London looks better from a deck at night. This Tootbus hop-on, hop-off experience pairs a daytime sightseeing loop with a 2-hour night tour on an iconic double-decker. You get an easy way to cover big-name sights without spending your whole day stuck in crosswalk logistics.

I also like that it works as more than just a bus ride. You can hop off to time your visits around the stops and use the Tootbus app for the closest stop, then roll back on when you’re done. The buses are wheelchair and stroller accessible, and I love how staff like Hasna can make the details click. One thing to keep in mind: some people report buses not arriving as quickly as promised, so give yourself a little buffer.

Key highlights to know before you ride

• A true day-plus-night combo: hop on and off during the day, then stay aboard for the 2-hour night viewing portion
• Iconic double-decker night route: a safer, simpler way to see London when it gets dark
• Wheelchair and stroller accessible: easier boarding and movement for more people
• Tootbus app helps you find the nearest stop: real-time tracking is part of the plan
• Spot-on landmark stops: Trafalgar Square, London Eye, St. Paul’s, Tower of London, and more are directly served

Two routes, one ticket: day hopping plus a 2-hour night tour

This is built for people who want London coverage without turning it into a full-time job. In the daytime part, you can hop on and off, so you’re not forced to “see everything” in one go. In the night part, you’re meant to enjoy the city from the bus instead of constantly getting on and off.

That structure matters. Daytime hop-on hop-off is great when you’re flexible. You can jump off at Covent Garden when your feet want a break, then ride back later without worrying about lining up a whole separate plan. The night tour is more about atmosphere: staying seated and letting the route carry you past landmarks as the lights come on.

And yes, it’s on a classic double-decker. That’s not just branding. From higher up, you get a cleaner view across streets and toward river landmarks, even when traffic gets messy. At night, the contrast between lit buildings and dark streets makes the photos easier too.

Price and what you’re really paying for at $51.83

At $51.83 per person, the value depends on how you travel. If you’re the kind of person who hates sorting out multiple routes, ticket types, and transfers, you’ll likely feel like you got your money back quickly.

Here’s why. You’re not just buying “a bus.” Your ticket includes:

• hop-on hop-off sightseeing during the day
• a 2-hour night tour to admire London after dark
• access to Tootwalk, self-guided walking tours that extend what you see beyond the bus
• use of the Tootbus app for real-time bus tracking and the closest stop

Now the trade-offs. Food and drink aren’t included, and there’s no restroom on board. Also, you cannot hop on and off during the night tour. So the night portion is for watching, not for popping out for a quick snack or a short detour.

My practical take: this price makes sense when you’ll actually use both parts (day + night) and take advantage of the self-guided walking tours. If you only want one short section, you may feel like you bought extra.

The day route: West End to the Thames, stop by stop

The start is easy to spot: Coventry Street, W1D 6BH outside Shake Shack. From there, the route hits a classic sequence of “first-time in London” icons.

Trafalgar Square (outside the National Gallery area)

The Trafalgar Square stop puts you right by the National Gallery entrance area (near the Sainsbury Wing). This is a good jump-off if you want museum time without figuring out train lines. It’s also a strong place to reset your day—one of those central zones where you can branch into multiple directions on foot.

Downside? It’s a major hub, so crowds can be real when you hop off. If you’re going at peak hours, expect slower walking and longer photo waits.

London Eye (near the Marriott and a lion statue)

Next is London Eye, SE1 7GA with the stop placed outside a Marriott Hotel next to a lion statue. Even if you don’t go up, this stop sets you up to connect the Thames side of London with the big skyline views nearby.

If you’re planning a ride on the London Eye, this is the kind of stop that saves you time because it drops you right where you need to be.

Waterloo Station (outside Gail’s Bakery)

At Waterloo Station, SE1 7ND outside Gail’s Bakery, the bus route hits one of the best “I need to move fast” districts. You can use this stop to reach the river area and also to re-position yourself if your day plan shifts.

The main consideration is that Waterloo is busy. It’s efficient for getting around, but you’ll want to stay aware of where the crowd flow is pushing you when you get off.

Covent Garden (outside One Aldwych Hotel)

Covent Garden, WC2B 4BZ outside One Aldwych Hotel is one of those stops that turns the bus into a flexible day. You can get off for a stroll, then get back on when your timing says it’s time.

This is also a smart place to pair with the included Tootwalk walking tours. A bus stop plus a short walk plan is an easy combo for getting the most out of limited hours.

