London Buses: Navigating the Iconic Red Routes Effortlessly

Why you need to take the bus and how to do it.

Red buses are the red blood cells coursing through London’s arteries; the life force for us Londoners, for whom the very idea of owning an actual car is about as distant as going to the moon.

Cheaper than the Tube, if you’re spending a few days in London, you’ll find they’re a great way of getting a lay of the land without breaking the bank.

For sightseeing (with an authentic twist), nothing beats sitting at the front on the top deck of a double-decker bus. They are the best seats in the house, and best of all, cost a teeny tiny fraction of what those open-air double-decker sightseeing buses charges.

But it’s more than that. Taking a bus in London is also taking part in its living history.

Just as it set out to do over 190 years ago(!), London’s bus network bridges the gap between north and south and east to west. Ride any bus from start to finish, and along with fellow passengers from every corner of the globe, you’ll witness London’s continuous evolution from rags to riches, luxury to squalor, and colonial grandeur to futuristic neo-capitalism.

It’s eccentric and eclectic, and sometimes exhausting, let’s be real.

This guide shows you how to use them, how to get the best out of them, and why they are the cheapest and the best tour buses in the land.

All aboard! (No standing on the upper deck).

How to use buses: your step-by-step guide.

There are over 600 bus routes in the entire London area, which is a lot. But you only need to concern yourself with a handful of them.

UNLIKE the tube, a lot of buses run 24 hours a day (it will be clearly marked at the bus stop or on the app), so if you’re planning on staying out late, know that there will be a London bus hero that’s got your back. (OK, so you might need to take 2 buses – but for sure there will be one that will get you where you need to be).

Here’s how to take the bus, like a Londoner:

Step 1: download the TFL (Transport for London) App.

A section of the London Underground map on a mobile app, focusing on stations around Kilburn and Queen’s Park with accessibility options.

I love how this app uses a Tube Map to show you where you are (based on your current location). The blue circle shows you where I was, writing this guide (Maida Vale, where I’m from).

Tap “Where to?” for directions.

Step 2: Input where it is you want to go and from which location (if not your current one).

A travel options screen showing journey details from Victoria to St. Paul’s Cathedral with bus, cycle, and accessibility information.

Here I wanted to know which bus I needed to take from Victoria Station to St Paul’s Cathedral.

You can see that it says “Step-free”. This means that the bus has an integrated ramp system that the driver can use to allow wheelchair users easy access on and off the bus.

Most buses are fitted with this technology now, but if mobility issues are a concern, check on the app for the “Step-free” symbol.

Step 3: Under “Options” in the top left, you can select which mode of transport to travel by. Select ‘Bus’.

A transport selection screen in a mobile app, allowing users to choose between bus, underground, and other travel modes in London.

Step 4: So now I know that the number 26 will take me to St Paul’s from Victoria, and I need to head to Stop J (there is an integrated map as well to show you where in Victoria you can find Stop J).

A route planner screen showing a bus journey from Victoria to St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, highlighting step-free access and travel options.

Step 5: And here it is. All bus stops pretty much look like this. Sometimes they have shelters and a seating area, sometimes it’s just a stop like this.

Bus stop sign in London near Victoria Station, listing routes 24, 26, and 185, with the Apollo Victoria Theatre in the background.

Each stop will have a letter at the top of it so it’s easy to identify.

Step 6: Here comes the bus! You will need to flag it down, just as the gentleman is doing in front of me, by extending his arm.

Don’t take it for granted that the bus will stop just because you are standing there!

It’s happened to the best of us – you’re standing there, you see the bus. You think, “great! Here’s the bus!”.

And then it drives straight past because you were daydreaming and forgot to stick your arm out.

Two red London buses in central London, one heading to Hackney Wick and the other to Victoria Station, with pedestrians and black cabs nearby.

Step 7: Once on board, tap your contactless card or Oyster card (see below) on the circle on the left. This is known as “touching in”. (On the Tube you must always “touch in” and “touch out”, but on the buses you only need to “touch in”).

