London is full of afternoon tea venues, but only one of them lets you watch Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace glide past while you eat a scone. The Afternoon Tea Bus is a 90-minute sightseeing tour on a classic Routemaster bus, with a table-served tea on board. The part that confuses people is the ticket choice: lower deck, upper deck or premium upper deck, and a second ABBA-inspired version with the same three options.
This guide compares them using the details on the Lovetovisit Afternoon Tea Bus listings checked on 26 October 2026, so you can choose before you book. Prices shown are “from” prices and can change with the date and time you pick.
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In this guide
What You Get With Every Ticket
Whichever deck you pick, the listing says the ticket includes the same four things: an afternoon tea experience, a glass of prosecco or a soft drink, a panoramic tour of London’s landmarks and a souvenir mug. Tables are served by staff, and the tour lasts 90 minutes. The listing names Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London among the sights, although the route can change because of road closures and traffic.
Lower Deck, Upper Deck and Premium Upper Deck
The three decks cost different amounts, and the price is the clearest difference between them on the listings.
| Deck | From price (GBP) | What the listing says |
|---|---|---|
| Lower deck | 45.32 | 360-degree views; the only deck for wheelchair users, who must use fixed-position seats |
| Upper deck | 54.57 | Same inclusions, with the view from the top of the bus |
| Premium upper deck | 63.82 | Same inclusions; the listing photo shows a flower-decorated deck |
The listings do not describe a different menu for each deck, so the extra cost on the upper decks appears to be for the position and the setting rather than extra food. If the listing does not state a benefit, confirm it with the operator before you pay for it.
Which Deck Suits You?
- Lower deck: the cheapest ticket, and the right choice if you use a wheelchair, since wheelchair users must sit on this deck.
- Upper deck: a good middle option if you want a higher view of the street and landmarks without paying the premium price.
- Premium upper deck: the choice for a birthday or a gift, as the decor in the listing photo is more festive.
The ABBA-Inspired Afternoon Tea Bus
There is also an ABBA-inspired version called “Here We Go Again” for ABBA fans. It follows the same idea: 90 minutes, classic finger sandwiches and sweet treats, a glass of prosecco or soft drink, London’s landmarks and a souvenir mug. The route is described as passing Waterloo, Westminster and London Bridge, with views of Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and Big Ben, and you can sing along to ABBA hits. The listing says the product is not official and is not endorsed by ABBA.
| ABBA-inspired deck | From price (GBP) |
|---|---|
| Lower deck | 49.00 |
| Upper deck | 59.00 |
| Premium upper deck | 69.00 |
That makes each ABBA ticket GBP 3.68 to GBP 5.18 more than its standard equivalent, going by the from prices on 26 October 2026. Choose it if the music is the point of the day; choose the standard bus if you prefer a quieter tour.
The Menus
The standard listing offers four menus: standard, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free. You choose one when you book, so tell the team about any allergies at that stage.
- Standard: sandwiches such as smoked salmon and cream cheese, egg mayonnaise and watercress, or coronation chicken in a tomato wrap, followed by a red velvet cupcake, shortbread, a macaroon and a plain scone with clotted cream and jam.
- Vegetarian: fillings such as red pepper hummus and avocado, or falafel and roast pepper salsa, with the same sweet treats.
- Vegan: vegan chicken and cheese, vegan coronation chickpeas, a cinder toffee brownie, a carrot and pistachio cake and a vegan sultana scone.
- Gluten-free: gluten-free bread and wrap versions of the savoury bites, a lemon tart, a brownie and a gluten-free sultana scone.
Menu items may change, according to the listing, so treat the examples above as a guide. Teas on offer include English Breakfast, Earl Grey, peppermint, darjeeling, jasmine green and chai, plus hot chocolate and coffee.
Where It Leaves From and When
The bus departs from Golden Tours Stop 1 on Bulleid Way, London SW1W 9SR, close to Victoria Station. The listing is clear that it does not leave from Victoria Coach Station. From Victoria Station, leave by the Buckingham Palace Road entrance, walk down Buckingham Palace Road to the first main junction, cross, turn left and then right into Bulleid Way. On the standard bus, departures are listed at 11:30am, 12:15pm, 2:30pm, 3:15pm, 5:00pm and 6:00pm, and you should arrive 15 minutes before.
Rules to Know Before You Book
- Cancel or amend up to 48 hours before departure at no fee. After that, a 100% fee applies.
- Guests may have to share tables.
- There are no toilets on the bus.
- Alcohol is served only to people aged 18 and over, and valid ID is required.
- Children aged 15 and under must be with a paying adult, and under 5s are not allowed.
- Prosecco cannot be bought on the bus. If you want an extra glass, add it when you book.
Our Take
For most people, the standard upper deck is the easiest choice: a clear view, the full tea and no premium surcharge. Take the lower deck if you need wheelchair access or want to keep the cost down, and the premium upper deck if you are marking an occasion. Pick the ABBA version only if the soundtrack appeals, because the food and the length of the tour match the standard bus.
Dates and availability change, so check the London Afternoon Tea Bus tickets for the day you want before you plan the rest of your London trip.
Information was taken from the Lovetovisit website on 26 October 2026 and may change. Some links in this article are affiliate links.
Theo Louse
I am Theo Louse. My skills are dedicated to the field of technology information and try to make daily lives more enjoyable. With more than 12 years of experience with BM, we are particularly famous for 100% self-developed ideas. Over these years, we have worked to make everyday life more convenient for the fast-paced world we live in.