Buckingham Palace and Vintage Bus Tour of London

A classic Routemaster makes London feel instantly like a movie. This tour strings together big-name sights by bus, river, and walking, then finishes with the rare chance to see Buckingham Palace State Rooms during their limited annual opening. If you want a high-coverage day without renting a car or doing tons of planning, this is built for you.

I love the way the vintage Routemaster gives wide, easy views as you move through central London. I also love the value of a scheduled visit to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms with an audio-guided walk through the Royal Collection highlights.

The main drawback is timing: between the morning city portion and your booked Palace entry (14:30), you can end up with a few hours gap that needs a plan of your own.

Key things to know before you go

• Routemaster first, palace second: you start with a vintage double-decker for major landmarks, then go back for your State Rooms slot.
• Thames cruise gives a second angle: you see St. Paul’s, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and the London Eye from the water.
• Small-ish group size: capped at 50 travelers, which generally helps with pacing.
• Buckingham Palace is self-guided inside: your guide can’t accompany you in the State Rooms.
• No photos or food in the State Rooms: plan around rules for cameras and snacks.
• Open-top bus = weather matters: rain is possible; the bus can be swapped to a closed top on rare occasions.

Vintage Routemaster from Victoria: prime London sights without the gridlock stress

You meet at Victoria Coach Station (164 Buckingham Palace Rd) and start at 7:45 am. That early start is a quiet advantage: you’ll spend more of the day seeing landmarks before the thickest crowds stack up around Westminster and central routes.

Once you’re on board, you’re riding a 1960s-style Routemaster double-decker with panoramic sightlines. This matters because London’s best-known buildings are spread out. A bus keeps you moving while you pick up the city’s “map” in your head—Trafalgar Square, Westminster area landmarks, and the Big Ben/Elizabeth Tower zone come at you in a steady flow.

And the guide storytelling is part of the payoff. In the feedback for this tour, people repeatedly mention guides with humor and stagey delivery. Names that show up in reviews include Alan and Nick, plus a mention of a Scottish driver/guide team (Kevin and Mark). Even if your exact guide’s vibe differs, the format is designed so you get context while you’re staring out the window.

Practical tip: bring a camera strap you trust and some kind of light rain layer. On an open-top setup, one unexpected shower can turn “great photos” into “everyone squints.”

The city loop: where the bus plus quick stops really helps

The morning focuses on central London icons, with the bus doing the heavy lifting. You’re looking at major anchor points so your day doesn’t feel like a scattershot photo mission.

A highlight is the Trafalgar Square and Nelson’s Column area, plus fountains nearby—perfect for a quick “got it” moment when your brain finally connects what you’ve seen on postcards to the real thing. From there you roll through the Westminster orbit: Westminster Abbey and the Big Ben clock tower zone show up as key landmarks.

There’s also a photo stop outside Westminster Abbey (about 15 minutes). That’s not a full visit with entry, so manage expectations: you’re not getting inside the abbey. But you do get the classic angle for photos while your group stays moving.

One trade-off to note: because this is a “cover a lot” format, you’re not lingering. If you’re the type who wants to read every plaque and wander for an hour, you’ll probably want to add extra time on your own later.

Thames cruise: the skyline view you can’t get from the street

After the morning circuit, you shift from the bus to a Thames River cruise for about 30 minutes. The timing here is a smart reset. You’ve been staring at landmarks from street level; now you get a moving horizon.

From the water, you’ll see Tower Bridge and the Tower of London area, plus the massive dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Then you’ll come into views of newer icons like the London Eye and areas around the houses of Parliament. This is one of the best “second perspective” moments in London because it turns big buildings into a real skyline.

In the reviews, people often call out how scenic the cruise feels—and that it breaks up the day so the Palace portion doesn’t feel like nonstop sightseeing.

Quick tip: even in decent weather, bring a layer. River breezes can feel cooler than the streets, especially early in the day.

Rejoining by bus to Buckingham Palace: what happens when crowds meet a schedule

Your itinerary has structure: once your cruise and morning stops wrap, you return by bus to Buckingham Palace. The key detail is that Palace entry is booked for 14:30, and there’s a break after the morning tour before you rejoin in the afternoon.

That gap is the make-or-break for planning. If your plans are loose, it’s easy to fill the time nearby with a walk, a museum detour, or just a long coffee. If your afternoon is already booked, you’ll want to build flexibility into it, because the day’s pacing can push you to rethink timing.

When you arrive at Buckingham Palace, you walk with your guide to the entrance. Then you go in independently, since guides aren’t permitted inside the State Rooms. That setup is fairly common for big attractions, but it does change how the experience feels: you get less hand-holding once you’re on-site.

