Best London Bus Routes For Sightseeing

Let’s be honest for a second: the London Underground is a marvel, but you’re mostly staring at posters and platform edges. If you want to actually see the city, you need to ditch the tube map and hop on a bus. Trust me, riding London’s red double-deckers is way more fun than any guided tour—and you get a front-row seat for pocket change.

Why bother with a pricey hop-on-hop-off bus when your Oyster card already works like magic? The best part? You can grab a seat upstairs, front row, and feel like the mayor of London for a day. So, let’s dive into the routes that turn a commute into a spectacular adventure.

Route 24: The Classic Grand Tour

This is the unsung hero of sightseeing. It glides from Hampstead Heath all the way to Victoria Station, passing through the literary charm of Camden Town. You’ll see the towering gothic spires of St. Pancras and the golden lights of the West End—all without once going underground.

You know that iconic shot of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament? Route 24 practically gift-wraps it for you as you roll across Parliament Square. Honestly, it’s like watching a movie through a window that never smudges.

Route 11: The Royal and Theatrical Express

If you want to feel like a VIP for less than two quid, this is your ride. It runs from Liverpool Street to Fulham Broadway, but the magic happens between St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster. You’ll cruise past the Bank of England, the Strand’s grand theatres, and Trafalgar Square.

Pro tip: time it for late afternoon, when the sun hits the gilt on the Victoria Memorial. You’ll swear the bus driver is showing off just for you. It’s a free light show, courtesy of London’s architecture.

Route 15: The Time Traveler’s Special

This one is a proper blast from the past, especially if you catch the heritage Routemaster bus that runs on this route. It rattles from Tower Hill past the Tower of London, then swings by St. Paul’s and into the heart of the City of London. You’ll see skyscrapers jostling with ancient churches—talk about a history lesson with a view.

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Look left and you’ll spot the Gherkin; look right and there’s the Roman city wall. It’s like the bus is stitching together 2,000 years of London in one ride. And yes, you can hop on and off at the stops—no secret handshake required.

Route 88: The Quiet Charmer

Everyone raves about the big-name routes, but this one is my secret weapon. It winds from Oxford Circus through leafy Regent’s Park all the way up to Camden Town. You get the buzz of the West End, then sudden calm as you pass the elegant white stucco terraces.

It’s perfect for when you need a break from the chaos but still want to feel clever about sightseeing. No queues, no crowds—just you, the top deck, and a parade of London’s prettiest streets.

Route 139: The Instagram Dream

This one is short but oh-so-sweet. It runs from Waterloo to Oxford Circus, but the stretch over Waterloo Bridge is pure gold. From the top deck, you get a breathtaking view of the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, and the South Bank all in one frame.

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Bring your phone—you’ll want to snap it. And if the sun is setting? Forget it; you’ll feel like you’ve stolen a postcard straight from a souvenir shop. That’s the power of a bus seat.

Why You Should Do This Right Now

Look, you could spend a fortune on a river cruise or a tour bus with a recorded commentary. But a regular London bus gives you something better: authenticity. You’ll see real Londoners going about their day, hear the rumble of the engine, and feel the city breathe.

Plus, you can eat a sandwich while you ride. Try doing that on the Tube without getting evil looks! So grab your coat, top up your Oyster, and pick a route.

Here’s your uplifting takeaway: Life doesn’t always need a fancy itinerary. Sometimes, the best adventure is just sitting upstairs on a red bus, watching the world go by, and realizing that this moment—right here, with the wind in your hair and London unfolding below—is exactly where you’re supposed to be. So go on, find your route, and let the city surprise you. You might just discover that the journey is the destination.