HOHO Bus a Good Option? London, Dublin, Edinburgh

Posted by jannypanny (Indiana) on 04/21/25 02:52 AM

So, we have loved big bus tours as a way to get acclimated to a new city. For instance, I would always tell first timers to NYC, “yes it seems super touristy…and it is. But it’s also a great way to get the lay of the land even if you never get off the bus. And the live tour guides give you lots of info along the way.” However, after CoVid, I saw that the narration on my favorite tour went to a canned tape instead of a live guide, and Trip Advisor reviews no longer thought it was a good value activity.

Okay, so now for London, I heard Rick say on a podcast that it’s not so great, because the traffic is so horrendous you’d be better off walking. It’s still listed as a good option in the guidebook and I have heard there are bus-only lanes, etc. but I’m looking for some honest “boots on the ground” feedback for the HoHo buses in: London, Dublin & Edinburgh. (When I searched, the info on the forum is years old.)

Posted by Suki

04/21/25 03:31 AM

11924 posts

London- we had already been there several times. When our grandchildren wanted to join us we made special plans including the HoHo bus tour. It was a total waste of money and precious time. Over the top touristy while sitting stuck in traffic for what seemed like forever, over and over. Skip it!!!

Posted by Simon

Singapore

04/21/25 04:33 AM

744 posts

I agree on London. Why pay to get stuck in traffic? Much better to walk. And I don't see the point in a small city like Edinburgh where everything is walkable.

"I have heard there are bus-only lanes, etc"

As far as London is concerned, bus lanes are for public buses only. And if you want a bus ride they'll be faster and much cheaper.

Posted by l.p.enersen

Glostrup, Denmark

04/21/25 06:21 AM

1437 posts

I agree with the two posters above about London and Edinburgh, but in Dublin, we had good value from the HOHO bus.

Posted by Nigel 🚊🧸

Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England

04/21/25 09:53 AM

34812 posts

I have heard there are bus-only lanes

In London those are only for public TfL buses on a route, and motorbikes and bicycles and taxis (black cabs only - not uber or other minicabs).

London hohos creep very slowly, are infrequent, and often overcrowded forcing many passengers to the lower deck where visibility is very poor, and they are very expensive.

If you want good views of scenic stuff there are dozens of real public buses, very cheap, with excellent upstairs views (no narration of course) and because they have a lid on they are both much dryer and much shadier.

Have a look at this wonderful map and guide

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/key-bus-routes-in-central-london.pdf newly improved and even better than before.

Get on, go upstairs, move towards the front and ENJOY. All for £1.75 or less.

Posted by G3rryCee

Bellingham, WA

04/21/25 03:51 PM

810 posts

I have enjoyed the tea buses in all three cities. When you're drinking a hot (or cold, for that matter) beverage, you don't mind all the stopping. All offered very nice food and a fun time, if not the most informative. The one in Edinburgh featured campy songs that all the Scots sang along to. Here are the links:
London: https://b-bakery.com
Dublin: https://www.vintageteatrips.ie
Edinburgh: https://www.redbusbistro.co.uk
All require reservations in high season (and probably in low season, too, as I think the one we did in Dublin in March might have been cancelled if we hadn't booked ahead). All are to be considered an event/meal and not transport, as none allow HOHO.
London also has Bustronome, which I have done in Paris but not in London. Bustronome uses modern double-decker buses.