London Buses -Travel Information on getting around London

Night Buses Green Line Buses  Stationlink Information Centres Travelling by Bus Tickets Travelcards

Travelling on London's extensive bus system is probably the best way to see the capital.  The traditional Routemaster buses, the one's with an open platform at the back, are still used on certain routes but newer buses now operate most areas.  As a result of deregulation there are now several bus companies operating in the capital.  The traditional red double-decker buses have been joined by smaller single-decker buses, and some buses are not even the traditional red colour. 

Buses are an enjoyable way to see the capital, especially from the top deck, but journeys tend to be slow.  Avoid travelling in the rush hours between about 08:00-09:30 and 16:30-18:30.

Night Buses

The only public transport that runs through the night in the capital.  Most parts of London are within easy reach of at least one Night bus service.  The N-prefixed buses run from around 11:00 - 06:00 every night of the week.  About once an hour on most routes but are more frequent on Fridays and Saturdays.  All the Night Buses pass through Central London and most stop at Trafalgar Square, so if you don't know where to go try there first.

Details of routes and timetables for Night Buses are posted at bus stops or can be obtained from Travel Information Centres.  Fares are the same as day buses, about £1 if your journey takes you into or through Zone 1, about 70p elsewhere.  One Day Bus Passes and Travelcards are now valid on the Night Buses. 

All bus stops are treated as Request stops by Night Buses so you must signal clearly to the driver when you want to get on or off the bus.  Use a little common sense when travelling on Night Buses; they never have a conductor so it is unwise to sit alone on the top deck.  

Green Line Buses

These cover the suburbs of London and towns within a 40 mile (64 km) radius of the capital.  The main departure point for Green Line Buses is Eccleston Bridge, SW1 at Colonades Bus Station behind Victoria Railway Station.

Stationlink Buses

These connect all the main London rail stations, except Charing Cross, on a circular route.  These red and yellow buses run every hour from around 09:00 - 19:00.  The fare is about £1 for adults and about 40p for 5 - 15 year olds.  Stationlink buses are convenient for the elderly, the disabled, those laden with luggage or people with young children.   Telephone (020) 7222 1234 for further details.     

Travel Information Centres

Maps and information on Buses, Tube and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) can be obtained from Travel Information Centres.  These are run by Transport for London and can be found at Euston Station, Heathrow Aiport, (Terminals 1, 2 and 3 - Underground station and Terminal 4 - Arrivals Hall), King's Cross Underground Station, Liverpool Street Station, Victoria Station and Waterloo Eurostar Arrivals Hall.  Information can also be obtained by telephoning (020) 7222 1234 or online at www.londontransport.co.uk

Travelling by Bus

Each bus stop in London has a list showing a list of destinations and the bus routes needed to travel there.   A simple street map is also displayed, with nearby bus stops indicated by a letter.   Each bus stop will be clearly marked with the corresponding letter.  Make sure that you board the bus going in the correct direction - if in doubt ask the conductor or driver.  Bus route maps of Central London can also be obtained from Travel Information Centres.  Local area maps are also available.

Route numbers and destinations are clearly marked on the front, sides and rear of all buses.   Buses will stop at all their designated bus stops even if nobody wants to get on or off, except those marked as 'Request' stops.  If you are waiting at a Request stop put out your arm to stop an approaching bus.  Note: buses will only stop at bus stops showing their route number, all other bus numbers will continue straight past you.

If you are travelling on a Routemaster bus sit down as soon as you board and the conductor will issue your ticket, take your pre-paid Saver Ticket, or check your Bus Pass or Travelcard during your journey.  On all other buses you must buy a ticket from the driver, hand in your Saver Ticket, or show your Travelcard or Bus Pass, as you enter the bus.  When buying a ticket, try to have the correct money ready before you board the bus.  If you do not have the correct money avoid paying with large notes as the conductor/driver may not have change. 

Passengers should ensure they always have a valid ticket when travelling on London buses.  On-the-spot £10 penalty fares are payable by anyone caught travelling without a valid ticket, Saver Ticket stub, Bus Pass or Travelcard.  When you want to get off ring the bell just once as the bus approaches the bus stop you require.  Never get on or off a Routemaster bus unless it is standing at a bus stop.  If you are not sure what stop you want ask the driver or conductor. 