Oyster card reader on a London bus next to the driver’s area, with a sign promoting contactless payment options for travel.

Remember all buses are 100% cashless, so this means you cannot buy a ticket on board. You can only pay with your contactless card, and it’s one card per person. You cannot use the same card twice for two different people.

Step 7: Finally, be nice!

You won’t really need to interact with the driver, although a friendly hello or thank you won’t hurt. I always think they have such a tough, thankless job, and unfortunately, they do bear the brunt of a lot of city rage. So be nice to the drivers 🙂

[insert video; flagging down and boarding a bus, tapping contactless card]

Caption:

Fares and tickets

London buses are 100% cashless and the most common way to pay is via contactless card.

If you have the kind of card that doesn’t charge any commission for using another currency, then this will be the easiest way to pay.

If your card is subject to commission, or you don’t have a contactless card, then invest in a pre-paid Oyster Card. As in “London is your Oyster” when you have one because it’s valid on all forms of public transport.

Where to get one:

They are usually available to buy and top up at major London airports like Gatwick and Heathrow- look for the TFL (Transport for London) helpdesk at arrivals.

Alternatively, once in London, head to your nearest Tube station and find a ticket machine:

Step 1: Select “buy Oyster card” and it will give you a few options:

An Oyster card ticket machine in a London Underground station, surrounded by green and white tiled walls.

Step 2: Choose how many you need (It’s one card per person aged 10 and over).

Ticket machine screen showing the option to select the number of new Oyster cards to purchase in London, with a plus and minus adjustment button.

Step 3: Select “Top up pay as you go”.

Ticket machine screen displaying top-up options for pay-as-you-go credit and travelcards for Oyster cards in London, with various price selections.

If you’re only spending a couple of days in London (say no more than 4), then Pay As You Go is your best bet. Bear in mind that while London Transport is generally pretty good, it is also the most expensive in Europe. If you plan to mostly walk and bus your way around, start with a £20 top-up and see you how you go.

I wouldn’t eliminate the idea of using the Tube, as it will save time for many journeys. But if you can, opt for the buses. You see more and will get a much better understanding of the layout of the city if you do.

Step 4: Make your payment.

Ticket machine screen showing an Oyster card top-up transaction in London with a fee of £27, including pay-as-you-go credit and card fee.

Here I’ve selected a £20 top-up. You can see that there is a £7 fee for the physical Oyster Card itself….but you get to keep this forever, and when you come back to London, you’ll be able to use it again!

So it’s a neat souvenir. Also, any credit that you don’t use just stays on there so you can either give it to a friend or just leave it for next time. You can check your credit at any ticket machine at a Tube station.

Step 5: Collect your Oyster Card from the machine and treasure it!

There she is. London is your Oyster.

Close-up of a blue Oyster card used for travel in London, placed on top of a Transport for London map.

Prices

All bus journeys, regardless of which part of London (or Zone) you are in, cost £1.75. The same cannot be said for the Tube which has a different pricing system depending on which Zone you are in, but more about that later.

Hopper fares

Hopper fares give you unlimited bus journeys for £1.75, made within 60 minutes of touching in. You need to make sure you use the same card or device on all journeys to get the Hopper fare automatically.

Daily cap

If you spend all day taking buses, the good news is there is a daily cap of £5.25 (a bargain!) – which means you don’t need to worry about getting a travelcard or 24-hour bus pass. It caps automatically as long as you use the same card (either Oyster or contactless credit card) for all of your journeys.

More good news

All children until the age of 10 travel for free!

If you plan on spending more than 7 days in London:

You might want to consider a travelcard in this case – but this depends on where you are based and how reliant on public transport you think you will be. (London is huge so, chances are you will be using it quite a lot).

The first thing you’ll need to do is find out which Zone you’re based in. Zone 1 is Central London and is where most of the sightseeing action will take place.

