Here’s the dilemma: one glorious day in London, and a checklist full of palaces, parks, and postcard-worthy landmarks. We get it, it’s a lot. So, armed with our favourite caffeine supply and a Big Bus map flapping in the wind, we set out to conquer London in one day to see if it could be done. Read on for our verdict.
With the Blue Route doing the hard work for you and The London Pass unlocking top attractions, it’s the easiest – and we think most fun – way to see the best of London in just one day.
So grab your headphones (commentary is available in multiple languages), your camera, and a big bag of snacks, and get ready for one very packed itinerary. Seriously, you’ll cover more ground than a royal corgi on coronation day.
Why the Blue Route is the secret to sightseeing success
The Big Bus Blue Route is a 3.5-hour (traffic-dependent), all-encompassing tour through central and west London. But it’s not just a sightseeing ride – it’s a rolling history lesson, a mobile photo studio, and, occasionally, a full-on comedy show. (Provided your sense of humour isn’t too high-brow.)
From posh parks to haunted houses: highlights from the Blue Route
Start early – Victoria / Belgravia
We’re off! Roll out from Victoria past the stucco-fronted elegance of Belgravia, where the embassies are fancy, the houses are fancier, and the 4x4s are washed more often than I vacuum my flat.
Top tip: if you’ve only got one day, start early! This also makes it easier to get those coveted top deck seats!
Hyde Park Corner & Wellington Arch
At the first major roundabout (sorry – “traffic island”), you’ll circle Wellington Arch and cruise past Hyde Park.
Fun fact: this is the only traffic island I’ve ever been actively encouraged to look at. There's also a poignant row of war memorials here, including the RAF Bomber Command and an Animal War Memorial.
Mayfair & Marble Arch
Next, you’ll float down Park Lane and through Mayfair. Keep your eyes peeled for No. 50 Berkeley Square, allegedly the most haunted house in London.
Not far ahead: Marble Arch, near the old site of the infamous Tyburn gallows. Bit grim. Still pretty though.
Oxford Street & Regent Street
Brace yourself – this stretch is full of red buses, black cabs, and more shoppers than sense. You’ll also glide past Soho and see the swanky side of town: The Ritz (hello, tea sommelier), Frameless, the Immersive Art Experience, and MOCO Museum.
Piccadilly, Haymarket & Trafalgar Square
Next, we veer into theatreland. You’ll spot His Majesty’s Theatre, Leicester Square, and Trafalgar Square. On a sunny day, it’s pigeons galore and buskers battling for your attention.
Fun fact: to perform in Covent Garden, you need to audition. Like, officially.
Whitehall & Westminster
Here’s where it gets regal. The Cenotaph, Downing Street, and then – boom – Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey all roll into view. This is your moment. Snap that London Eye shot from Westminster Bridge (look left!).
Southbank to Tower Bridge
As the route rolls along the South Bank – you’ll spot Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tate Modern, and the golden spire of Southwark Cathedral. Further on, the shimmering Shard dominates the skyline.
Then it’s up and over the river via Tower Bridge – possibly London’s most iconic crossing. Cameras at the ready: this view is pure postcard.
The return to Victoria
As the bus loops westward back towards Victoria, it cruises through the City of London and past St Paul’s Cathedral – that magnificent dome is hard to miss. You’ll also pass the Monument to the Great Fire, the sleek skyscrapers of the Square Mile, and Lambeth Palace across the river.
It's a calmer stretch of the route, perfect for soaking up the final views and vibes before hopping off at your starting point.
Hop-off highlights with your London Pass
Now, if you're smart (and we know you are because you’re reading this), you’ll pair your Big Bus ride with The London Pass, and actually go inside some of the city’s top attractions. Here’s where we recommend jumping off:
Westminster Abbey (Stop 18)
A true British icon. This Gothic masterpiece has hosted royal weddings, coronations, and more historic funerals than you can count. Explore the tombs of monarchs, poets, and scientists (shout out to Newton and Darwin).
Allow about an hour here to take it all in – and don’t miss the stunning Cosmati Pavement and the Lady Chapel.
Tower of London (Stop 16)
Dark, dramatic, and home to some very shiny bling (hi, Crown Jewels). This fortress has seen it all: royal beheadings, raven legends, ghost sightings, and that one time I got lost in the gift shop. You’ll need at least 1.5 hours here, but it’s well worth it.
Tower Bridge
Just a short stroll from the Tower of London, Tower Bridge is another must-see (and must-photograph). Walk across the high-level glass walkway for epic Thames views. It's a test of nerve, and the 206 steps are a great thigh workout.
Kensington Palace (Stop 34)
Out west, the bus breezes through Kensington and Notting Hill, with a peek at Beatrix Potter’s old haunts and the gorgeous Princess Diana Memorial Playground. Jump off for Kensington Palace, a real royal residence and surprisingly chilled spot for such a fancy place.
Fun facts from the top deck
Fun facts from the top deck
- Monument is taller than it looks, and it turns out more people have died falling off it than in the Great Fire of London itself. Awkward right?
- Old London Bridge was sold to an American and is now allegedly in Arizona. Apparently, when he bought it, he thought he was getting Tower Bridge. Oops.
- You pass St Paul’s, the Australian High Commission (which Harry Potter fans might recognise as the inspo for Gringotts), and even the Garden Museum, which is even prettier than it sounds.
- Lambeth Palace is where the Archbishop of Canterbury hangs out – and you get a pretty good sneaky peek into the gardens from the top deck of the bus.
Ride smart: top tips for making the most of your Big Bus day
Ride smart: top tips for making the most of your Big Bus day
Start early: Big Bus services kick off just before 9AM. Be on one of the first to avoid traffic snarls and secure a prime top-deck spot.
Bring layers: even in summer, that wind up top can be bracing. And if it rains? You’ll want a hood, not just hope.
Use the Big Bus app: live tracking = no wasted time standing at stops.
Plan hop-offs: prioritise 2–3 attractions you really want to see and don’t try to cram everything in.
Drinks and snacks: bring a reusable water bottle and pack a few on-the-go snacks (granola bars, trail mix, etc.). It’ll save you time and money – and keep the hangry moments at bay.
Portable charger: if you’re taking lots of pictures, and you will be, this is a must!
Can you really see all of London in a day?
Honestly? No. London is huge. But can you see a lot, learn loads, and feel like you’ve had a proper London adventure? Absolutely. The Big Bus Blue Route gives you an unbeatable overview – with laughs, legends, and a skyline that never quits.
It’s stress-free, super flexible, and way more fun than trying to navigate six Tube lines and two bus transfers on your own.
At the end of our one-day London blitz, we had the wind in our hair, Big Ben in our camera roll, and at least 10,000 steps logged. It was ambitious. It was exciting. It was... slightly exhausting. But we’d do it all again in a heartbeat. And so should you.
Enjoyed this?
Check out our complete guide to visiting Westminster Abbey or our complete guide to visiting the Tower of London, or see why Londoners actually love the Big Bus!
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