London Bus guide

Standard London Bus/Tram Fare is £2 per adult
under 16's travel free
£1.20 with Oyster (£3.90 daily maximum)

There are many things that have become synonymous with London and one of these is the sight of a London red bus. Buses have been running in London since the first horse drawn bus in 1829. Years ago all London buses were double decker buses with a driver, a conductor inside who collects fares and gives out tickets and a permanently open rear left hand side. Things are different now and these older buses known as routemasters are a rare site. Most London buses are operated by a driver only and that includes dispensing tickets, although they do also have automatic machines if you happen to know the correct fare and have the right change. Today you are just as likely to see a single decker as a double decker bus and to add to the variety London has a growing fleet of bendy buses as well as eco friendly buses which are being introduced. Bendy buses (articulated buses) are twin single deckers joined in the middle to allow the bus to manoeuvre around sharp corners. All London buses are now all low floor vehicles meaning they are all wheelchair friendly.

Buses like the national rail system are also split into a system of franchises with different private companies running different bus routes on a lease basis. The London mayor has overall responsibility for the London bus network and the body that oversees the network is called 'London buses'. Buses are the lifeblood of London and are all still painted the traditional red, or at least a tone of red.

CLICK HERE FOR LONDON BUS PICTURES.
They often have their own lanes on many of London main roads. These bus lanes are painted red with the words bus lane every few hundred yards and run on the inside lane with cars not allowed into these lanes between specific hours or in some cases not allowed at any time at all. London taxis are allowed to use bus lanes.
All buses have a number displayed on the back and front which signifies the number of the route they are travelling on. This is usually a two digit number. Also the display will show the final destination of that bus and some major points along the way. Some buses numbers are prefixed with the letter 'n'. This lets you know it is a night bus and will be operating all through the night, normally between 11 pm and 6 am.

TO GET ON AND OFF A BUS YOU NEED TO LOOK FOR THE SIGN SHOWN LEFT. ONLY AT OFFICIAL BUS STOPS LIKE THESE CAN BUSES STOP TO ALLOW YOU TO BOARD. SOME STOPS LIKE THE ONE BELOW SAY REQUEST STOP JUST UNDER THE BUS LOGO.

THIS MEANS THE BUS WONT STOP UNLESS YOU PUT OUT YOUR HAND TO SIGNIFY YOU YOU WANT THE BUS TO STOP. IF IN ANY DOUBT ALWAYS OUTSTRETCH YOUR HAND TO TELL THE DRIVER TO STOP. YOU WILL NOTICE THAT UNDER THE BUS STOP SIGN AND AT AROUND EYE LEVEL IS A NOTICE BOARD. THIS WILL GIVE THE TIMETABLE FOR ALL BUSES USING THAT STOP.

Outside of central London zone 1 you can normally (some exceptions) pay once you are onboard and a pass bought beforehand will ensure you are not caught without change. Buses will often refuse to take you if you do not have the correct fare. Please note that in central London zone 1 and also on all bendy buses you cannot actually pay on the bus itself. You must purchase your ticket from the machine at that bus stop or use your Oyster Card. It's clearly noted on all bus stops which routes using that stop need to be paid for before getting on the bus (normally in bright yellow).

Bus tickets can be purchased from machines by bus stops, London underground stations, tourist information centre’s and some newsagents.

As with all modes of London transport bus fares operate according to the zones you are travelling in.

You can buy daily and weekly bus passes allowing unlimited use of the system during that period.
Bus saver tickets are available which is a book of 6 single fare tickets.
Buses accept the oyster pre pay system.

If you would like to ride on a traditional old fashioned double decker routemaster bus in central London then routes 9 (Hammersmith to Aldwych) and 15 (Paddington to Blackwall) still use them at certain times of the day.

Buses and Trams - Child Fares
under 16's free.
Under-5s Must be accompanied by someone using a valid ticket, Oyster PAYG or has a freedom pass.
5 to 10yrs free, do not need to be accompanied, do not need a ticket or Oyster Photocard
11 to 15yrs free when using an Oyster Photocard
16 to 17yrs pay child rate when using an Oyster Photocard
Those 16 to 18-year-olds in full-time education or on a work-based learning scheme and live in a London borough can travel free on buses and trams with a 16+ Oyster photocard (also gives 50% discount on adult rate on Tube, DLR and London Overground services and Travelcard season tickets)
18+ students in full-time education and attending colleges or schools registered with TfL are eligible for 18+ Student Oyster photocards to buy Bus & Tram Pass and Travelcard season tickets at 30% off the adult-rate.

BUS FARES AND TRAM FARES WITH CHEAPER OYSTER ALTERNATIVE

Season Tickets

Oyster Caps when combining the bus with tube, DLR or Overground
and compared to the TRAVELCARD option

>>>FOR LONDON BUS MAPS CLICK HERE