See London By Night bus tour is a must for anyone visiting or even living in London. There's a magical feeling to experiencing the city at night that words can't quite capture, it's something you have to experience for yourself.
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Summary:
Highly rated live guides
Longest route among night tour providers
Affordable tour
Experienced tour operator
Table of contents
1. Why choose See London by Night ?
Live guides
All See London by Night tours come with live guides. If you spend some time checking their reviews on TripAdvisor, you'll notice hardly any negative ones about their guides; quite the opposite.
Route
The See London by Night tour has a significant edge over the other night tours provided by the hop-on hop-off companies. What sets it apart is that their tour takes you on a journey through the Kensington and Knightsbridge area, in addition to the regular route that covers central London.
History
While most of the other night tours are relatively new, See London by Night boasts extensive experience in guiding tourists through London after dark. This, combined with consistently positive reviews and a reputation for reliability, makes them a top choice.
2. Is it worth the price?
Absolutely! With See London By Night, you get the open-top bus experience, a fantastic live guide, and one of the best ways to spend your evening, all at a great price. It's the perfect alternative if you don't want to spend your entire day on a bus (hop-on hop-off).
You get the chance to spot landmarks such as the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben & The Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Piccadilly, Harrods, and many other spectacular sights.
Seeing the landmarks with the live guide's insights gives you a totally different perspective on the city. A popular thing to do is to return to your favorite spots later for a more in-depth exploration of London at night.
Pro tip: Be sure to arrive early and snag the uncovered seats, especially on dry evenings.
3. Things you see while on the bus
As you cruise through the city, you'll pass by iconic London landmarks like The Tower Bridge, Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral, The Shard, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, The London Eye and many more.
Pro tip: For the best snapshots of The London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Tower of London, choose a seat on the left side of the bus
If you are seeking tours that offer a more immersive London experience and can be enjoyed late into the night, be sure to explore our dedicated blog post!
4. Route and Timetable
See London by Night has been a fixture for a while, and this experience offers a single, meticulously designed route that takes you to all the major attractions and points of interest in the city.
Tour Duration The tours take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and are all live guided in English.
Departure times Daily departures during the winter (October to March) are at 19.30 and 21.20 and during the summer (April to September) are 19.30, 20.00, 20.30, 21.15, 21.45 and 22.15 from the Green Park stop next to The Ritz Hotel on Piccadilly.
Pro tip: If you're a big fan of sunsets like I am, I highly recommend checking the sunset times and booking your tour accordingly. There's nothing more spectacular than experiencing the transition from day to night from the top of an open-top bus.
5. Things to consider
Weather forecast
The weather in London can be unpredictable, make sure you check the forecast before hopping on your tour and prepare accordingly. Keep in mind that London nights can get chilly and windy.
Availability
Since the tour is incredibly popular, it tends to get quite crowded. To prevent any potential disappointment, I highly recommended you to book your tickets in advance and arrive at the departure point early.
2 for 1
If you opt for the National Rail 2-for-1 offer, ensure you arrive at the stop well in advance, as passengers with tickets receive priority. If possible, consider visiting the stop a day before to check if you can redeem your tickets.
6. Ticket Options
Keeping things straightforward, they offer a single, budget-friendly ticket option. These prices are only available when you book online:
Adult £29.00
Child (5-15) £16.00
Family (2Ad +2Ch) £78.00
For those seeking an exclusive experience, See London By Night offers a private hire option.
7. Conclusion of our See London By Night review
If you're considering a night tour in London, See London By Night is undoubtedly the top choice. With extensive experience, more departures than other companies, and renowned guides offering entertaining commentaries, booking their tour is a worry-free decision.
If our See London By Night review captivated your interest, be sure to explore our assessment of other tours here and discover valuable travel tips here.
