The Christmas Lights Bus Tour in London offers visitors a unique and enchanting way to experience the city’s festive spirit. Aboard a restored vintage double-decker bus, guests embark on a 100-minute journey, taking in the dazzling illuminations that adorn iconic locations like Oxford Street and Regent Street. With live commentary from an expert guide, the tour provides insights into the city’s holiday traditions, creating a memorable experience for all. Priced from $40.61 per person, this tour presents a delightful opportunity to take in London’s magical Christmas atmosphere. What makes this tour particularly enticing is the chance to witness the city’s transformation into a winter wonderland, sure to captivate the senses and leave a lasting impression.
This experience made our list of the 20 Best Christmas Experiences In London.
Good To Know
- A 100-minute bus tour showcasing festive holiday illuminations across iconic London landmarks, including Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Knightsbridge.
- Travel on a restored vintage double-decker bus for panoramic views and informative live commentary by an expert guide.
- Opportunity to soak in the magical Christmas atmosphere of London, with open-top seating (weather dependent) for unobstructed views.
- Includes hotel pickup/drop-off, but not suitable for individuals with mobility impairments or those with large bags/luggage.
- Tour offers a 4-star overall rating from 204 reviews, with high praise for the knowledge and presentation of the tour guides.
Tour Overview and Pricing
The London Christmas Lights Bus Tour offers a festive experience, providing visitors a chance to admire the dazzling holiday illuminations across the city’s iconic landmarks and shopping districts.
Priced from $40.61 per person, the 100-minute tour allows guests to board a restored vintage double-decker bus and enjoy panoramic views of sights like Big Ben and Trafalgar Square.
With free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and a reserve now and pay later option, the tour is flexible and convenient.
Live commentary from an expert guide enhances the experience, offering insights into the holiday displays.
While the tour isn’t suitable for those with mobility issues, it’s an enchanting way to experience London’s magical Christmas atmosphere.
Here are more great tours and experiences we've reviewed in London
Experience Highlights
Guests embarking on the London Christmas Lights Bus Tour can expect to admire the dazzling holiday illuminations decorating Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Knightsbridge, providing a truly festive experience.
The tour takes place on a restored vintage double-decker bus, offering panoramic views of iconic London landmarks like Big Ben and Trafalgar Square.
Throughout the 100-minute journey, an expert guide will provide informative live commentary, sharing insights about the city’s stunning Christmas displays.
Riders can sit back, relax, and soak in the magical atmosphere of London transformed by the glow of twinkling lights.
The open-top bus seating, while offering unobstructed views, means guests should be prepared for potential rain.
Inclusions and Restrictions
The tour includes a ride on a restored vintage double-decker bus with panoramic views, as well as live commentary from an expert guide.
Travelers, however, should be aware that the experience isn’t suitable for individuals with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, and large bags or luggage aren’t allowed on the bus.
The inclusions and restrictions for this tour are:
-
Includes the double-decker bus tour, live commentary, and hotel pickup and drop-off.
-
Not suitable for individuals with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.
-
Luggage or large bags aren’t allowed.
-
Open-top bus seating isn’t guaranteed, and travelers should prepare for possible rain.
Meeting Point and Information
Travelers meet at Gate 0 inside Victoria Coach Station, where check-in starts 15 minutes before the tour’s scheduled departure.
The open-top bus seating isn’t guaranteed, so guests should be prepared for possible rain.
Due to traffic conditions, the route may change, and Regent Street may be avoided on traffic-free event days. This means the tour’s itinerary can vary, though the guide will still aim to show off the best Christmas light displays in London.
Guests should keep this in mind and be flexible during the tour.
More Great Thing To Do NearbyCustomer Reviews and Ratings
Overall, customers have rated the London Christmas Lights Bus Tour 4 out of 5 stars based on 204 reviews. They’ve praised the knowledgeable guides, but some have expressed concerns about the sound quality during the tour.
The tour guides received a 4.3/5 rating, while the transportation scored 4.2/5. However, the value for money and service received slightly lower scores of 3.9/5 and 3.6/5, respectively.
Some of the highlights mentioned in the reviews include:
-
The stunning Christmas lights display along Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Knightsbridge
-
The vintage double-decker bus providing panoramic views of London’s landmarks
-
The informative live commentary enhancing the overall experience
-
The convenience of hotel pickup and drop-off.
Booking and Cancellation Policy
Customers can book the London Christmas Lights Bus Tour online, with a reserve now and pay later option available.
