The number 11 bus route is one of the best in London for sightseeing, if you don't want to fork out for the more expensive tour buses (and endure their running commentaries), and generally operates at a much greater frequency.
Running from Fulham Broadway to Liverpool Street station, the route takes in a whole load of classic sights, as well as useful transport hubs such as Victoria coach and train stations, and Sloane Square, Charing Cross, Mansion House and Bank railway/tube stations.
It was even better when they used the old Routemasters, but you still get a great view from the front of the top deck. If you go straight through, the off-peak journey time is around an hour end to end, although most people are likely to travel between Victoria and St Paul's.
The route starts in Fulham Broadway, and then travels the length of the King's Road in Chelsea as far as Sloane Square, when the sights begin to really start: the Chelsea Hospital, Westminster Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Parliament Square and the Houses of Parliament, Whitehall (passing Downing Street and Horseguards Parade), Trafalgar Square, the Strand, the Aldwych (with all its churches), the Royal Courts of Justice, St Paul's Cathedral and the Bank of England. Not bad for a single fare of £1.
At various times I've used this to travel to and from work when I worked in Whitehall. The frequency in my experience tends towards the lower end (ie every 10 minutes) although it has improved in recent years. Still, it's a great way to see lots of sights for very little cash, and if you have an Oyster card or travelcard, you can use it as a hop-on, hop-off service. read more