Tower of London with London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise

REVIEW · LONDON

Tower of London with London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise

  • 3.5112 reviews
  • 3 hours 35 minutes (approx.)
  • From $106.96
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Operated by Big Bus London · Bookable on Viator

Traveller rating 3.5 (112)Duration3 hours 35 minutes (approx.)Price from$106.96Operated byBig Bus LondonBook viaViator

London moves fast. This package helps you keep up. You get Tower of London entry plus a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus and a one-way Thames river cruise, all tied into one day plan that’s meant to save time while still letting you pick your pace.

Two things I really like: first, you’re not locked into one route or one short stop. The unlimited hop-on hop-off ticket lets you hop, get oriented, and come back later. Second, the experience includes audio commentary (listed as available in five languages in the highlights, and seven languages in the included details) and free WiFi, so you can use your phone to stay organized.

One drawback to think about up front: bus travel in London can be slow or disrupted, and if you treat the Tower visit like a flexible extra, you can get squeezed. A few customers reported long waits and even missing their scheduled Tower time when traffic ran badly (and when routes were affected).

Key takeaways before you go

Tower of London with London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise - Key takeaways before you go

  • 24-hour unlimited bus access means you can change your plan mid-day instead of racing a fixed itinerary.
  • Mobile ticket + free WiFi helps you manage stops and timing without hunting for paperwork.
  • Audio commentary is included, which makes quick hops more useful (especially if you’re moving between viewpoints).
  • Tower of London entry is the anchor. Treat it like the appointment and build everything else around it.
  • The route hits classic landmarks across central London before getting you to the Tower area.
  • Thames cruise is one-way, so you’ll want to confirm how it fits with your hop-on timing once you redeem your voucher.

Tower + Bus + Thames: why this combo actually works

Tower of London with London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise - Tower + Bus + Thames: why this combo actually works
If you’re trying to see a lot of London without building a complicated transport plan, this 3-in-1 approach is the point. You start with the Tower of London (the main event), then you use the Big Bus ride to “braid” together many top sights without paying for separate transport tickets.

I also like that this package gives you a simple rhythm: bus to reposition, audio to add context while you ride, then hop off where it fits your energy. It’s built for travelers who want to feel like they’re sightseeing, not spreadsheeting.

That said, the value depends on how you use it. If you spend too much time early on the route, the Tower entry window can feel urgent when traffic is slow. This is one of those tours where the best strategy is to protect your most scheduled part first.

You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in London

Redeeming your voucher and getting your Tower entrance ticket

Tower of London with London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise - Redeeming your voucher and getting your Tower entrance ticket
Here’s the first practical thing to know: you redeem your voucher at designated Big Bus stops. When you do, you’ll be issued with both the bus tour ticket and the Tower of London entrance ticket. So don’t wait to redeem until you’re already late—plan to activate the package early in your sightseeing day.

I’d treat redemption like your official start line. Once your bus ticket is in hand, you can hop on immediately and start using the stops. And once you’ve got the Tower entrance ticket, you can plan around the Tower rather than trying to guess what time you’ll arrive.

Also note: tickets are valid starting from the first date of redemption. That matters if you’re traveling across dates or trying to shift things around due to weather.

Tower of London entry: making the Crown Jewels part stress-free

Tower of London with London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise - Tower of London entry: making the Crown Jewels part stress-free
The Tower of London is included, and the highlight called out is the Crown Jewels. That’s why this package is worth considering in the first place: you’re not just passing by the Tower—you’re paying for entry.

The biggest time-risk is how you get there. Several accounts describe delays on the bus that caused missed entry or tighter-than-expected timing. The lesson for you is simple: when you’re heading to the Tower, give yourself a buffer and avoid spending all your time hopping at far-apart stops on the same side of town.

If you like structure, consider a straightforward plan like this:

  • Ride early to one of the central areas first.
  • Use the bus to reposition toward the Tower area well before your Tower time.
  • Keep your last hops near the Tower simple and close together.

One more small tip based on customer feedback: people weren’t always aware they could ask for headphones for the audio. If you don’t see headphones, ask staff right away before you start listening—London is loud, and audio quality depends on you having the right gear.

