Buckingham Palace and Vintage Bus Tour of London

London’s best feature is its variety, and this tour makes good use of it. You ride a red 1960s Routemaster, cruise the Thames, see major sights from the street, then enter Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms during their short annual opening.

I like the quick city orientation and the change of viewpoint from bus to boat. I also like the price: at $59, the package includes the vintage bus, river cruise, palace admission, and a local guide.

The main catch is the schedule. The morning sightseeing ends well before your 2:30 pm palace entry, leaving a break of roughly three hours. That gap can be useful, but it can also disrupt other plans.

Key Points Before You Book

• Ride a genuine London Routemaster: The classic red double-decker gives the morning a strong sense of place, though the open top can be cold or wet.
• See London from three angles: Street level, upper-deck bus views, and a Thames boat each show the city differently.
• Enter Buckingham Palace State Rooms: Palace admission is included, with an audio-guided visit after you leave the group.
• Start early at 7:45 am: The early departure helps you see central London before the streets become more crowded.
• Plan around the long break: Your palace ticket is booked for 2:30 pm, so keep the middle of the day free.
• Expect a moderate amount of walking: You will change vehicles, walk to the palace entrance, and stand or move through busy sightseeing areas.

A Fast Start from Victoria Coach Station

The tour begins at Victoria Coach Station, at 164 Buckingham Palace Road, at 7:45 am. You make your own way there, so allow extra time to find the correct bay. The boarding information has caused confusion before, with some passengers sent to Bay 0 even though the bus was waiting at Bay 19.

That is a small detail, but it matters at this hour. Victoria Coach Station is large, and an early morning scramble is not the best way to begin. Check the precise boarding instructions before leaving your hotel and ask station staff if the bay is unclear.

Once aboard, your guide gives you the day’s running commentary. Guide quality can shape this tour more than any single sight. Guides named in past experiences include Alan, Nick, Mark, and Peter, along with an Irish guide and a Scottish guide. Alan and Nick were praised for wit and strong storytelling, while Mark was remembered for his lively Scottish delivery. The standard may vary by departure, but the best guides add small facts and local humor without burying you in dates.

The group can reach up to 50 people. That is large enough to feel like a proper coach outing, not a private tour, so stay close when leaving the bus and listen for instructions at each change.

Seeing London from a 1960s Routemaster

The vintage Routemaster is more than a way to get from one sight to the next. Its red body and open upper deck are part of London’s visual identity, and the ride gives you a pleasant introduction to the central districts.

You pass or view several major sights, including Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye. The bus format is useful for a first morning in the city because it shows how these landmarks fit together. Instead of visiting one building in isolation, you get a rough mental map of Westminster and central London.

Trafalgar Square is a natural highlight. Nelson’s Column rises above the fountains, and the square connects several important streets and cultural sites. You may only get a passing view rather than time to explore, so treat it as orientation and a photo opportunity, not a full visit.

Westminster Abbey receives a photo stop of about 15 minutes. You can see the exterior and take pictures, but admission is not included. That distinction is important. If you want to inspect the coronation church, royal tombs, and memorials inside, you will need a separate visit and a separate ticket.

Big Ben is technically the famous bell inside the Elizabeth Tower, though people commonly use the name for the whole clock tower. From the bus, you get a useful view of the tower and the Houses of Parliament. The sight is impressive, but traffic can affect how long the bus pauses or how clear your photograph will be.

The open top is weather dependent. London can change from bright to wet in minutes, so bring a waterproof layer rather than trusting the forecast alone. On rare occasions, the operator may substitute a closed-top bus. That protects the schedule, but it removes some of the charm and open views.

The driver also deserves credit for handling central London traffic. One past account singled out Kevin for maneuvering the large bus through difficult streets and around cyclists. You should still expect traffic delays. This is a city tour on public roads, not a private route through empty streets.

The Thames Cruise from the Tower Area

The boat segment changes the mood. After the bus, you board a sightseeing boat near the Tower of London area for a cruise of about 30 minutes. From the river, London’s major buildings appear in a new order, and the cruise gives your feet a rest.

The route includes views of Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye, and the Houses of Parliament. Tower Bridge is especially photogenic from the water, where you can see its full span rather than a partial view from the pavement.

St. Paul’s dome is another strong sight. Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece rises above the City of London, and its scale is easier to appreciate from the Thames. The cruise does not include entry to the cathedral or the Tower of London, so think of this portion as a scenic survey.

The boat ride can feel short. Thirty minutes is enough for a taste, but not enough for a full river exploration. One criticism was that the cruise felt rushed, while other accounts called it scenic and surprisingly comfortable. Your experience will depend on traffic, boarding time, and how much commentary is provided that day.

The Tower of London appears in the itinerary as a sight near the cruise departure, but admission is not part of this experience. The same applies to Tower Bridge. If either is high on your list, you will need to return independently.

The Long Midday Break

The schedule is the point you need to understand before paying. The palace portion is booked for 2:30 pm, while the morning bus and boat tour finish earlier. The gap can be close to three hours.

This break is not necessarily wasted time. You can have lunch, browse near Victoria, visit another attraction, or return to your hotel for a rest. It also gives you control over the middle of the day, since the palace visit is largely independent.

