55
London Bus · Daytime route

Route 55: Oxford Circus → Leyton (Bakers Arms)

London bus route 55 runs from Oxford Circus to Leyton (Bakers Arms) via Holborn, Old Street, Hackney. Operated by Stagecoach London across Zones 1-3, the route has ~34 stops and takes about 70 minutes end to end.

Journey time

~70 min

Stops

34

Frequency

Every 7 min

Step-free

Yes

Overview

London Bus Route 55 is a daytime service operated by Stagecoach London, linking Oxford Circus with Leyton (Bakers Arms) via Holborn, Old Street, Hackney. The route covers London fare Zones 1-3 and serves approximately 34 stops along its corridor.

Buses run every 7 minutes during the daytime peak. The first bus from Oxford Circus departs at 05:00, and the last service is at 00:30. 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

05:00

Last bus

00:30

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 55

1Oxford Circus
2Holborn
3Old Street
4Hackney Central
5Leyton

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 55 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 55 bus start running?

The first 55 bus departs Oxford Circus at around 05:00 on weekdays. Weekend and bank holiday timings may vary slightly.

What time is the last 55 bus?

The last 55 bus from Oxford Circus typically leaves at 00:30. After this, the nearest night bus or N-prefixed equivalent takes over.

How long does the 55 route take end to end?

A full journey from Oxford Circus to Leyton (Bakers Arms) takes about 70 minutes depending on traffic. The route serves approximately 34 stops.

How much does the 55 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 55 bus wheelchair accessible?

Yes — all buses on route 55 are low-floor, wheelchair accessible, and have a dedicated wheelchair bay.

Does the 55 bus run on Sundays and bank holidays?

Yes, route 55 operates 7 days a week including bank holidays, though Sunday frequencies are slightly reduced.