London: London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

The London Eye is the star here, but the smart idea is the combination: bus, boat, and observation wheel in one ticket. You can ride past Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, see Tower Bridge from the Thames, then rise above Westminster for a broad view of London. It gives a first-time visitor a quick sense of how the city fits together.

I like the freedom to hop off for Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, or a pub and then rejoin the route later. I also like the Thames trip, especially for seeing Tower Bridge from the water. The catch is London traffic. A bus ride that looks short on the map can crawl, and waiting times may grow during parades, protests, strikes, or road diversions.

Key points to know before you book

• The ticket joins three classic London views: An open-top bus, the London Eye, and a one-way cruise on the Thames.
• The 48-hour option gives you breathing room: You also get three guided walks: Royal Walk, Jack the Ripper, and Harry Potter.
• The London Eye needs its own time slot: Book it through the Big Bus Manage My Booking portal after you receive your confirmation.
• The Thames cruise takes about 40 minutes: Boats run between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier, in either direction.
• The Big Bus app matters: It shows stop locations, routes, and real-time bus positions, which can save you from a long wait.
• Traffic shapes the day: Use the bus to see and connect major sights, but do not treat it as London’s fastest form of transport.

Why this London combination works

This is a sightseeing package built for your first day or two in London. At $74 per person, it combines three separately appealing activities: a Big Bus ticket valid for 24 or 48 hours, one London Eye ride, and a one-way Thames cruise. The 48-hour choice also adds three guided walks.

That matters because London’s sights are spread across a large area. Westminster, the West End, the City, and Tower Bridge are not all convenient to cover on foot. The bus gives you a simple route between them, while the Eye and boat add views you cannot get from street level.

I would not use this as your only transport plan. The Underground and regular buses will often get you across town faster. But if your goal is to understand London’s layout, hear an introduction to its landmarks, and stop at the major sights without planning every connection, this package earns its keep.

Start at the London Eye or another Big Bus stop

You can activate the bus ticket at any Big Bus stop. The suggested starting point is Stop 12, beside the Lion Statue near the London Marriott County Hall on Westminster Bridge Road. That location is useful because it puts you beside the London Eye, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey.

Other starting points include Marble Arch, Victoria Station, and Trafalgar Square. If you arrive by train or begin near the West End, one of those may save you a cross-city trip.

You have two ways to activate the ticket. Add the booking to the Big Bus app with the activity provider reference number, or show the mobile or printed voucher to a Big Bus staff member or driver. I prefer the app because you can see the routes and track buses in real time.

Look carefully for the Big Bus vehicles, which use a cream and dark red color scheme. London has several sightseeing operators, and a busy street can make the right stop less obvious. Staff members are placed at many stops and can point you in the right direction, but the stop map can take a little patience to read.

Three Big Bus routes across central London

The bus network covers three routes and reaches most of the sights you will want on a first visit. The open upper deck gives you a clear view for photographs and a better sense of the streets than you get from a regular enclosed bus.

The main sights include:

• Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard
• Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey
• 10 Downing Street and Whitehall
• Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Oxford Street, and Regent Street
• Covent Garden, the British Museum, and Madame Tussauds
• St Paul’s Cathedral, the Bank of England, and Monument
• The Tower of London, Tower Bridge, The Shard, and City Hall
• Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Green Park, and Harrods
• South Kensington museums, Kensington Palace, and Notting Hill

You can ride one route from end to end to get your bearings, but traffic may turn that into a long outing. I find the bus most useful when you break the ride into short sections. Hop off at Westminster, continue later toward the Tower, then use another section for the West End or Kensington.

The recorded commentary is offered in Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. It gives useful context about the buildings and streets, and many riders find it clear and informative. The tone can include playful banter, which some people enjoy and others may find tiring after a long ride.

Free Wi-Fi is available on the buses, and complimentary headphones are supplied. If your party includes children, bring your own headphones if possible, since the supplied earbuds may not fit small ears well.

