London Night Bus Tour: Big Ben, Tower Bridge & Kensington Lit Up

See London's Landmarks Glowing: A 90-Minute Night Bus Ride Through the City

You ride an open-top double-decker through London after dark, seeing Big Ben, Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, and the Kensington museums and shops all lit up. A live guide provides commentary throughout the 90-minute tour. You depart from Piccadilly, choose from multiple evening slots, and return to the same stop without having to arrange transport or navigate the city yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

London night tour by open-top bus

• Depart from Piccadilly near Ritz Hotel
• Pass Fortnum & Mason store
• View Knightsbridge and Harrods
• See Royal Albert Hall and Natural History Museum
• Pass Tower Bridge over River Thames
• View St. Paul's Cathedral
• Pass Green Park
• See Piccadilly Circus
• View Westminster Abbey and Houses of Parliament
• See Big Ben illuminated
• View London Eye at night

The Experience

The bus leaves Piccadilly at 7:30pm, and the moment you climb the open-top deck, the city switches. Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament glow against the dark sky. Tower Bridge is lit in white. St Paul's Cathedral sits there, floodlit and enormous, in a way you don't quite see in daylight. The guide points things out as you move: facts about the buildings, why they're built the way they are, what to do if you want to go back during the day. It's a double-decker, so the upper seats give you the clearest view, but they're first-come, first-served, so you board early if that matters to you.

The route covers the bits of London that actually look good after dark. Westminster Abbey, the London Eye reflected in the Thames, Piccadilly Circus with its screens still running. Then it heads into Kensington (the only night-time tour in London that does this stretch), and you pass Harrods, the Royal Albert Hall, the Natural History Museum. The whole thing takes 90 minutes, and the pace is easy. You're not rushing between stops or getting herded off the bus every five minutes. You sit, you listen, you watch the city roll past lit up.

From April through September there are five departure slots (7:30pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm, 9:15pm, 9:45pm, 10:15pm), which gives you flexibility if your evening has other plans. October to March it's just two slots, 7:30pm and 9:20pm. Audio guides are available in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin and Japanese if you need them, though the live guide in English is what you get on every departure. No tours run on Christmas Day or New Year's Eve. During summer months the bus might still be in daylight depending on sunset, so if you're going in June or July, that's worth knowing.

You board at the bus stop on Piccadilly next to the Ritz, right by Green Park underground station, so it's easy to find. Bring a jacket. You're on an open-top bus at night, and London gets cool. If you've got small children, they can sit on your lap. The seats aren't reserved, so if you want the upper deck, get there early. Once you're on, the guide does the talking, and you just take it in.

What’s included

• 90-minute open-top double-decker bus tour.
• live English-language guide commentary.
• views of Big Ben, Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, Harrods, Royal Albert Hall and Natural History Museum all lit up at night.
• departure from Piccadilly next to Green Park underground station.
• multiple evening departure times depending on season.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Evan Evans Tours

Is this one for you?Right for anyone with an evening free in London who wants to see the main landmarks lit up without arranging their own transport or timing: the fixed route and departure slots mean you just show up and the tour handles the rest.

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Top questions

What time does the tour depart?

From April to September, departures are at 7:30pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm, 9:15pm, 9:45pm, and 10:15pm. From October to March, departures are at 7:30pm and 9:20pm. No tours run on 25 December or 31 December.

Is the bus really open-top?

Yes, it's a double-decker open-top bus. You can sit on the upper or lower deck. Upper deck seats offer better views but are first-come, first-served.

How long is the tour?

The tour is 90 minutes long.

Where do I board?

You board at the bus stop on Piccadilly, next to the Ritz Hotel, by Green Park underground station.

Is the guide live or a recording?

All tours have a live guide speaking in English. Audio guides in other languages (French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese) are available but not live commentary.

What landmarks do we see?

The tour covers Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, and the Kensington area including Harrods, Royal Albert Hall, and the Natural History Museum.

Can I bring children?

Yes. Infants can sit on an adult's lap. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels.

Will it be dark outside?

From October to March, yes. During summer months (April–September), sunset times mean the bus may still be in daylight for part of the tour, depending on the exact date.

Do I need to reserve a seat?

No. All seats, including upper deck, are first-come, first-served. You board and choose where to sit.

What's included?

Your ticket includes the 90-minute bus ride and live commentary from the guide. You do not enter any of the landmarks. This is a sightseeing tour from the bus.