Zone 2; Zone 1’s support act, also bangs pretty hard for stuff you need to see. The further out you go, the less touristy but not necessarily less interesting. It’s quite likely you’ll be based in either Zones 1, 2, or possibly 3. The further away from Zone 1, the more you will be reliant on Tube and Overground as well as the bus.

In which case, if purchasing an Oyster card, follow the same steps as above but instead of Pay As You Go select buy travelcard.

Ticket machine screen for selecting travelcard zones in London, with options for zones 1-2, 1-3, 2-3, and 2-4, along with custom zone combinations.

You will then be requested to select your Zones. I selected Zones 1-2 as they tend to be the most popular for visitors.

The price is a bit steep for seven days, I’ll admit. However, with this option, you have unlimited use of London’s buses, Tube, and Overground networks.

Ticket machine screen showing the purchase of a 7-day Travelcard and Oyster card for zones 1-2 in London, with a total payment of £47.70.

Relying more on the buses is for sure the most cost-effective way to get around, but this will depend entirely on where you are based.

A small note about penalty fares:

If you board a bus without correctly touching in with your Oyster / contactless card and you are caught, you may have to pay a penalty fare of £80. If you pay it within 21 days however, it’s reduced to £40.

It’s practically impossible to do these days, but occasionally, crafty so and so’s sneak in through the rear doors when no one is looking and ride for free that way. Most of the time though, drivers are pretty vigilant and you’ll be kicked out for even trying.

Key routes: Useful routes and sites to see.

This list was difficult to compile. There are some major heartbreakers on the bus network- some real nostalgia makers and Friday night instigators.

Here are my Top Six Routes worth checking out:

Number 26 – East meets West

Victoria to Hackney Wick

The epic 26 does not mess around. Jump on at Victoria and brace yourself for a visual feast condensing almost all of London’s history into one bus ride.

I’m talking about Westminster Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, The Strand, Fleet Street, St Paul’s Cathedral, the City (financial district), and for all you alternative London seekers; keep heading east to Shoreditch, Hoxton and Hackney.

The first half of the bus journey ticks a whole gang of sightseeing boxes, so nab that front seat on the top deck and enjoy the view!

Top sites as seen from the top deck of the 26 bus:

A view of modern skyscrapers in London, featuring a mix of glass and stone architecture against a blue sky with clouds.

Approaching Liverpool Street, you start to get a feel for how eclectic the architecture in London really is. The skyscrapers in the distance are part of London’s financial district, known as the City. The one on the left is nicknamed the “walkie-talkie” and houses some great restaurants and bars!

View of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London with a red double-decker bus and white tour bus passing in front, framed by historic buildings and trees. — Gleaming St Paul’s Cathedral

Trafalgar Square in London on a sunny day, crowded with tourists near the famous lion statues and fountains, with the National Gallery in the background. — The National Gallery at Trafalgar Square

Westminster Cathedral in London, with its distinctive red and white brick facade and domed towers, framed by modern buildings and a tree. — Westminster Cathedral

Number 12 – South London Trooper

Oxford Circus to Dulwich

The 12 packs some serious punches too.

Starting at Oxford Circus (once the beating heart of London’s shopping district, now going through a minor identity crisis) – this bus route gives you the Horse Guards’ Parade on the Mall (close to Buckingham Palace), Westminster, Big Ben, before crossing Westminster Bridge (for extra close-up views of Parliament and Big Ben) and heading “south of the river”.

(There is a friendly north/south divide among Londoners, so I feel at odds directing people south, as a “north of the river” kind of girl).

Again, if you’re looking for a more alternative, international and youthful kind of London, the number 12 will take you to Peckham Rye and beyond.

Number 23 – West London O.G

Aldwych to Westbourne Park

As a West End girl, this bus is my heart. It’s Christmas shopping, Portobello strolls, West End shows, and the steel drums of Notting Hill Carnival all rolled into one.

