, and long waits or road closures can disrupt a carefully packed day. Think of the bus as a flexible sightseeing route, not the fastest way to get across town.

• Three views of London: Get a city panorama from the Eye, street-level sights from the bus and riverside landmarks from the cruise.
• 24 or 48 hours of bus access: Ride three routes and hop off at stops near Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s and more.
• Reserve your Eye time: You need to book a London Eye timeslot after purchasing the package.
• Cruise between two useful piers: The one-way trip links Westminster and Tower Pier and takes about 40 minutes.
• Extra walks with the longer ticket: The 48-hour option includes Royal, Jack the Ripper and Harry Potter walking tours.
• Use the app to plan around delays: It shows route information, stop locations and real-time bus tracking.

A broad first look at London

At $74 per person, this package combines three familiar London experiences into one plan. The bus provides a way to see a wide stretch of the city, the Eye offers an elevated view, and the Thames cruise brings you close to riverside sights. For a first visit, that variety can be more useful than spending the first day deciding how to connect each attraction.

The key is to use the bus for sightseeing and convenient stops, rather than expecting it to beat the Tube or a brisk walk. London’s roads are busy, and a bus can lose time in traffic. If you have a fixed appointment or a tight schedule, allow extra time or use another form of transport for that leg.

You can choose a 24- or 48-hour ticket, with access to three Big Bus routes. The ticket also includes the London Eye and one one-way cruise. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you’ll make your own way to a stop, the Eye and the pier.

Start with the bus, but keep your plans loose

You can activate your ticket through the Big Bus app with the reference number on your voucher, or show a printed or mobile voucher to a Big Bus team member or driver at a stop. The recommended starting point is Stop 12, by the London Eye on Westminster Bridge Road, near the Lion Statue and London Marriott County Hall. You can also start at any Big Bus stop on the route.

The app is worth installing before you set out. It provides route details, stop locations and live bus tracking, which can help you decide whether to wait or walk to another stop. Some people find the map confusing at first, and bus stops can be hard to identify among services run by other companies. Check the Big Bus branding and confirm the stop in the app.

The buses have digital audio commentary in Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. Headphones are provided, and there is Wi-Fi on board. The commentary gives you context as you pass sights, though its tone and style may not suit everyone. If you prefer your own headphones, bringing them is a sensible backup.

Follow the landmarks from Westminster to the City

The routes pass many of London’s best-known sights, including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Other stops bring you near Covent Garden, the British Museum, the South Kensington museums, Kensington Palace, Harrods and Notting Hill.

That range is the bus’s main strength. You can use it to spot places you want to visit, then hop off and explore at your own pace. It is also handy when you want a rest between walks or a moving view of the city without navigating every street yourself.

It is not a quick panoramic loop if you stay on for the whole route. Traffic can stretch the ride, particularly around central London, and some journeys take much longer than expected. If the bus is delayed, the app can help you make a new plan, but it cannot make congestion disappear. For a fixed-time museum visit or meal, leave a generous buffer.

The bus may also be affected by parades, demonstrations and other road diversions. A change in route can mean a longer walk to the next stop or an unplanned change of transport. Keep your day flexible, especially during major public events.

Take in the skyline from the London Eye

The Eye is a highlight for a reason: from the slowly turning observation wheel, you get a wide 360-degree view across London. Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are especially striking from above, and the ride gives you a sense of how the river and the city’s landmarks fit together.

Your Eye ticket is included, but you must book a time slot after buying the package. The confirmation email explains how to do that through the Big Bus Manage My Booking portal. Book ahead to secure a time that fits your day. If you want to watch the city shift from daylight to evening lights, consider a slot near sunset, while remembering that the view depends on the weather.

The ride makes one rotation, which gives you time to take photos and pick out landmarks. Lines can still form, even with a reserved time, so arrive with a little breathing room rather than trying to connect the Eye to a bus departure minute by minute. Some visitors find the queue moves quickly; others have found it busy. Timing and the day’s crowds matter.

For a quieter start, an early visit may help. The Eye sits beside the river and close to the recommended bus stop, making it a natural first or last stop on a day around Westminster.

Cruise the Thames between Westminster and Tower Pier

The included one-way cruise runs between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier, in either direction, and takes about 40 minutes. It is operated by City Cruises. Go directly to either pier and show your digital or printed cruise ticket to staff before boarding.

