London Christmas lights open top bus tour and single boat trip

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Experience the magical Christmas sparkle of London from both land and water. Glide down the Thames on a riverboat and take in a festive city sightseeing bus tour through the capital's shimmeringly lit streets.Discover London at its most charming during the festive season with a Christmas Lights Tour by Bus and Boat. Begin your adventure on the Thames with a one-way riverboat ticket, smoothly sailing past iconic riverside landmarks such as Big Ben, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London, all beautifully illuminated after sunset.Next, hop aboard a panoramic open-top bus for a Christmas Lights Tour through the city's most radiant streets. Be captivated by the twinkling lights along Oxford Street, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square, and Piccadilly Circus, while enjoying festive commentary and seasonal music.This flexible combined ticket allows you to explore the best of London's river and road in one magical day - an ideal choice for visitors, couples, and families wishing to experience the Yuletide charm of the capital.

Highlights

The experience offers a magical experience of London's Christmas sparkle from both land and water
You'll glide down the Thames on a riverboat, viewing iconic riverside landmarks like Big Ben and the Tower of London, all beautifully lit after sunset
A panoramic open-top bus ride takes you through the city's most radiant streets, including Oxford Street and Trafalgar Square
There will be festive commentary and seasonal music to enhance your sightseeing experience
This combined ticket allows you to explore the best of London's river and road in one day

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Activity package

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Facilities

mobile

2 hours

Available in English

What's included

Audio guide
Panoramic bus tour
River cruise

Not included

Food and drinks
Entrance fees

Where you'll meet

Bus tour departures at Stop 22 (Haymarket, near the Haymarket Theatre Royal, on the east side of the street between Panton Street and Whitcomb Street). Please be at the stop 10 minutes before departure.

Operated by

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers

Important information

Accessibility: * Buses are suitable for wheelchairs (lower deck only - downstairs) * All the piers are step-free and wheelchair accessible except for Cadogan, London Bridge City, Milbank and Wandsworth Riverside Quarter piers. This is because the brow can become too steep, dependant on the tide, at these locations, making it unsafe for wheelchair users * The closest accessible piers are: Battersea Power Station Pier across the river from Cadogan, Bankside Pier for London Bridge City, Putney Pier or Plantation Wharf Pier for Wandsworth Riverside Quarter * Customer Service Assistants are here to help all customers at London Eye, Westminster, Embankment, Bankside, London Bridge, Tower, Canary Wharf, Greenwich and North Greenwich piers 10:00am-6:00pm Not allowed: * Infants aged 0-4 * Hazardous materials, inflammable substances, and items over two meters in length Know in advance: * Boarding the bus is at dedicated (selected) time-slot. Bus evening departures every 20–30 minutes, between 16:30 and 20:10 (depending on date). Tour duration: 90 minutes * Boat: Single/One-Way ticket on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers * Ticket is valid for one-way travel from/to any pier between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside * Key piers including Battersea Power Station, Westminster, London Eye, and Greenwich * Boarding is on a first-come, first-served basis * Please check service timetable for departure times from the piers of your choice * Present your digital or printed ticket at any Uber Boat pier within Central and East zones (between Battersea Power Station and Barking Riverside) * Starting and ending time differs depending on the pier. An average operating hours are: 7am - 10pm. Please keep in mind that Christmas Illuminations along the river can only be visible after sunset * Christmas Lights tours are available between November 2026 – January 2027. No service on Christmas Day and Boxing Day (25th and 26th December) * Children must be accompanied by an adul Remember to bring: * Warm clothes - the open-top deck may be chilly