The Big Bus 24-hour pass: how to get value instead of “just riding”

Tower of London with London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise - The Big Bus 24-hour pass: how to get value instead of “just riding”
This package includes a 24-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off bus ticket. That’s a strong value feature, because it changes the question from Can I see everything? to How do I see what matters most, at the pace I want?

I like this ticket structure because it makes your day elastic. If you get tired, you can stop hopping. If you spot a good photo moment or a shop you actually want to browse, you can hop off and return without losing the day.

But to make it work, you need one habit: choose a couple of priorities, then use the rest as “bonus stops.” A few customers felt the package wasn’t worth it when the bus time ate into the Tower visit, and they ended up using the bus only a handful of times.

Practical mindset: the bus is your transportation layer. The Tower is your fixed anchor. The cruise is your add-on. If you treat all three like equally time-critical, it gets harder when traffic and route changes happen.

Following the route: what each cluster of stops is good for

Tower of London with London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise - Following the route: what each cluster of stops is good for
The route line is long, so instead of obsessing over every single stop, I group them into practical sightseeing zones. This helps you decide where to hop off quickly.

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Green Park to Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus: your fast start

The route kicks off at Green Park and connects through major central stops like Hard Rock Cafe, Marble Arch, Regent Street, and Piccadilly Circus. This cluster is ideal when you want a quick hit of London’s recognizable streets early in the day.

Why it’s useful: these are areas where hopping off briefly still pays off. Even if you only walk a few blocks, you’ll get your bearings fast and start stacking photos without committing to a full museum timeline.

Possible downside: Regent Street and Piccadilly can be crowded, and walking between stops can add time. Use short hops here, then shift toward the quieter anchor sights once you’ve collected your initial orientation.

Trafalgar Square to Whitehall and Horse Guards: the classic London views

From Trafalgar Square, the route continues toward Craig’s Court, Horse Guards Parade, and Whitehall. These stops tend to be great for skyline views and landmark photos—think wide angles, government-area streets, and the big visual landmarks you see in postcards.

This is where the audio helps, because you’re moving along scenes that make sense only when you’re standing in the right spot. Riding past with audio gives context, and hopping off lets you confirm what you’re seeing.

One caution: if you’re traveling during demonstrations or unexpected closures, this central strip is the kind of area where routes can be disrupted. If you notice service changes, don’t gamble—re-route and protect your Tower time.

London Eye to Covent Garden to St Paul’s: big sights, tight timing

The bus route includes stops at London Eye, Waterloo Station, Covent Garden, and St. Paul’s Cathedral, plus the Monument to the Great Fire of London. This is a strong chain of major London icons.

Here’s what I’d do with this stretch:

  • If you want photos and big landmark moments, hop around quickly.
  • If you’d rather keep the day flexible, you can stay on the bus for a full loop and pick one stop to linger.

Why St Paul’s and the Monument matter: they’re visually distinct named stops. Even if you don’t plan a long visit, they’re good “checkpoints” that keep you moving with purpose.

London Bridge to Southwark to the Tower area: where the day turns

The later part of the route heads to London Bridge, then Southwark (including a stop at London City Hall area), and finally Tower of London. This is the part of the day that needs your attention most, because it’s the bridge between sightseeing and your Tower visit.

If your Tower time feels “must-do today,” you’ll want to be realistic about what it takes to get from one side of central London to the other. Multiple accounts describe waiting on the bus for long stretches and struggling to stay on schedule.

My rule of thumb: when you’re nearing the Tower, stop treating the bus ride as entertainment time and treat it like your logistics plan. Keep your return close so you’re not forced into a last-minute sprint.

Thames cruise and Westminster Pier: using the river stop wisely

Tower of London with London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise - Thames cruise and Westminster Pier: using the river stop wisely
You get a one-way Thames River Cruise as part of the package. The bus route list includes a stop at Westminster Pier, so that’s your key connection point for the cruise segment.

I’d handle this like a timed add-on, even though the cruise is included. If the bus side runs late, the cruise can become the part that you feel rushed by—or miss.

