How to bus it in London

Visitors to London are often reluctant to take the bus, for fear they might not know which bus stop to stand at, which route to take or where to get off; and instead opt for the pricier tube. However, give buses a go – they can often stop nearer your desired destination than the tube, plus you get to see where you’re travelling past through the window - especially if you're sitting on the top deck! Travel editor Simon Calder even says that his favourite journey in the world is taking the number 11 bus from Liverpool Street to World’s End, Chelsea in London.

Taking the bus in London has been made really straight-forward, with route maps and listings at every bus shelter, so you can easily identify which bus number to catch and where to wait for it. Here's our easy-peasy guide:

• Once you’re on the bus (use an Oyster card for your fare – it’s cheapest), simply monitor each bus stop that it passes as the sign will always say where the stop is situated and where the route is heading towards, so you can be reassured you’re on track and will know when to get off.

• You could even monitor the bus’s progress with your own map, spotting landmarks along the way.

• New London buses now have a display screen that not only shows what the next stop is, but also provides an audio announcement. Remember to exit through the back door on London buses!

• And remember, bus stops in London are never too far apart, so if you miss one or get off too early, you won’t be too far off from your desired destination. London Bus Stop

Top London bus routes

• RV1: passes top London sights such as Tower of London, plus it crosses the river twice, taking in some great views. Board opposite Tower Gateway DLR.

• 15: on the vintage Routemaster buses (where you board at the back and a conductor checks your ticket), from Tower Hill, taking in sights such as Monument, St Paul’s, Piccadilly Circus, and passing along famous roads Fleet Street and the Strand, and finishes in Trafalgar Square.

• 11: runs almost the entire breadth of central London from Liverpool Street to World’s End (Chelsea).

• 9: another Routemaster bus taking in the Royal Albert Hall, Aldwych, the Strand and Piccadilly Circus.

There’s plenty of good, up-to-date journey information on Transport for London’s website.