Afternoon Tea Bus vs. Afternoon Tea Cruise: Which Should You Book?
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
It’s the ultimate London dilemma: do you want your scones with a side of city traffic or a gentle river breeze? Both the Afternoon Tea Bus and the Thames Afternoon Tea Cruise offer a "very British" way to see the sights, but they provide completely different vibes.
If you only have one afternoon in London, here is the breakdown to help you choose.
The Head-to-Head Comparison
Sights | Big Ben, Harrods, Piccadilly | Tower Bridge, The Shard, Globe Theatre |
Stability | Occasional bumps/braking | Smooth sailing |
Space | Cozy (can feel a bit tight) | Spacious with outdoor decks |
Best Photo Op | Inside a vintage red bus | Passing under Tower Bridge |
Price Point | Mid-range (£45–£60) | Mid-range (£50–£70) |
The Afternoon Tea Bus
If you’re going to do a tea bus, you have to do it right. While there are several modern buses converted for dining, Brigit’s Bakery is the gold standard for one reason: the Vintage Routemaster. Stepping onto their beautifully restored 1960s buses is a total vibe shift.
Most tea buses take you through the heart of the West End. You’ll weave through the narrow streets of Mayfair, past the neon of Piccadilly Circus, and right under the shadow of Big Ben.
The Pro: You are right there. You can practically touch the Royal Courts of Justice as you drive by. It feels intimate, quirky, and very "London."
The Con: Traffic. If a protest breaks out or a delivery van gets stuck, your "90-minute tour" might involve a lot of staring at a taxi's bumper while your tea gets cold.
The biggest advantage Brigit’s Bakery has over its competitors is right in the name. Long before the "Afternoon Tea Bus" trend took over London’s streets, Brigit’s was already a famous, established French patisserie in Covent Garden.
While other tours often outsource their catering to third-party kitchens, Brigit’s treats their vintage Routemasters as an extension of their own shop. Because they control the ovens, the quality is almost always guaranteed.
Pro Tip: These vintage seats are in high demand and the bus has a limited capacity. Make sure you book well in advance.
If you can’t snag a table at Brigit's, or you don't like the remaining seat options (like being downstairs when you wanted the top deck), check out Golden Tours.
They offer a very similar afternoon tea experience.
While the buses are often more modern than the vintage Routemasters, they are reliable, offer great views, and frequently have more last-minute availability.
The Afternoon Tea Cruise
The cruise is a totally different vibe. It’s slower, more luxurious, and feels like a proper treat. You are on the Thames with uninterrupted river views, passing the Tower of London, the London Eye, and a completely different perspective of the city.
I personally love this for special occasions or if I want to relax without thinking about streets, traffic, or finding seats
Most tea cruises depart from Tower Pier or Westminster. You’ll glide past the South Bank, slip under the massive shadow of Tower Bridge and head toward the Houses of Parliament and the Big Ben.
The Pro: Zero traffic. The movement is smooth (no sudden braking!), the aisles are spacious, and the views are wide-angle. You see the scale of the Shard and the Tower in a way no bus can offer.
The Con: Distance. Because you are in the middle of the Thames, you lose that "intimate" buzz of the West End.
I personally recommend going with City Cruises because their experience is so consistent and their boats are designed specifically for these views. However, there are other cruises out there worth looking into if you want a different atmosphere.
My Personal Verdict
If I had to choose for myself or show London to friends without spending a fortune, I would pick the bus every time. It’s fun, surprisingly relaxing, and you see more of the city while still enjoying a classic British tradition. The cruise is amazing too, but for me it’s more of a one-off treat rather than something I would do regularly.
At the end of the day both options are good, and you can’t go wrong. It just depends if you want a moving sightseeing tea with a local vibe or a slow, scenic, luxurious river experience.
