London Eye Ticket, Big Bus Hop-on Hop-Off Tour & River Cruise

The clever part of this package is that it gives you three views of London in one ticket: from the street, from the Thames, and high above the river on the London Eye. The Eye and cruise are fixed highlights, while the bus helps you get your bearings around Westminster, the City, South Bank, and the West End.

I like the wide choice of stops, from Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square to St. Paul’s, the Tower of London, Harrods, and the British Museum. I also like the flexibility of a 24 or 48-hour pass, plus the seven-language audio guide and complimentary earphones.

The catch is London traffic. A route that looks quick on the map can take hours, and long waits or road closures can eat into your sightseeing time. Use the bus as a sightseeing ride and orientation tool, not as a guaranteed fast way to cross town.

Key points to know before you book

• London Eye time slot: Pre-book your entry time through the Big Bus Manage My Booking portal before you arrive.
• Three sightseeing angles: The open-top bus, Thames cruise, and London Eye each show the city in a different way.
• One-way river ride: City Cruises takes you between Tower Pier and Westminster Pier, not on a full return loop.
• Two pass lengths: Choose 24 hours for a focused visit or 48 hours for extra bus time and three guided walks.
• Traffic is the main risk: Bus waits and journey times can be much longer than expected, especially during protests, marathons, strikes, or road closures.
• Redeem your Eye ticket: Activate the mobile voucher at a Big Bus stop and ask staff about the physical London Eye ticket before leaving the bus.

What the $82.38 package really gives you

At $82.38 per person, this is not a cheap ride around town. The value comes from combining three paid activities that you might otherwise book separately: the London Eye, the hop-on hop-off bus, and the Thames cruise.

The package works best if you plan to use all three. The Eye is the big-ticket centerpiece, the cruise gives your feet a rest, and the bus covers a lot of ground while adding recorded commentary. If you only want the London Eye and river, a smaller combination may suit you better. If you want a quick overview of London in one or two days, this package can save you the trouble of arranging each part.

The pass activates when you first use the mobile voucher at a designated Big Bus stop. The validity period then runs for either 24 or 48 hours, depending on your booking. It does not mean you can use the bus at any time during your whole week in London, so check the exact validity on your voucher.

The 48-hour version is the better choice if you want to explore at a relaxed pace. It also includes three guided walking tours:

• Royal Walk at 10:00 from Stop 8
• Jack the Ripper walk at 13:00 from Stop 19
• Harry Potter walk at 16:00 from Stop 21

The walking tours are not included with the 24-hour ticket.

Start with the London Eye, not the bus

The London Eye is usually the simplest part to appreciate. Each pod completes a full rotation in about 30 minutes, giving you time to sit or stand and watch the city spread out around the Thames.

From above, you can pick out Westminster, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the river, and much of central London. The views are broad rather than intimate, but that is the point. The Eye gives you a useful mental map before you start riding around the city.

You must pre-book your London Eye time slot through the Big Bus Manage My Booking portal. This is important. The QR code on a third-party voucher may not be accepted directly at the Eye entrance. First activate the package with Big Bus staff, then ask for the London Eye ticket or confirmation you need before walking to the attraction.

That small step can save you a long backtrack. One booking problem required a visitor to leave the Eye queue, find a Big Bus, obtain a paper ticket, and return to a longer line. Treat ticket redemption as part of the plan, not as an afterthought.

The Eye is wheelchair accessible, and the bus fleet is equipped for wheelchair access. Service animals are allowed. If you need assistance, use the Big Bus office or staff at a stop before you begin the day.

The Thames cruise is the calmest part of the day

The river cruise is provided by City Cruises and runs one way between Tower Pier and Westminster Pier. You can board near the Tower of London and travel west toward Westminster, or use the route in the other direction depending on the operating arrangement that day.

This is a good break after walking through central London. The river gives you a different view of the Tower, London Bridge, the City, Shakespeare’s Globe area, South Bank, and the Houses of Parliament. Live commentary may be provided on board, and the short trip has an easy sightseeing rhythm.