The good news: your Palace time is pre-booked, and the experience is organized so you can focus on what you came for.

Buckingham Palace State Rooms: the rare opening window and what to expect inside

Here’s why this tour is different from a “see the outside only” Buckingham Palace stop. You’re visiting the State Rooms, which are only open to the public during their limited annual period (the tour is built around that access window).

You get about two hours on the Palace side, including admission. Inside, it’s an audio-guided tour, which is a practical choice for a place like this. You can move at your own pace without a group’s tempo forcing you to rush through details.

What you’ll see is exactly what you’d hope for in a royal setting: chandeliers, sumptuous furnishings, and treasures linked to the Royal Collection. This is also where the rules matter. Eating and drinking aren’t permitted inside the State Rooms, and photography and video are not allowed, including with wearable devices for non-commercial purposes.

So plan like this:

• If photos are your main goal, focus on what you can capture outside, and treat the interior as a “look, listen, remember” experience.
• Wear comfortable shoes. State Rooms are not built for long, casual wandering breaks.
• Bring a fully charged phone even if you won’t film. You’ll still want it for reference and directions outside.

About the Changing of the Guard

Some tours line up well with the Palace ceremonial action. Reviews for this experience mention arriving in time for the Changing of the Guard, described as dramatic and tied to a military procession, and that seeing it was a memorable part of the day.

That said, ceremonial schedules can shift, and the tour’s exact timing relative to the ceremony can vary by date. Treat it as a possible bonus rather than a guaranteed moment.

Price and logistics: is $59 worth it for a 5.5-hour day?

At $59, this tour competes with just a bus loop or just a cruise. The value comes from stacking three paid experiences into one coordinated schedule:

• a vintage double-decker city tour,
• a Thames cruise (included admission),
• and Buckingham Palace State Rooms admission (included).

That’s a big deal in London, where standalone tickets and transport add up fast. Also, the tour notes a maximum of 50 travelers, which helps you feel like you’re not inside a full coach of chaos.

Logistics are simple, but you should know the trade-offs:

• You travel independently to the start point at Victoria Coach Station. There’s no hotel pickup/drop-off.
• The day ends after you exit Buckingham Palace, so you’ll make your own way from there.

If you like your travel days efficient and you’re prioritizing top landmarks over deep neighborhood time, this is strong value. If you hate rigid timing and long gaps, you might find the afternoon break annoying.

Who should book this tour (and who should skip it)

This tour is a great fit if:

• it’s your first time in London and you want major sights covered fast,
• you like seeing London from multiple angles (street + river + Palace rooms),
• you want the State Rooms access without trying to build tickets and timing yourself,
• you enjoy a guided day with a guide who uses stories and humor.

You might skip or modify your plans if:

• you’re the type who wants extended time inside buildings like Westminster Abbey (this is just a photo stop),
• you’re picky about photo rules and planned interior photography,
• you already have a tight afternoon schedule because of the gap before your 14:30 Palace entry.

Should you book Buckingham Palace and the Vintage Bus Tour of London?

I’d book it if your goal is a well-paced, high-coverage London day that includes something genuinely hard to access on your own: Buckingham Palace State Rooms during their limited opening window. The combination of a classic Routemaster ride plus a Thames cruise is also a smart way to see London’s landmarks without turning the day into a walking marathon.

I’d think twice if your calendar is immovable in the afternoon. The schedule creates breathing room after the morning portion, and you’ll want to use it on purpose.

If you match the tour’s style—quick, guided, iconic, and organized—I think you’ll feel like you got your money’s worth from start to State Rooms.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Victoria Coach Station, 164 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 9TP.

What time does the tour start?

The start time listed is 7:45 am.

Is a mobile ticket used?

Yes. The tour includes a mobile ticket.

What is included in the price?

Included are the 1960s vintage bus tour, the Thames River cruise, Buckingham Palace State Rooms, and a local guide.

Is Westminster Abbey entry included?

No. You get a photo stop outside Westminster Abbey, and admission is not included.

How long is the Thames River cruise?

The Thames cruise is about 30 minutes.

What can I expect at Buckingham Palace?

You have a booked visit to the State Rooms (audio-guided). The guide helps you to the entrance, then you go in independently.

Are there restrictions on food and drinks inside the State Rooms?

Yes. Eating and drinking are not permitted inside the State Rooms.

Can I take photos or record video inside the State Rooms?

No. Photography, video recording, and filming (including with wearable devices for non-commercial purposes) are not permitted inside the State Rooms.

What happens if it rains on the open-top bus?

The tour is an open-top bus, so rain is possible. On rare occasions the open top bus may be changed to a closed top bus.