Online: theoriginaltour.com
On board: Board any bus and purchase on the day
On street: Look for our team in The Original Tour uniforms at key bus stops - they're happy to help you plan your visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about tickets, boarding, routes, accessibility, cancellations and your visit.
Tickets and Bookings
Hop-On Hop-Off: Validity begins at first redemption
1 Day = 24 hours
2 Days = 2 × 24 hours, usable on any day within two weeks
3 Days = 3 × 24 hours, usable on any day within two weeks
7 Days = one full week
Themed Tours: Valid only on the booked date and time
You'll receive a booking confirmation email with a pass, reservation number and QR code. Your QR code is scanned on board and with our street sales team. For Hop-On Hop-Off Tours, scan your pass each time you board.
Yes. Mobile tickets are accepted on board and with our street sales team.
No, a digital ticket on your phone is all you need. Your QR code will be scanned at the point of boarding.
Yes. With a Hop-On Hop-Off ticket, you can board and disembark at any stop, as many times as you like, across all four routes. Explore at your own pace - no fixed schedule required.
Yes. Your Hop-On Hop-Off ticket covers unlimited travel across all four routes for the duration of your pass.
Themed Tours are the exception - they follow a single, non-stop route. If you'd like to continue exploring London afterwards, speak to a member of our team on board or at any stop, who can upgrade your ticket to Hop-On Hop-Off for the price difference.
Website: Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express
On board: Card only
On street: Cash and card (except American Express)
Cheques and holiday vouchers are not accepted.
Check your spam or junk folder first. If it's still missing, contact our Customer Service team with your name and email address - we'll locate your booking and resend your ticket.
Yes. Tickets can be modified or cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before your booked date, with no justification required. Use the Manage my Booking page on our website, or contact Customer Service (9am–5pm, 7 days a week). Requests after this deadline cannot be accepted.
If your new ticket costs more, you'll only pay the difference.
Note: Attraction cancellation policies are set by individual attraction partners. Check each venue's policy before requesting a cancellation.
Yes - use Manage my Booking or contact our Customer Service team at least 24 hours before your original travel date.
Adding someone: Purchase an additional ticket for that person
Removing someone: Contact our Customer Service team to arrange a partial cancellation
Yes. Fill in the Group Booking form on our website and our customer service team will get in touch to arrange group tickets in advance - ideal for seminars, school trips, conventions, birthday parties and group activities.
Group cruise bookings must be made with allocated sailing times. If you do not have an allocated sailing time, or cannot make your existing time, please call City Cruises in advance at +44 207 7400 400 (Option 2).
Groups should enter the pier together and arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled sailing time. If your group arrives at the pier separately (for example, if they are split into different activities beforehand), they will need to make a separate booking.
The group leader should make themselves known to the pier staff and provide final passenger numbers for boarding. If your group includes any passengers under the age of 18, the group leaders must be with the group throughout the cruise.
Yes. Our buses are available for private hire and can be tailored to your needs. Visit our Private Bus Hire page or speak to our Customer Service team for details.
No - tickets are unassigned, so you don't need to update passenger details. However, tickets are non-transferable.
General
Yes. Concession rates are available for students and seniors on selected attraction products. However, concession tickets are only permitted when presented along with a valid for of ID when entering the attraction, please check attraction terms and conditions for a full list of valid IDs
Visitors with disabilities and their carers receive a 25% discount on selected Original Tour products. This cannot be booked online. Please contact our Customer Service team with a copy of your Blue Badge or disability allowance letter, and we'll arrange your booking and send a secure payment link.
Look for The Original Tour flag on signposts at each stop. Use our route maps to find the stop closest to you.
Timetables and frequencies vary by route. Check our Service Updates page for the latest information before you travel.
This depends on the type of Tour you choose:
Hop-On Hop-Off: Explore at your own pace for the duration of your ticket
Themed Tours: Typically 45 - 90 minutes, non-stop
Full details are available on each product page. See our full range of London Bus Tours for more information.
Our buses are hard to miss - open-top double-deckers in red, white, and blue, featuring our distinctive Union Flag design.
Yes. Download our free POPGuide app to access six self-guided Walking Tours across the city. Scan the QR code on your ticket or booking confirmation to get started.
You can see Buckingham Palace Kings Gallery from the top deck on both our Red route (Stop 47) and Blue route (Stop 19). However, no public service vehicles are allowed to pass in front of the Palace. The best way to experience it up close, hop off and join our Parks and Palaces Walking Tour, which takes you through the Royal Parks and grand residences at the heart of the city.
Contact our Customer Service team as soon as possible to report your lost item. The sooner you get in touch, the better chance we have of tracking it down.
