Our 5 Favourite Vintage Bus Tours in the UK

1.Guided Sightseeing Tour on a Vintage Open-Top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,890 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $40Our pick

Ride a 1960s open-top Red Routemaster from Embankment while an English-speaking guide points out St. Paul’s, the Tower of London, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, and Piccadilly Circus. Guides such as Johnny, Paul, and Will are known for lively stories and humor. Bring a warm scarf, since the upper deck can be chilly.

“fantastic tour through London with Johnny and Bob. Make sure to wear a warm scarf on the upper level of the bus”

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2.London Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Bus Open Top

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,132 reviews · 1h 15m · from $37Best value

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.”

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3.Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 770 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $48

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!!!”

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4.Vintage Bus Tour with Afternoon Tea or Gin

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 699 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $57

Ride Edinburgh’s vintage Red Bus Bistro for 90 minutes while enjoying prosecco, tea, coffee, sandwiches, warm scones, quiches, cakes, and optional Edinburgh Gin cocktails served in teapots. Staff such as Helen, Jimmy, Mark, and Steven add humor and helpful landmark notes, though this is more a moving tea room than a formal sightseeing tour.

“It was amazing! We loved every second of it 🥰 cant wait to join again sometime!”

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5.Vintage London Bus Tour Including Cruise with London Eye Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 586 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85

Start at Victoria Coach Station for a 3.5-hour tour by 1960s red Routemaster bus and Thames boat. Hear stories from guides such as Alan, Lisa, Steve, or Magnus while seeing Buckingham Palace, Westminster, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and more. Add the London Eye for 360-degree views or continue to Stonehenge.

“Harrowing ride through loaded London streets, more fun than an amusement park ride just watching our driver! Lisa was wonderful and taught us a ton despite the intermittent rain. Was the perfect trip to acquaint us on our first day in the city. Boat tour was frosting on the cake!”

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