London: London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

London is easiest to understand when you see it from three angles: street level, the Thames, and high above Westminster. This package combines all three, with an open-top double-decker bus, a one-way cruise, and a London Eye ride in one ticket.

I like the freedom to hop off at places such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and St Paul’s Cathedral. I also like the useful Big Bus app, which shows stop locations and live bus positions. The main drawback is traffic: a bus ride that looks short on the map can crawl, especially late in the day.

Key points to know before you book

• The London Eye needs a separate time slot: Reserve your preferred time through the Big Bus booking portal after purchase.
• The Thames cruise takes about 40 minutes: It runs one way between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier, in either direction.
• The 48-hour pass is more relaxed: It adds three guided walks and gives you more time to spread out the bus routes.
• The bus covers three routes: You can reach central London sights from Westminster, the City, Kensington, Notting Hill, and more.
• The app is worth downloading: Live tracking helps, but the map can take a little practice.
• Traffic shapes the day: Use the bus for sightseeing and access, not for fast point-to-point transport.

What this London combination actually gives you

At $74 per person, this is not simply a bus ticket with two small extras. You get a 24-hour or 48-hour Big Bus pass, entry to the London Eye, and a one-way City Cruises trip on the Thames.

That can be good value if you plan to use all three parts. Buying the package makes the most sense for a first visit, a short stay, or a family group that wants a clear introduction without piecing together several separate bookings.

The bus ticket activates when you first board, not necessarily when you make the booking. That gives you some flexibility, especially with the 48-hour option. You can spend one afternoon seeing the main routes, then use the next morning for the Eye or a boat ride.

The package does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. You make your own way to a Big Bus stop, the London Eye, or one of the two cruise piers.

Start with the bus to get your bearings

You can begin at any Big Bus stop. Useful starting points include the London Eye, Marble Arch, Victoria Station, and Trafalgar Square. Stop 12, beside the Lion Statue outside the London Marriott County Hall, is recommended as a convenient place to begin.

The buses have open upper decks, covered seating, audio commentary, and free Wi-Fi. Complimentary headphones are supplied, though you may want to bring your own if you are particular about fit. One family found the free earphones awkward for a young child.

The recorded commentary is available in Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. It gives you useful background as you pass the major sights. Some people enjoy the light banter, while others may find it repetitive after several hours, so use the volume control or simply treat the bus as a moving viewpoint.

The three routes cover a large part of central London. The exact stop order and operating times can vary, so check the app before setting out.

Westminster gives you London’s grandest first look

The Westminster area is the natural heart of this experience. From the bus, you can see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, and 10 Downing Street.

Big Ben is technically the nickname for the great bell inside the clock tower, though most people use the name for the whole structure. From an open top deck, you get a clear view of the tower and the long sweep of Parliament beside the Thames.

Westminster Abbey is worth an actual stop if you have time. The bus can show you where it is, but the abbey’s interior is a separate attraction and is not included in this package. Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard are also on the route, but the palace visit itself is not part of the ticket.

This area gets crowded, and road closures can affect the bus. Plan extra time if you are visiting during a parade, protest, festival, or other major event. Routes have been diverted during public celebrations, forcing some people to walk farther than expected.

The London Eye is the ticket’s big payoff

The London Eye rises beside Westminster Bridge, making it easy to pair with the bus and the river cruise. The standard ride lasts one rotation, but that is enough to give you broad views over the Thames, Parliament, Big Ben, and central London.

The capsules move slowly, so you can take photographs without the rushed feeling of a fast-moving ride. From the top, the city opens out in every direction, with the Thames acting as your most useful reference point.

You must reserve a London Eye time slot after booking. The instructions arrive with your confirmation, and the reservation is handled through the Big Bus Manage My Booking portal.

Do not leave the Eye until the last moment. Even with a reserved time, the area can be crowded, particularly in summer. One useful approach is to book early in the day, when queues may be shorter. Another is to choose a slot around sunset. You may see London in daylight on the way up and the city lights beginning to appear before the rotation ends.

The standard ticket is included. The package does not describe a fast-track upgrade, so allow time around your booked slot and avoid stacking it tightly against another timed activity.

