London: Afternoon Tea Bus Tour – 1960s Routemaster Bus

A London sightseeing ride with afternoon tea is a smart way to combine two classic pleasures without wearing out your feet. You sit at a set table aboard a 1960s Routemaster, nibbling sandwiches, scones, cakes, and pastries as Central London rolls past the windows.

I like the easy sightseeing format and the generous tea service, with staff members such as Alex, Taino, Azu, Nella, Cristian, and Cara praised for warm service on different departures. I also like the practical food choices, including vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and gluten-free menus. The main catch is comfort: the bus has no toilet, no guaranteed upper-deck seating, and can become very warm in sunny weather or slow traffic.

Key points to know before booking

• A moving afternoon tea: You remain seated for the full 1 hour 25 minute route while staff serve drinks and food.
• Central London highlights: The bus passes Harrods, Knightsbridge, Hyde Park, Mayfair, and other major sights.
• Upper deck is not guaranteed: Seating is assigned for safety and service, so you cannot count on an open-air-style view from above.
• Fresh bakery treats: Expect sandwiches, scones, cakes, pastries, and hot drinks, with boxes available for leftovers.
• Traffic affects the sightseeing: London congestion can slow the bus and reduce the number of sights covered.
• Plan around the heat: There is no onboard toilet, and the bus may feel hot because air conditioning is not guaranteed.

What the 85-minute Routemaster ride feels like

The tour starts at Victoria Coach Station on Buckingham Palace Road. You board a vintage double-decker and are shown to a table upstairs or downstairs. The bus holds either 32 or 44 seats depending on the vehicle, while the activity listing gives a maximum group size of 32, so this is a small hosted ride rather than a giant sightseeing coach.

Once underway, the experience becomes a moving meal. You do not hop off to explore. Staff need everyone seated so they can serve safely, and the bus does not make sightseeing stops. That makes the tour easy on your legs, but it also means you must treat it as a scenic introduction rather than a full tour of each attraction.

The recorded commentary explains London’s past and architecture, with music between sections. It gives you useful context while you eat, although the sound may be hard to catch when passengers are chatting or when traffic noise rises. If learning every detail is your main goal, I would use this as a pleasant orientation ride, then visit your favorite sights separately.

Starting at Victoria Coach Station

Victoria is a practical meeting point, though the coach station itself is busy and functional rather than charming. Give yourself enough time to locate 164 Buckingham Palace Road and the correct boarding point. The tour returns to this same meeting point, which makes the end simple if you are heading back toward Victoria afterward.

Several afternoon departure times are offered. That flexibility matters because afternoon tea works well between morning sightseeing and an evening meal. It can also fit a theatre day, but allow plenty of time after the bus in case traffic is heavy.

The activity is offered in English, with pre-recorded narration rather than a live guide speaking throughout. Staff still handle the food, drinks, seating, and day-to-day needs onboard. Names praised on different departures include Alex, Taino, Azu, Nella, Cristian, and Cara, but staff assignments can change.

Harrods and Knightsbridge through the bus window

One of the first useful parts of the route is the drive past Harrods and Knightsbridge. Harrods is one of London’s best-known department stores, and Knightsbridge gives you a quick look at one of the capital’s most polished shopping districts.

This section works well for first-time visitors who want to get their bearings. You can note places to return to later, especially if luxury shopping or the department store itself is on your list. The drawback is simple: you only pass by. You will not have time to shop, take a proper interior look, or stop for photographs.

Your view also depends heavily on your assigned seat. Upper-deck tables can offer a better angle over traffic and buildings, but no top-deck place is guaranteed. Lower-level seating is easier for some passengers and keeps you closer to the serving staff, yet the view can be more limited.

Hyde Park, Mayfair, and the changing city view

The route continues through the Hyde Park and Mayfair area. Hyde Park gives the ride a welcome change from dense streets and commercial blocks, while Mayfair brings grander streets and a more formal side of London.

I like this portion because the meal gives you time to watch the city without constantly checking a map. You can enjoy the passing buildings, parks, and traffic while staff refill tea and keep the meal moving. It is a relaxed way to see several districts in one sitting.

Do not expect a fast route. London traffic can make the bus crawl, and a slow-moving double-decker is not always a bad thing for sightseeing, but it can reduce how far the bus gets in 85 minutes. Recorded explanations may also come less often during traffic delays, so the ride is best judged by its overall mood and route rather than by the number of landmarks checked off.

What arrives on your table

The food is made by a local bakery and combines traditional afternoon tea with French-inspired baked treats. You can expect a selection of sandwiches, scones, cakes, and pastries, along with coffee and tea. Several people found the savory portion modest at first glance but filling enough, while the sweets were generous enough to take home.

Staff provide boxes for unfinished cakes and other treats. That is useful because the food can be more substantial than expected, especially when you are also drinking tea. A reusable cup with a lid is another small extra that some passengers appreciated.

Tea is available throughout the ride, and the choice is part of the fun. One passenger especially enjoyed ginger tea with lemongrass, while hot chocolate was a hit with children. The precise drink selection can vary, so think of the drinks as a major part of the experience rather than a single cup served with dessert.

