London: Children’s Open Top Bus Tour

Big sights, small attention spans. This 45-minute Tootbus ride gives children a lively first look at London, with a live English-speaking guide telling jokes, facts, and stories as you pass the capital’s best-known landmarks. I especially like the short, well-paced route and the way guides speak directly to children rather than giving a dry adult lecture. The Tootbus app, with bus tracking and self-guided walks, is another useful extra.

The main drawback is the weather. The top deck is the fun seat on a clear day, but rain and strong sun can change the experience quickly. Traffic can also slow the bus, and some families have found the microphone hard to hear. At $32 per person, this is not a cheap ride, but it can be good value as a first London orientation for families who want a simple, low-effort introduction.

Key points at a glance

• Built for children aged 6 to 12: The commentary uses simple explanations, funny stories, and questions to hold young attention.
• A 45-minute non-stop route: You see major sights without asking children to walk from one attraction to another.
• Departure near His Majesty’s Theatre: The meeting point is at Charles II Street, on the side of His Majesty’s Theatre, close to 24 Royal Opera Arcade.
• Top-deck views are the main draw: You get a classic open-top bus perspective of central London, though seats can fill early.
• The guides make the difference: Jezz, Tom, Luke, Sophie, and other guides have been praised for clear, funny, child-friendly commentary.
• The app adds practical value: It includes your mobile ticket wallet, real-time bus tracking, an audio guide, attraction locations, and self-guided walking tours.

Why this short bus ride works for families

London can be a tiring city for children. The sights are spread across busy streets, pavements can be crowded, and a full day of walking can turn Big Ben into just another tower in a child’s eyes. This tour solves part of that problem by putting your family on a moving seat for a quick run through central London.

The route is non-stop and lasts 45 minutes. That is long enough to see a useful string of famous places, but short enough for most children to manage. Parents have found the timing especially useful for children around six to ten, while older children can still enjoy the jokes, stories, and open-air view.

The guide speaks live in English, rather than relying only on recorded audio. That matters because a good guide can react to traffic, point out something at the right moment, and ask children questions. One particularly effective touch is using quiz questions during traffic jams. Instead of simply sitting still, children have something to do.

The strongest praise goes to the guides. Jezz has been singled out for speaking at exactly the right level and keeping children involved. Tom, Luke, Sophie, and Pete have also been praised for mixing useful facts with humor. The adults get something from the commentary too, especially if this is your first visit to London.

Starting near the Royal Opera Arcade

The departure point is listed as 24 Royal Opera Arcade, with the practical departure information placing the tour at Charles II Street, London SW1Y 4QN, on the side of His Majesty’s Theatre. Download the Tootbus app before you arrive so you can check the exact departure point.

This is worth taking seriously. One family had trouble finding a clear sign at the bus stop, and walking around central London with children while trying to locate a bus is not a pleasant start. Arrive at least 10 minutes early. If sitting on the open top matters to you, arriving much earlier is sensible, since one family reported that the outdoor seats had filled by the suggested arrival time.

You will want your ticket ready in the app. The app also provides real-time bus tracking and a map for locating the departure point. The activity is wheelchair accessible, but oversized luggage, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

The tour operates daily during school holidays. Check the available departure times for your date, since the operating schedule is tied to those holiday periods.

Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus

The ride begins in one of London’s most central areas and quickly brings you into the city’s grand public spaces. Trafalgar Square is a strong opening sight for children because it is easy to recognize as a major London gathering place, with Nelson’s Column and the square’s broad layout.

The guide uses this part of the route to set the tone. You are not getting a long academic talk. Instead, expect short facts and stories that give children a basic sense of why the square matters.

Piccadilly Circus follows, with its famous advertising screens and busy junction. From the upper deck, you get a clear view of the movement around the circus, though traffic can affect how long you sit in the area. This is one reason the live guide matters. The commentary can keep children interested even when the bus is not moving.

The route is designed to show you the sights from outside, not to stop for photographs or visits. That makes the tour useful as an overview, but it cannot replace time at the attractions themselves.

Green Park and the route toward Westminster

The bus continues past Green Park, offering a change from the stone and traffic of the central junctions. You will also pass along Pall Mall, one of London’s best-known ceremonial streets.

A highlight on this section is the route toward Buckingham Palace. The supplied itinerary includes Green Park and Pall Mall, but the route can be affected by events and traffic controls. One family was disappointed that the bus could not travel up The Mall to see Buckingham Palace because of the changing of the Guard.

That is a useful warning. London’s ceremonial areas are not always open to traffic in the usual way. Parades, protests, official events, and road closures can alter the route. One earlier tour was also affected by protesters around Whitehall and Trafalgar Square. The exact experience can therefore vary by day.

Still, this flexibility is part of touring London by road. You get a broad view of the city without having to plan every street yourself, but you should not treat the route as a guarantee that every road will be open.

The London Eye and the Thames-side views

The London Eye is one of the easiest landmarks for children to recognize. Its large circular frame is visible from several points in central London, and seeing it from an open-top bus gives you a quick sense of where it sits beside the river.

The bus does not include a ride on the London Eye. The attraction is a passing sight, with the guide explaining what you are seeing as the bus continues along its route.

This is a good example of the tour’s purpose. You can show a child the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Parliament in one short outing. Later, you can decide which places deserve a longer visit. I like this approach for a first morning in London, especially when you want to get your bearings without spending half a day underground or on foot.

The top deck is often the most exciting part for children. The height, the view, and the feeling of riding through central London make the city seem more immediate. On hot days, however, the upper deck can be tiring for a six-year-old. On rainy days, the experience can still be enjoyable, but bring suitable clothing and be ready for a less comfortable ride.

