ENGLAND | Roaming London by bus instead of by tube

In 2024, I showed Oscar from Denver, Colorado the highlights of London. It was his first time in England. In contrast, Thanh and I have been to the capital of the United Kingdom many times. During the weekend of Pentecost 2026, we went together for a weekend of museums, food, and a concert.

Thanh likes to use buses, because you see more. That’s true. But I’m a railway man. I prefer public transport on rails, being a train, a tram, a light rail, a metro, underground or tube. I would only take a bus if there’s no other option. I like rail-based transport because it’s clear, stops are obvious. On a bus, you must pay more attention.

But fine, let’s take some buses in London. Double-decker buses are ubiquitous in the capital of Albion.

Riding the buses in London

For many visitors, the London Underground is the obvious way to travel around the capital. It is fast, extensive and famous throughout the world. Yet some of the most enjoyable journeys in London take place above ground, from the front seat of a red double-decker bus.

London’s bus network is one of the largest urban bus systems in the world. More than 670 routes connect central London, the suburbs, airports, railway stations, shopping districts and residential neighbourhoods. On a typical weekday, millions of passengers use the network, making it an essential part of everyday life in the city.

For visitors, buses offer something the Underground cannot: a chance to see London as you travel. A journey between two attractions becomes a sightseeing tour in its own right, passing historic landmarks, parks, markets, residential streets and neighbourhoods that would otherwise remain hidden beneath the city streets.

Why take the bus?

The greatest advantage of London’s buses is visibility. While Underground passengers spend much of their journey in tunnels, bus passengers can watch the city unfold outside the window. Sitting on the upper deck of a double-decker bus often provides excellent views of famous sights such as the Palace of Westminster, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral, or Tower Bridge.

Buses are also remarkably affordable. A single journey costs £1.75, regardless of distance. Thanks to the Hopper fare, passengers can make unlimited bus and tram journeys within one hour of their first tap for the same fare, provided they use the same payment method throughout.

Another advantage is accessibility. All London buses are low-floor vehicles with wheelchair access, and the entire fleet has been accessible for many years. Electronic displays and audio announcements help passengers identify upcoming stops.

The network also reaches places that are poorly served by the Underground. Areas such as Dulwich, Greenwich, Hampstead Village, Richmond, and many residential districts rely heavily on buses. Travelling by bus can therefore reveal a different side of London beyond the usual tourist routes.

Why not take the bus?

Buses are not always the fastest option. London traffic can be unpredictable, particularly during rush hour. A journey that looks short on the map may take considerably longer than expected. In central London, buses can sometimes move little faster than pedestrians.

For longer journeys across the city, the Underground usually remains the better choice. Travelling from one side of London to the other by bus can be time-consuming, especially when multiple changes are required.

Another challenge for visitors is understanding where to board and where to alight. Although apps and onboard displays make this easier than ever, London’s extensive network can initially appear overwhelming.

Paying for your journey

One of the simplest aspects of travelling by bus is payment.

Cash is not accepted on London buses. Instead, passengers use a contactless bank card, smartphone payment service such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, or an Oyster card. Simply tap the yellow reader when boarding. Unlike the Underground, there is no need to tap out when leaving the bus.

A useful rule is consistency. Use the same card or device throughout the day so that Transport for London can calculate fare caps correctly and ensure you pay the lowest possible amount.

Planning your journey

The days of unfolding enormous paper bus maps are largely over.

The official TfL Go app provides live departure information, route planning and disruption alerts. Third-party apps such as Citymapper are also popular among Londoners because they combine real-time information with clear navigation. TfL’s website additionally offers route maps and journey-planning tools.

At bus stops, electronic displays usually show how many minutes remain until the next bus arrives. In many cases, these predictions are remarkably accurate.

The art of choosing a seat

Regular bus users quickly develop preferences. For sightseeing, the front seats on the upper deck are unrivalled. Few experiences feel more quintessentially London than watching the city pass by through the large front window of a double-decker.

For shorter journeys, sitting downstairs near the exit can make leaving easier, especially when the bus is busy.

If travelling during peak hours, be aware that buses serving railway stations and major employment centres can become crowded. Outside rush hour, however, buses are often comfortable and surprisingly relaxing.

Understanding bus stops

Not every bus stops automatically. Many stops are marked as request stops. If you want to board, make your intention clear by standing close to the kerb as the bus approaches. If you wish to get off, press one of the stop buttons well before reaching your destination.

The onboard screens and audio announcements make it easy to follow progress along the route, even for first-time visitors.

Night buses

When much of the Underground network closes overnight, London’s night buses take over.

Routes prefixed with an ‘N‘ operate throughout the night and provide an important connection between central London and residential districts. For visitors enjoying London’s theatre, restaurant and nightlife scenes, night buses can be an economical alternative to taxis.

The experience can be quite different from daytime travel. The roads are quieter, journeys are often faster, and the upper deck offers unusual views of illuminated landmarks.

Bus routes worth taking

Some routes are almost attractions in themselves.

Route 11 has long been known for passing many of London’s famous sights, while routes through Westminster, the City of London and South Kensington provide excellent views of historic architecture. Any route crossing the Thames can offer memorable perspectives of the skyline.

In outer London, buses reveal neighbourhoods rarely visited by tourists. These journeys often provide a better understanding of how Londoners actually live and move around their city.

A few practical tips

Keep an eye on the route number as several buses may share the same stop.
Use the same contactless card or device throughout the day.
Board through the front door and leave through the middle or rear doors where available.
Sit upstairs whenever possible if you want the best views.
Do not assume a bus will stop automatically; signal your intention to board.
Allow extra time if travelling during rush hour.
Check live information before setting out, particularly during weekends when diversions and engineering works are more common.

Final thoughts

The London Underground may be faster, but the bus often provides the richer travel experience. It is affordable, easy to use and offers a constantly changing view of one of the world’s most fascinating cities.

For visitors, buses are not merely a means of transport. They are a way of discovering London itself. A seat on the upper deck can reveal elegant terraces, hidden parks, lively high streets and unexpected corners of the capital that would otherwise remain unseen. Sometimes the journey really is as interesting as the destination.

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