
You can still sit there if no one is sitting there and falls into that category, however. However, if you are sitting in a seat designated for people with mobility issues or extra needs (there will be a sign), make sure that you look around each time people get on the bus to make sure no one needs the seat more than you.
#DOUBLE DECKER BUS LONDON FREE#
Once on the bus, you are free to sit wherever you want, whether upstairs or downstairs (go for the upstairs on a double decker bus for the experience!). If you get nervous about the above “hailing” or “requesting stop” etiquette, know that the vast majority of buses you’ll take as a visitor in Central London won’t have this needed from you as they’ll be stopping anyway, but it’s good to know.
#DOUBLE DECKER BUS LONDON DRIVER#
Simply step relatively close to the road, put your hand out, and try and make eye contact with the driver to signal that you intend to get on his bus, as there are multiple buses that will go through a stop so if you’re waiting for another one, they don’t want to waste their time stopping only for you to not get on. It’s important to “hail” the bus if you are intending to get on it, if there aren’t already people doing that or it doesn’t seem to already be stopping. When you get off the bus, you DO NOT need to “tap out” like you do on the tube. If you’re on a busy route, it’s commonplace for the bus to already be stopping at all stops, but to be sure, make sure to push the “Request stop” button (found all over the bus, usually on the rails) before your stop so the driver knows someone wants to get off. Requesting a Stop on a London Bus Image: Hybrid Bus.
#DOUBLE DECKER BUS LONDON HOW TO#
If your bus doesn’t have that, you can try staying near the driver to see if he can alert you when you’re close or you can follow your route on bus apps using your phone (click here to learn how to use your phone in the UK from abroad). In this case, it will be easy to know when to get off. Most buses will have scrolling screens to tell you the next stop. You can sit upstairs or downstairs, or you may have to stand, but etiquette is, if standing room only on a bus in London, to move further back into the bus as more people will cram on along the route.Īlso keep in mind if you choose to sit upstairs, that the bus may start in motion again while you’re navigating the stairs so HOLD ON TIGHT.

Get on, tap your card onto the reader, and once it signals that you’re good (it will make a long beep), you can proceed onto the bus to find a seat. There are some buses where you can also enter from the back, so if you see a lot of people doing this, then follow suit, but otherwise stick to the front. When you first get on the bus, get on at the front of the bus.īoth doors may open, but it’s more customary for people to exit via the back door and enter via the front door, near the driver. Okay, you probably know how to get on a bus: you step-on, but let’s talk about London bus etiquette and practicalities. Do Kids Go Free on London Buses?Ĭhildren ages 10 and under can ride with you on a London bus for free.


You need to use the same contactless card or Oyster card to achieve this limit, as obviously the bus system will not know it’s still you if you use your Oyster card for one journey and then your contactless credit card for the next.Īfter you hit that limit, any additional bus rides that day will be free of charge within London. If you take multiple buses within a day, spread out at different times, you will be charged the £1.65 per ride until you get to a total of £4.95 in one day. The Hopper Fare means that you still only pay £1.65 total, no matter how many buses you take within a one hour period. The London bus Hopper Fare is automatically applied to your journey if you qualify, and to qualify, you need to tap in on another bus (or buses) within 1 hour of tapping in on the first one. If you take different bus journeys spaced further than an hour apart, you would pay £1.65 per each journey, until you reach the maximum daily cap (keep reading for more information on that). However, if you take another ride within an hour of getting on the first bus (maybe you have to change buses), then you’d be eligible for the Hopper Fare which I’ll explain next. Let’s talk prices of London buses, as London buses are cheaper than the tube and definitely worth your while if you’re trying to save a pence or two! Single Ride Cost on London BusĪ single ride on a London bus costs £1.65, regardless of what Zone of London you are in.
