The Classic Tour London - Vintage Bus Experience (2025 Review)
- DDL
- Jun 11, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 16
London is full of sightseeing options, but few offer the charm and nostalgia of riding a vintage London bus tour. The Classic Tour takes you on a journey through the city's most famous landmarks aboard a beautifully restored 1960s Routemaster bus. If you're after a fun, immersive way to experience London, this vintage red bus tour London is a fantastic choice.
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Before you book, here’s everything you need to know::
1. Why choose The Classic Tour?
I’ve taken a lot of London tours, but The Classic Tour stands out because it’s more than just sightseeing, it’s an experience. From the moment I stepped onto the beautifully restored vintage double-decker bus, I felt like I was traveling back in time. The charm of the 1960s Routemaster bus paired with a live guide makes this tour one of the most engaging and entertaining ways to explore London.
Now, what really makes this tour special is the live tour guides. No pre-recorded audio, just real, charismatic guides who are not only knowledgeable but also genuinely funny. If you check their tripadvisor reviews, you'll see what I mean. The whole experience felt like a mix of a history lesson and a stand-up comedy show!
Pro tip: For the best shots of The London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Tower of London, make sure you pick a seat on the left side of the bus.
2. Is The Classic Tour worth the price?
Compared to other sightseeing options, The Classic Tour offers a faster and more immersive way to see the city. Instead of spending 2-3 hours on a hop-on-hop-off bus, you get a non-stop 90-minute journey covering all the key landmarks.
Price vs. experience: The tour used to be a cheaper alternative to hop-on hop-off buses, but now the price is about the same as a full-day ticket on one of them. So, think about what matters more to you most, a 90-minute ride on a vintage bus with live guides or a full day of exploring London on modern buses with recorded commentary?
3. Route and Timetable
The tour covers all the must-see landmarks in central London, including:
📍 Trafalgar Square
📍 Westminster Abbey
📍 Buckingham Palace (weekends & when traffic allows)
📍 The London Eye
📍 The Tower of London
📍 St Paul’s Cathedral
📍 The Shard
📍 Big Ben & Houses of Parliament
The exact departure point is Northumberland Avenue just off Trafalgar Square. This is where the tour begins and ends. The bus stop is outside The Grand Hotel, opposite the Sherlock Holmes pub.
The tours are available on specific days only. The usual departing times are at 12:05, 14:10, 16:10.
4. Things to consider
The Classic Tour doesn’t run daily. If your preferred date isn’t available, check out our alternative vintage bus tours in London in the last section of this blog post.
London traffic can be unpredictable, especially during rush hour. For a smoother ride with fewer delays, aim for the later tours in the day.
This is a fully open-top bus, so there's nowhere to hide if the rain starts. Keep that in mind, and ideally bring a poncho if the weather looks funny.
5. Additional tours on offfer
The Ghost Bus Tours, a highly popular and thrilling tour. If you're intrigued by the idea of this spooky adventure, we've dedicated an entire blog post to it. For more details, simply click here.
6. Ticket Options
The Classic Tour offers standard pricing:
🎟️ Adults: £35
🎟️ Children (Under 16): £22
🎟️ Concessions: £27
Booking online in advance is recommended, as seats fill up quickly.
7. Alternative Vintage Bus Tours in London
Because The Classic Tour runs on limited days, you might not find a slot that works for you. If that’s the case, here are some other great options:
Afternoon Tea Bus Tour – Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea while touring London in a vintage bus.
London Ghost Bus Tour – A spooky take on London’s history, perfect for those who love the paranormal.
Guided Sightseeing Tour on a Vintage Open-Top Bus – A classic red bus tour