1
London Bus · Daytime route

Route 1: Tottenham Court Road → Canada Water

London bus route 1 runs from Tottenham Court Road to Canada Water via Waterloo, Elephant & Castle. Operated by Go-Ahead London across Zones 1-2, the route has ~38 stops and takes about 55 minutes end to end.

Journey time

~55 min

Stops

38

Frequency

Every 8 min

Step-free

Yes

Overview

London Bus Route 1 is a daytime service operated by Go-Ahead London, linking Tottenham Court Road with Canada Water via Waterloo, Elephant & Castle. The route covers London fare Zones 1-2 and serves approximately 38 stops along its corridor.

Buses run every 8 minutes during the daytime peak. The first bus from Tottenham Court Road departs at 05:30, and the last service is at 00:35. All vehicles on this route are low-floor, wheelchair-accessible double-deck or single-deck buses with audio-visual next-stop announcements (iBus).

Fares: a single bus or tram journey is £1.75 with contactless or Oyster, and the Hopper fare lets you transfer for free within one hour. There is a daily cap of £5.25 for unlimited buses and trams. Cash is not accepted on TfL buses.

This page is part of Triplo's London transport directory and is updated regularly. For real-time arrivals consult the TfL Go app or station QR codes.

Timetable

First bus

05:30

Last bus

00:35

Service

Daytime

Frequencies are higher during the morning (07:00–09:30) and evening (16:30–19:00) peak. For real-time departures, use the TfL Go app or scan the QR code at any bus stop.

Popular stops on Route 1

1British Museum
2Waterloo Station
3Elephant & Castle
4Bermondsey
5Canada Water

Fare information

Single fare

£1.75

contactless or Oyster

Hopper fare

Free

within 60 minutes

Daily cap

£5.25

unlimited bus & tram

Cash is not accepted on TfL buses. Tap your contactless card, phone or Oyster on the yellow reader as you board. Children under 11 travel free with an adult; 11–15 year olds need a Zip Oyster card.

Accessibility

All buses on route 1 are low-floor, wheelchair-accessible, with a dedicated wheelchair bay, retractable ramp and audio-visual next-stop announcements (iBus). Assistance dogs are welcome on all London buses.

Frequently asked questions

What time does the 1 bus start running?

The first 1 bus departs Tottenham Court Road at around 05:30 on weekdays. Weekend and bank holiday timings may vary slightly.

What time is the last 1 bus?

The last 1 bus from Tottenham Court Road typically leaves at 00:35. After this, the nearest night bus or N-prefixed equivalent takes over.

How long does the 1 route take end to end?

A full journey from Tottenham Court Road to Canada Water takes about 55 minutes depending on traffic. The route serves approximately 38 stops.

How much does the 1 bus cost?

A single bus journey in London is £1.75 with contactless, Oyster, or a valid bus pass (Hopper fare allows unlimited buses within 1 hour for the same fare). Cash is not accepted on TfL buses.

Is the 1 bus wheelchair accessible?

Yes — all buses on route 1 are low-floor, wheelchair accessible, and have a dedicated wheelchair bay.

Does the 1 bus run on Sundays and bank holidays?

Yes, route 1 operates 7 days a week including bank holidays, though Sunday frequencies are slightly reduced.