Skip the £35 open-top tour bus. These TfL double-decker routes pass London's most photographed landmarks for £1.75 a ride, with the Hopper fare letting you transfer free within 60 minutes.
London's red Routemaster heritage isn't gone — most major sightseeing routes still run iconic double-deckers, and the upper-deck front seats give better photos than any tour bus. Top picks:
Pay with any contactless bank card or phone wallet — do not buy a Travelcard before you arrive; contactless and Oyster automatically apply the £5.25 bus & tram daily cap.
via St Paul's, Trafalgar Square, Victoria
via Tottenham Court Road, Piccadilly, South Kensington, Fulham
via Strand, Fleet Street, Tower Hill, Limehouse
via Sloane Square, Parsons Green
via Victoria, Trafalgar Square, Camden Town
via Oxford Circus, Westminster, Elephant & Castle
via Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly, Knightsbridge, Kensington
No. Any contactless Visa, Mastercard or Amex works on London buses at the same fares as Oyster — including Hopper fare and daily cap. Apple Pay and Google Pay work too.
Yes — perfect for tourists. Tap on bus 1, get off to walk around, tap on bus 2 within 60 minutes and the second ride is free.
The heritage Routemaster service on Route 15 has been suspended. Modern accessible double-deckers run the route.