The 7 Best London by Night Bus Tours (2025 Reviews)

London by night bus tour options are a brilliant way to see the city sparkle after dark — all from the comfort of an open-top, themed vintage bus or state-of-the-art panoramic glass-topped bus.

From glowing landmarks and riverside lights to live commentary, dinner rides, or even ghost tours, these experiences turn a typical sightseeing trip into something memorable.

If you’re looking for a daytime treat to complement your evening adventures, why not check out The 7 Best London Tea Bus Tours, blending sightseeing with an iconic British afternoon tea, or explore the city’s vibrant culinary scene through The 7 Best London Food Tours.

And I can tell you with one hundred percent confidence that there’s only one city in the world where you can do all these, and that’s London.

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or want a new view of London, these nighttime rides deliver charm, energy, and that special city-after-dark magic.

Let’s dive into our top 3 picks below.

Best London Night Tours

Compare Top Tours: London by Night Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour, Comedy Horror Ghost Tour on a Bus, and 6-Course Luxury Dinner Bus Tour

London: London by Night Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour	London: Comedy Horror Ghost Tour on a Bus	London: 6-Course Luxury Dinner Bus Tour
Duration: 90 minutes	Duration: 75 minutes	Duration: 2.5 hours
Pickup: No hotel pickup (central meeting point)	Pickup: Central meeting point	Pickup: Hotel pickup not included
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance	Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours	Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours
Includes: Live guide, Open-top bus, Iconic landmarks	Includes: Live guide, Comedy-horror storytelling, Vintage bus	Includes: 6-course dinner, Luxury bus, Window seating
Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace	Haunted locations, Ghost stories, Dark history	Fine dining, Iconic sights, Gourmet experience
👉 Reserve Your Spot!	👉 Reserve Your Spot!	👉 Reserve Your Spot!

7 Best London Night Bus Tours (2025)

• Tour 1: London: London by Night Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour
• Tour 2: London: Comedy Horror Ghost Tour on a Bus
• Tour 3: London: 6-Course Luxury Dinner Bus Tour
• Tour 4: London: Christmas Lights Nighttime Bus Tour with Live Guide
• Tour 5: London by Night Sightseeing Tour – Open Top Bus
• Tour 6: London by Night Sightseeing Open Top Bus Tour with Live Guide
• Tour 7: Ghost Bus Tour of London

Night Bus Tours of London (2025 Reviews)

Tour 1: London: London by Night Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour

✅ Duration: 90 minutes
✅ Departure: London Eye Bus Stop, SE1 7NA
✅ Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Open-top sightseeing bus, live English-speaking guide
✅ Best For: First-time visitors, relaxed night sightseeing, skyline lovers
✅ Highlights: Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Thames Embankment

The first night we were in London, we saw a London Night Sightseeing Bus that was full, and it looked as though people were having a really great time. So we decided to book the London by Night Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour on our second evening in the city — mostly because we wanted that magical, twilight view of London too.

And honestly? It was everything we’d hoped for and a bit more.

The meeting point is right near the London Eye, and from the moment we climbed aboard that classic double-decker, the vibe shifted. Feeling the top of the bus lean sideways every time the driver hooked into a roundabout, and in London, there are lots of those. It was a bit of a buzz too.

With the top deck open and the breeze rolling in, we passed some of the most iconic buildings in the world — Big Ben glowing gold, Tower Bridge lit up like a postcard, and the quiet elegance of St. Paul’s Cathedral after hours.

The guide was live and engaging, threading facts and fun in just the right measure — not too scripted, not too dry. I especially appreciated the unexpected stories: a royal scandal here, a Beatles reference there, and making a personal recommendation of some out-of-the-way sites we should visit on foot was a real bonus.

It felt calm and electric all at once — the kind of tour that lets you breathe and absorb the city’s layers without rushing through it. It was great, we could see so much so well and so quickly without wearing our feet and legs out.

Highly recommended if you’re into city lights, relaxed sightseeing, or just want to see London looking its absolute best.