One more practical thing: one customer noted there wasn’t an eGuide on the boat tour. That doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy the cruise, but it does suggest you shouldn’t expect high-tech narration. If you’re the type who wants audio guidance, rely on what’s included in the main tour package plan rather than assuming extra onboard guidance will be there.

Also, the cruise is one-way. That means you shouldn’t plan on it as a round-trip reset for your schedule. Treat it as a directional experience that you plug into the day’s route.

Timing the London Eye stop and the second pass back

Tower of London with London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise - Timing the London Eye stop and the second pass back
The route list includes London Eye more than once, including eastbound and westbound mentions. That’s not a gimmick—it’s useful. It means you can catch the London Eye area from different directions during different parts of the day, depending on what time you’re riding.

I like this because it gives you an option: if you skip it earlier, you might see it again later without restarting your day from scratch.

Still, if you’re aiming to hit the Tower with confidence, don’t let the London Eye stops swallow your time right before your Tower entry. Big landmark areas can turn a quick stop into a long wandering session.

Price and value: when $106.96 makes sense, and when it doesn’t

Tower of London with London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise - Price and value: when $106.96 makes sense, and when it doesn’t
At $106.96 per person, this package is competing with two realities:

1) London sightseeing costs money when you do it piece by piece.

2) London transport delays can turn a “deal” into an expensive disappointment if your schedule gets squeezed.

So when does it make sense? It fits best if:

  • You want Tower of London entry included.
  • You’ll genuinely use the 24-hour hop-on hop-off ticket rather than a couple of rides.
  • You’re planning to see several central sights in one day and want an easier way to move between them.

When it likely won’t feel worth it is if you:

  • Only ride the bus a few times.
  • Treat the bus as a precise clock to reach timed entry, despite traffic risk.
  • End up with route disruptions that force you to walk longer than expected.

Based on the frustration described in a few accounts, the bus side can be the weak link when things go off-script. If you’re the type who hates uncertainty, I’d build a plan that still works even if the bus runs late.

Service notes you should care about (not just fine print)

A few details matter more than they seem:

  • Mobile ticket is provided, and free WiFi is included. That helps you manage your day while you ride.
  • Audio commentary is included in multiple languages (five languages in the highlights, seven listed in the included information).
  • Service animals are allowed.
  • The tour operates on set daily hours during the listed date windows in February and early March, with variations between date ranges.

The practical takeaway: check the date range you’re traveling in and confirm the operating hours. Hop-on hop-off tours live and die by whether the last ride lines up with your plans.

Who this package suits best

This is a strong fit for:

  • First-timers who want a big-picture London loop without separate planning for bus transport.
  • People who like freedom after a major highlight (Tower of London) is secured.
  • Families or small groups who benefit from one ticket covering multiple segments.

It’s a weaker fit if:

  • You only want one or two stops and don’t plan to use the bus again later.
  • You’re depending on the bus to hit a narrow arrival window with no buffer.
  • You hate the idea of route changes when central areas get affected.

Should you book this Tower of London + Big Bus + Thames cruise?

My honest take: I’d book it if you’re using it the way it’s meant to be used—Tower first, then bus hopping, then a cruise stop—so you can turn included transport into real sightseeing time.

I would hold off if your plan is extremely time-tight or if you can’t accept that traffic and route interruptions can change how long the bus takes. In that case, you might find you’re paying for transportation you end up not using as much as you hoped.

If you do book, do this one thing: protect your Tower visit time and treat everything else as flexible. That one mindset shift turns a potentially stressful day into a smooth one.

FAQ

What does the Tower of London with London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise include?

It includes entry to the Tower of London, a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket, a one-way Thames river cruise, audio commentary (in multiple languages), and free WiFi.

How long is the experience?

The duration is listed as about 3 hours 35 minutes.

Does the hop-on hop-off bus ticket last all day?

Yes. It includes 24-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off bus access.

Is the ticket mobile?

Yes, it’s listed as a mobile ticket.

What languages is the audio commentary available in?

The highlights mention audio in five languages, and the included details list audio commentary in 7 languages.

Where do I redeem my voucher?

Redeem your voucher at designated Big Bus stops. You’ll be issued with a bus tour ticket and a Tower of London entrance ticket.

Can I get a refund if I cancel?

Yes. Free cancellation is available if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time.

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