Bus in London is one of the most common means of transportation for residents. They play an important role in Britains’ daily travel. Compared with trains, buses are cheaper and have a wide coverage. London has more than 9,000 buses and 700+ routes. It’s extremely convenient for people to go to any destination. You can also breathe the fresh air and enjoy the beautiful view of the streets and alleys. Many buses operate throughout the day, and you can go back to your house no matter how late.
Bus in London: Basics
The majority of London’s buses are bright red, which is a symbol of the city, along with the red mailboxes. There are single and double decker buses in London. Most London buses have route numbers (i.e. numbers or letters + numbers) and destinations (i.e. stops) on the front and rear of the bus. You can also check the routes each bus stop displays.
The service of transport for London buses is very well-developed. It’s very humane from route schedule to the facilities inside the bus. There is always a toilet inside some buses. Besides, London bus fares are cheaper than train tickets. If the train service is suspended, National Rail Enquiries, the official website of the British train often suggests you take a bus. Therefore, London bus is a nice choice for most people as long as time permits.
Types of London bus
1.Night buses
Night buses in London operate between the time the tube stops running and when public transport resumes the next day. In addition to specific night buses, many bus routes also run 24 hours a day. There are some things to be aware of when you travel by bus in London at night.
- Night buses run at longer intervals and usually have a wait of around 15-30 minutes.
- Check the specific travel information on the official website before you go, as many night buses run on slightly different routes than the same ones during the day.
- All-night buses stop only when you wave at them. If no one gets off the bus without a beck and call, the bus will never stop.
- There are drunken passengers on night buses sometimes. Therefore, pay attention to your personal safety when you are on the bus.
2. Sightseeing Buses
Big Bus Company provides London sightseeing buses. Sightseeing buses stop at various tourist landmarks in London.
The prices of sightseeing buses are usually more expensive, but you can also see the view on the streets of London. Routes 11 and 14, which run east-west across London, and route 24, which runs north-south, are excellent choices.
The 11 runs from Liverpool Street via St Paul’s, then along Fleet Street, past The Strand and Trafalgar Square, before heading into Westminster and the upmarket residential area of Sloane Square to King’s Road.
The 14 starts at Riverside-Pulteney and then runs through all of London’s fashionable shopping areas, including Fulham Road, South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Hyde Park, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Soho.
The 24 starts at Hampstead Heath, then heads into Camden and Tottenham Court Road to Charing Cross Road, then into Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square, before passing through Whitehall, Westminster Abbey to Victoria Station before arriving at its final destination at Pimlico.
3. Coaches
Most coaches in London depart from Victoria Coach Station, stopping to pick up and drop off passengers at Victoria, Charing Cross and Westminster stations on the way.
The price of a one-way ticket is higher than a round-trip ticket, which can be divided into fixed return date tickets and unfixed return date tickets. The former is cheaper than the latter, especially the same-day round-trip.
In addition, there are different discounts for children, students, and the elderly. So it is best to ask for more when purchasing tickets and have all the various documents available. You can also book your tickets online in advance, which usually gives you a discount.
London Bus Fare
Cash is not allowed on London Buses, so you have to swipe your card, including a Visitor Oyster Card, Oyster Card, Travelcard (paper ticket), or a bank card with Contactless. A single bus ticket costs £1.75. After swiping the card for the first time, it’s free to use that card to take buses within an hour, which is called Hopper Fare. It’s noted that the card is only free for buses and trams. If you want to take the subway or trains, you need to pay for more.
1. Oyster Card
The Oyster card is a smart card that you can top up with credit to pay for travel on buses, the Tube, trams, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Overground, and most National Rail services in London.
You can get an Oyster card at Tube station ticket machines, Oyster Ticket Stops, and London Travel Information Centres. You can check the TFL website for information on transportation costs or use the fare finder to enter the name of any two stations to get the fare.
If you are traveling to London for a few days, you are advised to buy a Visitor Oyster Card. What if you run out of money in the card? Top it up in most London stores or at any station of London Underground, DLR or Overground. If you’re in London for 2 days, it’s recommended to top up with £25. £35 is enough for 3-4 days.
2. Credict Card(Contactless Payment)
If you have a contactless debit or credit card, you can use it just like an Oyster card. Tap your card on the yellow reader when boarding.
This method costs the same fare as the Oyster card and benefits from daily capping, which limits how much you’re charged for travel each day.
PS: You can also pay using your mobile phone with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay for contactless payment.