If you find yourself in Covent Garden or Trafalgar Square, and fancy a bit of Portobello Market action, or even a short stroll along the canal to Little Venice, hop on the 23 to Portobello / Goldbourne Road from the Strand.

On the way, you’ll be taken through Piccadilly Circus, Green Park (on Piccadilly) past Fortnum & Mason’s and the Ritz, Hyde Park and Marble Arch.

A busy scene at Piccadilly Circus in London, with crowds gathered around the Eros statue, surrounded by historic buildings and bright signage. — Piccadilly Circus as seen from the top deck.

Number 24 – North London Star

Grovesnor Road (Pimlico) – Royal Free Hospital (Hampstead Heath)

What a thing of beauty this is. Starting in posh Pimlico – just south of Victoria, next to the river, you can board this at Victoria or somewhere nearby. Quite handy if you’ve just been to the Tate Britain.

If you fancy huge green open spaces with killer panoramic views of London, head north to Hampstead Heath. On the way, see Westminster, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Camden Town (for a punky, teenage pitstop), and then on up to Hamsptead – the lungs of North London.

Number 139 – Best by Northwest

Waterloo to Golders Green

Take this bus for the iconic Abbey Road Studios and the famous zebra crossing (crosswalk) from the Beatles album.

Hop on at Waterloo and cross the bridge for scenic views over the Thames.

After which, you’ll go past Trafalgar Square, Regent’s Street (for Hamley’s), Oxford Street (Selfridge’s) before heading to Marylebone and depositing you, if you so wish, a stone’s throw from 221b Baker Street, a real address and now the Sherlock Holmes Museum.

After that, it’s a short ride past Lord’s Cricket Ground until Abbey Road Studios.

Number 76 – 76 Londons for the Price of 1

Tottenham Hale (deep north-east) to Lower Marsh (behind Waterloo)

If you really want to get under the skin of this city, the 76 is what it’s all about.

Board at Lower Marsh; a bustling market street teaming with shops, pubs and places to eat, or from Waterloo Station.

Crossing Waterloo Bridge, you’ll be taken to the City (financial district) via Aldwych (part of London’s theatre district), The Royal Courts of Justice, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Museum of London by Moorgate – home to the ruins of a giant Roman wall, no less.

Remains of a historic Roman wall in London, featuring worn brick and stone amidst greenery, located near modern buildings. — Ruins of Roman wall on **London Wall**, seen from the 76

The 76 then goes on to Dalston (for cool bars and Turkish food), Stoke Newington and Stamford Hill (one of London’s largest Jewish communities) before ending in Tottenham Hale.

Bonus material:

For football fans – the number 14 starting at Russell Square and going past the British Museum and Piccadilly Circus will take you all the way to Chelsea’s home stadium Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal fans; jump on the number 29 at Trafalgar Square which will take you to the Emirates Stadium via Camden Town.

Riding etiquette: dos and don’ts

I can just about remember when we had conductors on buses who would check tickets and generally keep a bit of order on the bus.

They were friendly folk by and large, but they had two very strict rules:

1) keep feet off seats and

2) NO STANDING ON THE UPPER DECK.

By now, Number 1, alas, is a lost battle. But Number 2 is alive and well, now delivered to passengers via a pre-recorded message in calming female tones.

“There’s no standing on the upper deck”. With good reason.

Bus drivers, London’s unsung heroes, need to make sudden stops for cyclists or oblivious jaywalking tourists all the time, and it can get a bit jerky.

Please do hold on tight, and don’t stand on the upper deck or the stairs. It can get really busy out of nowhere and suddenly there’ll be a herd of people needing to get off, so be sensible and keep out of the way.

Safety sign inside a London bus reminding passengers to hold the handrail when using the stairs, with Transport for London branding.

I’ve witnessed, sadly, on more than one occasion, people falling down the stairs due to the bus suddenly braking.

In the old days, the conductor wouldn’t have allowed anyone to use the stairs while the bus was in motion.

