London buses: How to ride, save money, and navigate the city like a local

When you think of London, you might picture the Tube—but the city’s real backbone is its London buses, a vast, 24/7 network of routes that connect every corner of the city, often faster than the Underground during rush hour. Also known as red buses, they’re the most used form of public transport by locals, and the only way to see the city street by street. Forget renting a car or hopping in a taxi—buses let you hop on and off without planning every stop, and they run longer than the Tube, even on Sundays.

What makes London bus routes, over 700 different lines that cover everything from central landmarks to quiet suburbs so useful is how they tie into other transit. You can use the same Oyster card London, a rechargeable smart card that works on buses, Tube, trains, and even river boats for everything. No need to buy separate tickets. Just tap in, and the system caps your daily spending at £4.90 for unlimited bus rides—no matter how many you take. That’s cheaper than a single Tube ride in Zone 1. And if you’re a visitor, contactless payment cards work the same way. No app, no fuss.

But here’s the secret most tourists miss: buses aren’t just transport—they’re sightseeing tours with no price tag. Route 11 runs past Big Ben, the London Eye, and Tower Bridge. Route 9 goes from Hyde Park to Covent Garden. Route 15 takes you from Westminster to the Tower of London with a view of St. Paul’s. You’ll see more of the city in 30 minutes on a bus than you would walking for an hour. And unlike the Tube, you get to see the architecture, the street markets, the pub doors, the dog walkers—all of it.

Want to avoid the crush? Skip the 8:15 a.m. bus from Victoria. Head out at 9:30 a.m. or after 7 p.m. The midday and evening rides are quiet, and you’ll often get a seat. Bus stops have real-time screens showing when your bus is coming, so you don’t stand in the rain waiting for nothing. And if you’re unsure which bus to take, just ask the driver—they’ve seen it all, and they’ll tell you where to get off.

London buses don’t just move people—they move the city. They connect students to universities, nurses to hospitals, families to parks, and tourists to hidden alleys no guidebook mentions. Whether you’re commuting, exploring, or just trying to get from A to B without spending a fortune, the bus is the most honest way to do it. No ticket barriers. No turnstiles. Just a simple tap, a seat, and the rhythm of London rolling past your window.

Below, you’ll find real guides from people who’ve lived it: how to plan a day using only buses, where to find the quietest routes, how to use the app without getting lost, and even which buses have the best views. No fluff. Just what works.