Easy Illustrated Guide: How to Catch a Bus in London
If you have travel anxiety like me, you’re probably wondering how to catch a bus in London.
Buses are one of the easiest ways to get around London, especially if you have mobility issues. But there are so many buses with so many routes – where do you even begin?
I live in London and use buses daily, so I’m going to show you exactly how to ride the bus in London.
This illustrated guide has everything big and small: finding your route, paying for buses in London, how to hail the bus, how to find your stop, and whether or not you need to press the button to get off.
Let’s get you on that London bus with confidence and ease.
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London Bus Basics You Need to Know
Before we get into exactly how to ride iconic red double-decker bus, let’s go over the basics you need to know about cost, routes, and how to pay.
📍London Bus Route Map: Where They Run
There is no one single London bus map. There are 675 routes – it would be impossible to show them all on one map.
London buses run all over the city and connect to every tube and train station. They come often, they’re cheap, and once you learn the basics they are very easy to use.
To find the route you need, either use TFL’s journey planner, the TFL Go app, or open your favorite mapping app.
I like Citymapper best for London buses and tube, but you can also use Google Maps. Both these apps will suggest the best routes, tell you the time and cost of every bus route, and take you straight to the correct stop.
If you don’t have a mapping app or mobile data (I highly recommend you do, so you can access all the best London apps), finding the correct bus and route will be a bit harder, but you can ask at any underground station and TFL staff can help you.
If you have a phone but only have Wifi, you can download your routes on Citymapper to save for when you’re offline.
Paying for Buses in London
Here’s how much London buses cost and how to pay for them.
💷 Bus Prices in London: Fares & Caps
Bus rides in London cost £1.75 for adults. This includes unlimited changes within an hour of tapping in. Children under 11 travel free with a paying adult.
The daily cap for adults is £5.25, meaning that no matter how many London buses you ride in a day, you won’t pay over £5.25 for that whole day’s bus rides.
Make sure you always use the same contactless payment method for each ride so you don’t overpay.
Children 11-17 cost 50% of the adult fare. To get the discount as a visitor, you will need an Oyster Card with the child discount (applied by TFL staff – ask for help at any tube station).
The daily cap for children’s fares on London buses is £2.55.
💳 Paying for Buses in London: Using Contactless
To pay for a bus in London, tap any contactless payment method on the yellow reader at the bus entrance. This includes a contactless debit or credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, or an Oyster Card.
You do not need to tap out on London buses like you do on the London Underground.
Cash or coins are not accepted on London buses.
📱Using Multiple Contactless Payment Methods
You need a different contactless payment method for each adult member of your party (and child 11-17) to avoid being overcharged.
Do not use the same payment method for different people.
If you don’t have enough contactless payment methods for everyone, you can purchase an oyster card at any underground station.
Alternatively, you can add your debit or credit cards to Apple Pay or Google Pay and use your phone to tap in.
Digital wallets count as different payment methods separate from the debit or credit card they are connected to.
For Example:
- Traveler #1: Taps in with Debit Card A
- Traveler #2: Taps in with Apple Pay connected to Debit Card A
- Traveler #3: Taps in with Debit Card B
- Traveler #4: Taps in with Apple Pay connected to Debit Card B
🚏How to Use London Buses: Finding Bus Stops
Bus stops are marked with a large sign with a letter code on top.
Since there are so many bus stops, make sure you’re at the right one by checking the letter code for the stop (your mapping app will tell you which one you need).
If you can’t find the correct stop, you may be on the wrong side of the street.
Large bus stops have shelters with a reader board and narrow benches.
Small bus stops may just be a sign on the sidewalk and nothing else.
🤨 Should I Use the Bus or the Tube?
Whether you should use the bus or the tube for your particular journey depends on several factors, but in general, these are the differences.
🚍 Buses are Best For:
- Shorter journeys
- Accessibility, with easy access for wheelchairs and strollers (buggies).
- Lower budgets. Although marginally cheaper than the tube, the maximum you could spend all day using buses is around £5, while the max you could spend on the tube is closer to £10.
🚇 Tube is Best For:
- Longer distances
- Faster journeys (no sitting in traffic)
- People without mobility issues or pushing strollers. There can be a lot of stairs on the underground and not every station is accessible.
How to Catch a Bus in London
Now that you know the basics, let’s catch the bus!