Do not mistake this for a full river circuit. It is a one-way transfer with sightseeing value. Plan where you want to finish, especially if you need to return to your hotel or catch a timed London Eye entry.

The boat can be busy. If you want a seat, arrive with enough time to board rather than treating it as a last-minute hop-on connection. The upper deck offers the best open views, but standing may be necessary when the boat is crowded.

The central bus route covers London’s greatest hits

The central route is the part most people picture when they book a Big Bus tour. It links Piccadilly, Green Park, the Hard Rock Cafe, Marble Arch, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, the London Eye, Waterloo, Covent Garden, St. Paul’s, London Bridge, Southwark, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace.

This is a useful first ride because it strings together the city’s major sights without asking you to learn the Tube on your first morning. Stay on for a while and listen to the commentary, then choose one or two stops for a closer look.

Piccadilly, Green Park, and Regent Street put you near shops, restaurants, and the West End. Piccadilly Circus is handy for theaterland, while Trafalgar Square is the natural gateway to the National Gallery and Whitehall.

Horse Guards Parade and Whitehall bring you into the ceremonial heart of London. The route passes the area around Downing Street and continues toward Westminster. Keep in mind that the bus does not drive directly in front of Buckingham Palace, so you still need to walk for the best palace approach.

The London Eye and Waterloo stops are useful for switching between the bus, Eye, and river. Covent Garden offers a good pause for food and street activity, although the surrounding streets can be slow for buses.

The eastern part of the route takes you toward St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Monument to the Great Fire of London, London Bridge, Southwark, and the Tower of London. This is where the bus gives you real practical value. These sights sit on both sides of the river and in separate parts of central London, so seeing them in one ride helps you understand their relationship.

At the Tower stop, you can visit the fortress separately or walk toward Tower Pier for the cruise. At Southwark and London Bridge, you are close to City Hall and the riverfront. The route is good for orientation, but traffic near the river and central streets can be slow.

The west London route brings a different mood

The westbound route reaches Hyde Park Corner, Harrods, the Natural History Museum, Gloucester Road, Kensington Palace, Notting Hill, Kensington Gardens, Bayswater Road, Lancaster Gate, Paddington, Baker Street, Oxford Circus, and the West End.

This side of the tour feels less concentrated than the Westminster and City route. Hyde Park Corner and Green Park give you open space, while Harrods puts you near Knightsbridge shopping. The South Kensington stop is useful for the Natural History Museum and nearby museums.

Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens are good choices if you want a slower walk away from the main roads. Notting Hill and Bayswater add a more residential feel, while Paddington is a practical rail connection.

Baker Street and Oxford Circus make this route useful for combining sightseeing with shopping or a museum visit. The route eventually rejoins Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, the London Eye, and the Tower area.

This is a long route, so do not assume you can ride from one end to the other and still fit in several attractions. London traffic can turn a planned circuit into a half-day ride. On one particularly slow outing, a journey between two stops took nearly three hours. The bus was still useful for seeing the city, but it was not efficient transport.

The green route is useful, but plan extra time

The green route serves the British Museum, Russell Court, Euston Square, King’s Cross, St. Pancras, Euston Road, Temple, and Covent Garden. It is the most useful option if your sightseeing list includes the British Museum or the major rail stations north of central London.

The British Museum stops are especially handy, but check the direction carefully. The route has northbound and southbound stops, and the stop names can be confusing when you are standing on a busy street.

The green route can have longer gaps between buses, sometimes around 30 to 45 minutes. That makes it a poor choice when you have a fixed London Eye time or a boat departure to catch. Use it for a planned museum visit, then allow plenty of time for the return.

You may find the stop signs harder to locate than expected. The mobile app includes directions and live bus tracking, so use it before walking away from a stop. A street address alone may not make the correct boarding point obvious.

Traffic changes the value of the bus

The Big Bus portion is pleasant once you are seated, but London’s roads are the central issue. Traffic, road closures, protests, marathons, labor strikes, and driver breaks can all disrupt the route.

Some rides may arrive within a reasonable wait. Others can involve 20, 50, or even more minutes between buses. If a bus is full, you may need to wait for the next one. On a hot day, the lower deck may feel stuffy, especially when ventilation is limited.