Plan Your Visit
We offer three types:
Hop-On Hop-Off: Board and disembark at any stop, as many times as you like, across all four routes. Choose from a half-day, 1 day, 2 day or 3 day (usable on non-consecutive days within two weeks), or 7 day pass.
Themed Tours: Non-stop, date-and-time-specific tours for a focused experience. Options include the London Kids Bus Tour, London by Night Bus Tour, and the Christmas Lights Bus Tour.
Experiences: Combine your Hop-On Hop-Off tour with entry to one or more of London's top attractions in a single, curated package.
The 1 - 3 Day Hop-On Hop-Off is one of the most popular choices. It gives you unlimited access across all four routes and the Thames River Cruise, with audio commentary in 10 languages. Days can be used non-consecutively within a two-week period - no pressure to fit everything into one go.
For visitors who want to see even more, the Ultimate London Sightseeing Pass or All Inclusive London Tour bundles seven days of unlimited travel with entry to London's most iconic attractions. Combining sightseeing and activities into 1 unbeatable value ticket.
Choose your pass duration (half-day, 1, 2, 3, or 7 days)
Check the timetable and plan your first stop
Download the POPGuide app for six free Walking Tours
Bring earphones - free ones are provided on board, or use your own (3.5mm jack)
Dress for the weather, as the upper deck is open-air
A Hop-On Hop-Off Thames River Cruise is included with all our tickets (operated by City Cruises). Board from any of the following piers:
Westminster Pier: Victoria Embankment, London SW1A 2JH
Tower Pier: Lower Thames St, London EC3N 4DT
London Eye Pier: The Queen's Walk, London SE1 7PB
Greenwich Pier: King William Walk, London SE10 9HT
The London Cable Car Experience includes a return cruise on UberBoats by Thames Clippers, departing from Westminster Pier (Stop 38, open 10:00–17:00) or Tower Pier (Stop 36, open 09:15–19:00). Check the operator's website for the latest timetables before you travel.
Yes. Hop-On Hop-Off bus and river cruise services run every day of the year (with the exception of Christmas day) across all four routes, with departures up to every 10 minutes on the busiest routes. Check our service updates for the latest timetables before you travel.
On Board
Yes. All buses have free, fast 5G Wi-Fi on board. Connect by scanning the QR code provided, or select _TheOriginalTour on your device and log in with your details.
Our buses are open-top double-deckers - giving you unbeatable views and part of what makes the experience special. The upper deck is not heated in winter or air-conditioned in summer. We recommend:
Winter: Warm layers and a coat
Summer: A hat, sunglasses and a bottle of water
Drinks: Yes, though alcohol is not permitted at any time
Food: Not permitted in general, though drivers may allow food for young children, provided the bus is kept clean
Smoking/vaping: Not permitted on any of our buses
Travelling with Children
Children of all ages are welcome. Here's what you need to know:
Infants aged 0–4: Travel free on Hop-On Hop-Off Tours (no ticket required, but must sit on an adult's lap for safety)
Children aged 5–15: Child rates apply for Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
Kids Tour: Children aged 3–15 require a ticket; infants aged 0–2 travel free
All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult
Yes. Each bus has a dedicated pram storage area in the wheelchair zone. Spaces are first-come, first-served - wheelchair users always take priority.
Yes. The Original London Kids Bus Tour is a 45-minute live-guided experience built for younger explorers. Expert live guides bring London's history, culture and landmarks to life with entertaining storytelling. Snacks and drinks are welcome on board, and food is permitted throughout (not just at the driver's discretion).
Information for International Visitors
Audio guide commentary is available in 10 languages on all buses:
English | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Japanese | Mandarin Chinese | Brazilian Portuguese | Russian | Arabic
Our tours are designed with first-time visitors in mind. Audio commentary in 10 languages, frequent departures and flexible Hop-On Hop-Off access mean you can explore at your own pace - without needing to plan every detail in advance.
Accessibility and Assistance
All buses are equipped with ramps and a dedicated wheelchair space on the lower deck. Key details:
Wheelchairs and mobility scooters: maximum weight of 300kg
Mobility scooters: maximum size of 110 × 65 × 95cm
Wheelchair users always take priority over prams in the accessible area
The upper deck is not wheelchair accessible
Let the driver know you're boarding so they can deploy the ramp and assist you. If you need additional support, contact our Customer Service team before your visit.
Yes, without restriction. Guide and assistance dogs are always welcome on board.
Yes. A 25% discount is available for visitors with disabilities and their carer on selected products. This cannot be booked online. Contact our Customer Service team with your Blue Badge or disability allowance letter, and we'll arrange the booking for you.
