The Classic Tour

The Classic Tour is London's original open-top bus tour, offering families a time-tested way to take in the city's most celebrated landmarks from the best seat in the house — the upper deck of a traditional double-decker bus. The route covers the heart of London: Westminster, Whitehall, Trafalgar Square, St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, and more. For families, the hop-on hop-off system is genuinely useful because it accommodates the unpredictable rhythm of traveling with kids.

If someone needs a bathroom, you hop off. If a child spots something fascinating, you hop off. If everyone's getting tired, you stay on and just enjoy the ride.

The enclosed lower deck provides shelter on rainy or cold days, while the open upper deck is the preferred perch for curious kids on fine weather days. Audio commentary available through headsets or the onboard speakers keeps older children informed and engaged. Tickets are valid for 24 or 48 hours, making it easy to use the bus as a transport backbone across multiple days of sightseeing.

Children under 5 typically travel free, and child fares apply for older kids. Buses run frequently throughout the day, so even if you miss one, the next is never far behind. For first-time visitors to London with children, this tour is one of the most efficient and enjoyable ways to cover the major sites without exhaustion.