London double decker bus driver#
London double decker bus upgrade#

In time to drumbeats from a military band, soldiers from the Queen’s Foot Guard march to Buckingham Palace in their eye-catching red tunics and bearskin hats. Next, head to the Queen’s famous residence - Buckingham Palace - and see the legendary Changing of the Guard ceremony from outside the palace gates. Cruise under London Bridge, gaze at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and see the London Eye just across the river. Sit out on deck or relax in the comfy seats in the saloon, listening to audio commentary about all the sites that you pass. Walk along the river to Tower Pier and hop aboard a sightseeing boat for a leisurely cruise to Westminster. Designed to terrify Londoners while deterring foreign invaders, the formidable-looking tower is now home to the Crown Jewels and the famous Beefeater guards who protect them. Pass St Paul's Cathedral, a much-loved Baroque cathedral that has hosted countless services for London’s dignitaries over the years, and hear details of significant occasions, such as the wedding of Lady Diana to Prince Charles, from your guide.Īmble down to the banks of the Thames River for a photo stop outside the Tower of London. Listen to details of each sight’s history from your guide. On a route around the city center, watch out for iconic London monuments like Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and Westminster Abbey - where Prince William married Kate Middleton in 2011. Hop aboard a vintage red double-decker bus, and then sit back and relax on a sightseeing tour of London.

London double decker bus upgrade#

Alternatively, upgrade to round off the day with fish and chips at a central London pub. Cruise down the Thames River on a sightseeing cruise to Westminster watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Explore the city by vintage double-decker bus and see famous sights such as Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London. Toursĭiscover London’s highlights on this action-packed half-day tour.

London double decker bus driver#

It's closed behind perspex at night, though the driver can open it, as he does the other doors, after he comes to a stop. If you happen to have a Day Travelcard or paper ticket, board at the front to flash this to the driver.īy the way, the open back platform on the New Bus is only available during the day, when there is a conductor on board to assist back there. If you are using a public bus, you can use your Oyster Card at the little scanners just inside each door. If you are using a hop-on/hop-off bus, just flash your pass when you board.

Route 453 - Marylebone station to Deptford Bridge.Route 390 - Notting Hill Gate to Archway.Route 148 - Camberwell Green to White City bus station.Route 137 - Oxford Circus to Streatham Hill.Route 16 - Victoria station to Longley Way.Route 15 - Trafalgar Square to Blackwall DLR.Route 11 - Liverpool Street station to Fulham Broadway.Route 10 - Hammersmith bus station to King's Cross St.Heritage Route 15H (classic Routemaster bus): Trafalgar Square–Charing Cross–Aldwych–City Thameslink–St Paul's Churchyard–Mansion House–Cannon Street–Tower Hill.Most of those you will see have been repurposed as sightseeing tour buses-save on 'Heritage Route' 15H. The fourth kind, whuch you will rarely see the classic old 1950s Routemaster-at least on public routes. You will mostly see the late 20th century boxy models, the sleek, rounded New Buses, and of course the ubiquitous topless double-deckers converted into hop-on/hop-off sightseeing buses. There are four kinds of double-deckers plying the streets of London these days. A classic 1950s Routemaster double-decker bus But once you get used to that, it's great fun. The view from here can be slightly panicky or vertigo inducing, as an odd effect of parallax often makes it look as if you are about to shave off the corners of buildings as the bus wends its way through London's gnarl of streets. When you do, try your best to ride up top in the front seat. Instead, take a few of those rides on a bus-a bit slower, perhaps, but you'll get to see more of London this way. Those red two-story buses are an icon of London-and a fabulous way to take a quick sightseeing tour, a bird's-eye tour of the city at the price of a bus ticket.īesides, sometimes in London you end up feeling like a gopher, taking the Tube everywhere, popping above ground just long enough to see some sight then scurrying back down to tunnel off aboard the Underground to your next stop. A 21st century 'New Routemaster' double-decker bus