St. Paul’s Cathedral (opposite Cote Brasserie)

St. Paul’s Cathedral, EC4M 7DR opposite Cote Brasserie is another “big sight, clean access” stop. From up on a bus, you typically get a strong angle of the dome and surrounding streets. Off the bus, the stop location makes it straightforward to continue on foot toward the cathedral area.

Practical tip: plan to spend a little more time here than you think you need. This is the kind of stop where you’ll naturally slow down once you’re there.

London Bridge, Tooley Street, and Tower of London

The route runs right along the riverfront approach:

• London Bridge, EC3R 6DN (north of London Bridge, stop P)
• Tooley Street, SE1 2JP (left of Potters Fields)
• Tower of London, EC3N 4DR (in front of a Bronze Worker statue)

These stops are perfect if you want to connect the city streets to the Thames vibe. From the bus, you’ll get a continuous sense of “how the city sits next to the water.” Then, when you hop off, the landmarks are close enough to make walking feel doable.

The key drawback here is weather and comfort. River-adjacent areas can feel colder or windier, especially later in the day. Bring a layer if you’re sensitive to chills.

Westminster Pier and Temple Place (South Bank to government icons)

The bus then brings you toward the Westminster side with:

• Westminster Pier, SW1A 2JH (next to Santander bikes, stop K)
• Temple Place, WC2R 2PN opposite Victoria Embankment Gardens

This segment is excellent for twilight visuals—big buildings, river reflections, and the sense of London “opening up” toward the government district. Even in daylight, the geometry looks good from the bus.

Just be aware that river areas are also where a lot of pedestrians funnel. When you’re hopping on/off, take an extra moment to line up with the bus door and not where you think you should stand.

Whitehall, Parliament Street, and Horse Guards Parade

From there, it’s government-center London:

• 15 Whitehall (Craig’s Court)
• Whitehall near the Banqueting House area
• Parliament Street
• Horse Guards Parade
• Cockspur Court

This is where bus travel feels especially smart. These are long corridors where getting across town by foot can turn into a slow slog. By using the bus, you can stay oriented while still stepping off for short, focused time.

The possible consideration: you may find yourself bouncing between stops that are close together but still require careful walking. If your plan is tight, pick 1–2 “anchor stops” for this area and don’t try to over-pack.

Grosvenor Gardens to Buckingham Palace

Later stops bring you toward Buckingham Palace:

• Grosvenor Gardens, SW1W 0EB (outside Taipei Representative Office area)
• Buckingham Palace, Buckingham Palace Road (stop listed on Buckingham Palace Road)
• and the Whitehall / Westminster Bridge approach on the way

If you want a practical “royal landmarks” day, this is a good stretch to do before dinner. The lighting during evening approach is also part of the payoff, so don’t push this too late if you’re photo-focused.

Central London sweep: Piccadilly, Hyde Park, Kensington, and Notting Hill

After the core landmarks, the route climbs into West London with lots of famous “name” areas.

Piccadilly and Green Park Station

You’ll hit Piccadilly and the Green Park Station area. This portion is useful if you want that classic Central London feel, with quick access to major streets and the kind of neighborhoods where you can disappear for an hour and then reappear back on the bus.

Hard Rock Cafe and Queen Elizabeth Gate (Hyde Park edge)

There’s a stop tied to Hard Rock Cafe, then you reach Queen Elizabeth Gate (Hyde Park). Even if you don’t plan a big park walk, the bus viewing angles here are good for seeing how central London sits around major green space.

Harrods, Gloucester Road, and museums area

You’ll go past Harrods and then into the Museums / Gloucester Road Station area. This is one of the best stretches for “I want shopping and I also want culture” days, because you can hop off based on mood.

Kensington Palace and Notting Hill Gate

Then you reach:

• Kensington Palace (stop tied to Kensington Palace area)
• Notting Hill Gate (Notting Hill Gate stop)

This is where the bus helps you keep energy. Instead of trying to stitch together West End, Hyde Park, Kensington, and Notting Hill by foot, the bus becomes your motion plan.

Paddington, Oxford Street, Marble Arch, and Victoria

Central London continues with a practical set of stops:

• Paddington Station
• Praed Street
• Oxford Street
• Marble Arch
• Victoria Station

This set makes sense if your day includes shopping streets and major transport nodes. It’s also good for people who want options. If you’re tired, you can just keep riding. If you find a place you like, you hop off and deal with it on foot.