Nowadays, we have these striking public health and safety notices reminding you to hold on to the handrail.

So take note, and hold on tight!

Board from the front doors ONLY. Exit from the rear doors ONLY.

View from inside a London bus, showing rows of seats, handrails, and a window with a black taxi and pedestrians visible outside.

While almost all of London’s buses are red double-deckers, they vary slightly in design. This one is called a Routemaster and is based on the original, iconic design from the 50’s (taken out of commission sadly in the early 2000s, but still in use for some “heritage” routes and/or special occasions).

With this model, the bus is slightly longer with the addition of an extra set of doors at the back. Inside, there are two sets of stairs to take you up to the top deck. They’re quite close in spirit to the original Routemaster bus, with the curved roof, maroon flooring and upholstery. Look out for them!

Side view of a red double-decker bus in London with an advertisement for Intrepid Travel, displaying route 267 towards Hammersmith.

Always board from the front and exit from the middle or rear doors.

Priority Areas. Most buses will have space for about two strollers or two wheelchairs and the driver can lower the bus and extend a ramp to facilitate boarding.

As a courtesy, if you’re travelling with luggage, try not to take up too much space in the designated wheelchair/stroller area.

If you happen to be standing in that area, be mindful of needing to move out of the way if someone with a stroller/wheelchair gets on. They have priority.

Inside view of a bus showing a designated wheelchair space with blue floor markings and accessibility signs, next to standard seats.

Likewise, there are seats that are priority seats (for the elderly, pregnant, or for those with mobility issues). They will be clearly indicated with blue signs like these.

Priority seats on a London bus, featuring red and grey patterned upholstery and a sign designating the seats for passengers with disabilities, pregnant women, and those less able to stand.

Generally speaking, people are nice and offer their seats. Although these days we are guilty of being distracted by our phones.

It’s common practice to offer seats in London, so if you do see someone older, offer your seat; they will appreciate it.

Pregnant women are given badges to wear saying “baby on board” so that you can be sure she is pregnant before offering your seat (thus avoiding putting your foot in it!). It’s a nice touch, I think!

No smelly food. A lot of Londoners flout the no eating or drinking smelly food rule on London buses, and I apologise in advance.

Do as they (TFL) say and not as they (naughty Londoners) do.

Tips and tricks

Leave them kids alone!

London school kids travel for free until the age of 16 (they have special student oyster cards that allow free travel). Schools generally start at 9 am and finish at around 3:30 pm – so between 7:30 – 8:30 am and 3:30 and 5 pm on weekdays, you can expect buses to get a bit rowdy (depending on the school!).

Get on the app

The TFL app is amazing. Others also swear by CityMapper and plain old Google Maps which works pretty accurately in London.

Get ready to pounce

It goes without saying that you’ll want to bag the front seats of the upper deck for that full panoramic view. If they’re taken, be poised to swoop in when they become free.

Use your city smarts and stay safe

By and large, travelling on London buses, even in the wee hours is considered to be safe.

However, it’s a big city with a lot of people in it. And occasionally, the aforementioned city rage reveals itself in random outbursts.

Pockets of aggression can manifest when someone tries to get on without paying, or when a cranky passenger meets the wrath of an even crankier driver.

It probably won’t happen, but if it does, here’s how to handle it:

Look around, see what other Londoners are doing. There will be one of two reactions:

They look up briefly from their phone, decide it’s nothing, maybe tut, and just carry on with whatever they are doing, almost entirely positive that it will blow over in a couple of minutes.
Or, they will look up from their phones, take a look behind to see if there are any other buses, and make a dash for it. This is a sign that the aggro looks like it’s going to be drawn out, and it’s best to exit the situation. They’ve seen it all before. So follow suit, get off the bus, laugh it off, and get the next one.

So there you have it. How to take the bus like a Londoner and see London like a boss.

PS.

Sometimes buses aren’t red.