Tour 2: London: Comedy Horror Ghost Tour on a Bus

✅ Duration: 75 minutes
✅ Departure Point: Central London (exact location confirmed on booking)
✅ Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Vintage Routemaster bus, live theatrical guide, horror-comedy stories
✅ Best For: Fans of spooky stories, first-time visitors, evening entertainment
✅ Highlights: Ghost stories, London’s haunted landmarks, live theatrical guide, Tower of London, Fleet Street, West End

This one surprised me — in the best way.

We thought we were just in for a few ghost stories and a fun nighttime ride, but the Comedy Horror Ghost Tour on a Bus turned out to be part haunted ride, part immersive theatre, and part London sightseeing tour. I can honestly say I have never experienced anything quite like this tour.

The vintage Routemaster bus itself sets the tone — it’s black, moody, and totally themed out. Our “conductor” was half guide, half ghoul — delivering ghostly tales with sarcasm and stage presence that made the whole bus laugh and squirm in equal measure.

What I loved most was how it weaved real history with dark folklore. We passed places I’ve walked by a dozen times and never knew they had such strange backstories. Think Tower of London, old courthouses, murder sites, and shadowy alleyways you’d never notice in daylight.

By the end, we were both spooked and oddly delighted — like we’d been let in on a theatrical secret. If you want something completely different, learn about London, be entertained, and be spooked out, do it all in one on this tour in London.

Tour 3: London: 6-Course Luxury Dinner Bus Tour

✅ Duration: 2.5 hours
✅ Departure Point: Victoria Embankment, central London
✅ Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: 6-course gourmet dinner, panoramic bus, table seating, commentary
✅ Best For: Foodies, romantic dates, stylish London evenings
✅ Highlights: Luxury coach, seasonal tasting menu, Westminster views, St. Paul’s, fine wine pairings

We booked this one to celebrate a birthday, and it was worth every penny.

Picture a fine-dining restaurant — but on wheels. The setup was beautifully done, with cozy tables, soft lighting, and elegant glassware. Everything from the plating to the service felt elevated but unpretentious. Again, this tour was one of those firsts for me, and I’ve traveled extensively worldwide and been on dozens of food and meal tours.

About thirty minutes in, as the second course arrived and we were gliding past the London Eye, I realized just how special this 6-Course Luxury Dinner Bus Tour really is. You’re sightseeing, yes, but it’s the rhythm of the courses and the city’s lights that set the tone.

The food itself was impressive — seasonal, flavorful, and well-paced. It felt like a true experience rather than just a meal or a tour. The commentary was light and optional (via speaker), so we could tune in or tune out as we liked. I went on this tour with an old friend from London, we got to spend intimate time together, see some of the city, and learn some facts about London that she never knew.

If you want something upscale, romantic, friendly, or just wildly different than the usual walking tour or food tour, this is it.

Tour 4: London: Christmas Lights Nighttime Bus Tour with Live Guide

✅ Duration: 90 minutes
✅ Departure Point: Charles II Street, near Piccadilly Circus
✅ Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Open-top bus, live English-speaking guide, festive route
✅ Best For: Holiday travelers, families, Christmas light lovers
✅ Highlights: Regent Street, Oxford Circus, Trafalgar Square, iconic department store displays

There’s something magical about London at Christmastime — and this tour captures it perfectly.

We joined just after sunset, bundled up in scarves and holding takeaway mulled wine, and honestly? It felt like the holidays had officially arrived. Christmas in London, or in fact the whole UK, is something special. There are more public holidays and more Christmas parties, as it seems to be a real countrywide celebration.

Our Christmas sightseeing bus rolled gently past twinkling shopfronts and glowing department store windows, while our guide shared stories that were part history, part holiday trivia.

Around Oxford Circus, the decorations turned breathtaking — whole stretches of the sky lit with hanging lights. Being on the top deck of the bus, you will write part of the decorations, I’m sure. In some streets, we could have reached up and touched some of the glowing and blinking lights.

About halfway through, as we cruised under the angel displays on Regent Street, I realized how glad I was that we’d booked this Christmas Lights Nighttime Bus Tour. It felt festive without being over-the-top, joyful but relaxed.

The vibe was equal parts sightseeing and celebration — perfect for a December evening with kids, a partner, or even solo if you just want that soft London glow.

