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After dark

The best of London at night

Open-top night bus tours with a live guide, a vintage night bus, Christmas lights buses and the Illuminated River boat: here is which to book, with honest advice on the guide and commentary, the cold on an open top deck, and changing plans.

By the Things to Do in London editorial team 7 tours compared Prices checked 24 October 2026

See our 7 picks
The London Eye lit pink at night, reflected in the Thames
Short answer

The best way to see London at night is a 1.5-hour open-top bus tour. Night buses with a live guide start from €27.

Christmas lights tours run in winter from €30. GetYourGuide shows prices in your own currency.

Our 7 picks for London at night

Four night bus tours, one river boat and two Christmas season buses. All seven have free cancellation.

Night tours side by side

Night tours side by side
TourFromDurationLive guide or recordedWho it suitsWhy we picked it
London by Night open-top bus 4.5 (6,114)€30
per person		1 h 30 minLive guideFirst-timersThe most reviewed night tour, with 4.5 from 6,114 reviews.
Vintage open-top night bus with a live guide 4.6 (964)€27
per person		75 minutesLive guideBudget night tourThe lowest bus price here, from €27, with 4.6 from 964 reviews.
Night open-top bus with a live guide 4.2 (1,710)€35
per person		1 h 30 minLive guide + audioGroups with mixed languagesA live guide plus audio in 12 languages, with 4.2 from 1,710 reviews.
Big Bus panoramic night tour 4.2 (124)€36
per person		75 minutes–1.5 hoursLive guide + audioVisitors near the London EyeA live guide plus audio in 7 languages, with 4.2 from 124 reviews.
Illuminated River boat tour 4.0 (469)€24
per person		40 minutesLive guideWheelchair users and river fansStep-free boarding and a live guide, with 4.0 from 469 reviews.
Christmas lights bus with a live guide (Christmas season) 4.1 (5,443)€30
per person		1 h 30 minLive guideWinter visitorsThe most reviewed lights tour, with 4.1 from 5,443 reviews.
Christmas lights by vintage bus (Christmas season) 3.9 (780)€34
per person		1 h 30 minLive guideFans of old busesA vintage bus for the lights. Its rating is lower, at 3.9 from 780 reviews.

  • London by Night open-top bus

    €30 per person1 h 30 min 4.5 (6,114)

    Details
    Live guide or recorded
    Live guide
    Who it suits
    First-timers
    Why we picked it
    The most reviewed night tour, with 4.5 from 6,114 reviews.

  • Vintage open-top night bus with a live guide

    €27 per person75 minutes 4.6 (964)

    Details
    Live guide or recorded
    Live guide
    Who it suits
    Budget night tour
    Why we picked it
    The lowest bus price here, from €27, with 4.6 from 964 reviews.

  • Night open-top bus with a live guide

    €35 per person1 h 30 min 4.2 (1,710)

    Details
    Live guide or recorded
    Live guide + audio
    Who it suits
    Groups with mixed languages
    Why we picked it
    A live guide plus audio in 12 languages, with 4.2 from 1,710 reviews.

  • Big Bus panoramic night tour

    €36 per person75 minutes–1.5 hours 4.2 (124)

    Details
    Live guide or recorded
    Live guide + audio
    Who it suits
    Visitors near the London Eye
    Why we picked it
    A live guide plus audio in 7 languages, with 4.2 from 124 reviews.

  • Illuminated River boat tour

    €24 per person40 minutes 4.0 (469)

    Details
    Live guide or recorded
    Live guide
    Who it suits
    Wheelchair users and river fans
    Why we picked it
    Step-free boarding and a live guide, with 4.0 from 469 reviews.

  • Christmas lights bus with a live guide (Christmas season)

    €30 per person1 h 30 min 4.1 (5,443)

    Details
    Live guide or recorded
    Live guide
    Who it suits
    Winter visitors
    Why we picked it
    The most reviewed lights tour, with 4.1 from 5,443 reviews.

  • Christmas lights by vintage bus (Christmas season)

    €34 per person1 h 30 min 3.9 (780)

    Details
    Live guide or recorded
    Live guide
    Who it suits
    Fans of old buses
    Why we picked it
    A vintage bus for the lights. Its rating is lower, at 3.9 from 780 reviews.
  • None of the 7 includes hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point.
  • All 7 offer free cancellation.
  • Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 24 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.

Which night bus to pick

Every night bus here has a live guide. Two also offer recorded audio in other languages. They all last 75 to 90 minutes and do not stop to let you off.

A London hop-on hop-off ticket is for the day. These buses run after dark instead.

Pick by where you start. Green Park, Northumberland Avenue, Embankment and County Hall are all central.

Christmas lights tours in London

Christmas lights tours run only in the festive season. They drive past the lit streets of the West End. Regent Street is the big one.

The Big Bus night tour turns into a Christmas lights tour from 12 November to 30 December 2026. We could not confirm the official switch-on dates for the streets. Check the listing for the dates on sale.

Things to do in London at night

A night bus or a river boat shows you the lit sights in under two hours. The Illuminated River boat passes nine lit bridges, including Tower, London and Westminster bridges.

You can also see a lot for free. The lit streets, Trafalgar Square and the river bridges cost nothing to walk.

After the tour, see a play. Read our guide to West End shows.

Before you book a night tour

  1. Dress warm

    Open top decks get cold after dark. Bring a coat, a hat and gloves, above all in winter.

  2. Find the start

    Each tour has its own start: Green Park, Northumberland Avenue, Embankment, County Hall or Tower Pier. Find it before the tour starts.

  3. Check the guide

    All picks list a live guide. If you need another language, take the tour with audio in 12 languages or the Big Bus one.

  4. Cancel if it pours

    All seven picks have free cancellation. Check the cut-off time on the listing.

London at night: questions and answers

What are the best sights to see at night in London?
Big Ben, the London Eye, Tower Bridge and Trafalgar Square, lit up. The night bus tours here pass all four. The river bridges glow too.

What can you see for free in London at night?
The lit streets and squares cost nothing to walk. Trafalgar Square and the river bridges are open to all. A guided tour adds the stories.

Does the London Tube run at night?
Yes, on Friday and Saturday nights, on some lines. TfL runs the Night Tube on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria and Windrush lines. See getting around London.

Where should I stay in London for one night?
Stay near the start of your night tour. Most of them start in the West End or by Westminster. See where to stay in London for the areas.

Where should I stay to see London's Christmas lights?
Near the West End, since the lights tours drive down Regent Street and past Trafalgar Square. See where to stay in London.

More London night tours, live

More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.

See all of these with today's prices and open dates on GetYourGuide.

Browse all on GetYourGuide

Browse all of them on GetYourGuide

More ways to see London

Sources (3), facts checked on 24 October 2026

Written by the Things to Do in London editorial team.