Here’s exactly how to ride the bus in London, step by step.
✅ Step 1: Plan Your Route
The first step to catching a bus in London is to plan your route. My favorite navigation app for London is Citymapper, where you can find several different route options for where you want to go. Google maps is good too!
After you plug in your destination, Citymapper will tell you which bus numbers you want and which stop they will pick you up at.
✅ Step 2: Find Your Bus Stop
Once you’ve identified the appropriate bus route, it’s time to locate the bus stop. London’s bus stops are easily identifiable by their red circular signs with a white bus symbol.
Bus stops are designated by letters (for example, stop J or stop X). Make sure you stand at the correct stop letter, because the bus will not pull up to a stop it’s not assigned to.
Some bus stops may also display digital boards showing real-time bus updates, but Citymapper has a very accurate timing display, too.
✅ Step 3: Hail the Bus
London buses generally don’t stop unless someone hails the bus at that stop. Simply hold out your hand and the driver will pull over and stop for you.
If you’re anxious about this, it’s highly likely that someone else will hail the bus anyway. The bus may stop anyway if someone on the bus is getting off, or if it’s a crowded stop where it’s very likely someone needs to get on.
Be mindful of the queue if the bus stop has a lot of people. Londoners somehow intuitively know who was there first, and they will usually board in the order they arrived at the stop.
If you know someone was waiting before you, it’s polite to let them board first.
This is rare, but sometimes the bus is so full that it will not stop even if you hail it. If this happens, don’t worry, another will be along shortly. If you’re traveling during a tube or rail strike, buses will be very crowded and they may not stop to let more people on.
✅ 4: Tap In & Boarding
Board the bus in the front next to the driver and tap in to pay.
In London, you need to use a contactless card, Oyster Card, or a digital wallet like Apple Pay to tap in. Tapping in is your London bus ticket; there is no physical ticket and you cannot pay cash.
Simply touch your card or phone to the big yellow circle card reader as you board the bus, and the appropriate fare will be charged.
You only need to tap in when you board the bus, and not when you leave.
Bus prices in London in 2024 are £1.75 per journey, and this includes a transfer within the hour. So if you tap in on your first bus at 10am, you have until 11am to catch your transfer to avoid paying another £1.75.
✅ How to Ride the Bus in London Step 5: Picking a Seat
You can pick any seat that is open, or stand and hold the rails if it’s crowded.
If you have a short journey (less than 5 stops or so), it’s probably best to stay on the ground level of the bus.
If you have a longer journey, want a less crowded experience, or want to see the views better, you can go to the top using the stairs, which will be immediately to your left after you board the bus.
Usually the top level of the bus is less crowded and there are more seats available up top. Plus, the best seat on the bus is at the top: front row, top level. These seats have the best views and the most space!
Once you get to your seat, you can follow your journey on Citymapper or Google Maps so you know how far your stop is.
Some seats on newer buses will have USB charging ports, which is convenient if your battery is low.
✅ Step 6: London Transport Bus Etiquette
On the main level toward the front there are priority seats clearly marked. You can sit in these if they are not occupied, but make sure to offer the seat if someone boards who needs it.
Generally, Londoners do not talk to strangers and you can generally expect the bus to be quiet.
Don’t talk loudly on your phone, listen to music without headphones, or have your phone on speaker.
But if you need help, you can always ask another passenger. We may not speak to strangers, but we are all open to helping people who need it!
Remember that London is full of tourists all the time. We don’t think you’re stupid or annoying – you are just as much a part of this city as we are. You can always ask for help!
✅ Step 7: Getting Off the Bus
When your stop is next, press one of the “Stop” buttons and you will hear a “ding” that ensures the driver will stop at the next stop. A sign will illuminate that indicates the bus is stopping.
Often this button will already be pressed by someone else, so you won’t need to do it yourself. But if the bus is fairly empty you will need to.
If you are on the top level, it may be advisable to go down the stairs while the bus is at the previous stop and stand near the doors holding the rails. That way you’ll be sure to have enough time to get off.
Get off the bus in the middle doors or the back door (depending on the type of London bus it is; some of the newest buses have a door and staircase in the back).
If for some reason the driver is not opening the doors, press the stop buttons again to signal to the driver that someone wants to get off (this has only happened to me a handful of times, but sometimes the driver just makes a mistake and doesn’t open the doors).