If you are visiting London over Christmas, this really is a memorable tour, one that you, your friends, and your family will thoroughly enjoy. I do recommend that you do a Christmas sightseeing tour in London

Tour 5: London by Night Sightseeing Tour – Open Top Bus

✅ Duration: 90 minutes
✅ Departure Point: London Victoria Coach Station
✅ Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Open-top bus, pre-recorded commentary, iconic night views
✅ Best For: First-time visitors, casual night sightseeing
✅ Highlights: London Eye, Big Ben, Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, Parliament

Sometimes you just want to sit back, relax, and let the city wash over you — and this open-top night ride is made for that.

We booked it for our first night in town, and it was the perfect intro to London. The coach was waiting just outside Victoria Station, and as soon as we hopped aboard, it felt easy — no stress, no crowds, just great nighttime views from the top deck.

The London by Night Sightseeing Tour plays audio commentary, so it’s not as lively as a live guide — but for us, that was ideal. We could focus on the views, chat quietly, or just take it all in with the breeze and the city lights. We had been on quite a few double-deck tours, and this was probably the most laid-back and comfortable that we’ve experienced.

Big Ben looked golden, the bridges sparkled, and you get that soft hush London has after dark. Great for couples, relaxed travelers, or anyone wanting an easy way to see it all in one go.

Tour 6: London by Night Sightseeing Open Top Bus Tour with Live Guide

✅ Duration: 90 minutes
✅ Departure Point: Green Park stop near The Ritz London
✅ Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Open-top bus, live English-speaking guide, major sights
✅ Best For: Travelers who want live commentary and a scenic city loop
✅ Highlights: Tower Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, Westminster Abbey, London Eye, Trafalgar Square

This one was full of energy from the start — largely thanks to our guide, who had the rare mix of humor, local insight, and enough facts to keep things interesting without sounding like a textbook. The tour was full-on and exciting, and we liked that.

We boarded near Green Park just after dusk, and the route was a dream: lit-up landmarks, buzzing neighborhoods, and wide-open views from the top deck. Really, you had to concentrate because there was so much to see, and you could see it so easily from the top deck of that bus .

About fifteen minutes in, as we crossed the Thames and got that postcard-perfect view of Big Ben and the Eye, I remember thinking, this is the London I came for.

If you prefer human storytelling over headphones, the London by Night Sightseeing Open Top Bus Tour with Live Guide really hits the mark. That personalized live storytelling was also good for any additional sites or scenes we saw along the way, and there were a few of those.

It’s polished without being stiff, and the guide’s local tips were a nice touch — things like where to go after the tour, or which pub has the best view of St. Paul’s.

Good pacing, lots of stops, and a great option if you’re a fan of commentary with character and spontaneity.

Tour 7: Ghost Bus Tour of London

✅ Duration: 75 minutes
✅ Departure Point: Northumberland Avenue, near Trafalgar Square
✅ Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Vintage black Routemaster, live theatrical guide, ghost stories
✅ Best For: Halloween season, fans of horror-comedy, evening entertainment
✅ Highlights: Tower of London, Fleet Street, London Bridge, West End, spine-tingling storytelling

This isn’t your standard sightseeing ride — it’s part haunted theatre, part history, and all drama from the moment the engine growls to life to the moment you pull into the last stop.

The conductor was more actor than guide (in a good way), delivering tales of hauntings, executions, and strange disappearances with theatrical flair. And when I say theatrical flair, it was theatrical English flair which really added to the comedy.

The lighting inside the vintage bus flickered ominously, and the audio effects were timed so well that they had us jumping and laughing at once.

The Ghost Bus Tour of London takes you down familiar streets — but with unfamiliar, chilling stories.

Places like the Tower of London and Fleet Street feel different under night skies and narration that leans into the macabre. The vibe is tongue-in-cheek rather than terrifying, but still immersive enough to feel spooky, often keeping you on the edge of your seat.

It’s smart, spooky fun that’s just the right mix of scary and silly.

What to Expect on a London Night Bus Tour

Iconic Illuminated Views
One of the great joys of hopping on a London night bus tour is soaking in the city’s famous landmarks, spectacularly lit up after dark. Expect breathtaking nighttime views of Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, and the Houses of Parliament—all dramatically illuminated, creating picture-perfect moments.

