The city of London is dizzying in size, spanning more than 1500 square kilometres and encompassing 32 boroughs. With thousands of years of history and a wealth of attractions, any guest of the Montcalm restaurant and hotel would have trouble fitting all the sightseeing into their trip, however long it may be. That’s why sightseeing tours can kill countless birds with one stone and help you fit in many of the city’s top attractions without investing several days into navigating the landmarks.
One of the most quintessentially London tours is the Vintage London Red Bus Tour. Easy to reach from 5 star hotels in London’s West End, the Vintage Red Bus Tour is an easy, fun and informative way to explore the city’s most famous attractions. This blog will outline what you’ll see, how to get tickets and the ins and outs of the tour’s route.
What Is The Vintage London Red Bus Tour?
The Vintage London Red Bus Tour is a tour of the city that allows you to see many of the most famous landmarks of London in just one morning or afternoon. Utilising a vintage London Routemaster red bus, the open top means you can feel the wind in your hair as you snap photos of these iconic landmarks, providing ample opportunities for photos. During the tour. Your driver will offer interesting insight into the past of these landmarks and buildings, giving you a truly in depth introduction to the English capital.
Where Do You Start The Vintage London Red Bus Tour?
The London Red Bus Tour begins at Victoria Coach Station, just a five minute walk from Victoria Train Station and the perfect spot for those travelling into the city to begin their tour. Further to this, the easy access to the Victoria area via the tube line of the same name means that whether you’re staying at hotels near Chiswell Street London or Ealing, you’ll find it easy to reach this commuter and national transport hub.
How Long Is The Vintage London Red Bus Tour?
This question depends entirely on the package that you buy for your trip. There are a range of upgrades available, which we’ll talk about later, but assuming that you don’t take them, the tour that is available for just the standard ticket price will be about 3 and a half hours in total – perfect for a morning introduction to the city!
It’s also worth bearing in mind that the morning tour begins at 8.15 am, necessitating an early rise for tourists wanting to take part in the tour.
How Much Is The Vintage London Red Bus Tour?
The Vintage London Red Bus Tour has different prices per season. In the winter months, the tour costs £25 for an adult, whilst in the warmer months it is £28. Children can travel for £19 and £22 whilst student and senior discounts cost £23 and £26. Remember as wel that you can get the London Vintage Red Bus Tour as part of your London Pass package, a great way to save money and see many of the sites of the city for discounted prices!
Upgrades
There are a range of upgrades available for people who want to get a little more out of their Vintage Red Bus Tour ticket. The upgrades available allow you to add an extra half day tour or a quintessential London experience, which we’ll outline below.
Stonehenge
On top of your tour of London’s landmark, a £72 ticket will also gain you access to Stonehenge in the west of England. This mysterious monument and adjoining visitors centre will help you dive deep into the ancient history of the monolithic stones. Find out about the theories behind their uses and how they were transported from the Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire, more than 200 kilometres to the west of the site.
Buckingham Palace Entrance And Thames River Cruise
At £61, you can enjoy the London Red Bus Tour alongside a river cruise down the Thames and entrance into Buckingham Palace’s famed state rooms. The river cruise takes you past many of the Thames’s most iconic landmarks, including the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament. At just 40 minutes long, this is the perfect addition to your Vintage Red Bus Tour.
On top of this, you’ll be gaining entrance to the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace, which are only open during the summer. During your visit to the palace you will see the Changing of the Guard as well as having the option to embark on an audio guided tour of the palace. Every year, the summer months see a new exhibition take place on the site of Buckingham Palace. This year’s exhibition and its dates are yet to be confirmed.
Cream Tea At Harrods
Alongside your Red Bus Tour, you’ll also have the option of booking a cream tea at the esteemed department store Harrods. With a choice of refreshments and snacks, this famed department store’s afternoon menus are rivalled only by the tea deals at the Montcalm hotels in Central London.
Other Add-Ons
There are a range of other add-ons that you can pair with your Vintage Red Bus Tour of the city. These include a ticket for the London Eye, one of the best ways to get a view of just how big the city is.
Another popular addition to the tour is entrance into the London Dungeons. Located on the South Bank, the London Dungeons are a thrilling tour through the grislier side of the city’s history. You’ll be able to enjoy thrill rides, jump scares and the unnerving work of live actors who will guide you through the chilling stories of Jack The Ripper, the Great Fire Of London and the Black Plague.
So, whether you’re visiting the city for work or for pleasure, a Vintage London Red Bus Tour can introduce you to not only the city’s history, but immerse you in its character and atmosphere too. With sites and attractions such as St Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, London Bridge, Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard, the London Vintage Red Bus Tour is the key to seeing London when you have little time to spare.
