Big Bus hop-on hop-off vs a private car tour of London: what each costs in 2026 and who each suits
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The open-top bus is a London institution and, for one or two people on a sunny day, good value. For four people, in the rain, with a flight this evening and a list of things to see, the arithmetic flips: a private car with a driver who knows the city costs about the same per head, sees more in three hours, and drops you at the airport at the end. Here are both, priced honestly.
Big Bus Tours London: 2026 tickets and what's in them
| Ticket | Validity | Adult price (online) | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Day | Same day | £32.00 | Red, Blue and Green routes, hop-on hop-off |
| Discover | 24 hours | £36.99 | Routes + one-way Thames cruise, flexible date |
| Essential | 48 hours | £46.99 | + three guided walks (Royal, Harry Potter, Jack the Ripper) + cruise |
| Explore | 48 hours | £56.99 | + evening panoramic tour |
| London Sizzler | 48 hours | £89.00 | + Tower of London and London Eye entry |
| Evening tour only | One evening, 19:30 | £36.99 | Panoramic night tour |
Prices from bigbustours.com, September 2026; child fares are lower and prices change with promotions. Tootbus runs a comparable product.
What the bus is good at, and where it struggles
Good at: orientation on day one, the commentary, the top deck on a dry day, and the river cruise thrown in. It also comes bundled with the London Pass. Where it struggles: buses follow fixed loops through the most congested streets in Europe, so a full circuit takes two to three hours; stops fill up on summer weekends and you can wait 20 minutes for a bus with space; and it does not go to Windsor, the Studio Tour, Greenwich by road, or your hotel.
A private car tour: how it works and what it costs
You get a saloon, MPV or V Class with a driver, an agreed route and a fixed price per car for the time booked. The driver stops where you want (a photo at Tower Bridge, twenty minutes inside Westminster Abbey, coffee in Notting Hill), adjusts to traffic in real time and returns you to the hotel — or takes you to the airport with the luggage already in the boot. It is not a licensed Blue Badge guide tour: drivers know the city and its stories, but a professional guide can be added by arrangement.
| Private car tour (fixed price per car) | Saloon (up to 4) | MPV (up to 6) | V Class (up to 7) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90-minute highlights loop (Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, St Paul's) | from £120 | from £150 | from £180 |
| 3-hour city tour with stops | from £220 | from £270 | from £320 |
| Half-day: London + Greenwich or Hampton Court | from £300 | from £360 | from £420 |
| Heathrow layover tour (pickup and return to terminal, 4 hours) | from £280 | from £340 | from £400 |
Illustrative from-prices; quoted as a fixed total when you book. Entry tickets are not included.
Per-head comparison
| Party | Big Bus Discover (24h) | Private 3-hour car tour | Per head, car |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 adults | £73.98 | from £220 | £110 |
| 2 adults + 2 children | about £130 | from £220 | £55 |
| 4 adults | £147.96 | from £220 | £55 |
| 6 adults | £221.94 | from £270 (MPV) | £45 |
| 7 adults | £258.93 | from £320 (V Class) | £46 |
Family of four on the bus assumes child fares around £28. From four people upwards the car is within £20–£30 of the bus for the group and covers more ground; from six it is cheaper.
Which to pick
- Solo traveller or couple, two or more days in London, fine weather
- Big Bus Discover or Essential. Sit on top, get off at the Tower, take the cruise back.
- Family with young children, or grandparents in the group
- Private MPV. No stairs, no waiting at stops, car seats fitted, a loo stop when you need one.
- One day in London between flights, or a cruise stopover
- Private car from the airport or Southampton, tour, back to the terminal. See Heathrow layover tours.
- Christmas lights, or evenings in December
- Private car — see Christmas lights tour by car.
- Corporate guests, incentive groups, VIPs
- Private car or minibus with a Blue Badge guide added; one invoice. See booking multiple cars.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
- How much is Big Bus Tours London in 2026?
- Online: One Day £32, Discover (24h) £36.99, Essential (48h) £46.99, Explore (48h) £56.99, Sizzler (with Tower of London and London Eye) £89. Gate prices are higher.
- Is a private car tour of London worth it?
- For four or more people, for families with small children, for anyone short of time or mobility, and for bad-weather days, yes — the per-head cost is close to the bus and you see more with no waiting.
- Can the driver act as a guide?
- Drivers give commentary and know the city, but are not licensed Blue Badge guides. We can add a qualified guide for a fully guided tour.
Essentials for international visitors
Flying in from abroad? The six things that catch people out, in one place. Full detail, with official links, in our UK visitor essentials guide.
Entry
Most visitors from Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia need a UK ETA (£20, apply in the UK ETA app, valid two years) — airlines have enforced it since 25 February 2026. eGates from age 8 for EU, US, Canadian, Australian and most other visa-free passports. More ›
Money
Pounds sterling; cards and phones are accepted almost everywhere, contactless taps up to £100. Choose to pay in pounds when a terminal offers your home currency. Prices include VAT and there is no tourist tax refund. More ›
Phone
Free Wi-Fi at all London airports; UK SIMs and eSIMs from £75 in every arrivals hall; EU roaming depends on your operator. WhatsApp +44 20 8888 9988 works from any country. More ›
Getting around
Tap in and out with any contactless card or phone on the Tube, buses and the Elizabeth line — no ticket needed, fares capped daily. A fixed-fare car wins for families, groups, late arrivals and days out the train does not reach. More ›
Children & luggage
Child seats on request when you book. In a licensed private hire car children may travel without one if none is available (under-3s on the rear seat). Tell us the bag count and the right size of car turns up. More ›
Emergencies
999 or 112 for police, fire or ambulance; NHS 111 for urgent advice; A&E is free at the point of use, but bring travel insurance. Plugs are Type G, 230 V; traffic drives on the left — look right. More ›
Private car tour of London: get a fixed price
Two, three or four hours, up to 8 passengers, fixed price per car. Add a hotel or airport pickup at either end.
