We are considering doing a 24 hour ticket for the hop on hop off bus in London on the first day. I see several different operators. Are they all about the same or is one better than the other. Thank you.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
If this will be your jet lag day, I doubt it matters which one.
Posted by
Orlando Area - Florida USA
80 posts
I did the "Original Hop On Hop Off" bus tour the first day. It actually covered me for two days. I bought the ticket at about 3pm the first day, and it was good until about midnight the following day. The first day was the red line (audio tour). I was so overwhelmed with it all, I enjoyed just listening to the commentary as I soaked it all in. The second day, we did the yellow line. I enjoyed the yellow line since we had an actual tour guide. (Sit next to them and you can ask them questions). We also used the tour to get from one place to the next.
Posted by
East Peoria, IL
786 posts
We also did the Original line tours in June. The first day was very enjoyable and relaxing and fit our schedule for getting to points of interest. The second day, we wasted too much time using the bus as a means of transit. Lots of repetition of things we'd already heard and too many stops and roundabout routes to be efficient. We should have made more of an effort to use the Tube or take a cab in a couple of instances. Bottom line: It's a pleasant way to see a lot of sights and get an introduction to the city, but don't use it if getting somewhere in a timely fashion is important. And the Yellow Line tours with an actual guide are indeed more worthwhile, as opposed to the canned commentary with earbuds on the Red Line.
Posted by
Atlanta
967 posts
The HOHO bus seemed like a good idea on the first evening of our first trip to London 30 years ago. What I remember most is trying to stay awake through it!
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5326 posts
In London the 'tour' aspect may be of value as an overview - do all the different circuits; do any inclusive tours, river 'cruises' etc.
The 'HOHO' aspect of travelling between sites though is not of much value. The frequency is much less than public transport and the routes restrictive.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23262 posts
We like the HO/HO buses for a good orientation and overview. However, the first day can be tough. Just sitting on the bus and the swaying motion will put you to sleep. I would save it for the next day. A good start on jet lag adjustment is to walk in the sun shine, walk and walk.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I think either of these two walks are a better means to combat jet lag and adjust on your arrival day ...
Along the Thames http://www.walklondon.com/london-walks/the-queens-walk-london.htm
Royal Parks and Palaces http://www.walklondon.com/london-walks/royal-london-walk.htm