Dietary selections include:

• Traditional
• Vegetarian
• Pescatarian
• Vegan
• Gluten-free

You need to enter dietary requirements in the special requirements section when booking. The operator does not cater for nut allergies, so anyone with that concern should not assume the menu can be adapted safely.

Service, seating, and the practical compromises

The crew is one of the strongest parts of this outing. Staff serve food in a moving vehicle, keep drinks coming, and help mark special occasions such as birthdays. Families can also benefit from the friendly approach, with one child offered a more suitable drink after disliking the first choice.

There are limits to the presentation. Staff may wear bright traffic vests while working, which some passengers found less elegant than the promotional photographs suggest. The bus itself is vintage and charming, but it is not a luxury restaurant on wheels. Go in expecting a cheerful, themed meal in an old bus, not polished fine dining.

You also cannot choose your exact level in advance. Seating is assigned upstairs or downstairs, and staff need to keep people seated during the ride. If an upper-deck view is essential, this tour may frustrate you. If you value easy access to the table and service, the lower deck may actually suit you better.

The bus has no toilet. Use facilities before boarding, especially if you are traveling with children or plan to drink several cups of tea. Children under five are not permitted for safety reasons, and service animals are allowed.

Heat, traffic, and the question of comfort

The most important seasonal warning is temperature. Several departures were described as hot, especially in warm weather, and the bus does not promise air conditioning. Staff may provide extra ice water, but that does not change the basic design of a vintage vehicle.

Check the forecast before you book. A cool or mild afternoon is likely to make the enclosed seating more pleasant. In warm weather, the combination of sunshine, passengers, hot drinks, and a slow bus can work against comfort.

Traffic is the other variable. London streets can be crowded, and the bus may move slowly. That gives you longer looks at some streets, but it can also make the route feel less active and limit the commentary. Audio can be difficult to hear when people are talking, so sit near the source of the narration if staff give you any choice.

An emergency stop once caused food and crockery to spill onto a passenger, which is a reminder that you are eating on a moving vehicle. Such incidents are not part of the planned experience, but you should keep hot drinks and plates steady, especially when the bus is turning or braking.

Is $87.01 a fair price?

At $87.01 per person, this is not a cheap way to get from one part of London to another. You are paying for the themed vehicle, hosted meal, tea service, bakery food, recorded sightseeing, and the novelty of eating afternoon tea while moving through the capital.

The value is strongest if you already planned to have afternoon tea and would also pay for a separate introductory sightseeing outing. You get both in one booking, plus a memorable setting that an ordinary café cannot match. The food is generally described as good and plentiful, though not every passenger will consider it exceptional enough to justify the price alone.

The value is weaker if you want detailed guiding, guaranteed upper-deck views, air-conditioned comfort, or stops at attractions. A traditional tea room gives you more control over your table and a stationary meal. A standard sightseeing bus may give you clearer commentary and more flexible views.

I would treat the price as reasonable for a special occasion, a first afternoon in London, or a family activity where the unusual bus matters as much as the food. It is less convincing as your only London sightseeing tour.

Who will enjoy this most

This experience suits you if you like gentle sightseeing, classic British food, and a little theater in the setting. It is especially handy for first-time visitors who want a quick look at several central districts before deciding where to spend more time.

Families with children can enjoy the double-decker format, hot chocolate, music, and compact duration. Birthday outings also fit naturally, since the staff can help create a festive mood. Older visitors or anyone who prefers to avoid lots of walking may appreciate seeing central London while remaining seated.

You may want to skip it if you dislike enclosed vehicles, get uncomfortable in heat, need frequent restroom access, or want a serious history lesson. The commentary is recorded and can be difficult to hear, and the route does not include stops. You should also avoid booking if you require nut-free catering.

Book early if your schedule is fixed. The experience is booked an average of 42 days ahead, and the non-refundable policy means you should be confident about your date before paying.

Should you book the London afternoon tea bus?

I would book this for the setting, the easy central-London route, and the friendly service rather than for expert guiding or a guaranteed view from the top deck. The tea is plentiful, the cakes and pastries are a real draw, and the old Routemaster gives the meal a distinctly London feel.

Choose a cool day if possible, arrive ready to use the toilet beforehand, and tell the operator about your dietary choice when booking. If you can accept traffic, assigned seating, and a recorded soundtrack, this is a fun way to get an introduction to London while enjoying a proper spread. If you need comfort and detailed sightseeing above all else, spend the money on a stationary tea and a separate guided tour instead.

FAQ

Where does the afternoon tea bus tour start?

It starts at Victoria Coach Station, 164 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TP.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the Victoria Coach Station meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The ride lasts approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes.

What sights does the bus pass?

The route passes through Central London and drives past Harrods and Knightsbridge, Hyde Park, and Mayfair. It also includes recorded information about London’s history and architecture.

Is seating on the top deck guaranteed?

No. Staff assign passengers to tables on the upper or lower level, and top-deck seating is not guaranteed.

Does the bus stop during the tour?

No. The bus does not make stops during the experience.

Is there a toilet onboard?

No. There are no toilets on the bus.

What dietary options are available?

You can request traditional, vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, or gluten-free food. The operator does not cater for nut allergies.

Are young children allowed?

Children under five years old are not permitted for safety reasons. Service animals are allowed, and most participants can take part.