The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, providing flexibility for travelers. This policy allows customers to plan their trip with confidence, knowing they can make changes if needed without penalty.
Once booked, customers simply need to arrive at the designated meeting point, Gate 0 inside Victoria Coach Station, 15 minutes before the scheduled tour departure time.
While the tour aims to operate as advertised, the route may change due to traffic conditions, with Regent Street potentially being avoided on traffic-free event days.
Accessibility and Luggage Policy
The London Christmas Lights Bus Tour isn’t suitable for individuals with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, as the double-decker bus seating isn’t designed to accommodate such needs.
Plus, the tour prohibits guests from bringing large bags or luggage, as storage space is limited on the vintage bus.
This policy is in place for several reasons:
-
To ensure the comfort and safety of all passengers on the tour.
-
To maintain the nostalgic ambiance of the vintage bus experience.
-
To adhere to local regulations and guidelines for public transportation.
-
To provide the best possible sightseeing experience for everyone on board.
Route and Sightseeing Details
Although the specific route may change due to traffic conditions, the core experience of the London Christmas Lights Bus Tour allows guests to admire the festive illuminations along iconic streets like Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Knightsbridge.
The tour takes place in the evening, enabling passengers to fully enjoy the twinkling lights and decorations that transform the city into a winter wonderland.
Aboard the restored vintage double-decker bus, guests can take in panoramic views of famous landmarks such as Big Ben and Trafalgar Square while an expert guide provides informative live commentary.
Whether it’s the glittering storefronts or the spectacular light displays, this tour offers a magical way to experience London’s Christmas spirit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?
According to the tour information, bringing your own food and drinks is not allowed. The tour includes transportation only, and large bags or luggage are also restricted on the bus.
How Often Do the Buses Depart for the Tour?
The tour buses depart on a regular schedule, typically every 30-45 minutes. Exact departure times may vary depending on demand and traffic conditions. It’s best to arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before the desired departure time.
Is the Tour Narrated in Multiple Languages?
The tour is narrated in English. Multilingual audio commentary is not provided. Guests who do not speak English may find it challenging to fully understand the guide’s live narration during the tour.
Are Children Under a Certain Age Allowed to Join?
Children are generally allowed on the tour, but there may be age or height restrictions. The tour provider’s policies should be checked for any specific details on the minimum age or size requirements for child participants.
Can the Tour Be Customized for a Private Group?
Yes, the tour can be customized for a private group. Private tours allow the group to select their own route and schedule, providing a more personalized experience. Custom tours may have additional costs and require advance booking.
Sum Up
The Christmas Lights Bus Tour offers a delightful way to experience London’s festive spirit.
Aboard a vintage double-decker bus, guests can enjoy panoramic views of the city’s dazzling illuminations while learning about the holiday traditions from an expert guide.
With free cancellation and reasonable pricing, this tour is an excellent choice for those looking to enjoy the magic of a London Christmas.
You can check if your dates are available here:More Christmas in London
- London Private Legendary Christmas Photoshoot
- Private London to London via Blenheim Palace and Christmas Market
- London VIP Guided Tour Award Winning Christmas Market Tour
- London Christmas Light Experience on Vintage Open Top Routemaster
- London Christmas Private Guided Tour
- Salisbury, Stonehenge, Bath and Windsor With Christmas Lunch
More Tours in London
More Tour Reviews in London
- London to Southampton Cruise Port Including Stonehenge
- Great Artists : Impressionists, Monet & Private Art Studios
- The Sweet Spots of Covent Garden
- Luxury Private Day Hire London-London Stopover at Windsor & Hampton Court Palace
- E-Scavenger Hunt London: Explore the City at Your Own Pace
- London Westminster With Big Ben Private Professional Photo Shoot 60MIN
Not for you? Here's more things to do in London we have recnetly reviewed
- 2 Best Craft Beer Tours And Tastings In London
- 8 Best 3 Day Tours In London
- 25 Best Cruises And Boat Tours In London
- 20 Best Christmas Experiences In London
- 25 Best Dining Experiences In London
- 20 Best Full-Day Tours In London
- 2 Best 2 Day Tours In London
- 2 Best Pasta Experiences In London
- 4 Best Private Car With Driver Services In Brighton
- 2 Best Private Car With Driver Services In Crawley
- 3 Best Private Car With Driver Services In Epsom
- 3 Best Private Car With Driver Services In Guildford