Independent guide
City Sightseeing London: routes, stops and tickets
Independent guide, not operated by or affiliated with City Sightseeing.
We list 3 City Sightseeing ticket options in London, from 0.5–3 hr. City Sightseeing London runs red open-top buses on three routes (Red, Blue and Green) under the London City Tour name, with ticket add-ons such as a river cruise offered by resellers. This guide covers the route, its 25 distinct stops, when to ride and who it suits, then lines up the tickets.
- Routes1
- Stops25
- Full loop2H 30M
- Tickets3
Route and stops
- Red Route
The long central London circuit, running from the London Eye side of the Thames to the City, Tower of London, Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and Marble Arch before returning via Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square.
Red Route
Show all 25 stops
City Sightseeing tickets in London
Want to see every hop-on hop-off bus in London, not just this one? Compare hop-on hop-off tours in London.
What riders say
Across these tickets travellers rate City Sightseeing London 3.9 out of 5 from 1,684 reviews.
Etiandro was the best of the best! He speaks english and spanish and he was very kind and pacient! We just loved him!
The driver Ernest was the most helpful and knowledgeable driver I came cross very informative and very willing to support
Saud was incredibly friendly and helpful. He took the time to explain the bus routes clearly and answered all my questions. His positive attitude and great customer service made me feel welcome as a first time visitor to London. Thank you!!! 😊
Best time to ride
Late spring to early autumn gives the best chance of dry weather for the open top deck; winter is cold and dark early, though the lower deck is sheltered. Weekday mornings tend to have lighter traffic.
Who it suits
- Families
- The upper deck and the string of famous landmarks keep children interested, with stops beside major attractions.
- Couples
- A relaxed way to see the Thames-side sights, with easy hop-off points near the London Eye and Tower Bridge.
- Seniors
- Long circuit, so many riders ride a full loop first and then choose one or two stops to explore.
- First-time visitors
- The Red Route touches the best-known central London sights in a single ride.
Tips before you go
- The route page lists Red, Blue and Green routes; the Green Route is reported to run only at weekends from September 2026.
- Stops near Buckingham Palace can be affected by the Changing of the Guard on some days.
- Weekday and weekend patterns differ at some stops, so check the route page before travelling.
- River cruises such as the City Cruises Thames service are separate boats, not buses.
Good to know
- Buses: about every 10 to 15 minutes on the Red Route.
Sights along the way
London Eye, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Marble Arch, Trafalgar Square, Borough Market.
Top-ranked in London: St. Paul's Cathedral, Stonehenge, Tower of London, Houses of Parliament & Big Ben, London Eye. All things to do in London.
Other hop-on hop-off options in London
Questions about City Sightseeing London
How many routes does City Sightseeing London have?
The route page lists three: Red, Blue and Green.
How long does the Red Route take?
The route page gives about two and a half hours for the full circuit.
Where does the Red Route start?
Stop 1 is on Belvedere Road behind the London Eye.
How often do Red Route buses run?
The route page states a bus about every 10 to 15 minutes.
Are all Red Route stops running?
The route page notes that the St Paul's Cathedral stop on Ludgate Hill is temporarily out of service, so check the page before travelling.
How many City Sightseeing ticket options are there in London?
We list 3 City Sightseeing ticket options in London, lasting 0.5–3 hr, rated 3.9 out of 5 across 1,684 traveller reviews.
Route and stop details checked 2026-10-15, from the operator's own pages where they could be read and from independent guides where they could not; where sources differ, the list may be incomplete. Routes and times change with the season, so confirm on the ticket page before you travel.