Buckingham Palace and Vintage Bus Tour of London

London reveals itself from three fine angles. This tour pairs a 1960s Routemaster bus with a Thames cruise and entry to Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms, giving you a useful first look at the city in one organized outing. I like the early start, which can help you see central London before the streets fill up, and I like the mix of guided sightseeing and independent palace time. The main drawback is the schedule: a long gap can fall between the morning sightseeing and your 2:30 p.m. palace entry.

You should also prepare for a brisk morning. The bus, river boat, photo stops, and traffic all have to fit together, so some parts feel more like a well-packed orientation than a slow, thoughtful visit. Still, at $59, the combination can be good value if you have only a day or two in London and want a broad first taste of the city.

Key Points At A Glance

• A vintage Routemaster sets the tone: You see central London from one of the red double-deckers closely linked with the city.
• The early start has a real benefit: Meeting at 7:45 a.m. can help you reach major sights before the thickest crowds.
• The Thames cruise changes your view: St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, the London Eye, and Parliament appear from the water.
• Buckingham Palace is the main prize: You enter the State Rooms during their limited annual public opening.
• Guides add humor and local color: Past guides named Alan, Nick, Mark, and an Irish guide received warm praise for their wit and storytelling.
• Plan around the afternoon gap: Palace admission is booked for 2:30 p.m., so you may have several free hours after the morning portion.

Why This Tour Works For A Short London Visit

London can be awkward to tackle on a tight schedule. Its headline sights spread across several districts, and the Underground is excellent but does not always show you how the city fits together. This experience gives you a moving introduction by road, water, and on foot.

You start independently at Victoria Coach Station at 7:45 a.m. The meeting address is 164 Buckingham Palace Road, but the precise coach bay matters. The tour instructions have reportedly caused confusion when the actual departure point was Bay 19 rather than Bay 0, so arrive early and ask station staff if the bay is not clear.

The group can reach up to 50 people. That is not a tiny walking group, but the bus and boat make the size easier to manage than it would be on a crowded street tour. You will need a moderate level of fitness, since you change vehicles, walk between points, and spend time standing for views and photos.

The first morning section is designed to give you get your bearings fast coverage. It is especially useful if you have just two full days and do not want to spend your first morning working out the city on your own.

Seeing London From A 1960s Routemaster

The vintage bus is more than a way to get from one sight to the next. The red Routemaster gives the morning a distinctly London feel, and the open top offers broad views when the weather cooperates.

You pass or stop near Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and other central landmarks. Trafalgar Square brings Nelson’s Column, fountains, and a fine sense of ceremonial London. Westminster gives you the grand political and royal core: the Houses of Commons and Lords, the clock tower containing Big Ben, and the Gothic exterior of Westminster Abbey.

The bus is best for seeing the city in context. You can connect the landmarks instead of viewing each one as an isolated photo stop. A guide can point out details and tell stories as you roll through the streets, which is where the strongest part of the experience often lies.

Several guides have been singled out for making this portion lively. Alan was praised for being witty and well informed. Nick used theatrical storytelling, while a Scottish guide named Mark was remembered for his humor and helpful commentary. One especially memorable guide was described as an older gentleman with silver hair and a pink duster. That sort of personality can turn a standard sightseeing ride into a much warmer experience.

There is a practical tradeoff. The bus follows London traffic, and the morning timetable is tight. You may get excellent passing views but only a short chance to pause at certain landmarks. The open top also means you should be ready for rain. On rare occasions, the operator may substitute a closed-top bus.

Westminster Abbey And The Royal Route

Westminster Abbey receives a 15-minute photo stop outside, and admission is not included. That distinction matters. You will see the exterior and hear about its place in London, but this tour is not an interior abbey visit.

The outside stop gives you a chance to photograph the Gothic facade and orient yourself around Parliament Square. It is useful for a first visit, though anyone hoping to see coronation spaces, memorials, or the abbey’s interior will need a separate ticket and more time.

Big Ben is officially the name of the famous bell, not the entire clock tower. From the bus route, you get the classic view of the tower and Parliament, but the traffic and timing may limit your chance to frame the perfect picture. Keep your camera ready rather than waiting for a long stop.

Changing of the Guard may also fit into the morning schedule, depending on the day and the exact running order. This became a favorite part for several people who enjoyed seeing the military procession from more than one position. It is a valuable bonus, not something you should treat as the sole reason to book, since ceremonies and traffic can affect the timing.

The Thames Cruise From The Tower Area

After the road portion, you leave the bus near the Thames and board a sightseeing boat for about 30 minutes. The cruise is included, and it gives your eyes a welcome rest after the fast-moving bus ride.

The boat section is strongest as a change of perspective. From the river, you can see St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren’s great dome in the City of London, along with Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. You also look back toward the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament.

Do not confuse this portion with a visit inside the Tower of London. The Tower is part of the visual route, and its famous Beefeaters and Crown Jewels are referenced in the sightseeing program, but no Tower admission is included. You see the riverside setting from the boat rather than touring the fortress.

Some people find the cruise scenic and relaxing. Others feel it is rushed or too short. Both reactions make sense. Thirty minutes is enough to add river views and show how London’s major districts connect, but it is not enough for a detailed commentary-heavy boat excursion.

The cruise is also a good reason to keep your expectations in proportion. You are not getting a full Thames sightseeing day. You are getting a short, useful interlude that adds Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s, and the riverfront to an already packed morning.

