London: Vintage Bus Tour and London Eye Ticket

The best part of this tour is its old-fashioned route through central London. You ride a vintage Routemaster bus, glide briefly along the Thames, then finish with a full London Eye rotation, giving you three very different ways to see the city.

I like the strong mix of famous sights and live commentary. I also like the efficient four-hour plan, especially if this is your first visit and you want to get your bearings fast. The main catch is that the tour moves at a steady pace, and the Changing of the Guard is not guaranteed, particularly in winter.

Key points to know before you book

• Three ways to see London: Ride an open-top vintage bus, take a short Thames boat trip, and complete a 30-minute circuit on the London Eye.
• Morning tours offer the best chance of ceremony: The Changing of the Guard is included only on the morning departure and does not happen every day in winter.
• Live guides make the difference: Guides such as Clive and Alan have been praised for clear facts, humor, and answering questions.
• Central London in one compact outing: You pass Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, London Bridge, and Buckingham Palace.
• Come ready for British weather: The bus is open-top, though it may be replaced by a closed-top bus on rare occasions.
• The meeting point is practical but busy: Depart from gates 19 and 20 at Victoria Coach Station for the morning tour, or gate 0 for the afternoon tour.

Why this four-hour combination works

London is spread out, and its best-known sights sit in different parts of central London. Walking between Westminster, St. Paul’s, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace takes time and energy. This tour solves that problem by using the bus for the long connections, the boat for a change of view, and the London Eye for a final look over the city.

You should think of this as a highlights tour, not a series of long visits inside major attractions. You will pass many landmarks and stop at selected points for photographs, but you will not have time to tour the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey from inside.

That tradeoff makes sense for a first day in London. I like having an overview before choosing which places deserve a longer visit later. If you already know London well, the tour may feel brisk, but the vintage bus and London Eye still add two distinctive elements.

The live guide is important here. A recorded bus loop can tell you what a building is, but a guide can explain what you are looking at and respond to questions. Guides called Clive and Alan have been singled out for clear commentary, humor, and a willingness to help. John, an Irish guide, was also remembered for his lively style and even carried an umbrella, a small but fitting touch for London.

Starting at Victoria Coach Station

The tour begins at Victoria Coach Station, at 164 Buckingham Palace Road. The station is about a five-minute walk from Victoria Train Station, so allow extra time to find the correct coach gates rather than arriving at the last moment.

For the morning departure, look for gates 19 and 20. The afternoon tour leaves from gate 0. This matters because Victoria Coach Station is a working transport hub, not a quiet sightseeing meeting point. Check your departure time and gate before you set off.

You should wear comfortable shoes. The tour includes bus travel and a boat ride, but you still need to move around at stops and during the London Eye portion. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so this is not a good outing to schedule while carrying suitcases.

Seeing Westminster from the vintage bus

The vintage double-decker Routemaster gives the first part of the outing its character. On an open-top bus, you get a clear view of buildings, statues, bridges, and street scenes that can disappear behind a modern vehicle’s windows.

The route takes you past the Houses of Parliament and the Clock Tower with Big Ben. You also see Westminster Abbey, one of London’s most important religious and royal buildings. The tour includes a photo stop at Westminster Abbey, so you should have a chance to get out and take pictures rather than seeing it only through the bus window.

This part works best when you treat it as an introduction. The guide can point out the buildings and explain their place in London, while you focus on the details that catch your eye. You will not have an extended Abbey visit, and that is worth knowing before you book.

The open top gives you a better view, but it also exposes you to rain and wind. Bring weatherproof clothing, even if the forecast looks friendly. On rare occasions, the operator uses a closed-top bus instead, so the exact vehicle is not guaranteed.

Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard

Buckingham Palace is one of the tour’s main stops. It is the official London residence of the British royal family, and the palace forecourt provides one of the most familiar photo settings in the city.

The morning tour may include the Changing of the Guard. You see soldiers in their recognizable uniforms march to military music, and your guide aims to place the group in a good viewing area. One particularly useful detail is that the ceremony does not take place every day during winter months.

Do not book this tour solely for the guard ceremony. It is only part of the morning outing, and no ceremony means a photo stop at Buckingham Palace instead. That alternative still gives you time at the palace, but it is a quieter stop with less ceremony and movement.

The morning departure is the clear choice if the Changing of the Guard matters to you. Even then, keep your expectations sensible. The ceremony is subject to its schedule, and the tour cannot create one on a day when it is not taking place.

The Thames reveals another side of London

The short Thames boat trip breaks up the bus ride and gives you a fresh angle on central London. From the water, you can look toward Shakespeare’s Globe, HMS Belfast, London Bridge, and the buildings along the river.

I like this section because it changes the pace. The bus is about moving through streets and hearing a running commentary. The boat lets you sit back and look across the river corridor, where bridges and waterfront landmarks line up in a way they do not from street level.

The boat portion is short, so you should not mistake it for a full river cruise. It is a sightseeing connection within the larger tour, not a standalone Thames voyage. Events on the river can occasionally affect the plan. A previous outing could not include the boat because of races on the water, and a partial refund was promised in that case.

That possibility is worth keeping in mind if the river trip is the part you care about most. For most people, it works as a pleasant middle section rather than the main reason to book.

