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The Classic Tour - Vintage Open Top Bus in London

Updated: May 4




The Classic Tour in London offers a truly unique experience as it takes you on a comprehensive journey through the city's iconic landmarks and attractions aboard their restored 1960s Routemaster buses.


Before you embark on this great adventure, here are six essential things you should know about The Classic Tour:



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1. Why choose The Classic Tour?


The Classic Tour offers a delightful blend of vintage transportation and a journey through London's rich history and culture. It's a memorable and nostalgic way to explore the city's iconic landmarks.


What sets it apart are the highly trained, entertaining, and comedic tour guides who bring each site to life with their expert commentary. These knowledgeable guides make the tour not only informative but also highly entertaining, providing valuable insights into the history, culture, and significance of each landmark.


Top tip: For the finest photo opportunities of The London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Tower of London, opt for a seat on the left side of the bus.



2. Is it worth the price?


The Classic Tour is the perfect choice if you're looking for a leisurely and non-stop way to explore London. It offers a relaxed one-and-a-half-hour journey through the city without the need for constant stops and passenger pickups. In comparison, taking the same route on the popular hop-on hop-off buses would take around 2-3 hours due to frequent stops, making The Classic Tour a more efficient and cost-effective way to see the city.



3. Route and Timetable


Your adventure begins at Trafalgar Square, right in the heart of London. From there, you'll embark on a meticulously planned route that will lead you to the most iconic attractions, buildings, and landmarks in the city. The bus will go past Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace (weekend only or as traffic permits), the London Eye, the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard and many more.


The exact departure point is Northumberland Avenue just off Trafalgar Square. This is where the tour begins and ends. The bus stop is outside the Grand Hotel, opposite the Sherlock Holmes pub.


The tours are available on specific days only. Please check their website for the latest

information. The usual departing times are at 12:05, 14:10, 16:10.



4. Things to consider


The Classic Tour buses might have more restricted departure schedules, especially

during quieter times, such as outside of the bustling summer holiday season.


Keep in mind that the time and day of your tour can impact your experience due to potential traffic disruptions. To avoid congestion, it's a good idea to opt for later tours rather than those during rush hour when the roads tend to clear up.


If you have more time and want to explore the city of London in more depth, it is advisable to consider taking one of the reputed buses.



5. Additional tours on offfer


Christmas Lights Tour : Join them on a cheerful journey to behold London's most iconic Christmas light displays, from the radiant Oxford Street to the enchanting Harrods, and the enchanting Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park.


The tours run daily from November 19th 2021 at 16:10 , 18:15, 19:45. Additional tours may be available at 16:45, 19:00 & 20:30.


The Christmas Lights Tour from The Classic Tour promises to be a longer and more comprehensive experience compared to its competitors. It sets itself apart by taking you to enchanting locations like Harrods and Winter Wonderland, places that other tours simply don't venture near.


All of their Christmas Lights tickets guarantee a top deck seat!


They also offer the Ghost Bus Tours, a highly popular and thrilling tour. If you're intrigued by the idea of this spooky adventure, we've dedicated an entire blog post to it. For more details, simply click here.


6. Ticket Options


The following tickets are available when you book online:

Adult £25 Child £17 (Under 16)

Family £63 (2Ad +2Ch)

Concession £19


In case your chosen tour isn't available on your selected date, we recommend considering this alternative tour, which offers shorter rides without the boat tour.






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