Comfort and Entertainment
Buses vary from charming vintage open-tops to ultra-modern panoramic glass-roofed vehicles. Most offer lively and informative commentary from charismatic guides who blend history, humor, and local stories, making London’s history come alive under the glittering night sky.

Tour Duration
Typically, these tours run for about 90 minutes to two hours without stopping, allowing you to relax comfortably and fully immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere.

London’s Evening Weather Year-Round

London’s evening weather can vary widely, adding charm but requiring preparation:

• Winter (Dec–Feb): Evenings are chilly, averaging between 36°F and 45°F (2°C to 7°C). Expect occasional rain or drizzle.
• Spring (Mar–May): Temperatures slowly warm, with evenings ranging from 40°F to 55°F (4°C to 13°C), often accompanied by brief showers.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): Generally mild and pleasant, with evening temperatures averaging 55°F to 68°F (13°C to 20°C). Occasional rain showers still occur.
• Fall (Sep–Nov): Cooling again, with evening temperatures typically between 45°F and 59°F (7°C to 15°C), and increasing likelihood of rain.

Essential Items and What to Wear

Stay Cozy and Prepared
Comfortable layers are key. A versatile option like the Columbia Women’s Benton Springs Full Zip Jacket adapts easily to changing evening temperatures.

Be Ready for Rain
London weather is notoriously unpredictable. Pack a compact, sturdy umbrella such as the Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella or a lightweight rain jacket like the Columbia Men’s Watertight II Jacket to stay dry throughout your tour.

Footwear Advice
Choose comfortable shoes, especially if exploring before or after your tour. The Skechers Go Walk Joy Walking Shoes or Merrell Moab 3 Hiking Shoes ensure your comfort all evening.

Photography Essentials
Don’t miss capturing London’s iconic night views—bring along your camera or smartphone. An Anker PowerCore Portable Charger is invaluable to keep your devices fully charged.

Carry Convenience
A small, comfortable backpack like the Osprey Daylite Daypack makes it easy to carry personal items, extra layers, and any souvenirs from your London nighttime adventure.

FAQs (The 7 Best London by Night Bus Tours 2025 Reviews)

1. Where do most London night bus tours depart from?

Most tours depart from central London locations such as Victoria Coach Station, Charles II Street near Piccadilly Circus, or Northumberland Avenue near Trafalgar Square. Always check your tour’s confirmation email for the precise departure point and arrival instructions.

2. Are the open-top night bus tours suitable for kids?

Yes, many of them are family-friendly, especially the general sightseeing tours and Christmas light rides. However, tours like the Ghost Bus Tour or Comedy Horror Bus may be better suited to older children due to theatrical jump scares and dark storytelling.

3. Do I need to bring anything for the Christmas Lights Night Tour?

Bring warm layers, a scarf, and gloves, especially if sitting on the upper deck. Some guests also bring a hot drink to enjoy while watching the displays. Seating is first-come, so arrive early for the best view.

4. What’s the difference between a live guide and a recorded commentary?

Live guides offer real-time storytelling, humor, and interaction, while recorded commentary is available in multiple languages and tends to be more structured. If you prefer personality and spontaneity, opt for a tour with a live guide.

5. Are these tours accessible for wheelchair users?

Some of the newer buses are partially accessible, but vintage Routemasters used on themed tours (like the Ghost Bus) often do not have ramps or lifts. Always check the access notes on the booking page before purchasing.

6. Can I take photos or videos during the tour?

Absolutely! Nighttime London looks incredible in photos — especially from the upper deck. Just be mindful not to block others’ views and avoid flash during dark, immersive tours like the Ghost Bus.

7. What happens if it rains during the open-top tours?

The tours run rain or shine, and most buses offer a covered lower deck for bad weather. Bring a waterproof layer if you’re planning to sit up top, just in case.

Don’t Let Trip Surprises Cost You!

Medical emergencies abroad or flight cancellations can be costly. Stay protected with comprehensive travel insurance covering medical expenses, trip delays, lost baggage, and more.
👉 Get a Quote with Squaremouth

How We Select the Best Tours & Products

At 501 Places, we carefully select tours & products based on quality, authenticity, traveler feedback, expert insights, and ethical standards.
👉 Learn more: How We Select the Best Tours & Products.

501Places Editor’s Ranking: London: London by Night Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour