The Ghost Bus Tours London
Comedy-horror theatre on a vintage Routemaster bus — London's spookiest sightseeing tour past haunted landmarks after dark
Comedy-horror theatre on a vintage Routemaster bus — London's spookiest sightseeing tour past haunted landmarks after dark
A blacked-out 1960s Routemaster bus pulls up on Northumberland Avenue, its windows draped in red velvet curtains and antique lamps flickering in the gloom. Onboard, classically trained actors guide you through London's most gruesome history — part sightseeing tour, part theatrical performance, part ghost story.
The 75-minute route passes the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral and London Bridge, with stops along the way for short guided walks through haunted alleyways. The format blends genuine historical detail with dark comedy, making it one of London's most original evening experiences.
The Ghost Bus Tours has been running in London for over a decade, offering a theatrical twist on the traditional sightseeing bus tour. The vehicle itself is a restored 1960s Routemaster — one of the most recognisable buses in the world — repainted in midnight black and fitted out with antique lamps, red velvet curtains and a suitably eerie interior. The company calls it the Necrobus, and it sets the mood from the moment you step aboard at the Northumberland Avenue departure point, just south of Trafalgar Square.
The concept is simple but effective: take London's most famous landmarks, strip away the tourist-friendly narratives, and replace them with the real stories of plague pits, public executions, hauntings and historical horrors. The result is a 75-minute journey through the darker side of the capital, performed by actors who bring genuine theatrical skill to the storytelling.
The route takes in many of central London's most iconic sites, but presents them in an entirely different light. You will pass the Tower of London — site of countless beheadings and alleged hauntings — Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, St Paul's Cathedral, London Bridge and Tower Bridge. At several points along the route the bus stops and you step off for short guided walks, lasting between seven and twenty minutes, through atmospheric streets and alleyways where the stories come to life.
The tone strikes a careful balance between genuinely informative history and dark comedy. There are real facts about the Great Plague, the Great Fire and Tudor-era executions woven between theatrical scares and well-timed jokes. It works for adults and older children alike, though the company advises against bringing children under five.
Tickets can be booked through the official Ghost Bus Tours website or third-party platforms such as Viator and GetYourGuide. Prices start at £17 for children and £25 for adults, with student and senior concessions available at £19. A family ticket covering two adults and two children costs £63. Seating is not reserved — the company operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving fifteen minutes early is strongly recommended.
The departure point at 8 Northumberland Avenue is easy to reach. Embankment Tube station is a three-minute walk away, and Charing Cross mainline station is five minutes on foot. The bus departs from outside the Grand Hotel, directly opposite the Sherlock Holmes pub — a fitting starting point for an evening of London's mysteries. Tours run daily but departure times vary by season, so check the website before booking.
Children under 5 may travel free if not occupying a seat needed for paying passengers
Seating is first come, first served with no reservations. Arriving early gives you the best choice of seats — the upper deck fills up fastest.
The upper deck of the Routemaster puts you closer to the action and offers better views of the landmarks as the bus passes through London.
The tour includes several short walks of up to twenty minutes. Even in summer, London evenings can be cool, so bring a jacket or jumper.
Concession tickets are available for students and seniors at £19, saving £6 on the standard adult fare. Bring valid ID to show at the departure.
The departure point is surrounded by restaurants. Have dinner beforehand at one of the many options along Northumberland Avenue or the Strand.
London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism
Last reviewed: March 9, 2026