Big Ben, Parliament, and Westminster Abbey

The Westminster section brings together several of London’s most important sights. Big Ben is technically the bell inside the Elizabeth Tower, though most people use the name for the whole clock tower. This is the sort of small distinction children often remember, especially when it is explained through a story or quiz.

The Houses of Parliament sit beside the tower, forming one of the most recognizable views in London. The bus gives you a passing look rather than entry inside. Westminster Abbey is also viewed from the bus, so you will not tour the church during this activity.

The advantage is efficiency. In a few minutes, your family can see three major landmarks and hear why they matter. The limitation is just as clear: you get an introduction, not a full visit. If you want to explore Westminster Abbey or Parliament, plan separate time and admission for those places.

This section is where clear sound matters most. One parent with hearing loss appreciated the live guide because in-ear commentary was not suitable with hearing aids, but another family found that the microphone was not always clear. If your child has hearing difficulties, sit as close to the guide as possible and ask staff about the best seating position before departure.

Downing Street and the final return

The bus passes 10 Downing Street, the famous official residence and office of the British prime minister. It is a quick exterior sight, and security arrangements mean you should not expect to approach the door.

For children, Downing Street works well as part of a series of recognizable places. They can connect the address with the idea of government, then compare it with the grand buildings around Westminster.

After passing the central landmarks, the bus returns to the starting point at 24 Royal Opera Arcade. Because the tour is non-stop, you cannot hop off along the way. That keeps the outing compact, but it also means you need to treat this as a sightseeing circuit rather than transport between attractions.

What the live commentary adds

The guide is the heart of the experience. A bus can show you London, but a good guide gives the buildings a reason to matter.

The strongest guides use plain language and keep the information moving. Jezz has been praised for speaking to children at the right level, while other guides have used funny anecdotes and quiz questions to keep children involved. Several families found that the commentary held children’s attention from the first stop to the return.

That does not mean every word will be perfect. Clear sound has been an issue on at least one departure, and traffic can make it harder to hear. The quality of the experience depends heavily on the guide’s delivery, but the format gives the guide a chance to respond to children in a way recorded commentary cannot.

Adults should not dismiss this as a tour only for small children. The facts and stories can be useful for parents too, especially if you want a quick introduction before visiting the sights in more depth.

Using the Tootbus app after the ride

The free Tootbus app gives the activity more value than a single circuit. It includes an M-ticket wallet, real-time bus tracking, attraction locations, the departure point, audio commentary, and self-guided walking tours.

The self-guided walks are the most useful extra. After seeing Westminster from the bus, you can use the app to help plan a closer look at nearby sights. You can also prepare before the visit, which is handy if you want to show children where the bus will go.

The app does not turn the 45-minute ride into a longer guided tour. Think of it as a planning and orientation tool. It is most useful when you want to combine the bus ride with your own walking time.

Wi-Fi is included onboard. Food and drinks are not included, so plan snacks before or after the tour rather than expecting a meal during the ride.

Is $32 per person good value?

At $32 per person, the price is fair only if you value the child-focused guide and the convenience. You are paying for a short, live-guided sightseeing experience, not admission to the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Parliament, or any other attraction.

For a family that would struggle to keep children engaged during a long walking tour, the price can make sense. You see a wide range of central sights in 45 minutes, and the guide gives children a reason to look up from their phones.

For a family already planning to walk through Westminster and central London, the cost may feel less attractive. The ride is brief, and traffic or road closures can reduce the amount of ground covered. The app and walking tours add value, but they do not replace entry tickets or a full day of sightseeing.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option make it easier to fit into a changing family schedule. Check the exact departure time and school-holiday operation before booking.

Who should book this London bus tour?

I would choose this for families with children around six to twelve who want an easy introduction to central London. It is especially useful at the start of a visit, when you want children to recognize the city before exploring it on foot.

It also suits families with mixed ages. Younger children get the excitement of the open top, older children get facts and questions, and adults get a quick look at the major sights.

I would think twice if your priority is Buckingham Palace, a long route, or detailed interior visits. You may not travel along The Mall, and the tour cannot promise a fixed route when ceremonies, protests, or traffic controls affect central London.

Final decision: book it for a first look

Book this tour if you want a short, child-friendly orientation with live storytelling and plenty of famous London landmarks. The 45-minute length is its greatest strength, and the guides are often funny, clear, and good at keeping children involved.

Skip it if you want a slow, detailed sightseeing tour or a way to reach attractions. Arrive early for top-deck seats, use the app to find the stop, and keep your plans flexible around weather and city events. For many families, this is a smart way to make London feel familiar before the serious walking begins.

FAQ

How long is the London Children’s Open Top Bus Tour?

The tour lasts 45 minutes and is a non-stop circuit.

Where does the tour depart from?

The departure point is at Charles II Street, London SW1Y 4QN, on the side of His Majesty’s Theatre. The booking information also identifies 24 Royal Opera Arcade as the starting location. Use the Tootbus app to confirm the exact point.

What age group is the tour designed for?

The tour is specially designed for children aged 6 to 12.

What language is the live commentary?

The live guided commentary is in English.

Which London sights can you see?

The route passes Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Green Park, the London Eye, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Pall Mall, and 10 Downing Street.

Is the bus wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Does the tour operate every day?

The London Kids Tour operates daily during school holidays. Check available times for your chosen date.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What does the Tootbus app provide?

The app includes an M-ticket wallet, real-time bus tracking, audio commentary, attraction locations, the departure point, and self-guided walking tours.