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London Tours

London Sightseeing Tours

By , About.com Guide

London tours are a great way to see a lot of the city in a short time which is what most visitors need.

1. The Original London Sightseeing Tour: Hop-on Hop-off

Original London Sightseeing TourSource: Viator

Experience the essential introduction to London aboard the original hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour. You'll see all the magical sights of London in a comfortable and secure environment, above the crowds at street level aboard our open top buses. Get a unique view of all the sights with full commentary provided. Your ticket also includes a FREE Hop-on Hop-off Thames River cruise as well as three FREE walking tours: a Changing of the Guard walk, a Rock 'n Roll walking tour tracing the history of the Beatles, Rolling Stones and David Bowie and a Jack the Ripper walk following in the footsteps of the world's most infamous serial killer.

2. Private Tour in a Classic Mini Cooper

There's a range of tours from 30 minutes to all day and I've tried one of these tours and loved it! Your Guide is the Driver and there's room for 3 passengers. It's not as cramped as you think and we had fun waving at passers-by who all wanted to take photos of us in the car!

The Guide/Driver has a good knowledge of London and can offer the basic sightseeing information or more quirky tales and historical facts for those who know the city well.

3. London Full-Day Sightseeing Tour

London Eye© Laura Porter

From a private tour of the Tower of London to the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace - you'll see everything England's capital has to offer on the London Full-Day Sightseeing Tour. Perfect if you're spending only a short time in London, this tour give you a comprehensive overview of the famous sights, including St Paul's Cathedral, a private tour of the Tower of London and a cruise of the River Thames. If you're not ready for the day to finish, then why not upgrade your tour to include a delicious afternoon tea at Harrods or London Eye flight? The choice is yours!

4. London Evening Tour by Vintage Double Decker Routemaster

London Christmas Lights: Trafalgar Square© visitlondon

See the best of London after dark! London’s most famous sights are impressive in the day, but at night, they really dazzle under the illumination of electric lights. See Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and more in a new light on this unique, double-decker Routemaster bus tour. You can also combine your double-decker Routemaster bus tour with an evening flight on the London Eye!

5. Ghost Bus Tours

Ghost Bus Tours© Laura Porter
Double decker sightseeing bus tours are quite normal but have you ever traveled on an all black double decker bus and heard spooky tales of crime and murder as you're taken around London? Probably not I'd guess but that's exactly what's on offer from Ghost Bus Tours. On-board actors and technical trickery combine to create the scariest tour in town. A creepy conductor provides the commentary for this sinister sightseeing show, revealing haunted palaces, unmarked burial grounds and the skeletons in the capital's cupboard. Read my Ghost Bus Tours review...

6. Harrods Afternoon Tea and St. Paul's Cathedral Tour

St. Paul's Cathedral, London© Laura Porter

If a full day tour is not for you then how about this four hour afternoon tour combining a visit to St Paul's Cathedral and Harrods department store.

7. Black Taxi Tour of London

London black cabs© Graeme Robertson/Getty Images

Two hour private tour of London by black taxi.

  • Full commentary provided by your driver, packed with insider anecdotes and knowledge
  • Enjoy privileged, personalized attention from your driver guide on this special private tour

Design your own itinerary with your driver on the day, or see the following sights on a general tour:
Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, Houses of Parliament, and more.

I've tried a black taxi tour with Graham Greenglass of London Cab Tours and can recommend him.

8. London Duck Tour

London Duck Tour© Laura Porter

On the London Duck tour, you'll tour London's sights aboard a yellow amphibious World War Two vehicle. The vehicles have been extensively refurbished and fitted with the latest environmentally friendly diesel engines. The deluxe refit includes comfortable seating for 30 passengers, a public address system and full safety equipment. The 80 minute tours take you past famous London landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, London Eye, Big Ben, the House of Parliament and Trafalgar Square. You'll then make a dramatic launch into the Thames River (20 minutes) for the waterborne part of your tour.

9. Harry Potter Black Taxi Tour of London

Black cab in London© Laura Porter

Three-hour private tour of London's Harry Potter locations by black taxi.

  • Private tour led by your expert driver-guide
  • Visit the locations featured in the latest movie Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  • Choice of morning or afternoon tours
  • Pick-up and drop-off from central London hotels

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