Big Bus vs Golden Tours London

Introduction

Big Bus and Golden Tours are two of the longest-running hop-on hop-off tours in London. Unlike other companies that have gone through mergers and rebrands, these two have stayed pretty consistent in their structure. In theory, that should mean they’re the top two bus tours in London, but is that actually the case? Let’s break it down.

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Table of contents 

1. Brief overview of the open-top bus tours

2. Head-to-head comparison of Big Bus vs Golden Tours London

3. User reviews and testimonials

4. Summary
   

1. Brief overview

• Big Bus is the global giant, with operations in major cities worldwide. They’ve spent years refining their London service, continuously improving to offer one of the best hop-on hop-off experiences.

  
  

• Golden Tours takes a different approach, staying relatively low-profile and focusing on the UK market. They’re part of Grey Line (a globally recognized tour brand), but they operate independently in London.

  
  

• While Big Bus has built strong partnerships with top attractions (like Merlin Entertainments and The London Pass), Golden Tours has carved out a niche by offering budget-friendly options and unique themed tours.

  
  

• Golden Tours is also a major player in out-of-town day trips, something Big Bus doesn’t do.

  
  

So, if you're only looking for a hop-on hop-off experience, Big Bus might be the clear winner. But if you're planning something a bit different, Golden Tours could still be a strong contender.

2. Head-to-Head: Big Bus vs. Golden Tours

Big Bus

✅ Best overall service

✅ Multiple attraction combos available

✅ Included in The London Pass & Merlin attraction pass

✅ Well-designed route

✅ Accurate and easy-to-use bus tracking app

✅ Easy-to-navigate map and route system

✅ Fleet of electric buses

✅ 3 free walking tours with the 48-hour ticket

✅ Premium feel overall

Golden Tours

✅ Live guides on select buses

✅ More budget-friendly

✅ More languages available for audio commentary

✅ Specializes in themed tours and out-of-town trips

Let’s Dive Deeper

Service & Frequency – Big Bus Wins

Big Bus is hands down the more reliable service. Their buses run more frequently, meaning less waiting around. Golden Tours has improved in recent years, but during peak hours, Big Bus is still the safer bet.

Route Coverage – Both Are Good, But Big Bus Has the Edge

Both cover all the major sights, but Big Bus’s route design is easier to follow. Golden Tours has multiple lines, and in my experience, their routes can be a little confusing. The Big Bus blue route is particularly great, it loops through all the major areas in one go. That said, if you’re staying in West London (Bayswater, Notting Hill, or Paddington), Big Bus is the better choice, as Golden Tours has reduced service in that area.

Attraction Tickets & Discounts – Big Bus Wins

Big Bus is included in two of the best attraction bundles:

• The London Pass (which covers 90+ attractions)

• The Merlin Pass (which includes Madame Tussauds, The London Eye, The Dungeon, and more)

Golden Tours doesn’t have these partnerships, but if you’re planning a day trip out of London, they offer some of the best packages.

Commentary & Languages – Golden Tours Wins

If you prefer live commentary, Golden Tours is the way to go (as long as you’re comfortable with an English-speaking guide on a microphone).

For pre-recorded commentary, Golden Tours offers way more language options than Big Bus, which is a big plus for non-English speakers.

Walking Tours – Big Bus Wins

With a 48-hour Big Bus ticket, you get three free walking tours, covering:

• Changing of the Guard

• Jack the Ripper

• A Royal London

  
  

Price – Golden Tours Is Cheaper

• Golden Tours single-day ticket: £32

• Big Bus single-day ticket: £39

  
  

If price is your main concern, Golden Tours wins. But for just £7 more, Big Bus offers better service, better coverage, and better perks.

3. User Reviews – What Are People Saying?

I have ​analyzed recent TripAdvisor reviews for both Big Bus Tours and Golden Tours just so you don't have to. Here are my findings:

Big Bus Tours

Pros:

• Knowledgeable Guides: Many travelers commend guides like Tiffany and Chris for their great commentary. It's worth noting that these are for the walking tours you get on the 48 hr ticket, tours I highly recommend.

• Convenient Routes: The tour's routes are appreciated for covering major attractions efficiently.

  
  

Cons:

• Technical Issues: There are mentions of malfunctioning audio guides or lack of synchronization with the tour route.

Golden Tours

Pros:

• Exceptional Tour Guides: Reviewers frequently highlight guides like Emma for their enthusiasm and depth of knowledge.

  
  

• Value for Money:  Everyone appreciates a tour that doesn't make a huge dent in their trip budget.

  
  

Cons:

• Bus Frequency Concerns: When you are competing with tours like Big Bus or City Sightseeing, even if you have a decent number of buses on the street, it might still feel like you have a very bad service. So this is where most of the negative reviews are coming from

  
  

• Route Clarity: A few users mention that the tour routes can be somewhat confusing, with unclear maps or commentary leading to missed stops. 

4. Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re looking for the best overall hop-on hop-off bus tour, Big Bus is the clear winner. It’s got better service, more frequent buses, a well-thought-out route, and amazing attraction bundles. Plus, if you’re using the London Pass, it’s a no-brainer.

But if you’re on a tighter budget, prefer live guides, or are planning day trips outside of London, Golden Tours is worth considering.