Overview of the Christmas Lights Bus Tours in London
Welcome, friends, to this detailed review aimed at helping you find the best Christmas lights tour in London. Just a few years ago, choosing a tour was simple, there was only one option: The Original Tour. All you had to do was head to Leicester Square, hop on the bus, and enjoy a magical evening.
However, things have changed. Now, other open-top tour companies have introduced their own versions of the Christmas lights experience, making the decision a bit more complicated. But don’t worry, that’s where this post comes in. Its purpose is to simplify your search and guide you toward the perfect tour for your festive adventure.
Why should I do the Christmas lights bus tours in London? Well, it’s the season for it. It might not be for everyone, but it is a lovely experience where you get to see London by night from an open-top double-decker bus. You get to hear some nice commentary by live guides, and you get really close to the lights themselves. That gives you some great picture opportunities. Plus, it’s fun to get on a bus with a bunch of people who are there for the same thing, to spend 1hr+ marveling at the cool sights London has to offer.
Which tour should I choose? Well, here’s a quick answer to that question if you don’t have time to read the entire post.
Table of Contents
Tootbus
Tootbus has been running this tour for ages. It might confuse some because it was previously called The Original Tour, but the experience hasn’t changed much. If anything, it’s improved with a better route and more frequent daily departures.
Route and starting point
The tour kicks off from Coventry Street, making it super convenient for anyone in the area during the evening. Plus, there’s a Christmas market just two minutes away, perfect for grabbing a quick hot drink before the tour. You can even bring your drink on board (just make sure it’s not alcohol).
The next highlight is Trafalgar Square, where you can see the iconic Christmas tree. From there, the bus heads up Haymarket and Regent Street, where the famous Christmas lights begin. This year, the route has been extended to include Mayfair and the full length of Oxford Street.
Commentary
What makes the tour special is the live guide, who shares interesting facts about London and the festive season. It’s a great choice for anyone who wants to enjoy London by night, see the Christmas lights, and hear a bit of London’s history.
Downsides
The tour is relatively short and doesn’t include major landmarks like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, or the Tower of London. If those are a priority, consider a hop-on hop-off tour instead. Also, if you take the last bus at 5:00 PM from Coventry Street, you’ll get to see London by night but might only catch a brief glimpse of some of the lights.
Extras
Tootbus also stands out with the Christmas hats they offer their passengers, so the spirit up there on the open deck is fun and merry.
Pricing
Tootbus is one of the most affordable options, and they offer a family ticket for extra savings. Be sure to book in advance, as tickets sell out quickly, especially on weekends.
Pro Tip: Avoid tours departing before 6:00 PM. Traffic tends to be heavy during the week, and you might spend a lot of time stuck. After 6:00 PM, it usually clears up, so you’ll have a much smoother experience. Tours start at 4:30 PM and run every half hour until 9:30 PM.
The Classic Tour
The Classic Tour has been around London for a while, and I have to say, it’s quite tempting to jump on a vintage open-top bus tour. They look so Londonish.
Route and starting point
Their starting point is extremely convenient, especially for those staying near Trafalgar Square. But even if you’re not, it’s still a fantastic area to begin your adventure, surrounded by many of London’s incredible sights.
Like the other tours, you’ll get to see the Oxford Street Christmas lights. In addition, the bus passes by other festive highlights (though specifics aren’t fully clear).
There are three daily departures: 4:10 PM, 6:15 PM, and 7:45 PM. I always recommend going for the later ones to avoid traffic.
Commentary
The tour features live guides, a standard for Christmas lights tours, so you’re guaranteed some good entertainment.
Pricing
This is the most affordable Christmas lights tour out there. If you’re on a budget or traveling with a larger family and want to keep costs down, this tour might be the best choice. Check availability here.
One downside: there’s no route map online at the time of writing. Compared to other tours, this makes it a bit trickier to figure out where the bus actually goes. Maybe they’re going for the element of surprise!
Golden Tours
Golden Tours has been one of the veterans offering Christmas lights tours. Their service is extremely diversified, with plenty of departure times and locations.
Route and starting point
They have three different starting points: Green Park, Victoria, and the London Eye, with frequent departures. Buses leave every half hour from 5 PM to 9 PM, making it easy to find a time that suits you.
Unlike some other tours, Golden Tours includes iconic landmarks like Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye, in addition to the Christmas lights. This is definitely a big thumbs-up for the tour.
Commentary
All their buses are live guided.
Pricing
Their ticket prices are very similar to their competitors. They do, however, offer the option to book lower deck seats at a cheaper price. While this might seem odd since the main point of the tour is to see the lights from the open top, it could be useful for those with mobility issues who cannot access the upper deck but still want to enjoy the live commentary.
They also offer a family ticket, which is an advantage compared to some competitors. Check availability here.
Big Bus
Big Bus falls on the premium side, mainly due to their extensive experience and the quality they typically offer. The reason it’s ranked lower on this list is primarily its higher price and the lack of a family ticket. That said, the vibes are great—you’re almost guaranteed a full bus, so it’s always lively.
Route and starting point
The tour starts in front of the Marriott Hotel, next to the London Eye, making the location excellent. You’ll get to see the London Eye lit up, as well as Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Pro tip: grab seats at the back for the best views.
The route includes Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street, and many other famous decorated streets. They offer three daily departures at 4 PM, 6 PM, and 8 PM. The tour lasts 90 minutes and features live commentary.
Pricing
This is the priciest Christmas lights tour out there, with no family ticket available. If your hotel is near the London Eye, it might be worth taking. However, if you’re staying closer to Piccadilly or Trafalgar Square, it makes more sense to choose one of the other tours with departures nearby. Check availability here.
City Sightseeing
There’s hardly anyone who hasn’t heard of City Sightseeing. They’re leaders in open-top bus tours worldwide, and London is no exception.
Route and starting point
The tour starts from Haymarket, just a stone’s throw from Piccadilly Circus. The location is perfect, you’re right in the heart of London and close to the famous Christmas lights.
The route also takes you to Westminster Bridge, where you can see the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament.
They have departures at 16:30, 17:30, 18:00, 18:30, 19:00, and 19:30, with some days offering even later times. Many days are already sold out, so hurry up if you want to have this experience! Check availability here.
Pricing
When it comes to pricing, it’s on the more expensive side, especially since they don’t offer a family ticket. In my opinion, considering it’s a short tour, it shouldn’t cost more than £30. But hey, if you feel it’s worth it, go for it!
Personal tips and overall impression
I’d personally choose the tour with the most convenient departure point for me and also look at the route. As mentioned earlier, some tours focus solely on Christmas lights, while others include iconic London landmarks. These two factors should guide your decision.
All the London Christmas lights bus tours have live guides, so it’s hard to say which has the best ones, as there are many guides, and they rotate.
I hope this review helps you make the right choice. Don’t forget to book well in advance, as the tours are extremely popular, especially on weekends and closer to Christmas!
