Taking a London Christmas lights bus tour is one of my favourite ways to see London during the festive season. Over Christmas, London gets lit up with thousands of magical twinkling lights, and you can wade through the crowds on foot, or choose to sit back on an open-top bus and take in London’s famous Christmas lights from a completely different perspective. Golden Tours is one of the most popular providers of the London Christmas lights bus tours, and we went on this exciting experience with them.
If you’re considering a Christmas lights bus tour in London this Christmas, here’s our honest review of Golden Tours, including what to expect and tips for enjoying your experience. As a mum of two, I’ll also share some tips if you’re considering doing the tour with children.
I’m also sharing my Golden Tours discount code (ALEX10), which will save you 10% on your booking.
DISCLAIMER: This tour was kindly gifted to me by Golden Tours. All opinions are honest and my own. I also use affiliate and sponsored links on my blog. If you purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission. There is no additional cost to you, and I am extremely grateful, as it helps me to run my blog.
- 🎄 Save 10% on a Golden Tours Christmas Lights Bus Tour
- Our London Christmas Lights Bus with Golden Tours: Review and Tips
- What Is the London Christmas Lights Bus Tour?
- Why Choose Golden Tours
- Route & Highlights: What You’ll See on the Tour
- Our Review of the Golden Tours Christmas Lights Bus Tour
- My Tips for the Best London Christmas Lights Bus Tour Experience
- Is the London Christmas Lights Bus Tour Good for Kids
- How to Book Your London Christmas Lights Bus Tour
- FAQ's on Golden Tours London Christmas Lights Bus Tour
- Final Thoughts on the London Christmas Lights Bus Tour by Golden Tours
🎄 Save 10% on a Golden Tours Christmas Lights Bus Tour
Planning to see London’s Christmas lights by bus? Use code ALEX10 when booking directly with Golden Tours to save 10% on your tour.
Our London Christmas Lights Bus with Golden Tours: Review and Tips
Below, I will share our full review of Golden Tours, tips for enjoying your experience and exactly what to expect from this London Christmas lights tour. If you’re looking for more of London’s Christmas lights and decorations, read our full guide here.
What Is the London Christmas Lights Bus Tour?
You may be wondering what exactly a London Christmas lights bus tour is. It’s a festive open-top sightseeing experience that takes you past London’s most iconic Christmas light displays. Instead of walking the busy streets (which can be especially hard with young children in tow). You can sit back and enjoy the best of London’s Christmas lights from above.
The key difference between this and a regular London bus is the open top. This allows you to see amazing views of the lights. You also have a tour guide on board who will share with you many interesting facts about London, and maybe even a festive joke!
So, if you want to see the London Christmas lights without the crowds, or you’re visiting with kids who can’t manage long walks in the cold, a Christmas lights bus tour is one of the easiest and most magical ways to do it.
Why Choose Golden Tours
There are several companies offering Christmas lights tours in London, so you may be wondering why I chose Golden Tours.
I’d previously had a great experience on their afternoon tea on a pink London Bus tour (read my review on that here), so I already knew they were a great company to use.
Having now experienced the tour for myself, this review is based on our actual experience and my tips for getting the most from the tour.
BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TOUR DIRECTLY WITH GOLDEN TOURS AND RECEIVE 10% OFF WITH MY CODE ALEX10
A Golden Tours bus waiting to depart from the London Eye. | A close-up view of Big Ben from the bus, one of London’s top tourist attractions.
Route & Highlights: What You’ll See on the Tour
Golden Tours offers 3 different departure points, making it very convenient! You have the choice of departures close to Victoria Train Station, the London Eye or Green Park. I’ve linked the route maps for reference. The routes are fairly similar, although there are some differences depending on your departure time.
One important thing to note: the 4:15 pm departure from Victoria does not travel down Oxford Street, so if seeing the Oxford Street lights is important to you, I’d choose a different departure.
Most tours last around 60–90 minutes and follow a similar route through Central London’s most beautifully decorated areas. This includes Regent Street, Oxford Street, Trafalgar Square, and the glowing shopfronts around Piccadilly and Knightsbridge. You’ll also see some of London’s most iconic landmarks, such as St Paul’s Cathedral and Big Ben.
As you ride, a live guide shares fun facts, making it feel like a Christmas experience as much as a sightseeing tour.
Our Review of the Golden Tours Christmas Lights Bus Tour
We really enjoyed this tour, and it was a fun, festive thing to do either on your own, as a couple or as a family. I was amazed at how close you felt to the lights above you, and you really do get incredible views.
We were lucky with the weather; it got a little cold towards the end, but it didn’t rain.
My only slight negative was that when you purchase an upper or lower deck ticket, you dont get assigned a specific seat. This led to everyone rushing to board the bus and get a good seat, which was not ideal!
Luckily, we still got a good seat. Honestly, I feel where you sit on this tour makes a huge difference, and I will talk more about that below.
I messaged Golden Tours, and they confirmed that if you book a top deck seat, you’re guaranteed to get one. At peak times, they run multiple buses that depart at roughly the same time, so if you’re not sat with your group, you could ask to switch to the next available tour.
Overall, we really enjoyed this tour and would recommend it if you want to see the London lights in a relaxed way without the crowds!
An incredible close-up view of Regent Street Christmas lights from the Golden Tours bus.
My Tips for the Best London Christmas Lights Bus Tour Experience
Below are a few tips to help make sure you get the most out of this London lights experience.
- Book the Top Deck – you can book the upper or lower deck for this tour. I would highly recommend the top deck. For me, sitting on the bottom deck would be just like sitting on a regular London bus, and you wouldn’t get the same views as on the top!
