London Big Bus or Toot Bus

If you have never done a hop on/hop off bus, there are big downsides in a city with heavy traffic (all?). Sitting in traffic, and waiting for the next, not completely full bus, wastes a lot of time.

My only experience was in NYC, when we decided it was the answer after I sprained my ankle. It was so bad we got off after an hour and I walked--it was less painful.

Hop on and off the wonderful public transport offered within London.

I’m joining the chorus to skip any of the Hop on, Hop off buses in London. I made the mistake of taking one last May. It was one big traffic jam and the routes tend to double back in places so that you go about 5 blocks in 10 minutes.

added to the slow progress is that once you get off, you can wait an age to get back on another bus. If you want a ride on a red double decker bus just use one of the normal service buses, £1.65 per journey.

Appreciate the feedback. I'm convinved...forget HOHO. But still wondering: If traffic is bad for HOHO, won't it be the same for buses or taxis? Anyway, we'll be there May 15, 16, 17 2023, staying at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Lndon Hotel. If anyone can tell us what tube station is nearby and instructions to navigate to important destinations, we'd appreciate it.

There are 1000s of public buses so you won’t be waiting a considerable time for one. Also I am not sure HoHos can use bus lanes.,

at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Lndon Hotel. If anyone can tell

Nearest tube station will be Waterloo, right behind the hotel. Westminster station is on the North side of the river over Westminster Bridge.

bgodof, I would go to the tfl website (Transport for London.) It has a great planner and I tested to make sure you can put in the name of hotel where you are staying and you can. It gives you options, times, tells you about delays and has maps. Go play around with it. The app I use when in London is City Mapper. It is great.

Another vote for City Mapper App. I have found it absolutely the best way to navigate around London. I often stay a few blocks from your hotel and really like the location. Waterloo station provides easy access to both train and tube lines. It is a very short walk across the Bridge to Westminster.

PS City Mapper works in many, many major cities.

From 5 March London bus fares are increasing to £1.75.
Bus fares are automatically valid for any number of buses within one hour of boarding the first one, which is very useful.
You'd be surprised how far you can get in that time, as once you are on your last bus you can travel as far as you wish as there are no zones for buses. Choose the right routes and you can get nearly 3 hours travel for the £1.75 if your last journey is a long one like the X26 Croydon to Heathrow.
There is daily cap of £4.95 on bus fares (if you use buses only, no trains, that day) which presumably will rise slightly in March.
All tube fares are also increasing on the same date- Zone 1 for instance going up from £2.50 to £2.80.
Anyone with a Senior Railcard gets a 1/3rd discount on all TFL fares when it's registered on their oyster by staff at any tube station.
Personally I never use the tube now for a purely Zone 1 journey as I can always find a bus alternative, and have the benefit of being above ground, enjoying the scenery.

OP use Google Maps on your phone and enter your hotel. Up will pop a lovely map image. Look for the underground logo and there’s your station.

As far as navigating to the sites: Westminster is across from Parliament Square and Westminster Bridge. Tower Hill is across the road from the Tower of London.

London’s Underground. Upload the App on your phone. Upload TFL.co.uk

Easy peasy

Thanks Laurie Beth. I've heard of City Mapper, installed it a long time ago, forgot I had it. The TFL site is a new one. I installed it, but can't log in due to some tech difficulties according to error message. Thanks!