London: Vintage Bus Tour & Thames Cruise with Eye Option

See London from a 1960s Double-Decker & the River in One Day

You ride a vintage Routemaster bus past Parliament, Tower of London, and St Paul's Cathedral with live professional commentary, then take a guided 30-minute Thames River cruise from Tower Pier to Westminster. The route covers the main London landmarks in sequence, and if you add the London Eye option, you walk straight to it after the cruise ends. No separate transport bookings or ticket queues for the bus and river sections. Everything is coordinated into one afternoon or morning.

Step-by-step itinerary

London vintage bus and river cruise

• Photo stop at Buckingham Palace
• Photo stop at Westminster Abbey
• View Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
• Drive up Whitehall to Downing Street
• Drive through Trafalgar Square
• Pass Law Courts of England and Wales
• See St. Paul's Cathedral from bus
• Photo stop at Tower of London
• Guided boat trip on River Thames
• View London Bridge from river
• See Shakespeare's Globe from river
• See London Eye from river

The Experience

What makes you want to ride an open-top bus through a city you might already know? Maybe it's the novelty of the Routemaster itself. Those red double-deckers are so tied to London that you can't really separate the two. The tour starts with a professional guide narrating from the bus as you pass Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, then head up Whitehall past Downing Street. The Law Courts appear in Victorian Gothic stone, and St Paul's Cathedral rises where Sir Christopher Wren rebuilt it after the Great Fire of 1666. Each stop has its own layer of history, and the guide pulls it out live, so you're not just seeing the building. You're hearing why it matters.

The second half shifts to water. After the bus tour wraps, you walk to Tower Pier and board a guided boat for a 30-minute Thames River cruise that ends at Westminster. From the water, the city reads differently: Tower Bridge, the Shard, Shakespeare's Globe, and St Paul's Cathedral all line up in a way you can't see from street level. The cruise is included in the price, and if you've chosen the London Eye option, there's a short walk from Westminster Pier to the wheel itself. The whole experience takes you through the landmarks that define London without you having to navigate between them or figure out which bus goes where.

The bus is open-top, which means you get unobstructed views but also need to be ready for London weather: on rare occasions, if rain is heavy, they swap it for a closed-top bus. Afternoon departures tend to have fewer crowds at photo stops like Buckingham Palace, so timing matters if you want clearer shots. Groups stay manageable, and the pace is set by the itinerary, not by how fast you can walk or how long you can stand.

What’s included

• Panoramic tour of London by 1960s vintage Routemaster bus.
• professional live commentary from a local guide.
• Thames River cruise lasting approximately 30 minutes from Tower Pier to Westminster Pier.
• London Eye entry if the upgrade option is selected.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Premium Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see London's main landmarks in one outing without arranging separate transport between them or standing in entry queues. The bus and boat are coordinated, and the guide handles the narrative so you just sit back and take it in.

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Top questions

How long is the whole tour?

The bus portion and Thames cruise together take up most of a half-day. The river cruise itself lasts about 30 minutes and ends at Westminster Pier.

Is the London Eye included?

No, the London Eye is an optional add-on. If you choose it, you'll have a short walk from Westminster Pier to the wheel after the cruise ends.

What if it rains?

The bus is open-top, so you're exposed to weather. On rare occasions, if rain is heavy, the operator swaps the open-top bus for a closed-top one so the tour can still run.

Can children go on this tour?

Yes. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and small children can sit on an adult's lap. Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness.

Where does the Thames cruise start and end?

The cruise departs from Tower Pier (after the bus tour) and ends at Westminster Pier, lasting approximately 30 minutes.

Is there a guide on the bus?

Yes, a professional guide provides live commentary throughout the bus tour, explaining the landmarks and history as you pass them.

What landmarks do you see from the river?

From the Thames, you see Tower Bridge, the Shard, Shakespeare's Globe, St Paul's Cathedral, and views of the Houses of Parliament and London Bridge.

Are there photo stops?

Yes, there are photo stops outside Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. Afternoon departures often have fewer crowds at these spots.