Westminster gives you the best first stop

Westminster is the strongest place to begin because several famous sights sit close together. From the bus stop near the London Eye, you can see the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben across the river. Westminster Abbey is nearby, and Whitehall leads toward 10 Downing Street and Trafalgar Square.

The bus is useful here as a sightseeing platform, but do not expect it to deliver you quickly through central London. Road closures and major events can force detours. Pride celebrations, protests, and other public gatherings have caused passengers to walk to alternate stops.

For a short visit, I would use Westminster to cover the Eye, the abbey area, and the river cruise. Then I would ride toward Buckingham Palace if the route is moving well. If traffic is heavy, get off and walk between nearby sights rather than losing an hour to a slow bus.

The London Eye needs advance planning

The Eye gives you a 360-degree view from glass capsules high above the Thames. Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are especially striking from the wheel, and the broad view helps you see the river’s curve, bridges, and central London districts in one sweep.

Your ticket includes standard entry and one rotation. The ride itself is not a full-day attraction, but it is one of the package’s most valuable pieces because it provides a view that the bus and cruise cannot match.

You must pre-book a London Eye time slot after booking the package. The link and instructions are provided in your confirmation, through the Big Bus Manage My Booking portal. Do not leave this until the last minute if you want a particular time.

Morning is a practical choice if you want to avoid the heaviest queues. Another good plan is late afternoon, when you may see London in daylight on the way up and begin to see the city lights as the ride continues. Allow time for the queue even with a reservation. Lines can still be long, though the loading process generally keeps moving.

The capsules can feel busy around popular times, but the ride gives you room to look around and take photographs. If the weather is poor, visibility will be less impressive, yet the Eye can still be worthwhile for the close views of Westminster.

The Thames cruise puts Tower Bridge in the right place

The included cruise runs one way between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier, taking about 40 minutes. You can board in either direction, so the boat fits neatly into different plans.

From Westminster, the cruise takes you east toward the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. From Tower Pier, you can travel west toward Westminster. The route gives you a calm break from road traffic and a fresh view of London’s riverfront buildings.

Tower Bridge is the highlight for many people. From the water, you see its towers and suspended roadway in a way that is difficult to capture from the nearby streets. The cruise also makes it easier to connect the Tower of London area with Westminster without retracing your bus route.

Live commentary adds personality to the ride. Guides such as Bill and Pasquale have been singled out for entertaining and informative narration on different departures. You might get a similarly lively presentation, but the exact guide is not guaranteed.

Cruises depart every 15 to 40 minutes in summer and every 30 to 40 minutes in winter. Check the current departure board when you arrive, and allow for changes. One drawback is that the boat’s engine smell can bother some passengers, so sit where you are most comfortable if you are sensitive to it.

The 48-hour ticket is the better choice for a relaxed visit

The 24-hour ticket suits a tightly planned first day. You can ride the bus, fit in the Eye, and take the cruise, but you need to watch the clock. The bus ticket begins when you first activate it, so a late start gives you less useful sightseeing time.

The 48-hour ticket gives you more flexibility. You can use the first day for Westminster and the river, then spend the second day on the Tower, St Paul’s, Covent Garden, or Kensington areas. You can also ride a route simply to listen to the commentary and rest your feet.

The longer ticket includes three guided walking tours:

• Royal Walk from Stop 8 at 10:00
• Jack the Ripper walk from Stop 19 at 13:00
• Harry Potter walk from Stop 21 at 16:00

These walks add a more personal element than the recorded bus narration. The Harry Potter walk, led on one departure by Lea, has been especially good for families with children. It also gives you a closer look at central London streets that can pass too quickly from the upper deck.

Check the meeting time before setting out. Missing a walk removes one of the clearest advantages of the 48-hour option.

How I would plan one day

Start early at the London Eye stop and take your reserved Eye time in the morning. This can reduce the chance of spending a large part of the day in line.

Afterward, use the bus around Westminster. See Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, and Buckingham Palace. If the bus is caught in traffic, walk between the nearby Westminster sights rather than waiting for a short ride.

