Top 12 Christmas Bus Tours in the UK

1.Christmas Lights Bus Tour With Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5,410 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $33Our pick

Ride through central London for 60 to 90 minutes while a live English-speaking guide points out the city’s Christmas lights and landmarks. Expect Regent Street angels, Oxford Street stars on most departures, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, the Strand, Big Ben, and the London Eye. Guides such as Brennan, Shaun, Ethan, and Emma add history and humor.

“Great tour. Shaun was very informative with so many interesting facts plus a bit of humour. Weather was very wet but we coped.”

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2.London by Night Bus Tour with Christmas Lights and Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,040 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $41

Ride from the London Eye through the West End on a 60 to 90 minute open-top bus tour. A live English guide, including guides such as Emma, Samuel, Abby, and Sean on different departures, shares London facts and Christmas traditions while you pass Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Oxford Street, Fortnum & Mason, and Big Ben.

“Journey started on time, covered all area, Guide named James had an exceptional knowledge. It was a great experience to see Christmas lights.”

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3.London Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Bus Open Top

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,132 reviews · 1h 15m · from $37

Ride an original 1960s Routemaster through London for 75 minutes of Christmas lights, shop windows, and landmarks. Your English-speaking guide may be as entertaining as the decorations, with guides such as Ben, Max, Pete, and Ollie praised for their humor and local stories. Top deck seats are guaranteed, but dress warmly and expect traffic delays.

“We did this tour on our first night in London, it was a great way to help get our bearings and see some of the city. The guide was great! We really enjoyed seeing all of the Christmas lights.”

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4.Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 770 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $48

Ride through London’s West End for 90 minutes on an open-top 1960s Routemaster. Guides such as Rory, Lola, and Katie share Christmas facts and city history while music plays onboard. Expect Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Oxford Street, Whitehall, Big Ben, and the London Eye, plus a possible Trafalgar Square drop-off.

“We loved everything about our trip, Even the rain couldn't dampen Rory's spirit, he was amazing or as we say in Dublin just deadly 😉. Would highly recommend this trip to everyone this Christmas 🎄”

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5.Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Double-Decker Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 245 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $43

Ride through central London on a restored vintage double-decker bus as Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Knightsbridge glow above you. Your English-speaking guide points out Big Ben, Westminster, and Trafalgar Square. The open-top upper deck offers the best views, but seating is not guaranteed, and warm layers are essential.

“Staff were great & informative. We couldn't find the coach station and they directed us over the phone beautiful lights that were switched on.”

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6.Christmas Lights Santa Sleigh Open-Top Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 233 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $43

Ride an open-top bus for 1.5 hours from Embankment through the Strand, St James’s, Piccadilly, Regent Street, Oxford Street, and Whitehall. Seasonal music sets the mood, while Big Ben, the London Eye, Downing Street, and Trafalgar Square provide the big festive views. Wet weather may mean an enclosed bus.

“Işıklı caddelerin çoğundan geçmedi. Aynı yerde dönüp durdu. Parasına kesinlikle değmez.”

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7.London Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Double-Decker Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 135 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 10 minutes (approx.) · from $43

Ride through central London for 1.5 to 2 hours on a restored vintage double-decker bus. You’ll see Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Harrods, Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Piccadilly Circus while a live guide shares London stories. The open upper deck offers the best views, but bring warm layers.

“My third time on this tour and it was the best one yet. It's freezing on top of the bus, so highly rec bringing layers and blankets/hats/gloves. Gorgeous views on London CHristmas Lights in 1.5-2 hours times. We drove all over London and saw so many stunning sites. Highly recommend if you love lights!”

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8.Christmas Lights Open-Top Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 134 reviews · 1 hour · from $41

Ride the yellow See London By Night bus from the Ritz and Green Park, with an English-speaking guide pointing out London’s seasonal lights and night views. The one-hour route passes Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Westminster, Mayfair, and the London Eye. Bring warm layers for the open upper deck.

“It was severely impacted by NY Day road closures which hadn’t been allowed for. The tour ran much longer than expected and still didn’t get to some of the sights listed. We also had to get off the tour on the other side of London and make our own way back.”

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9.Christmas Lights Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 38 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $67

Spend 90 minutes touring London’s Christmas lights by coach while an onboard chef’s tea menu arrives at your table. Expect smoked turkey, smoked salmon, Christmas scones, gingerbread stars, chocolate yule log, tea, water, and prosecco. Guides including Megan, Andy, Oliver, and Betsy have been praised for lively London commentary.

“This excursion was one of the best parts of our trip. Betsy the guide was excellent. She and the driver went out of their way to stop the bus and allow everyone the opportunity to take photos of the Christmas lights. Tea at the Abbey was an experience that shouldn't be missed on a visit to London.”

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10.Christmas Lights Open-Top Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 31 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $39

Board near Green Park for a one-hour English-language tour past Marble Arch, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, and government buildings. A live guide, including guides such as Michael, adds historical facts while you enjoy the best views from the upper deck. Wrap up warmly.

“Wrap up warm and be prepared for the weather. Best view is from the upper deck. The guide was excellent and well informed.”

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11.Christmas Lights Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 20 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $66

Ride a classic double-decker through London’s Christmas-lit streets on a 90-minute tour with live English commentary, freshly prepared afternoon tea, and a choice of Prosecco or mulled wine. You’ll pass Big Ben, Parliament, Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Harrods. Megan is one guide praised for her warm, engaging style.

“After reading some earlier reviews, I honestly had a few concerns before booking — but the tour turned out to be excellent and very well organised. The guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and engaging, and the bus itself was comfortable and clean. The afternoon tea exceeded my expectations, especially the gluten-free options, which were genuinely tasty and thoughtfully prepared. The views were fantastic — I would absolutely recommend paying extra for seats at the very front of the upper deck, as it really makes a difference and offers an unobstructed view of the Christmas lights. The route covers many interesting and beautifully decorated spots around the city. That said, it’s important…”

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12.London Christmas Day 1 Day Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 15 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $80

Spend Christmas Day touring London by open-top hop-on hop-off bus with Golden Tours Gray Line London. Your ticket is valid for one day only and includes Wi-Fi, English service, and stops around Holland Park Avenue, Notting Hill Gate, and Bayswater Road. Entrances, food, a river cruise, and walking tour are not included.

“What a wonderful way to see the sites of London! we enjoyed this tour very much and saw many things that were incredible”

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