The river offers a different view from the bus. You can watch the riverfront pass by and get a particularly good look at Tower Bridge from the water. The cruise is also a welcome seated break after walking around Westminster or the Tower area. Live commentary adds context; on some trips, the commentary is entertaining as well as informative. A guide named Bill has been praised for making the journey engaging, though the crew can vary.

Cruise departures are scheduled every 15 to 40 minutes in summer and every 30 to 40 minutes in winter. Those intervals are useful, but the cruise is still one-way, so plan how you’ll continue from the pier where you disembark. The cruise may occasionally be cancelled, so avoid making it the only link in a tight schedule.

A practical order is to see Westminster, take the cruise east toward Tower Pier, then explore the Tower of London area. Or reverse the trip if you’re starting near the Tower. The bus and cruise do not have to be taken in a fixed sequence, so choose the direction that fits your day.

Choose 24 hours or make time for the extra walks

The 24-hour option suits a compact visit focused on the main sights. Use it for one full day of bus access, the Eye and the river cruise, but don’t try to visit every stop. A long list of attractions looks tempting on a map; traffic, queues and time spent exploring quickly narrow what fits.

The 48-hour ticket gives you more room to spread the experience across two days. It also includes a choice of three guided walking tours: the Royal Walk starts at Stop 8 at 10:00, the Jack the Ripper walk starts at Stop 19 at 13:00, and the Harry Potter walk starts at Stop 21 at 16:00. If one of these interests you, check the meeting stop and start time before arranging the rest of your day.

The Harry Potter walk can be a good fit for families. One guide, Lea, has been singled out for an informative tour that children enjoyed. The Royal and Jack the Ripper walks add a more focused layer to a bus tour, which otherwise gives you a broad overview rather than an in-depth visit to each area.

Is $74 good value?

At $74 per person, the value depends on how much of the package you use. You’re paying for bus access, the London Eye and a one-way cruise, with three guided walks added to the 48-hour option. If you plan to do all three main activities, the bundled ticket is convenient and can represent good value compared with arranging them separately. Exact savings depend on the prices and options available when you book.

The bus portion is most valuable when you want orientation, frequent chances to hop off and a ride that doubles as sightseeing. If your priority is getting from one end of London to another quickly, traffic can make it a poor substitute for other transport. Likewise, if you only want the Eye, the bundle may not be the best fit.

The package is especially useful for a first visit, a family trip or a short stay when you want to cover several landmarks without piecing together every ticket yourself. It is less suited to a tightly timed itinerary or to someone who prefers to explore one neighborhood in depth.

Make the day easier with a few practical choices

Book your London Eye slot soon after confirming the package, and keep the time visible on your phone. Download the Big Bus app before leaving your accommodation, add your reference number and check the live bus locations as you go. These steps won’t prevent delays, but they can save you from waiting at the wrong stop.

Keep your schedule flexible, particularly in central London and near major events. You may find it easier to walk between nearby stops than to wait for a bus stuck in traffic. The open-top upper deck is the main draw for views, but London weather can change, so dress for the conditions.

All buses are wheelchair accessible and fitted with ramps. Infants under two travel free. The package is valid for either 24 or 48 hours, depending on the ticket you select, and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. You can reserve now and pay later. These options help with planning, but check your confirmation for the details that apply to your booking.

Should you book this London package?

Book it if you want a convenient first look at London and expect to use the bus, Eye and cruise. The variety is its strongest feature, and the app, audio commentary and flexible stops can make a big city feel more manageable.

Think twice if your schedule is tight or you mainly need fast transport. The bus can be slow, and waits or diversions may eat into your day. For most first-time visitors with a flexible day or two, though, the package offers a practical mix of views, movement and time on the river.

FAQ

How long is the ticket valid?

You can choose a 24-hour or 48-hour Big Bus ticket. The package is listed as valid for one to two days, depending on your selection.

How many bus routes are included?

The Big Bus ticket includes access to three routes, with unlimited hop-on hop-off use during the ticket’s validity.

Where can I start the bus tour?

You can board at any Big Bus stop on the route. Stop 12, by the London Eye on Westminster Bridge Road, is the recommended starting point.

Do I need to book a time for the London Eye?

Yes. You must book a London Eye timeslot after purchasing the package. Instructions and a link to the booking portal are provided in your confirmation email.

Where does the Thames cruise go?

The one-way City Cruises trip runs between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier. You can travel in either direction.

How long is the river cruise?

The cruise takes about 40 minutes. Departures are every 15 to 40 minutes in summer and every 30 to 40 minutes in winter.

Are guided walking tours included?

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

What languages are available for the bus audio commentary?

The 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.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.