Just watch the timing: Oxford Street is the kind of place where crowds can make “quick stops” take longer than expected.

Northward lift: Russell Square, Euston, King’s Cross, St Pancras, and the British Museum

The route continues north through major stations and museum country.

• Russell Square (outside Royal National Hotel and Alamo area)
• Euston Station (Prezzo area)
• King’s Cross (near taxi rank)
• St Pancras (outside Francis Kirk Institute area)
• British Museum (Great Russell Street area)

This is a strong cluster if museums are part of your trip. The British Museum stop is especially convenient because it makes a museum day feel like an add-on rather than a whole logistical project.

Charing Cross and St Martin-in-the-Fields

There are also stops around:

• Charing Cross Road (near Wyndham’s Theatre junction)
• St Martin-in-the-Fields (outside St Martin-in-the-Field Churchyard area)

This helps you stitch together theatre area vibes with quick cultural stops, depending on what you want that evening—or what you accidentally walk past and decide you care about.

Night tour reality check: stay on board and dress for it

The night portion is designed for “see London after dark” comfort. You’re on the bus for about 2 hours, and you can’t hop on and off during this part. That means you should treat it like a ride with views, not a timed ticket to jump into new places.

Also, bring layers. One common theme from the experience is weather catching people toward the end—rain can make the deck feel colder. I’d rather be slightly over-prepared than spend the last stretch wishing I had a warmer jacket.

If you hate committing to a single ride without the escape option, this is the part to think about. The upside is you get a smooth, stress-light way to see the illuminated city.

Audio, headsets, and the staff who make it better

The tour is offered in English, and there’s an emphasis on guided-style narration. A highlight from the experience is that staff can be excellent when they’re on your route—Hasna stands out as a guide who explains details more clearly than the usual rush-through.

That said, audio tech can vary. One visitor had trouble with headphone jacks not working in their seating area. If audio is important to you, I’d plan as if audio could be spotty. Keep your phone charged for maps and photos, and don’t rely on one single tech element to make the experience enjoyable.

How to use the hop-on hop-off system like a pro

Here’s the way I’d make this tour work for you so it feels efficient rather than exhausting:

• Pick anchor sights first: decide which 4–5 stops matter most, then use the rest as bonus views from the upper deck.
• Do your walking where the streets are best: stops like Covent Garden, St. Paul’s, and Trafalgar Square are ideal for short walks because they’re central and easy to navigate.
• Don’t over-stack Westminster: Whitehall and Parliament Street can eat time. Use the bus to reposition, then do short focused visits.
• Save energy for the night ride: because you can’t hop off at night, you want your body to be ready for two hours of seated sightseeing.
• Have a rain plan: the deck can get cold when the weather turns. A light rain layer helps.

Who this tour fits best

This is a strong fit if you:

• want to cover lots of London landmarks in limited time
• like a plan that’s flexible during the day
• want a straightforward night sightseeing option without negotiating transit
• appreciate having self-guided walking tours added into the mix

It may not be the best match if you:

• need frequent on/off control during the night portion
• are very strict about exact bus wait times and can’t tolerate delays
• hate weather exposure while on an outdoor upper deck

Should you book London Discovery by Day and by Night?

I’d book this when you want a two-part London experience: daytime hop-on convenience plus an easy night ride for landmark views. The value is strongest if you’ll actually use the day hopping and the night tour together, and if you’ll make time for the included Tootwalk self-guided walks.

If you’re the type who needs ironclad arrival timing, build in extra slack. And if rain is likely, pack for it. With those two practical tweaks, this tour can be a smart shortcut to the places that usually take the longest to coordinate—Trafalgar Square, London Eye, St. Paul’s, Tower of London, Westminster, and more.

FAQ

How long is the night tour?

The night tour is about 2 hours.

Can I hop on and off during the night tour?

No. Hop on and off is not included for the night tour.

Where does the tour start?

The first stop listed is Coventry Street, W1D 6BH, outside Shake Shack.

Is this ticket mobile-friendly?

Yes. It’s a mobile ticket.

Does the tour use an app for bus tracking?

Yes. You get access to the Tootbus app for real-time bus tracking and the closest stop.

Is the bus wheelchair and stroller accessible?

Yes, the bus is wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Should you plan a full day around it or just parts?

The experience is set up for both. If you’re short on time, you can focus on the daytime hop-on portion for flexibility and then use the night tour for a relaxed viewing window.

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