Bus & Coach · CHRISTMAS
The 14 best festive lights bus tours you can book today, with what each one costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Take a 60 to 90-minute evening bus ride past Regent Street, Oxford Street, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben, and the London Eye. An English-speaking guide such as Brennan, Shaun, Emma, or Ethan adds London stories and humor. Choose an open-air upper deck for the best views or a warmer lower deck.
“Dominic was very entertaining and informative. Thoroughly enjoyed the trip.”
Ride an open-top bus from the London Eye through central London for 60 to 90 minutes of Christmas lights, landmarks, and live commentary. You’ll pass Regent Street, Oxford Street, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Fortnum & Mason, and Big Ben. Guides vary, with Emma, Samuel, Abby, and James among those praised for lively storytelling.
“Ultimate touristy thing and well worth it. Our guide, Sean was funny, informative, thoughtful and really kept the tour going. Driver Colin was an expert. Highly recommend.”
Ride through Paris after dark on a 90-minute Tootbus Christmas tour from Boulevard des Capucines to Boulevard Haussmann. You’ll pass the Opera, Place Vendôme, Concorde, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and department stores while listening to multilingual audio, Christmas songs, and city views from the upper deck.
“This was the best way to see Paris holiday lights at night. Stopped near Eiffel Tower when it flashes. Great pictures. Highly recommend!”
Ride from Midtown to Dyker Heights with a live English or German guide, then walk among Brooklyn’s extravagant Christmas displays. The four-hour tour includes a sunset stop in Battery Park City, a Brooklyn Bridge Park skyline view, and a finish near Bryant Park Winter Village. Guides such as Stefan and Glen are known for lively city stories.
“We loved the tour, really nice way to see another part of NYC. Beautiful houses and decorations, lots of fun! We would do this tour again.”
Ride a genuine 1960s Routemaster through London’s Christmas-lit streets for 75 minutes. Your English-speaking guide adds jokes, music, history, and local color as you pass Oxford Street, Regent Street, Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, Harrods, and major landmarks. Top-deck seating is guaranteed, but seats are first come, first served, so arrive early and dress warmly.
“It was wonderful except the one 25 minutes before was late arriving and guests became quite agitated and angry, believing they should go first. I felt bad for the representative who seemed at a loss, despite calling head office who would not allow him to accommodate the earlier guests. Recommend that a back up plan should be in place for such occurrences, if possible. Otherwise well done. Many thanks.”
Ride an open-top 1960s Routemaster from Embankment through London’s Christmas-lit West End. An English-speaking guide, festive music, and photo stops bring you past Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Oxford Street, Big Ben, and the London Eye. Guides such as Rory, Lola, and Kate are known for warm, lively commentary.
“It was great tour seeing the lights and singing along with christmas songs. Rory our guide and driver very nice and helpfull people. Loved it!!!”
Meet at Gate 0 inside Victoria Coach Station for a 90-minute Christmas lights tour on a restored vintage double-decker bus. Your English-speaking guide points out Oxford Street, Regent Street, Knightsbridge, Big Ben, Westminster, and Trafalgar Square. Upper-deck seats are not guaranteed, and warm clothing is essential.
“Christmas lights in London can't be missed! Amazing! Toby, our tour guide had some unknown trivia for us about some of the areas! Weather was good! Freezing but good. Dress in multiple layers!”
Ride an open-top bus for 1.5 hours from Embankment through the West End, St James's, Piccadilly, Regent Street, Oxford Street, and Whitehall. Seasonal music plays onboard, though wet weather can mean an enclosed bus. Finish at Trafalgar Square or return to Embankment.
Ride a heated bus from Herald Square through Manhattan and Brooklyn, then walk Dyker Heights with a licensed NYC guide. Expect giant inflatables, decorated mansions, and about 45 to 60 minutes on foot. Guides such as Fred, Ray, and Dave are known for lively city stories. The tour also stops at Brooklyn Bridge Park and Rockefeller Center.
“Tom, Dave and Richie the driver were absolute stars. Tom your knowledge and one liners had us in stitches. You're a brilliant tour guide! Thanks to all of you for looking after my mother-in-law too, really appreciated! see you again when we're in New York!”
Take a one-hour evening ride on the yellow See London by Night bus from the Ritz and Green Park. An English-speaking guide points out Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Westminster, and the London Eye. The 2025 route offers a quick, festive overview, but traffic and road closures can affect the schedule.
Ride through Dublin County on a 1960s vintage double-decker bus while City Hall, Trinity College, and other landmarks glow with Christmas lights. You’ll get unlimited tea, coffee, and hot chocolate, plus soup, a Christmas sandwich, mince pies, and afternoon-tea treats. An English-speaking guide adds stories and music during the 80-minute outing.
Spend 90 minutes touring London’s Christmas displays from an air-conditioned double-decker bus. Your live English guide points out Big Ben, Parliament, the Thames, Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Harrods while you enjoy scones, sandwiches, mince pies, and a choice of Prosecco or mulled wine. Gluten-free and vegan options are available.
“The tour was very good. The tea was excellent and the guide was really sweet.”
Ride through Berlin’s festive boulevards and historic center on a 2.5-hour evening bus tour. You’ll pass KaDeWe, Potsdamer Platz, Checkpoint Charlie, Bebelplatz, and Rotes Rathaus before spending 45 minutes at Charlottenburg Palace Christmas market. A German-speaking guide leads the ride, and mulled wine is included.
“The tour was nice and getting to know the Christmas markets.”
Ride from Midtown Manhattan to Brooklyn with an English or Spanish speaking guide, then walk through Dyker Heights, where decorated homes glow with lights, figures, and illuminated lawns. The four-hour tour also stops in Dumbo and near the Brooklyn Bridge for skyline photos before returning to Times Square. Jorge has guided some departures.
“We had Jorge who made the trip what it was. Be prepared...it's incredibly busy! But we did it on Christmas eve and despite it being so busy it was amazing. highly recommend. Get to the bus early to sit together with your family. we got there on time but were last to arrive so had to sit separately on the bus but Jorge was so informed on everything around whilst we travelled and about the Dyker Heights neighbourhood. Brilliant tour to do with kids for Xmas. Loved the stop off in Dumbo too. Got some incredible pics. we got lucky with the snow and clear skyline.Read more”
Pick a deck, a route or an hour.
