What’s Included
- A festive 90-minute journey to see London’s Christmas lights.
- Live commentary provided by an English-speaking guide.
- Your choice of seating on the upper or lower deck of the bus.
What’s Not Included
- Any food or drinks (only bottled water is permitted onboard).
- Transportation to and from the tour’s starting point.
Important Information
- The tour lasts approximately 70 to 90 minutes; however, route and duration may change due to heavy Christmas traffic. Shorter tours (60-70 minutes) can occur with lighter traffic.
- Seating on the bus is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved. If you book a lower deck ticket, seating on the upper deck is not permitted.
- Departures from Victoria at 4:15 PM will not include Oxford Street in their route.
- There are no toilet facilities available on the bus.
- As this is a winter tour, please dress warmly and consider wearing a hat due to cold weather.
- Children aged 0-4 years can travel free but do not have an allocated seat. If a seat is needed, a child ticket must be purchased.
- The bus has limited space for one fold-away pushchair and one wheelchair on the lower deck.
- This is a direct sightseeing tour, not a hop-on, hop-off service.
- The tour is conducted exclusively in English.
- Arriving early is recommended to fully enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.
Useful Information
Departure and Return Points: The tour departs from and returns to three different locations:
London Eye: Belvedere Road, Tourist bus stop, London SE1 7NA (located in front of the London Eye, a 2-minute walk from Waterloo tube station).
- Departure Times: 5:00 PM, 5:30 PM, 6:00 PM, 6:30 PM, 7:00 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:00 PM, 8:30 PM, and 9:00 PM.
Victoria: Bus Stop 1, Bulleid Way, Victoria, London SW1W 9SR (a 2-minute walk from Victoria tube station).
- Departure Times: 4:15 PM, 5:15 PM, 6:15 PM, and 7:15 PM.
Green Park: Outside Green Park London Underground Station, Piccadilly, Tourist Bus Stop, London W1J 9DZ.
- Departure Times: 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 9:00 PM.
Approximate Return Time: All tours return to their respective departure points at the end of the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the tour depart from? Usually tours will depart from Victoria, central London but can vary depending on itinerary. Please contact us for further information or check the important information tab on the tour page.
Where will I be dropped off following my tour? Due to legal and time restrictions, tour operators typically offer a choice of a few drop-off points within central London (unless otherwise stated during the tour). These are usually located in close proximity to underground stations.
What time will I return from my tour? For full-day coach excursions, returns to London generally occur between 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM, depending on the tour and traffic conditions. Unescorted train tours usually return later, between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
Are tours suitable for wheelchair users? Coaches can typically accommodate only folding wheelchairs. Passengers using them will usually need to be able to board and alight the coach (including a few steps) with assistance from their own helper, as tour staff are often not permitted to assist for health and safety reasons. Due to the fast-paced nature of many tours and the amount of walking involved, tours are often not recommended for individuals with limited mobility. It’s best to contact the reservations team for specific queries.
What items are permitted on the coach regarding luggage? Generally, you are permitted to take one piece of luggage on a coach tour. It’s advised to keep personal and valuable items with you at all times, as any items left on the coach are at your own risk. Hot food and hot drinks are typically not permitted on the coach.
Can the Open Top Buses accommodate wheelchairs? Many open-top buses have an access ramp at the front. Legally, they can usually carry one wheelchair user per bus.
What else is typically included in the tour price? All entrances are usually included in the tour price unless otherwise stated.
What is generally not included in the tour price?
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities for your guide and driver (optional)
- Any transfers to/from stations and pick-up points unless specifically mentioned on the tour page.
If lunch isn’t included, can we grab lunch from nearby restaurants? Most locations will have restaurants nearby, but opting for a sit-down meal may significantly restrict the amount of time you have at the attractions.
At what age do senior concessions begin? Senior concessions typically begin at 60 years of age.
Do coaches have washroom facilities on board? Washroom facilities on board coaches cannot always be guaranteed. However, regular stops are usually made en route, and lavatories are often available at most attractions.
How much time is spent at each attraction? There isn’t a set time for exploration at each attraction. Guides are trained to observe how their group progresses and adjust the tour accordingly. It’s important to remember that some tours cover multiple landmarks in a single day, so extensive time at each attraction may not be possible.
What happens if I arrive late for a departure? If you arrive late for a departure, you could lose your seat to a walk-up passenger. It’s highly encouraged to arrive at the pick-up point a minimum of 15 minutes before departure. Once on the tour, your guide or driver will provide specific departure times for each location, and you must be back at the coach at least five minutes before this time. If you are late and miss the given time, the coach will depart without you to avoid delaying other passengers. If unsure about a departure time while on tour, always ask the guide or driver.
For groups traveling together, can specific seats on the coach be reserved? Unfortunately, seats are usually on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be pre-booked.
Can an itinerary be provided for a specific tour if the website doesn’t detail time spent at each attraction? An approximate amount of time spent at each attraction can often be provided. However, the overall tour duration and timing at each stop are often at the guide’s discretion and can vary.
Are tours available in languages other than English? Yes, many tours offer foreign language-speaking tour guides. Please check with us to see which days these operate.
