Vintage London Bus Tour Including Cruise with London Eye Option

Red buses, royal guards, and the Thames. This vintage London bus tour pairs open-top Routemaster sightseeing with a guided Thames cruise, plus you can add the London Eye for big 360-degree views. It is a great way to see a lot in one afternoon without spending your whole day in transit.

I like how the tour hits the major photo moments in a smooth loop, including Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London with real time to look and take pictures. I also love the added river angle, since the cruise frames landmarks like Tower Bridge and the Shard from the water instead of from sidewalks.

One thing to consider is that this is an open-top ride, so plan for weather, and timing can be tight if road traffic or boat boarding runs behind schedule. If you’re hoping for a very specific moment, like the Changing of the Guard, build in some flexibility.

Quick hit key points

• Vintage Routemaster on an open-top deck gives you classic London views, especially on clear days
• Thames cruise from Tower pier to the London Eye adds landmark views you just do not get from land
• Changing of the Guard photo stop at Buckingham Palace is the big royal moment on this route
• London Eye upgrade includes fast entry using a prebooked ticket
• Max group size of 40 helps keep it a manageable, guided experience
• Optional afternoon Stonehenge can tack on a second major sight trip from Victoria

A smart way to see London fast, without feeling rushed

This tour is built like a highlight reel, and that is the point. In about 3 hours 30 minutes, you get a vintage bus loop through central sights, then a guided Thames cruise that changes your perspective right away. If you are short on time, or you just want your bearings fast, the format works.

The best part for me is the balance of viewpoints. You see London from street level on the bus, then you switch to water level on the Thames, where the skyline looks totally different. That contrast is also great for photographers, since you get multiple angles of the same famous spots.

Victoria Coach Station to Westminster, how the timing flows

You start at Victoria Coach Station, 164 Buckingham Palace Rd (SW1W 9TP), and the tour begins at 1:00 pm. The tour ends back at Victoria St (SW1E 5ND), though your exact end point can vary depending on which options you select.

You will ride with a local guide and a maximum group size of 40, which helps keep the tour organized. One practical note: arrive early. The operation is designed around punctual departures, and you should plan to check in in time to avoid problems if you are even a few minutes late.

Most of the day is planned around photo stops, not museum deep dives. That is ideal if you want to see the big icons first, then decide later if you want to return on your own.

The vintage Routemaster ride, where the photos really happen

This is a 1960s-style vintage double-decker Routemaster experience, and it runs from an open-top deck when conditions allow. On clear afternoons, you get panoramic views that feel very classic London, not just another bus window tour.

You should expect that the guide’s commentary matters, because the bus portion is where you learn what you’re looking at. If you want the best mix of sightlines and audio, it helps to sit where you can hear comfortably while still facing forward. You can also use the many photo stops to pause, check your camera settings, and get the shot before you roll on.

Bring a layer. The tour specifically warns you to prepare for rain, and on rare occasions the open-top bus can be swapped for a closed top. Pack like you are going to be outside, because you are.

Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey photo stops, in the right order

The day kicks off with a photo stop at Buckingham Palace. You get about 30 minutes outside, and admission is not included, so think of it as a look-and-shoot moment rather than a guided interior visit.

Then you move on to Westminster Abbey for around 15 minutes. Admission is also not included here, so you’ll be appreciating it mainly from the outside and soaking up the location. Even short stops matter in Westminster, because the views of the surrounding buildings and street scenes are half the experience.

What I like about this pacing is that it sets up the rest of the loop. You start with royal symbolism, then you transition into the government and heritage core, before you head toward the river and the Tower area.

The changing of the guard moment, what to expect

After the cruise, you rejoin the bus and head back toward Buckingham Palace for a stop outside. This is the moment where you can see the Changing of the Guard, when it is taking place.

If the ceremony is on, look for the Queen’s Foot Guards in red tunics and bearskin helmets exchanging duties in time with military music. If it is not happening, you still get a stop for photos of Buckingham Palace, which at least protects you from arriving too late in the day to see the iconic façade.

One consideration: time and traffic can affect how smooth the whole afternoon feels. There have been occasions where people reported missing the ceremony because they were waiting for the boat portion, so if this is your top goal, keep your expectations flexible and be ready to enjoy the palace photo stop even if the schedule shifts.

The Whitehall, Trafalgar Square, and St Paul loop you can plan around

The middle of the tour is a bus drive through central London with purposeful sight points. You’ll pass by or see from the road places like the British Parliament area, the Clock Tower, and the view corridor along Whitehall.

You also go past Downing Street, the official offices and residences for the Prime Minister. Then you travel through Trafalgar Square, with Nelson’s Column as the landmark anchor.

Next comes a stop-by-view of the Law Courts of England and Wales, a large grey Victorian Gothic Revival building opened by Queen Victoria in 1882. After that, the route highlights the cathedral rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of 1666, which is St Paul’s Cathedral.

This part is where the tour earns its keep. On your own, you can see these places, but you might not notice the details that make them meaningful. Here, the guide helps connect what you’re seeing with why it exists where it does.