Sometimes if the driver has not opened the doors yet, it may be a double bus stop (one right in front of the other, each for different buses), and the driver is just waiting to pull up to the correct stop.
Step off the bus, and head to your destination! You did it!
How to Use Buses in London: Final Tips
Catching a bus in London may seem intimidating, but with this step-by-step guide, you can confidently navigate the city’s bus system.
I’ve been there, anxiously boarding a big red bus for the first time, feeling like an idiot when I didn’t know what to do.
After a few good experiences, it’s now second nature. You can do it, too.
So, take a deep breath, relax, and get on that big red bus!
Common Questions About London Transport Buses
Bus tickets in London: How do I get on a bus without an Oyster card?
If you don’t have an Oyster Card, you can use a contactless debit or credit card, or a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Wallet.
How do I get bus tickets in London?
You don’t need a ticket for a bus – your ticket is your contactless payment method. Use contactless debit or credit card, a digital wallet like Apple Pay, or an Oyster Card purchased from any tube station.
Is contactless cheaper than Oyster?
The fare is the same rate for both. But generally, yes, it is cheaper because you’re not paying for the physical Oyster Card itself.
To get an Oyster Card, you have to pay for the physical card itself (£7), in addition to loading money onto it. If you use a contactless card, you save £7 by not buying a physical Oyster Card.
What happens if I don’t tap in on the bus?
The driver will not let you on if you don’t tap in.
What happens if you don’t tap off the bus?
You don’t ever need to tap off on a London bus; you only need to tap on.
On the tube you must tap on and off, but not buses.
Can I buy bus tickets in London with cash?
No. London buses only take Oyster Cards or other contactless payment methods.
Do you have to press the stop button on a bus?
If no one else has pressed it and your stop is coming up, yes. It’s not guaranteed that the driver will need to stop at your stop if there is no one getting on and no one getting off.
It’s always best to press the stop button so the driver knows you want to get off.
What is the cheapest way to get around London?
Buses are generally the cheapest, but they can take longer than the tube.
Can you buy tickets on London buses?
No. You can only tap on with an Oyster Card or Contactless payment method.
How does tapping in on a bus work?
It’s easy: simply hold your payment method up to the yellow circle and it will beep, showing you how much the fare is. That’s it! It’s simple!
If you’re nervous about it, don’t go first, and watch the people in front of you to see exactly what they do.
Do London buses take Apple Pay?
Yes. They take any contactless payment method.
Is bus cheaper than tube?
Generally, yes. But keep in mind buses will take longer if you’re going long distances.
When should I press the button on the bus?
You can press the stop button as soon as your stop is next. Once you’ve left the second to last bus stop, you can press the button at any time.
What does the red stop button on a bus mean?
It signals to the driver that you want to get off at the next stop, so the driver will stop to let you off when they reach the next bus stop.
Do you have to say where you’re going on London bus?
No! You don’t have to say anything. You can say hello to the driver if you wish, but most people don’t.
If you need help knowing where to get off, you can always ask the driver.
Do you have to call the bus in London? Do you have to wave the bus in London?
You need to hail the bus, yes. Sometimes the bus will stop anyway, but it’s not guaranteed, so it’s best to signal to the driver that you’d like to be picked up by holding your hand in the air like like you’re hailing a cab.
Do you thank the bus driver in London?
You certainly can! Though you don’t exit near the driver; you exit in the middle of the bus (or the back on newer buses). You can give a wave of thanks if you wish.
Most people in London don’t, but drivers always like being appreciated!
Can I bring a stroller on the bus?
Yes! Simply roll your child in their buggy (that’s what we call strollers in the UK, or pram) and position yourself in the wheelchair area. Lock the wheels so it doesn’t roll around.
You can sit near them or stand next to them.
If someone in a wheelchair gets on the bus, you will need to collapse your buggy, put in in the small luggage area, and sit with your child. Wheelchairs get priority.
More on Navigating London
Easy Illustrated Guide: How to Use the London Underground for the First Time
Ultimate Guide: 49 Brilliant London Apps Everyone Should Know
How to Travel in London During a Tube or Rail Strike
The Best Navigation App for London to Download Now
How to Use Google Maps in London
35 Comfortable Day Trips from London that are Realistic, and 24 that Aren’t
67+ Easy & Free Things to do in London for Families Right Now