Still, the gap has caused frustration for people who expected a continuous five-and-a-half-hour tour. If you have theatre tickets, a restaurant reservation, or another timed attraction, this tour may force a change of plan. The experience works best when you treat it as a morning city tour plus a fixed afternoon palace entry, not as five and a half hours of constant activity.

You also need to watch the clock. The palace ticket is pre-booked, and you should be at the meeting point for the palace transfer or entrance instructions with enough time to spare. The guide takes you to the palace entrance, then says goodbye because guides are not allowed inside the State Rooms.

Buckingham Palace and the 2:30 pm Entry

Buckingham Palace is the main reason to choose this package over a standard bus-and-boat sightseeing ticket. The palace is the official London residence of the British royal family, and its State Rooms open to the public for only about three months each year.

The tour brings you to the entrance with a pre-booked ticket. Inside, you follow an audio-guided route through the ceremonial rooms. Expect glittering chandeliers, formal furnishings, and objects from the Royal Collection. The rooms are designed for official receptions, so the experience feels grand and polished rather than domestic.

The visit lasts about two hours in the listed schedule. That gives you time to move at a steady pace and listen to the audio guide without turning the palace into a race. Since you enter independently, you can set your own pace once through security and the entrance procedures.

The palace rules are strict. Food and drink are not allowed inside the State Rooms. Photography, video recording, and filming are also prohibited, including non-commercial use of wearable devices. Plan to enjoy the interiors without taking pictures.

The Changing of the Guard may be part of the morning sights when the ceremony is scheduled. It is not the same as the State Rooms visit, and the timing can depend on the day and traffic. Some people particularly enjoyed seeing the military procession, while others found the palace interiors more memorable. If the ceremony is important to you, ask the guide about the day’s timing rather than assuming it is guaranteed.

After leaving the palace, you are on your own. You can continue along Buckingham Palace Road, visit the palace café for tea and dessert, browse the shop, or make your own way back to your hotel. The end point is listed as Buckingham Palace Road, not a hotel transfer.

What the $59 Price Really Covers

At $59, the tour offers solid value if you want a broad first look at London and plan to visit Buckingham Palace anyway. A vintage bus tour, a Thames cruise, a guide, and State Rooms admission would usually require separate planning and separate bookings.

The price is less compelling if you already know central London well or only want a long palace visit. The bus tour gives you views and commentary, but most landmarks are seen from outside. Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Tower Bridge are not included as interior visits.

I see the strongest value in the combination. You get the kind of city orientation that can save time during a short stay, then finish with one substantial indoor attraction. If you have only two full days in London, the package can cover a lot of ground without requiring you to work out every connection yourself.

The tradeoff is flexibility. You are tied to a fixed start, fixed transfers, and a fixed palace time. A self-guided day using public transport may let you linger longer, but you would need to arrange palace admission and plan the route on your own.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most

I would recommend this experience to first-time London visitors, people with limited time, and anyone who wants a guided overview before exploring independently. It is also a good fit if the Routemaster ride and the palace are both on your wish list.

The tour suits you if you like commentary, enjoy moving through a city, and do not need to enter every landmark. It is less suitable if you dislike early starts, want a relaxed pace, or have several other timed plans that afternoon.

You should have a moderate level of fitness. There are vehicle changes, a river boat boarding, walks near Westminster and Buckingham Palace, and time spent moving through the State Rooms. The experience is near public transport, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Tips for a Smoother Day

• Arrive early at Victoria Coach Station and confirm the correct bay.
• Dress for rain and wind if you hope to sit on the open top.
• Keep your phone ready for quick photo stops, especially at Westminster Abbey and along the Thames.
• Do not plan another fixed activity during the midday gap unless you have checked the timing carefully.
• Eat before entering Buckingham Palace, since food and drink are not allowed in the State Rooms.
• Use the break for lunch rather than expecting the tour to provide a meal.
• Stay close to the group when changing from bus to boat and when heading to the palace.
• Treat the palace audio guide as your main indoor commentary, since the tour guide cannot accompany you inside.

Should You Book the Routemaster and Palace Combination?

Book it if you want a practical introduction to London with a strong finish. The bus supplies the city overview, the Thames offers the best change of scene, and Buckingham Palace gives you a genuine interior visit rather than another drive-by view.

Think twice if the three-hour break is a problem or if you want detailed visits to the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, or St. Paul’s Cathedral. For most first-time visitors with a flexible afternoon, the $59 cost is fair, and the combination is hard to match for simple sightseeing value.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the fare is not refunded, so check your plans before the cutoff.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Victoria Coach Station, 164 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TP.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 7:45 am.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is approximately five hours and 30 minutes, although a long break separates the morning sightseeing from the palace entry.

Is Buckingham Palace admission included?

Yes. Admission to Buckingham Palace State Rooms is included, with entry booked for 2:30 pm.

Can the guide enter Buckingham Palace with the group?

No. The guide walks you to the entrance, then you enter independently with your pre-booked ticket and use an audio guide.

Is the Thames River cruise included?

Yes. A sightseeing boat cruise of about 30 minutes is included.

Is Westminster Abbey admission included?

No. The tour provides a photo stop outside Westminster Abbey for about 15 minutes, but entry is not included.

What happens if it rains?

The tour normally uses an open-top bus, so you should be prepared for rain. On rare occasions, the operator may use a closed-top bus instead.