St. Paul’s, the Tower of London, and London Bridge

The bus route also takes you past St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren’s great domed church. Its dome is one of the defining sights of the City of London, and seeing it from the bus helps connect the medieval and financial parts of the city with the royal and political center around Westminster.

You pass the Tower of London as well. The tour includes time for souvenir photographs, but not an interior visit. The Tower is a large historic complex that needs several hours if you want to see the Crown Jewels, walls, and exhibitions, so this stop is best treated as a preview.

London Bridge appears during the Thames section. This can be confusing for first-time visitors because the famous bridge with the towers is Tower Bridge, while London Bridge is a different crossing. The guide can help sort out the names as you pass through this part of the city.

These sights show why the tour is useful for orientation. You can see where the main districts sit in relation to one another, then return later to the places that deserve more time.

Finishing above London on the London Eye

The tour ends with admission to the London Eye. You enter one of its 32 glass capsules and complete one full circuit, which takes about 30 minutes.

The Eye gives you a broad view across central London. On a clear day, you can pick out Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace from above, along with the river and the rooftops between them. It is a different kind of sightseeing from the bus because the city slowly unfolds around you rather than passing by at street level.

The London Eye also gives the outing a calm finish. After the movement of the bus and the short river ride, you have time to sit, take photographs, and compare the places you have just seen from above.

The main drawback is the possibility of a queue. The tour includes admission and is described as allowing you to skip the ticket line, but one person still reported a long wait for the London Eye. The exact waiting conditions can vary, so do not schedule a tight appointment immediately after the tour.

What $130 buys you

At $130 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see London. The value comes from combining several paid elements and guided transport into one half-day plan: the vintage bus, the Thames boat, and the London Eye admission.

You are also paying for the convenience of not having to work out the route between Westminster, Buckingham Palace, the City, the river, and the Eye. For a first visit, that can be worthwhile. A good guide adds context that you would miss by simply riding public transport between the same places.

I would consider the price fair if you want a structured introduction and plan to visit only a few interiors afterward. I would be less enthusiastic if you prefer long stops, independent wandering, or a detailed visit to one major site. In that case, your money may go further on individual admissions and public transport.

The package is strongest when you value variety. You get a taste of old London transport, political London, royal London, riverside London, and the city from above in four hours.

Timing, weather, and accessibility

You have a choice between morning and afternoon departures, but the morning outing is the one to choose for the possible Changing of the Guard. The afternoon version includes the palace area but does not include the ceremony.

The bus is open-top, so pack for rain. Comfortable shoes are essential, and an umbrella or waterproof layer is sensible. The tour may use a closed-top bus on rare occasions, but you should prepare for the open-air version.

This outing is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. Pets are not allowed, and large bags or luggage are prohibited. The tour is conducted in English with a live guide.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your London plans are still shifting, but you should still check the exact starting time before booking.

Who will enjoy this London tour most

I would recommend it to a first-time visitor who wants to see the main sights without spending a full day on foot. It also suits families and couples who like a mix of transport, photography, and short guided stops.

The tour works well for someone staying near Victoria, since the departure point is close to Victoria Train Station. It is also useful early in a London visit because you can use the route to decide which landmarks deserve a return visit.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone who dislikes group schedules. The bus keeps moving, the stops are limited, and the London Eye comes at the end rather than whenever you feel ready. You also need to accept that the boat trip and Changing of the Guard can be affected by conditions beyond the operator’s control.

Should you book the vintage bus, Thames boat, and London Eye tour?

Book it if you want a lively, efficient introduction to central London and like the idea of seeing the city from street level, the river, and above the rooftops. Choose the morning departure if the guard ceremony matters, but treat it as a bonus rather than a promise.

Skip it if you want deep visits inside Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, or St. Paul’s Cathedral. For everyone else, the combination offers a sensible first look at London, with an entertaining guide, plenty of famous sights, and a strong final view from the London Eye.

FAQ

How long is the London vintage bus and London Eye tour?

The tour lasts four hours.

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from Victoria Coach Station at 164 Buckingham Palace Road, about a five-minute walk from Victoria Train Station.

Which gates should I use at Victoria Coach Station?

Morning tours depart from gates 19 and 20. The afternoon tour departs from gate 0.

Is the Changing of the Guard included?

The Changing of the Guard is included on the morning tour when the ceremony is scheduled. It does not take place every day during the winter months. If there is no ceremony, the tour includes a photo stop at Buckingham Palace instead.

Does the afternoon tour include the Changing of the Guard?

No. The Changing of the Guard is only part of the morning tour.

Is the bus open-top?

Yes. The tour uses an open-top vintage bus, although a closed-top bus may be used on rare occasions.

What happens if it rains?

You should be prepared for rain because the bus is open-top. Comfortable shoes and weather-ready clothing are recommended.

Is the Thames boat ride included?

Yes. The tour includes a short trip along the River Thames. The boat portion may occasionally be affected by events on the river.

How long does the London Eye rotation take?

One complete London Eye circuit takes approximately 30 minutes.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Can I bring luggage or a pet?

No. Pets and luggage or large bags are not allowed.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now-and-pay-later booking is also available.