Independent guide
The Original Tour London: routes, stops and tickets
Independent guide, not operated by or affiliated with The Original Tour.
We list one The Original Tour ticket option in London, from 0.5–2.5 hr. The Original Tour runs open-top hop-on hop-off buses in London on Red, Blue, Green and Pink routes, with a Thames river cruise run by City Cruises available as a ticket add-on. This guide covers 4 routes, its 52 distinct stops, when to ride and who it suits, then lines up the tickets.
- Routes4
- Stops52
- Shortest loop55M
- Ticket1
Route and stops
- Red Route
- Blue Route
- Green Route
- Pink Route
A long central circuit from Piccadilly through Whitehall and Westminster, the London Eye, the City, Tower of London and Buckingham Palace to Hyde Park and Marble Arch.
Red Route
Show all 22 stops
A route through Westminster and Trafalgar Square to Piccadilly, then west to Harrods, the museum quarter, Kensington Palace, Notting Hill and Paddington.
Blue Route
Show all 23 stops
A shorter northern route from the West End theatres to Covent Garden, Bloomsbury, the rail stations at Euston, King's Cross and St Pancras, and the British Museum.
Green Route
Show all 9 stops
A short loop from Park Lane and Marble Arch via Paddington to Baker Street, Madame Tussauds and Regent's Park.
Pink Route
The Original Tour tickets in London
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What riders say
Across these tickets travellers rate The Original Tour London 1.8 out of 5 from 4 reviews.
Best time to ride
Late spring to early autumn is the most comfortable for the open top deck; in winter the lower deck is the more sheltered choice. Weekdays are generally calmer than weekends and peak holiday times.
Who it suits
- Families
- A kids tour and a river cruise add-on are offered, and the Red Route passes many landmarks children know.
- Couples
- The Blue Route links the West End with Kensington and Notting Hill for a relaxed day out.
- Seniors
- Staying on board for a full loop avoids long walks between sights; the shorter Green and Pink routes are easier.
- First-time visitors
- The Red Route covers the best-known central sights, and the Blue Route adds the museums and Kensington.
Tips before you go
- Green and Pink buses run roughly hourly, so check the timetable before planning a day around them.
- The Yellow River Cruise is run by City Cruises and has its own timetable.
- Stop numbers are shared across routes, so a stop may appear on more than one route.
- Check the Service Updates page for temporary stop changes before travelling.
Good to know
- Buses: about every 15 to 30 minutes on the Red Route.
Sights along the way
London Eye, Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, Harrods, Kensington Palace, British Museum.
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 The Original Tour London
Which routes does The Original Tour run?
Red, Blue, Green and Pink bus routes, plus a Yellow River Cruise, a kids tour, a night tour and a Christmas lights tour.
How long are the loops?
The Red Route is about 2 hours 15 minutes, Blue about 2 hours, Green about 1 hour and Pink about 55 minutes.
How often do buses run?
Red buses are listed every 15 to 30 minutes, Blue every 20 to 30 minutes, and Green and Pink about hourly.
Where does the Red Route start?
The Red Route is listed starting at Coventry Street near Piccadilly Circus.
Is the river cruise run by the bus company?
No, the Yellow River Cruise is run by City Cruises, and its timetable is on that company's site.
How many The Original Tour ticket options are there in London?
We list 1 The Original Tour ticket option in London, lasting 0.5–2.5 hr, rated 1.8 out of 5 across 4 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.