Tickets

London Buses have only two fare rates, about  £1 if your journey takes you into or through Central London in Zone 1, and 70p for the rest of London.   Children under 5 years old travel free, and under 16s pay a child's fare. All 14 - 15 year olds must carry a Child-Rate Photocard to get tickets at child rate.   Tickets may be purchased from the bus conductor or driver, or from roadside ticket machines, which can now be found at a number of locations across Greater London.  Tickets are valid for one journey only so if you change buses you will have to pay again.   

Buying individual tickets is the most expensive way of getting around.  If you are intending to make several bus journeys in one day it is more economical to buy a One Day Bus Pass or a Travelcard if you wish to use the Tube as well.

One Day Bus Passes covering Zones 1 - 4 cost £2.00 and allow an unlimited number of Bus journeys in one day.   These passes can be purchased from newsagents displaying the red "pass agent" sign or roadside ticket machines Photocards are not needed.  One Day Bus Passes are valid on Night Buses until 04.30 on the day after the printed expiry date.

7 Day Bus Passes cost about £8.50 for Zones 1, 2., 3 & 4 and about £7.50 for Zones 2, 3 & 4 and can start any day of the week.  A Photocard is not needed for an adult rate 7 Day Bus Pass but a Child Photocard is needed for child rate pass.        

Saver Tickets can save you money if you pay cash single fares.  Each book of 6 pre-paid tickets costs about £3.90, making one journey just 65p.  Saver Tickets can only be purchased from appointed newsagents, and Photocards are not required.  Tear off one of the tickets and present to the conductor, or the driver as you enter the bus.  Retain the ticket stubs in the book in case an inspector needs to check your ticket.      

Travelcards

Travelcards are valid on the Buses, Underground system, National Rail services, Docklands Light Railway and some Green Line buses.  Travelcards can be purchased at all Tube and Rail stations as well as appointed newsagents.  Short-term visitors to London will find the One-Day or One-Week Travelcards the most convenient (though monthly and yearly Travelcards are available). 

One-Day Travelcards are available for Peak and Off-peak travel. Off-peak Travelcards can be used after 09:30 on weekdays and all day at the weekends and public holidays. 

Travelcards for Zones 1 & 2 cost about £5.10 for Peak and about £4.10 for Off-Peak travel, for Zones 1, 2 & 3 about £6.20 (no Off-peak), for Zones 1, 2, 3 & 4 about £7.00 Peak and about £4.50 Off-Peak and for Zones 1 - 6 about £10.70 Peak and about £5.10 Off-peak. 

An unlimited number of journeys can be made within the Zones chosen.  The One-Day Travelcard is now valid until 04:30 on the day after the printed expiry date and can be used on Night buses (prefixed with an N). 

Family Travelcards are available to families or groups of one or two adults travelling with one to four children.  These have the same conditions as the normal One-Day Travelcards (see above).

Weekend Travelcards are worth buying if you intend to travel on consecutive weekend days or public holidays.  These can be used all day and have the same conditions as regular One-Day Travelcards but do not cover the N-prefixed night buses. 

One-Week Travelcards provide unlimited journeys throughout the selected zones for seven days.  They are valid around the clock, including peak times, and can be used on Night Buses.  

One-Week Travelcards for Zone 1 only cost about £16.50, for Zones 1 & 2 about £19.60, for Zones 1, 2 & 3 about £23.10,  for Zones 1, 2, 3 & 4 about £28.40, for Zones 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 about £34.10 and for all Zones about £37.20.  One-Week Travelcards are cheaper if you don't use Zone 1.

One day LT Cards

One-Day LT Cards are intended for those wishing to travel at peak times before 09:30, and make several journeys in one day.  These cost about £8.00 and can be purchased, without a Photocard, from the self-service machines and ticket offices at underground stations and from appointed newsagents.   The One-Day LT Cards are valid for all Zones and include Buses (including Night Buses), Underground services (except for trains running to and from Bakerloo stations north of Queen's Park), and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) but not on National Rail services or airbuses.      

Photocards

A Photocard is necessary for the purchase of any Travelcard (except the One-Day and Weekend versions).  To obtain a Photocard take a passport-size photograph to any post office or Underground station Ticket Office.  A Child-Rate Photocard is required for children between 5 - 15 to use Child-Rate Travelcards.  To prove their age children must take either their birth certificate or passport.