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Ghost Bus Tours London location: Directions & getting there

Where does the Ghost Bus Tour start?

The Ghost Bus Tours London departure point is at 8 Northumberland Avenue, outside the Grand Hotel and opposite the Sherlock Holmes Pub. Unlike a fixed attraction, the Ghost Bus travels around central London once the tour begins, so you only need to navigate to this meeting point.

  • Address: 8 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5BY [Find on map]
  • Meeting point: Outside the Grand Hotel, opposite the Sherlock Holmes Pub
  • Nearest Tube: Charing Cross
  • Alternative Tube: Embankment
  • Area: Trafalgar Square / Westminster
  • Tour duration: Around 75 minutes
  • Good to know: The bus departs from the street outside the Grand Hotel rather than from a conventional bus terminal, so look for the Ghost Bus at the designated meeting point on Northumberland Avenue.

How to reach the Ghost Bus Tours starting point?

The departure point is in central London, just off Trafalgar Square, making it easy to reach by Tube, train or bus. Charing Cross is the simplest option for most visitors, while Embankment works well if you are arriving on the Circle or District lines.

  • From Charing Cross: Take the Bakerloo or Northern line to Charing Cross. The departure point at Northumberland Avenue is about a 2–3-minute walk from the station.
  • From Embankment: Take the Bakerloo, Northern, Circle or District line to Embankment. From here, walk towards Northumberland Avenue and allow roughly 4–5 minutes to reach the meeting point.
  • Best option: Charing Cross is the closest and simplest Tube stop, especially if you are unfamiliar with central London.
  • Charing Cross Station: Take a Southeastern mainline train to London Charing Cross, then walk towards Trafalgar Square and Northumberland Avenue.
  • The station is only a few minutes from the departure point, making this the easiest option if you are arriving by National Rail.
  • Allow 5–10 minutes from the station so you have time to locate the bus before departure

Several London bus routes stop around Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross and Northumberland Avenue, including routes 9, 15, 23, 24, 26, 87, 91, 139 and 176, depending on the stop and direction.

  • Closest area: Look for stops around Northumberland Avenue / Trafalgar Square or Charing Cross Station.
  • From Charing Cross: Walk towards Trafalgar Square and continue onto Northumberland Avenue.
  • Night buses: Several night routes also serve the Charing Cross and Trafalgar Square area, useful for reaching the departure area before later tour times.

If you’re driving from the London Eye, the Ghost Bus departure point at 8 Northumberland Avenue is roughly a 5–10-minute drive, depending on traffic.

  • From the London Eye: Head north towards Westminster Bridge, then follow signs towards Whitehall and Trafalgar Square.
  • Continue along Whitehall, then turn left onto Northumberland Avenue towards the Strand.
  • 8 Northumberland Avenue is on the left, outside the Grand Hotel and opposite the Sherlock Holmes Pub.
  • Driving time: Around 5–10 minutes without heavy traffic; central London congestion can make the journey considerably longer.
  • Parking: There is limited parking around Northumberland Avenue, so use a nearby public car park and walk to the meeting point rather than relying on street parking.

Which transport option should you choose?

ModeTime to meeting pointBest forNotes

Tube

2–5 min walk

Visitors looking for budgeted travel

Charing Cross is the closest stop

Train

3–5 min walk

People travelling from far and crowded areas

Charing Cross is the easiest stop

Bus

2–5 min walk

Sightseeing and mingling with locals

Several stops serve the area

Car

Varies

Groups with luggage

Central London traffic and parking

Getting to the Ghost Bus meeting point from nearby landmarks

The departure point is close to several popular central London landmarks, so you can easily combine the tour with sightseeing beforehand.

  • From Trafalgar Square: Walk towards Northumberland Avenue; the Grand Hotel is only a few minutes away.
  • From Leicester Square: Walk south towards Trafalgar Square, then continue onto Northumberland Avenue.
  • From Covent Garden: Walk towards Strand and then Northumberland Avenue, or take a short Tube journey to Charing Cross.
  • From the London Eye: Cross Westminster Bridge or Waterloo Bridge area and continue towards Embankment and Northumberland Avenue.
  • From Westminster: Walk along Whitehall towards Trafalgar Square, then turn onto Northumberland Avenue.

Handy tips for reaching the Ghost Bus Tour departure point

  • Arrive early: Aim to reach the meeting point at least 15–20 minutes before departure. Some booking information specifically advises arriving 20 minutes early, and the bus may not wait for late passengers.
  • Use Charing Cross: It is the simplest station for the departure point and gives you the shortest walk.
  • Look for the Grand Hotel: The meeting point is outside the hotel on Northumberland Avenue, rather than at a conventional sightseeing-bus terminal.
  • Check your ticket: Confirm your booked departure time before travelling, as evening departure times can vary by date.
  • Allow extra time by car: Central London traffic can make an otherwise short journey unpredictable.
  • Plan for the return: The Ghost Bus is a circular sightseeing tour, so check your ticket or booking information for the current finishing point rather than assuming it returns to the exact starting spot.

Frequently asked questions about Ghost Bus Tours location

The Ghost Bus Tour starts at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5BY, outside the Grand Hotel and opposite the Sherlock Holmes Pub.