Entering Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms

Buckingham Palace is the centerpiece. After the river segment, you continue by bus and walk with the guide to the palace entrance. The guide then leaves you, since guides cannot accompany you inside.

Your pre-booked admission covers the State Rooms, and the interior visit is audio guided. You can expect glittering chandeliers, lavish furnishings, and objects from the Royal Collection. The rooms provide the polished, ceremonial side of the monarchy that cannot be understood from an outside photo stop.

The State Rooms open to the public for only about three months each year. That limited season makes this part especially appealing if your visit falls within the opening period. It is also the reason this tour is more than a standard city sightseeing loop.

You have about two hours allocated for Buckingham Palace. That is a much better pace than the rushed morning schedule. Once inside, you can move at your own speed and listen to the audio guide rather than trying to stay beside a live guide.

Several practical rules apply. Eating and drinking are not permitted inside the State Rooms, and photography, video recording, filming, and wearable-device recording are not allowed for noncommercial purposes. You can continue to the palace cafe afterward, where tea and dessert have been a popular treat, and the shop offers royal souvenirs such as a Welsh corgi keyring.

The visit ends when you leave Buckingham Palace. There is no hotel drop-off, so you are free to continue around central London or make your own way back.

The Long Break And The Timing Problem

The timing deserves careful attention before you pay. The experience lasts about five and a half hours, but the morning sightseeing and the palace entry are not necessarily continuous. Palace admission is booked for 2:30 p.m., and the morning section can leave you with several hours in between.

That gap can be useful if you plan for it. You could have lunch, rest, walk through St. James’s, or visit another nearby sight. It becomes frustrating if you have already booked a separate afternoon activity, theater ticket, or restaurant reservation.

The schedule also explains why the morning can feel hurried. The bus has to reach the river, the boat has to run on time, and the group must arrive for the palace slot. You may find yourself moving along before you have had quite enough time at one particular landmark.

I would treat this as two linked experiences rather than one continuous five-and-a-half-hour tour: a fast morning introduction followed by an afternoon palace visit. That mindset makes the timetable easier to accept.

Is $59 Good Value?

At $59, the price is reasonable for the bundle, particularly if Buckingham Palace admission is a priority. You receive the vintage bus tour, the Thames cruise, a local guide, and entry to the State Rooms. Buying separate transport and palace admission could cost more, while planning the same route independently would require more coordination.

The value is strongest for a first-time visitor who wants coverage rather than depth. You see famous places from several angles, receive live commentary, and avoid having to organize the route between Westminster, the Tower area, and Buckingham Palace yourself.

The value is weaker if you prefer slow visits or already know central London well. Westminster Abbey is only an exterior stop, the Tower of London is not toured inside, and the river cruise lasts only 30 minutes. You are paying for convenience and range, not for long guided visits at every landmark.

The guide can make a large difference. The best guides bring history, jokes, and practical help together. The less successful experience described by one person included a guide who complained about working on his day off and made the cruise feel rushed. That seems to be an exception in a generally positive set of guide experiences, but it is worth remembering that a group tour’s personality can vary from one departure to another.

Who Should Book This Experience?

I would recommend it to:

• First-time London visitors who want a clear introduction.
• People with only one or two full days in the city.
• Anyone who values Buckingham Palace but also wants major sights included.
• Families or couples who like having transport arranged between distant areas.
• Visitors who enjoy live stories and humor from a local guide.
• People who want a classic double-decker ride without booking a separate bus loop.

I would be more cautious if you want a calm, flexible day. The itinerary has several moving parts, and the afternoon break may interfere with other plans. It also may not suit anyone hoping for inside visits to Westminster Abbey or the Tower of London.

Bring a rain layer for the open-top bus, comfortable shoes for the transfers and photo stops, and a charged phone for the mobile ticket. Arrive well before 7:45 a.m., especially if the coach bay instructions are unclear. Keep the palace entry time visible on your phone so you do not lose track during the break.

Cancellation And Booking Basics

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket is mobile. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refundable.

The tour begins at Victoria Coach Station and ends on Buckingham Palace Road. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own route to the start and your return after the palace.

Final Verdict: A Strong First-Day Orientation

Book this tour if you want London’s greatest hits in a compact format and care most about entering Buckingham Palace. The Routemaster, river cruise, and State Rooms make a satisfying three-part day, and the strongest guides add real charm.

Skip it if you want long, quiet visits at each landmark or if the several-hour break will disrupt your plans. For the right visitor, though, $59 buys a practical overview, a royal interior, and a memorable ride through central London, all without asking you to solve the city’s transport puzzle before breakfast.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Victoria Coach Station, 164 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TP. The listed start time is 7:45 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The experience ends on Buckingham Palace Road after you leave Buckingham Palace. Hotel transportation is not included.

Is Buckingham Palace admission included?

Yes. Admission to the State Rooms is included, with entry booked for 2:30 p.m. You enter independently after the guide walks you to the palace entrance.

Does the guide enter Buckingham Palace with the group?

No. Guides are not permitted to accompany the group inside. You use the pre-booked ticket and take an audio-guided tour.

How long is the Thames cruise?

The included river cruise lasts about 30 minutes and runs from the Tower of London area.

Does the tour include the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey?

No. The Tower of London is viewed as part of the route, but admission is not included. Westminster Abbey is an outside photo stop for about 15 minutes, and its admission is not included.

Is the bus open top?

Yes, the tour uses an open-top vintage bus, so you should be prepared for rain. On rare occasions, a closed-top bus may be substituted.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.