- Arrive Early – I mentioned earlier, you don’t get an assigned seat on the bus. It is done on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is best to be there early!
- Sit on the Right – We happened to sit on the right-hand side of the bus (when you’re looking at the front). I think you get better views from this side as you’re closer to the centre of the road.
- Sit Outside – There are a few seats at the front of the bus that are covered; the back is open. If you feel the cold easily (or it’s raining), you may want to sit under cover as it will be warmer. However, I think the best views are from where it is open. Personally, I think the very back row would be best, but you’ll have to be quick to get there!
- Wrap Up Warm – it’s winter, you’re in England, it will most likely be cold. Wear layers, hats, gloves, scarves, etc.
- Pack a Hot Water Bottle – my eldest feels the cold easily, and it would have been much less enjoyable if he was freezing. We packed a thermos of hot water and used it to fill a hot water bottle just before the bus started (obviously, take care when pouring this!). It kept him cozy and made all the difference to him. Dont have a hot water bottle? Consider a blanket!
View of the Disney x Selfridges Christmas Collaboration | Christmas lights on The Strand.
Is the London Christmas Lights Bus Tour Good for Kids
Is this tour suitable for children? Absolutely, while it’s not specifically aimed at children, they definitely can enjoy it. If you’re planning to spend Christmas in London as a family, read our full guide here!
Here are a few tips and things to note, especially for families! For reference, our kids are 6 years old and two years old.
- Children Under 4 Ride Free – but they will have to sit on your lap. If you want them to book a child (age 5-15) ticket.
- Consider your Timings – I booked a 5 pm departure and gave them an early dinner, as my kids are early risers, early to bed boys. Taking my children out for an 8 pm departure would be a nightmare. Decide which time is best for your kids’ schedule!
- Burn Energy Before You Ride – The tour involves sitting for 60-90 minutes. We departed from the London Eye, so the kids had a run around the grass in Jubilee Gardens (just by the bus stop) before we departed.
- Wrap Up Warm – you do not want freezing, miserable kids. I mentioned my top tip of taking a hot water bottle in the section above. This really was a game-changer for my son!
- Pushchairs (Strollers) Info – We took our small pushchair (a Joolz Aer+). This folds to be cabin-sized, and it easily fit under our seats. The bottom of the bus was pretty empty, so I assume you could leave your pushchair there. However, I wouldn’t try to board with a large one!
Close-up view of the iconic Fortnum & Mason Christmas Display | My son is enjoying the magical lights.
How to Book Your London Christmas Lights Bus Tour
Prices vary depending on the departure you choose, with Golden Tours currently advertising the Christmas Lights London by Night Tour from £25 per person. Remember, you can save 10% with my Golden Tours discount code ALEX10.
Children aged 0–4 can travel free when sitting on an accompanying adult’s lap. If you want your child to have their own seat, you’ll need to purchase a child ticket.
BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TOUR DIRECTLY WITH GOLDEN TOURS AND RECEIVE 10% OFF WITH MY CODE ALEX10
FAQ’s on Golden Tours London Christmas Lights Bus Tour
There are several Christmas lights bus tours in London, but Golden Tours is the one I would recommend based on my own experience. I’ve taken many of their tours, including their Christmas Lights London by Night Tour and have always had a great experience.
Don’t forget to use my Golden Tours discount code ALEX10 when booking to save 10%.
The Golden Tours Christmas Lights London by Night Tour takes around 60–90 minutes, depending on traffic. Golden Tours describes it as an approximately 75–90-minute tour, although the company notes that on quieter evenings it can take around 60–75 minutes.
The Golden Tours Christmas Lights London by Night Tour currently has three different departure points, making it very convenient. Buses depart from the London Eye, Victoria and Green Park, with multiple evening departure times available.
Keep in mind that the 4:15 pm Victoria departure does not travel down Oxford Street.
Yes! My children really enjoyed the Golden Tours Christmas Lights Tour, and I think it’s a lovely Christmas experience for families. Being able to sit on the bus while taking in London’s Christmas lights also makes it much easier than walking around the city with young children.
My biggest tip if you’re travelling with children is to take a hot water bottle! Even though you’re on the bus, it can get very cold on the open-top deck in the evening, so anything you can do to keep little ones warm is worthwhile. I’d also recommend wrapping up with plenty of layers and hats, gloves and scarves.
Golden Tours also allows children aged 0–4 to travel free when sitting on an accompanying adult’s lap, although you’ll need to purchase a child ticket if you want them to have their own seat.
Final Thoughts on the London Christmas Lights Bus Tour by Golden Tours
If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to see London’s Christmas lights, I think a Christmas lights bus tour is a lovely way to experience the city during the festive season.
We’ve really enjoyed our Golden Tours Christmas Lights Bus Tour. I particularly love that you can sit back and take in so many of London’s famous Christmas displays without having to navigate the crowds while walking between them, which makes it a great option for families. Just remember to wrap up warm!
There are lots of Christmas activities to choose from in London, but a Christmas lights bus tour is one I’d happily do again.
If you’re planning to book the Golden Tours Christmas Lights London by Night Tour this Christmas, don’t forget to use my discount code ALEX10 to save 10% on your booking.
I hope this guide has helped you decide whether a London Christmas lights bus tour is right for you, and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas in London!
Thank you for reading our review of Golden Tours’ London Christmas by Night bus tour. We hope you have a magical Christmas in London.
Happy Exploring,
A London mum sharing stylish, family-friendly travel guides.
I In our travel guides, I show you that you can still travel as a family and create beautiful memories, even when trips aren’t full of kid-centric activities.
When I’m not planning our next adventure, I also share timeless style inspiration and ideas for living more thoughtfully and sustainably.