3. Travelcard or Bus & Tram Pass
Travelcard is a paper ticket that can be used on buses, subway, Overground, Tram, DLR, and some trains. When taking buses, you need to show it to the driver.
However, Travlecard can only be bought for fixed transportation zones.The wider the area covered by the Travelcard, the longer the validity period is. And the ticket is more the more expensive.
For example, if you are going to travel in Zones 1 – 4 in London for the day, you can buy a Travelcard for that zone, and take any public London transportation mentioned above as many times as you want in that zone.
How to Take a Bus in London
Step 1: Search bus stops and routes
London has a complex bus travel network. You can get suitable bus stops and routes by checking the official website of the bus company or using a mobile app.
- Google Maps (iOS/Android)
It’s convenient to open Google Maps to check your destination. It will plan several routes for you and list the number of the bus you need to take. You can follow the guide on Google Maps and walk to the bus stop. After arriving at the bus stop sign, do not forget to see if there is really a bus you want to take.
- Citymapper (iOS/Android)
The interface of this app seems easier than that of Google Maps. It can tell users how long every bus they need to take will arrive at the station. There is also important information about the subway and train. Citymapper is also available for other major cities in the UK like Manchester and Birmingham.
- Bus Times (iOS/Android)
Same as Citymapper, there will be real-time bus information to query on Bus Times. It will also list the stops, the bus number on the app is purposely used as the same color as the physical bus. It is also convenient to search for information on the London bus.
Step 2: Get on the bus
When waiting for the bus, you should prepare payment tools such as tablets or mobile phones required for ticket purchase in advance. London buses do not take cash at all, only a chip sensing credit card, Oyster Oyster card or paper Travel card.
Step 3: Wave to the bus
In London, there are two types of bus stops.
1. The first type has a white background with a red logo and the words “BUS STOP” written below. At these stops, the bus will definitely stop.
2. The second type features a red background with a white logo and the words “REQUEST STOP” at the bottom. Here, the bus will only stop if someone waves at it or if a passenger on the bus wants to get off.
Additionally, there are various signs on the bus platform. If you’re unsure whether the bus will stop, it’s a good idea to raise your hand as the bus approaches.
Step 4: Scan the yellow sensor to pay
When people take the bus, they usually get on through the front door. Occasionally, some buses in the city center have doors at the front, middle and back. If this kind of bus each door has a deduction with a yellow sensor, then you can get on the bus from any of the doors. Swipe the card when you get on the bus, and there is no need to do it again when you get off the bus.
Step 5: Get off the bus
Before the bus arrives at the next stop, the bus will announce the name of the next stop. If you want to get off the bus, you can look for the red bell “STOP” at the rail and press it to remind the driver that you want to get off at the next stop.
London Bus Ride Notes
- Before you get on the bus, you must carefully look at the stop sign to confirm the direction you want to go.
- Do not steal a ride. Once you are caught, you will be fined on the spot.
- Be aware of the weather when traveling on a tour bus and always carry rain gear and sun protection with you.
- When choosing a London tour bus route, it is important to make reasonable arrangements to avoid wasting time during peak hours and congested roads.
- Some buses do not announce stops by voice, which is particularly inconvenient for people who are not familiar with the UK. In case you get off at the wrong bus stop, you can tell the driver where you are going and let him remind you when he arrives.
- When travelling on a bus, it is important to follow the rules and be quiet. If you have any questions, ask the station or the driver.
- Music is not allowed on London buses, and those who break the rules will be kicked off the bus. So it’s a good idea to turn off your cell phone before you get on the bus.
Bus-ride in London: Easy & Smooth
You must have known how to take a bus in London now with our guide in the blog. Taking London buses is a convenient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way to navigate this vibrant city. With an extensive network covering all major attractions, neighborhoods, and suburbs, the London bus system offers many travel options for both locals and visitors alike. By utilizing tools such as the Oyster card, contactless payment, and apps like Citymapper or Google Maps, you can easily plan your journey, track bus arrivals in real-time, and avoid any unnecessary delays. Happy journeying!
FAQs of Bus Ride in London
Q1: What is the London bus called?
The London bus is commonly referred to as a “Red Bus” or “Double-Decker Bus.” by locals.
Q2: What is the London famous bus called?
The famous London bus is known as the “Routemaster,” particularly the classic heritage model.
Q3： What is the cheapest way to pay for buses in London?
Basically, the cheapest way to pay for buses in London is using an Oyster card or a contactless payment card, as they offer the same low fare and benefit from daily capping.
