Best bus tour in London?

Both the "Big Bus" and "the Original" do hop on/ hop off double decker bus tours in London and there is little difference between them. However, I don't think you will get to see the crown jewels and do the hop on/off tour. If you want to tour the Tower of London (where the crown jewels are), I'd suggesst getting there as early as possible. It will take a couple of hours to half a day. Do the Beefeater tour. It is well worth it. Then if you still want to do the hop on/off bus, you can, but you'll probablly find that you can use the tube to get to some other famous sites just as easily. If the crown jewels are not the priority, then do the hop on/off tour.

You will really be crunched for time. The train from Paris to London St. Pancras takes 2hrs20min. First train out departs at 6:43am. Once at St. Pancras, you need to jump a block over to the Kings Cross metro station and spend another 30 minutes or so to get to areas near the Tower of London or The Eye. There can be long lines at the Eye. Then, the ride is about 45 minutes. For the Tower of London, you can get right in to the tower grounds but not necessarily into the building where the crown jewels are located. The trip through there is another hour. Last train out from St. Pancras looks to be 20:02.

The Hop On- Hop Off bus will drive you past most of the sights in London. Whereas the Eye. Crown Jewels and Changing of Guard at Buckingham Palace eat up a lot of time. You need to identify your priorities.

We'll arrive at 9:30 am. The Eye and the tower would be all we visit, the rest will be a drive by and then we'll stop somewhere for fish n chips for dinner before we hop back on the train at 20:00....It'll be whirlwind and hopefully we'll sleep on the train back to Paris a bit. Thanks for your help!

With just 1 full day in London, don't do the bus tour as you definitely won't get your money's worth because of the time crunch. Start with the Tower, do the free beefeater tour, and as time allows, the crown jewels or maybe the White Tower which features the medieval weapons which your kids may enjoy more. After that you have the option of walking around and checking out the towers and battlements. Once you're done, you'll probably be ready for lunch, I suggest the Wagamama's which is right outside the Tower entrance. To get from the Tower to the Eye, you can hop on a Thames river cruise which lets you out at the Westminster Pier. You can take a quick walk to see Westminster Abbey and get great shots of Big Ben and Parliament. Then you simply walk across Westminster Bridge to the Eye. Book a reservation in advance so you don't waste time in line. Look at Rick's London book, he tells you which double decker public bus you can take so you can get a glimpse of other London landmarks. You may have time to do this as you work you way back to the train station to catch your train back to Paris.

I want your kids. To have kids who will get up at 6am, (remember if you don't check in at Eurostar a minimum of 30 minutes early you don't travel (both ways)), go all day, and get back at midnight, without complaining or whining - yes I want yours.

What a fun challenge. 1. Buy Tower tickets and Eye tickets online. Cheaper and cuts the line. 2. Getting to the Tower - a. Walk to Tube Underground Station (it's a hike) Circle Line to Tower Hill Station. orrrr. b. Taxi - taxis can drive you right up to the gate. 3. Getting to the Eye. Catch the RV1 bus at the Tower Gateway Station. It goes over the Tower Bridge, you get a look at London from across the river passing by the Globe Theatre, seeing St. Paul's across the way, passing Waterloo Pier and getting off right at the London Eye. 4. Looking around if time permits. Walk South along the Thames. Cross Westminster Bridge, Get a look at Big Ben and Parliament. 5. Getting back to St. Pancras. a. Tube Jubilee Line - Westminster to Green Park Victoria Line - Green Part to St. Pancras. or
b. Taxi My grands' favorite tower things were the ravens, the Beefeaters, and the king's gaurderobe (privy). The jewels were way down - below the chopping block and the chapel where dead queens were buried under the floor. Someone correct me if I'm giving bad directions.

I would spend my time at the Tower seeing all the armor. I think that is in the White Hall, not sure about that. Your kids will love all the medieval stuff -- lots of armor and weapons -- lots of cool gruesome stuff. You'll enjoy it too -- a lot more than jewels. See both if you have time, but it looks like you're going to have to be quick. Be sure to buy your tickets online. The lines to buy tickets can take up all the time you have.

Having taken two kids to the Tower last summer, I'd also advise skipping the crown jewels, instead doing the beefeater tour and seeing the armour in the White Tower. The armour is amazing they even have Henry VIII's armour from when he was a boy. And you won't have the long lines that you will for the jewels.