London's Best Public Bus Routes

Take a Self-Guided City Tour on One of London's Public Buses

Jan 14, 2009 Angela D. Stancar

Taking the bus is a cheap and enjoyable way to see London's famous landmarks.

A bus tour is a great way to orient yourself within the city and see all of London's main attractions, but a ticket for one of the main sightseeing tours can be pricey. To save money and still see London's major landmarks, take a self-guided tour on one of the city's many public buses. Following is a list of some of Central London's popular routes.

Route 3: Crystal Palace to Oxford Circus

Route 3 takes in one of London's most iconic landmarks: the Houses of Parliament. The nine-mile route begins at Crystal Palace and ends at Oxford Circus, but the majority of sights tourists will want to see on this route are located within Westminster. Traveling towards Oxford Circus, Route 3 crosses over Lambeth Bridge, offering stunning views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. The bus then makes its way down Whitehall, past Downing Street, House Guards, and the Palace of Westminster and passes through Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus before terminating at Oxford Circus, one of the busiest shopping areas in Europe.

Route 9: Hammersmith to Aldwych

Route 9 takes passengers on a journey through some of London's poshest neighborhoods. Beginning at Hammersmith and ending at Aldwych, the number 9 bus travels along Kensington High Street before passing by the famous Harrods department store in trendy Knightsbridge. Other notable sights along this route include Hyde Park Corner, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, and The Strand.

Route 9 also runs a Heritage service between the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington and Aldwych, which uses the old double-decker Routemaster bus. Along with the black cab, the Routemaster bus is one of the most recognizable symbols of London.

Route 11: Liverpool Street to Fulham Broadway

Route 11 is a seven-mile route that begins at Liverpool Street and ends at Fulham Broadway. Route 11 overlaps with Route 3 in places, taking in the sights of Westminster, but Route 11 also passes St. Paul's Cathedral in The City and winds its way through the upmarket neighborhood of Chelsea.

Route 148: White City to Camberwell Green

Route 148 starts at White City, now home to the new Westfield Shopping Centre, and ends at Camberwell Green. The 148 travels along the edge of Hyde Park and passes through some of the most exclusive neighborhoods in London, including Notting Hill and Mayfair. This route also crosses over Westminster Bridge, where passengers are treated to picture-postcard views of the River Thames.

Route 390: Archway to Notting Hill Gate

Hop on a 390 bus, and you'll see Hyde Park, Marble Arch, Oxford Street, and the British Library. The 390 also passes King's Cross Station and St. Pancras International, home of the new Eurostar terminal.

Route RV1: Covent Garden to Tower Gateway

The RV1 is one of the most scenic routes in central London. The RV1 operates between Covent Garden and Tower Gateway, passing over Tower Bridge. Along the way, you'll take in some of the sights of the South Bank, such as the London Eye, the Tate Modern, London Bridge, and Borough Market.

A single bus journey costs £2.00 in cash or £1.00 with an Oyster card, offering significant savings over an organized tour, which can cost £20.00 or more. With a little advanced planning and a bus map on hand, you can see London's major landmarks at a fraction of the cost.

For more information on public transport within London, or to plan your route, visit Transport for London.

For more money-saving tips, see Enjoy London on a Budget and How to Save on London Transport.

The copyright of the article London's Best Public Bus Routes in U.K./Ireland Travel is owned by Angela D. Stancar. Permission to republish London's Best Public Bus Routes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.