The Thames cruise puts Tower Bridge in the picture

The cruise runs one way between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier, or in the opposite direction. The trip takes about 40 minutes, with boats departing every 15 to 40 minutes in summer and every 30 to 40 minutes in winter.

This is a short cruise, not a full-day boat trip. That is part of its appeal. You get a calm break from London traffic and a different view of Parliament, the riverfront, the City, and Tower Bridge without giving up half a day.

If you cruise east from Westminster, the historic center gradually gives way to the City and the Tower of London. Tower Bridge makes a particularly strong photograph from the water, and the cruise is a good way to connect the Westminster area with the Tower without retracing your steps by bus.

Live commentary adds personality. Bill and Pasquale have been singled out for entertaining and informative narration, while another popular river guide is Dave. The style can vary by boat, but the commentary turns a simple transfer into a short sightseeing ride.

Show your digital or printed City Cruises ticket to staff at Westminster Pier or Tower Pier. The cruise is one way, so plan how you will continue from the pier where you get off.

Tower of London and Tower Bridge reward a hop-off

The eastern end of the cruise is close to two of London’s strongest sights: the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. The Tower is not included in this package, but it deserves time if you want royal, military, and prison history in one place.

Tower Bridge is also separate, though its exterior is free to see. Walking along the river gives you better angles than simply looking from the bus. The boat ride itself is especially useful here because it shows the bridge in relation to the river and the surrounding City.

The nearby Monument, City Hall, and the Shard also appear along the eastern routes. St Paul’s Cathedral and the Bank of England add more reasons to use the bus in the City district.

Give yourself patience at the Tower stop. Bus gaps can be longer there late in the afternoon, and traffic can slow the route. The app’s live tracking is helpful, but do not assume the next bus will arrive exactly on schedule.

The red, blue, and green routes cover different moods

The bus network is useful because London’s major sights are spread across several districts.

The central route links Westminster with Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Oxford Street, Covent Garden, and the London Eye. This is the best section for a first look at royal London, theaterland, shopping streets, and the main riverfront landmarks.

The route toward the Tower and St Paul’s takes you into the City. Here, the feel changes from royal ceremonial London to financial London, with the Bank of England, Monument, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, and Tower Bridge.

The route toward Kensington and the west covers Marble Arch, Mayfair, Green Park, Hyde Park Corner, Harrods, South Kensington’s museums, Kensington Palace, and Notting Hill. This side of the city is useful if you want to connect royal parks, museums, upscale shopping, and residential streets without working out several Underground connections.

You can ride a full circuit to hear the commentary and get oriented, but I would not spend an entire day seated on the bus. London traffic can turn a sightseeing loop into a long haul. Hop off for one or two sights, then use the bus again when the next district is too far to reach comfortably on foot.

The 24-hour pass suits a tight first day

The 24-hour version works best if you have one full sightseeing day and want the main highlights. Start early, ride through Westminster, use the Eye at a reserved time, then take the cruise between Westminster and Tower Pier.

You will need to be selective. Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, and St Paul’s cannot all be explored in depth in one packed day. The bus lets you see them from outside and choose which places deserve more time.

This option is also useful for a short London stopover. You can ride the bus on the arrival afternoon, then use the Eye and cruise the following morning, provided the 24-hour validity and operating hours fit your plans.

The 48-hour pass adds breathing room

The 48-hour ticket costs more than the 24-hour version, but it gives you time to use the bus as transport and sightseeing rather than trying to do everything in one rush.

It also includes a choice of three guided walks:

• Royal Walk: Begins at Stop 8 at 10:00.
• Jack the Ripper walk: Begins at Stop 19 at 13:00.
• Harry Potter walk: Begins at Stop 21 at 16:00.

The Harry Potter walk has been especially useful for families, with guide Lea providing city details that children enjoyed. These walks are not included with the 24-hour option, so the longer pass is the clear choice if one interests you.

The 48-hour pass works well for a two-day plan. Use day one for Westminster, the Eye, and the central route. Use day two for the Tower, the City, Kensington, Notting Hill, or one of the walking tours.

The app solves some problems, but not all

Download the Big Bus app before you start. You can add your booking with the Activity Provider Reference number, activate the ticket when you are ready, see stop locations, and track buses in real time.

