Has anyone taken an evening bus tour around London? (Not a hop on-hop off type). Any recommendations? We were thinking it might be nice after a lot of walking during the day (museums, shops, parks). We’re staying near the S Kensington tube stop. Thanks for your suggestions!
Posted by
Penzance
255 posts
You just want to go for a bus ride?
If you download the CityMapper app it will tell you which buses to take.
Posted by
London
2548 posts
I've never taken one myself, but I was interested in your question. It seems all the operators that run the daytime hop on hop off buses also run a night tour. The main three are Tootbus, Golden Tours and Big Bus Tours. Golden Tours claims to be the only one with a live narration. There's also Ghost Bus Tours, for something that looks a little more spooky (never been on one, seen their buses around though). Take a look at their websites and see if any take your fancy.
As Trelawney points out, it's an alternative to make up a route with regular service buses. That's different, but can be fun to ride and look out the window too. It's good doing it in the evening when buses get a bit quieter and move through traffic easier. I'll paste a link to Transport For London's suggestions for sightseeing on a regular bus below.
https://londonblog.tfl.gov.uk/2025/07/22/tfl-bus-leisure-routes/
Posted by
OP
Alexandria, Virginia
3 posts
Thanks for the suggestions. GerryM - the GoldenTours with live guide sounds like fun. Seems like a good way to get an overall view. Thanks!
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1890 posts
Not sure what you consider "evening," but Brigit's (the tea bus) offers a 5pm departure. https://b-bakery.com/london/bus-tours
Also, Bustronome offers dinner on a slow-moving bus. I haven't done this in London but have in Paris and really enjoyed it. https://bustronome.com/en/london/
I would suggest also looking at evening river cruises.