Plan your Ghost Bus Tours

Ghost Bus Tours in London are easy to fit into an evening, but the fixed departure time and central meeting point matter when planning your day. The tour lasts around 75 minutes and includes a brief walking section, so it is more than a seated bus ride. Your ticket may also combine the bus with the London Dungeon, London Eye or a Thames cruise. This guide covers when to go, where to meet, how long to allow, accessibility, what to bring and how to build the rest of your day around the tour.

Quick overview: Ghost Bus Tours at a glance

• Can I book for today? Availability varies by departure. Check the selected date and time when booking. For popular evening slots, [VERIFY] how far ahead availability typically closes.
  
• How long, door to door? Allow at least 1.5 hours around the tour. The Ghost Bus itself lasts approximately 75 minutes, with traffic potentially affecting the duration.
  
• When? Ghost Bus Tours operate in the evening, with supplied departures between 6pm and 9:15pm. Check your ticket for the exact departure.
  
• Where do I meet? The bus leaves from 8 Northumberland Avenue, outside the Grand Hotel and opposite the Sherlock Holmes pub, near Trafalgar Square.
  
• Am I eligible? Guests aged 15 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult. The vintage bus is not wheelchair, pram or stroller accessible.
  
• Is an upgrade worth it? The main choice is not a premium bus tier. Combo tickets add a second London attraction, so choose based on what else fits your itinerary.
  
• Good to know: Seating is first come, first served, and large bags or luggage cannot be stored on the bus.

What actually happens? What to expect?

Ghost Bus Tours combine sightseeing with live comedy-horror theatre, so the route matters as much as the stories being told.

• Getting on: Present your ticket before boarding the classic 1960s Routemaster. Seating is first come, first served rather than pre-assigned.
  
• The journey: The bus travels through central London, passing landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and London Bridge.
  
• The storytelling: Professional actors and guides deliver stories about murders, executions, torture, the Great Fire of 1666 and other darker episodes from London's past.
  
• The atmosphere: This is comedy horror rather than a conventional historical sightseeing tour. Expect theatrical performances, technical effects, grisly stories and humour alongside the landmarks outside the windows.
  
• The walking section: At one point, the tour includes a brief walk before returning to the bus. Stay with the group and dress for the evening conditions.

💡 Pro tip: Keep watching the streets between performances. Several of the landmarks mentioned during the commentary are part of the route itself, giving the stories a stronger connection to the places outside.

What should you wear and bring?

Ghost Bus Tours do not require specialist equipment, but the combination of an evening bus ride and a short outdoor section affects what makes sense to wear.

• Footwear: Wear shoes suitable for a short walk on London streets. There is no long-distance walking component, so specialist footwear is unnecessary.
  
• Outer layer: Bring a layer suitable for the evening temperature, particularly for later departures and the portion of the tour spent outside the bus.
  
• Rain protection: A compact waterproof layer is more practical than relying on an umbrella if you want to keep your hands free during the walking section.
  
• Phone: Keep your e-ticket accessible on your phone so you can present it before boarding.
  
• Luggage: Do not bring suitcases or bulky bags. The historic bus has limited storage and cannot accommodate large luggage.
  
• Food and drinks: Food and drinks are not included with the standalone Ghost Bus ticket. Check the specific rules for what may be carried onboard.

Practical tips

• Build the evening around the departure: Treat the Ghost Bus as the fixed point in your evening, then fit dinner or another attraction around it rather than risking a timed attraction immediately beforehand.
  
• Use the early slots strategically: A 6pm departure leaves more of the evening available afterwards. A later departure works better when the Ghost Bus is your final scheduled activity.
  
• Choose your combo by timing: Pair the London Eye with daytime sightseeing and the Ghost Bus later. A Thames cruise also works naturally earlier in the day, while the London Dungeon can form part of a darker themed itinerary.
  
• Leave luggage elsewhere: This matters most if you are travelling between hotels or stations. The vintage bus cannot accommodate large bags, so plan a luggage drop before reaching Northumberland Avenue.
  
• Watch the route: The landmarks outside are part of the appeal. Knowing that Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge appear along the route makes the commentary easier to follow.
  
• Think about the tone: This is comedy horror, not a serious historical lecture. Choose it because you enjoy theatrical storytelling, dark humour and effects alongside sightseeing.
  
• Keep some flexibility: The tour is approximately 75 minutes, but traffic can affect the actual duration. This matters more when another timed attraction follows it.