The open-top deck gives you the best views and makes the ride feel like sightseeing rather than transport. Still, bring layers and be ready for changing weather. If the upper deck is full or rain arrives, the lower level is your backup.

The app’s live tracking feature is worth using. Check it before you leave an attraction, and do not rely on the printed route alone. If you have a timed Eye reservation or want to catch the boat, build in a generous margin and consider the Tube or a taxi for the final connection.

This is also why I would not spend the whole 24-hour pass trying to complete every route. Pick a central circuit, one west London section, and perhaps the green route if the British Museum matters to you. You will see more by making fewer, better-planned stops.

How to build a good one-day plan

For one day, activate the ticket in the morning and start with a central bus ride. Get off near Trafalgar Square or Westminster, then walk around Whitehall and the area near the Houses of Parliament.

Next, use the river cruise as a transfer toward the Tower area, or begin at Tower Pier and cruise west. The river is a smart way to break up the day because it avoids another slow road ride.

Visit the Tower area if it is a priority, then return toward the London Eye for your reserved time. The Eye is best treated as a fixed appointment, not something you squeeze in whenever the bus happens to arrive.

You will not see every museum, palace, and landmark in one day. The package works better when you accept that it is an overview, with a few carefully chosen stops.

How to use the 48-hour ticket well

The 48-hour pass gives you room to split the experience. Use the first morning for the central route and Westminster. Spend the afternoon on the Eye and cruise, with enough time between each activity.

On the second day, focus on west London, Kensington, Notting Hill, and the British Museum route. The extra guided walks may help you add more context without arranging separate tours.

The 48-hour option also protects you from one bad traffic day. If a protest or road closure disrupts part of the route, you have another day to try again. That does not remove the risk, but it makes the ticket less fragile.

Who will get the most from this package

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to London, families who appreciate simple sightseeing, and anyone with limited time who wants the Eye, river, and bus handled together.

It also suits you if walking all day is tiring. You can combine short walks with seated bus and boat rides, and the Eye pod provides another restful part of the day.

I would be cautious if your main goal is fast transportation. The Tube and ordinary buses may get you across London more reliably. I would also think twice if you only want the Eye and cruise, since the hop-on hop-off pass may not add enough value for your plans.

The mobile ticket is convenient, but you need to manage it actively. Save the voucher, use the app, activate at a staffed stop, and confirm the Eye redemption process before you join the attraction queue.

Should you book the London Eye, Big Bus, and cruise package?

Book it if you want an easy first look at London and will use all three parts. The London Eye and Thames cruise are the strongest pieces, while the bus works best for orientation and open-top sightseeing.

Choose the 48-hour option if your schedule allows it, particularly if you want the walking tours or need room for delays. Choose 24 hours only when you have a tight plan and understand that traffic may limit how many stops you can make.

The honest verdict is simple: excellent sights, uneven bus logistics. Plan around the Eye, use the river as a scenic connection, and let the bus show you London rather than promising to move you quickly through it.

FAQ

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $82.38 per person.

How long does the experience take?

The stated duration is approximately 3 hours and 35 minutes, but the hop-on hop-off ticket itself is valid for either 24 or 48 hours after activation.

What is included?

The package includes London Eye entry, a Big Bus hop-on hop-off ticket, and a one-way Thames River cruise provided by City Cruises.

Is the river cruise round trip?

No. The cruise is one way between Tower Pier and Westminster Pier.

How do I activate the bus ticket?

Activate your mobile voucher or QR code at one of the designated Big Bus stops. The validity period begins when the ticket is activated.

Do I need to reserve the London Eye?

Yes. You should pre-book a London Eye time slot through the Big Bus Manage My Booking portal. Details are provided on your voucher.

Are audio guides available?

Yes. Audio commentary is available in seven languages, and complimentary earphones are provided.

Are walking tours included?

Three guided walking tours are included with the 48-hour ticket only: Royal Walk, Jack the Ripper, and Harry Potter.

Is the tour accessible to wheelchair users?

The buses are equipped for wheelchair access, and most participants can take part. Service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.