Day Tours in London

There are tours and even personal guides. However, I like doing the Hop On Hop Off bus when I go to a new City. London's is especially good. I stay on the bus the whole trip, get a feel for where things are and what areas/sights I want to go back to (or sights that dont seem interesting and can put low on my priority list).
I do this on my first morning. London has an exceptionally good transport ssteme and you can get virtually anywhere on public transport, very efficiently. I also live and die by maps I can hold.

LOL. I'm a map girl myself! Never leave home without one. When I think of London I think of the Tube, and didn't even consider a classic double decker! Thanks for the suggestions.

This is the webaddress for an article I wrote a few years ago about my favorite places in London and day trips by train out of London. (I worte it after more than 40 trips to the UK). You might find it interesting and helpful http://www.aaacarolinas.com/Magazine/2008/Jan-Feb/britain.htm?zip=28105&stateprov=nc&city=matthews

OOOH! Thanks Toni! Going there now!

Gray Line Tours are great. We have used them for three different trips to London. We went to Stonehenge, around London, Bath, the Cotswolds, etc. We have used them in Paris, London, Bruges, Canada, New York, Boston, Australia, etc. The tours can be booked here in the U.S.- on-line. They have you meet the tours at Victoria station or they pick you up near your hotel. They are a very reputable American company.

I've used Evan Evans tours a few times, and I liked them a lot. Did one tour to Stratford/oxford/Warwick, one London tour, and Windsor/Runnymede. The buses are nice, only about 10 people on the tour usually, and guides are very knowledgeable. Sometimes it's nice to have a break and let others do the thinking for you.

Florence, there is a fantastic London street map it's by Michael Middleditch, The London Mapguide..it's a thin book 5x7 size. It shows all the major and non major sites. In the front it has the tube (underground) map, lists the museums and art galleries, places of interest, has emergency services listed if needed, London's parks and villages. It's $10.00 the ISBN #9780140279481.....if you do the HOHO bus, I don't think you will need a tour. London is so, so very easy to get around. The tube is so simple to use, you will enjoy it. Also, look at londonwalks.com...you will probably see several that interest you.

I did my 1st trip to London last fall and loved it! I agree w/ the suggestion of the Hop on/Hop off tour to get your bearings. I'll also add that I did an evening loop on the Hop on/Hop off to see the city w/ all the lights on - it was wonderful. It also seems that each of the live guides on the bus adds a little something extra/different so it isn't like seeing a "rerun" of your first trip. The HO/HO tickets are good for 24 hours and most include a trip on the Thames as well. We started one day around noon and were able to finish up the 2nd day w/the boat ride down the river and then got off at the Tower of London on the way back. Hope you have a great trip!

When you use the Underground (and you will) make certain you check around the ticket windows at each station for the free maps of the adjacent local area as well as the pocket size- perfect- to-carry-overall-London-tube-map. Very helpful.
Have a great first visit. Fabulous city!

I've used Evan Evans 3 times last time I was in London and it was great! We left from Victoria Coach Station and did the London tour, Bath-Stonehenge, Leeds-Dover-Canterbury trips. You can buy your tickets online and probably at the coach station also.

Have you looked at the London Walks website? walks.com. they have heaps of different walks in London, lasting about 2 hours.

I am going to London for the first time as well and London Walks (www.walks.com) was also recommended to me; they have a lot of great walking tours around the city as well as day trips to the surrounding areas, and you take the Tube and trains everywhere, so know traffic! Good luck and have fun! :)

I see you are interested in day tours IN London. I agree with Brian. Take the HOHO, your map and the one they give you. Stay on the bus for a complete circuit. Doesn't one HOHO have 3 different routes? It 's the best way to familiarise yourself before you start the Hopping Off part or go underground. The map the HOHO bus operaters give you will show you the location of most of the major sites. Try to sit on top and I hope you have a nice day for it. I love London and often take this bus just for the fun of it. Remember your ticket lasts for 24 hours from the time you purchase it.

Laurel is spot on.

Man, I love these forums! :) I just learned about the HOHO (love the term) buses, so I'll do those, too :) Thanks! (but I'm still going to take a few of the London Walks trips as well, they look really great!).

We just returned from a week in London and found the London Walks tours very interesting. London is very crowded at this time of year so we picked the tour to Greenwich which included a boat trip from Tower Hill, and the Blitz tour. I'd also recommend the Verger tour at Westminster Cathedral, best to get there earlier in the morning.

Thanks