How Long Does the London Open Top Bus Tour Take?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re planning a trip to London, one of the most popular ways to see the city’s iconic landmarks is by taking an open-top bus tour. The city offers several tour companies that provide hop-on, hop-off services that allow you to explore London at your own pace. However, one question that many visitors ask is: how long does the London open-top bus tour take?

Well, the answer to this question is not straightforward as it depends on several factors such as the route you choose and the traffic conditions on the day of your tour. Nevertheless, we’ll give you an idea of how long each route takes so that you can plan your trip accordingly.

Red Route
The Red Route is one of the most popular routes and covers many of London’s famous landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and Tower Bridge. The entire loop takes approximately 2 hours if you stay on the bus for the entire journey without hopping off.

Tip: If you plan to hop off and explore some of these attractions, then it’s best to allocate at least half a day for this route.

Blue Route
The Blue Route covers many of London’s museums such as the British Museum and Natural History Museum. This route takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes if you stay on board without hopping off.

Tip: If you plan to visit any museums or galleries along this route, then it’s advisable to allocate at least half a day for this route.

Green Route
The Green Route covers some of London’s most popular shopping districts such as Oxford Street and Regent Street.

Tip: If you plan to do some shopping or have lunch along this route, then it’s best to allocate at least half a day for this route.

Orange Route
The Orange Route covers some of London’s lesser-known attractions such as Little Venice and Camden Market. This route takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes if you stay on board without hopping off.

Tip: If you plan to explore any of these areas or do some shopping at Camden Market, then it’s best to allocate at least half a day for this route.

Conclusion

In summary, the length of the London open-top bus tour depends on the route you choose and how many stops you make along the way. However, as a general rule of thumb, it’s best to allocate at least half a day for each route if you plan to hop off and explore the local attractions. By doing this, you’ll have enough time to soak in all that London has to offer while enjoying the convenience of an open-top bus tour.