The live bus positions are one of the most useful parts of the system. They help you decide whether to wait or walk to another stop. Staff members are also present at many stops and can point you in the right direction.

The map is not perfect for everyone. Some people find the route lines and stop locations confusing, and stop numbers may not be clearly displayed at every roadside location. Look for the Big Bus branding carefully, since several sightseeing companies operate in London.

During a parade, protest, road closure, or major event, the bus may be diverted. That is not a flaw unique to this tour, but it matters if you have a timed Eye booking or a fixed train departure. Leave a cushion in your schedule.

Comfort, weather, and accessibility

The open upper deck gives you the best views and photographs, but London weather can change quickly. Bring a waterproof layer, even when the morning looks promising. Covered seating is available, though it may fill quickly in poor weather.

All buses have ramps for wheelchair users, and the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Infants under two travel free. The river portion can be affected by operational problems, as boat cancellations have occurred, so check current arrangements if the cruise is central to your plans.

The boat offers indoor and outdoor viewing, but engine smells may bother some people. If you are sensitive to that, choose your seat with care and consider stepping inside.

Who will get the most from this ticket

I would recommend this package to first-time visitors, families, and anyone who wants a simple overview before choosing which sights to enter. It is also helpful if you are not keen on navigating the Underground or if you want commentary while moving between districts.

The ticket suits you less if your main goal is speed. London’s traffic can be severe, and the bus may take much longer than the Underground. It is best viewed as a sightseeing vehicle with hop-on flexibility, not as a guaranteed quick connection.

At $74, the value depends on your use of the Eye and cruise. If you take the London Eye, use the bus for several rides, and complete the Thames trip, the package can make financial and practical sense. If you only want to sit through one bus loop, buying each attraction separately may be worth comparing.

A practical one-day plan

For a busy but workable day, I would do this:

• Start at the London Eye stop and activate the bus ticket.
• Take the Eye during your reserved morning or late afternoon slot.
• Ride through Westminster and central London, getting off for Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, or Buckingham Palace.
• Continue toward the Tower area by bus, or take the cruise from Westminster Pier if the boat schedule fits.
• Visit the outside of Tower Bridge and walk toward the Tower of London.
• Use the app to check the next bus, allowing extra time for traffic.

This plan gives you views from the bus, Eye, and river without trying to enter every major attraction. For a better pace, spread it over 48 hours.

Should you book the London Eye, cruise, and Big Bus package?

Book it if you want a broad first look at London and will use all three parts. The London Eye and Thames cruise add experiences you cannot get from a standard bus tour, while the 48-hour pass gives you room to explore at a calmer pace.

Choose the 24-hour option for a compact visit and the 48-hour ticket if you want the walking tours or prefer not to rush. Reserve the Eye immediately after booking, download the app, and plan around traffic.

Skip it if you need fast transport across town or intend to spend most of your time inside museums and historic buildings. For everyone else, this is a practical introduction to London by land, water, and sky, with enough flexibility to make the city feel manageable.

FAQ

How long is the London Eye ride?

The London Eye experience includes one rotation of the wheel.

Do I need to reserve a London Eye time slot?

Yes. You must pre-book a time slot after booking the package. Instructions are provided in your confirmation.

How long is the Thames River cruise?

The cruise takes approximately 40 minutes.

Where does the river cruise travel?

It runs one way between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier, in either direction.

How often do the cruise boats depart?

Cruises depart every 15 to 40 minutes in summer and every 30 to 40 minutes in winter.

Is the bus ticket valid for 24 or 48 hours?

You can choose either a 24-hour or 48-hour ticket. Your selection determines how long you can use the hop-on, hop-off service.

How many bus routes are included?

The ticket includes access to three Big Bus sightseeing routes.

Are guided walking tours included?

Guided walks are included only with the 48-hour ticket. The choices are the Royal Walk, Jack the Ripper walk, and Harry Potter walk.

Can I board the bus at any stop?

Yes. You can activate your ticket and board at any Big Bus stop on the route. Stop 12 at the London Eye is recommended as a starting point.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The buses have ramps for wheelchair users, and the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.