London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Thames River Cruise

Westminster: Big Ben, Parliament and the Abbey

Westminster is where most visitors start a London bus tour. The Houses of Parliament, rebuilt in Gothic Revival style after a fire in 1834, stretch along the Thames beneath the Elizabeth Tower, whose great bell is known worldwide as Big Ben. Across the road stands Westminster Abbey, where English and British monarchs have been crowned since 1066.

From the top deck you also pass Whitehall, Downing Street and the Horse Guards building on the way to Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column. Westminster Abbey tickets and tours of Parliament are sold separately; the best time to visit Westminster for photos is early morning, before the crowds reach Westminster Bridge.

Buckingham Palace and Royal London

Buckingham Palace has been the London residence of the monarch since Queen Victoria moved in in 1837. The bus stops close to the Victoria Memorial in front of the palace, and nearby St James's Park and Green Park offer peaceful walks between royal landmarks.

Many travellers plan their day around the Changing of the Guard, held outside the palace on set mornings of the week. The default pass includes a guided royal-themed walk, and the bus then carries you on towards Hyde Park Corner and Piccadilly Circus. The palace State Rooms open to visitors only in summer and need a separate ticket.

The Tower of London and Tower Bridge

The Tower of London was founded by William the Conqueror after 1066, and its White Tower has watched over the river for more than 900 years. It has been a royal palace, a prison and the treasury of the Crown Jewels, and it is guarded by the Yeoman Warders, or Beefeaters. Next to it, Tower Bridge opened in 1894, its twin towers linked by high walkways and a road that still lifts for tall ships.

How to get to the Tower of London from Westminster? The most scenic way is the river cruise included on most options, which ends at Tower Pier. Tower of London tickets are not included in the bus pass; allow at least two to three hours inside.

St Paul's Cathedral and the City

Sir Christopher Wren's St Paul's Cathedral, completed in 1710 after the Great Fire of London, has one of the largest domes in the world and has hosted royal weddings and state funerals. The bus runs through the City of London past the Bank of England and the Monument to the Great Fire, where medieval lanes stand among glass towers.

Across the river you can see Shakespeare's Globe, Tate Modern and The Shard, the tallest building in the UK. Riding the full loop once is a good way to get your bearings before choosing where to spend more time on your London sightseeing tour.

The Thames River Cruise

On the 24-hour and 48-hour options, your pass includes a one-way cruise between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier, taking about 40 minutes with live commentary. Sailing under Westminster, Waterloo and London bridges, you see the London Eye, the South Bank, St Paul's dome, HMS Belfast and finally Tower Bridge.

A Thames river cruise is one of the most relaxing ways to see London and a welcome break from traffic. Boats run frequently during the day, more often in summer than in winter. Before boarding, show the cruise ticket from your booking to the staff at the pier.