Take the Thames cruise from Westminster Pier toward Tower Pier. The journey lasts around 40 minutes and gives you a pleasant change of pace. At the eastern end, visit the Tower of London area and photograph Tower Bridge from the riverfront.

If you still have time, board the bus toward St Paul’s Cathedral, the City, or Trafalgar Square. Keep in mind that operating hours do not extend late enough to cover everything in one packed evening, so plan the Eye and cruise first.

How I would plan two days

With 48 hours, use the first day for the classic central route. Combine the Eye with Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and the Thames cruise.

Use the second day for the eastern sights. Spend time around the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, Monument, and The Shard. You can then return west for Covent Garden, the British Museum, or the South Kensington museums.

The 48-hour ticket also lets you spread out your bus rides. One complete loop may be slow because of traffic, but short hops between planned stops work well. You can stop for lunch, a pint, or fish and chips, then return to the route without buying another ticket.

Traffic is the main weakness

London’s traffic is the one issue you should take seriously. The bus cannot bypass congestion, road closures, demonstrations, or large public events. A route that normally feels convenient can become slow, and a stop may be moved or skipped during a diversion.

Waiting times are not always short. Some people have reported long delays near the Tower of London and late in the afternoon. The app helps by showing live bus positions, but it can still take some practice to understand which route and stop you need.

I use the bus for views and orientation, not speed. If you need to reach a scheduled London Eye slot, cruise departure, theater booking, or train, leave a generous cushion. You can also switch to the Underground or a regular bus if you need to cross London quickly, though those services are not included in this package.

The service has ramps for wheelchair users, and infants under two ride free. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you make your own way to a stop or pier.

Is $74 good value?

The value depends on how much you use. If you ride the bus for only an hour and skip the cruise, the price will not look attractive. If you use the 24-hour bus ticket, take the Eye, and board the Thames boat, it becomes a practical bundle for a first visit.

The 48-hour version makes better financial sense if you plan to use the bus on two separate days or join one of the walks. You also gain time to pause at the sights rather than racing from one included feature to the next.

I would choose this package for a first London visit, a family trip, or a short stay when you want a clear introduction without arranging several tickets yourself. I would skip it if you already know London well, plan to spend most of your time inside museums, or care more about fast transport than sightseeing from the road.

Should you book this London tour?

Book it if you want to see London from land, water, and above with one flexible plan. The Eye and Thames cruise add real variety, while the bus covers a large portion of central London and gives you a useful introduction through its audio commentary.

Choose 48 hours if your schedule allows it. The extra day reduces pressure, makes the walking tours possible, and gives you a better chance to work around traffic. Book the Eye time as soon as you receive confirmation, start early, and use the app to track buses.

Do not expect the Big Bus to replace the Underground. Expect it to be a moving sightseeing platform that sometimes crawls. Used that way, this is a good-value introduction to London, especially for your first two days.

FAQ

How long is the tour valid?

You can choose a 24-hour or 48-hour Big Bus hop-on, hop-off ticket. The ticket period depends on the option selected and begins when you activate it by boarding or redeeming the voucher.

Is the London Eye included?

Yes. Entry to the London Eye is included, but you must pre-book a time slot after booking the package through the Big Bus Manage My Booking portal.

How long is the Thames River cruise?

The one-way cruise between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier takes about 40 minutes.

Can I take the Thames cruise in either direction?

Yes. You can cruise between Westminster and Tower Pier in either direction. Show your printed or digital City Cruises ticket to staff before boarding.

Which walking tours are included?

The 48-hour ticket includes the Royal Walk, Jack the Ripper walk, and Harry Potter walk. The walking tours are not included with the 24-hour ticket.

Where can I start the bus tour?

You can board at any Big Bus stop during operating hours. Popular starting points include the London Eye, Marble Arch, Victoria Station, and Trafalgar Square. Stop 12 at the London Eye is the recommended starting point.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The buses have ramps for wheelchair users. Infants under two travel free. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.