Tower of London and the Thames cruise, the viewpoint switch

You get a photo stop at the Tower of London for about 30 minutes, again without admission included. This is your last major land stop before the river portion.

Then the plan shifts from streets to water. You’ll go to the Thames for a guided boat trip from Tower pier to the London Eye, with a duration of about 30 minutes. This is included, and it is the section that many people love because the landmarks are framed differently than on the bus.

From the river, you should expect views of highlights like:

• Tower Bridge
• The Shard
• St Paul’s Cathedral
• Shakespeare’s Globe
• The Houses of Parliament
• Plus the London Eye from the water

One practical tip: during the cruise, your sightline depends on where you sit and how the boat is set up. If windows or visibility are affected by conditions, that changes how good photos look. I’d treat the river cruise as a comfort-focused segment first, then use your camera for the big obvious skyline moments.

London Eye upgrade, fast entry and 360 views

If you add the London Eye upgrade at booking, you’ll do it after the Buckingham Palace stop. Your drop-off takes you directly to the Eye, and you use your prebooked ticket for fast, hassle-free entry.

You board a shared glass capsule and the ride is described as a single rotation with 360-degree views. This is a strong add-on if you want a “London from above” payoff without having to plan tickets separately.

A small caution from real-world operations: there was at least one case where the London Eye was closed due to technical issues, and a refund was arranged afterward. If your schedule is inflexible, it’s smart to be ready with a backup plan.

Afternoon Stonehenge upgrade, a second trip from Victoria

There is also an optional afternoon Stonehenge visit. After the Buckingham Palace portion, you return to Victoria, then board a comfortable round-trip shuttle bus to Stonehenge.

The tour includes the logistics of getting you there and back, and entry to Stonehenge is included with the option. You then do a self-guided audio tour along the monument perimeter and around the visitor center, and the audio tour is noted as a separate expense.

This upgrade can make sense if you want one famous ancient stop without spending your morning hunting for transportation. It is a good fit when you’re okay with a self-guided pace rather than a deep guided history lecture.

Price and value: what $85.01 really buys you

At $85.01 per person, this is not the cheapest London tour, but it is not overpriced for what you get. You’re paying for two included transportation experiences plus guided interpretation: a vintage bus tour and a Thames cruise.

The math improves if you add the London Eye. The Eye upgrade is positioned as extra value at booking, and the fast entry piece matters on a busy sightseeing day when lines can be brutal.

Where the value gets even better is in how London is set up. Doing these core sights efficiently on your own means multiple transit segments, lots of walking, and time spent lining up tickets or finding the right departure points. This tour bundles it into one plan, with a local guide doing the heavy lifting on context.

The tradeoff is that you have less control. You get photo stops and set viewing windows, not a flexible schedule. If you love slow travel, you might find some bus time feels like a long ride between the best moments. But if you want a structured introduction, it hits.

Who this tour suits best, and who should skip it

This is ideal for:

• First-time visitors who want a clear overview
• Photographers who like changing angles, especially from the open-top deck and then from the Thames
• People with limited time, who want the main icons in one afternoon
• Anyone who likes a guide-led story, not just a silent audio tour

It may not be your best match if:

• You need long, unhurried visits at specific sites
• You strongly prioritize one ceremony like the Changing of the Guard and feel upset if timing slips
• You want food included, because food and drinks are not included

Also, the tour notes a moderate physical fitness level. Most people can manage it because the stops are timed and mostly sightseeing outside, but you should still be prepared for standing, walking to viewing spots, and weather.

Bottom line: should you book this vintage bus and Thames cruise tour?

I think you should book this if you want a classic, efficient London intro with real variety in views. The Routemaster plus Thames cruise combination is exactly the kind of smart pairing that makes you feel like you saw more than the sum of the parts.

Choose it especially if you are adding the London Eye, since the fast entry and the timing after Buckingham Palace help keep the afternoon from turning into a ticket-line marathon. If the Changing of the Guard is your biggest must-see, arrive with flexible expectations, dress for weather, and enjoy the palace stop even if the ceremony is not happening.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

The tour starts at Victoria Coach Station, 164 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 9TP, UK. The tour ends at Victoria St, London SW1E 5ND, with the end point possibly changing depending on which options you select.

What time does the tour depart?

The start time listed is 1:00 pm.

Is the Thames cruise included, and how long is it?

Yes. The tour includes a guided boat trip on the River Thames from Tower pier to London Eye, and it lasts about 30 minutes. It is included in the tour.

If I choose the London Eye option, how does entry work?

With the London Eye option selected at booking, you drop off at the London Eye and use your prebooked ticket for fast, hassle-free entry.

Is Stonehenge available as an upgrade, and what’s included?

Yes, there is an afternoon Stonehenge upgrade. After Buckingham Palace, you take a round-trip shuttle from Victoria to Stonehenge, and entry to Stonehenge is included. You then do a self-guided audio tour with the audio tour described as a separate expense.

Is the bus open-top, and what should I wear?

The tour is described as an open-top bus, and you should prepare for the possibility of rain. On rare occasions, the open-top bus may be changed to a closed top bus, so dress for the weather and plan for time outside at stops.