Buses

London Buses: 100% Accessible

Every single London bus has a low floor and a deployable ramp. There are no exceptions. This makes buses the most reliably accessible form of public transport in London. Over 680 bus routes serve the city, operating day and night, and every one of them can carry a wheelchair user.

No advance booking is needed. You can board any bus at any stop, on any route, at any time.

How the Ramp Works

1. Wait at the bus stop near the front doors (marked with the wheelchair symbol).
2. When the bus arrives, signal the driver by raising your hand or pressing the accessibility button at the bus stop if one is available.
3. The driver will lower the bus using the "kneeling" feature, which reduces the step height, and then deploy the ramp. On most buses, the driver presses a button to extend the ramp from the middle doors automatically. On some buses, the driver will come out and deploy it manually.
4. Roll up the ramp into the bus. The wheelchair space is in the middle section of the bus, facing backward.
5. Position your wheelchair against the backrest, engage your brakes, and use the strap or belt if one is provided.
6. When approaching your stop, press the stop button early. Move toward the middle doors. The driver will deploy the ramp again for you to exit.

The Wheelchair Space

Each London bus has one designated wheelchair space. Key points:

• Priority: Wheelchair users have legal priority over all other users of this space, including parents with buggies. This was confirmed by the UK Supreme Court in 2017.
• Size: The space fits most standard and power wheelchairs. Maximum dimensions are about 70 cm wide and 120 cm long.
• Restraint: A padded backrest and sometimes a strap help keep you secure during the journey. Engage your wheelchair brakes.
• Only one space: There is only one wheelchair space per bus. If it is already occupied by another wheelchair user, you will need to wait for the next bus.

Audio and Visual Announcements

All London buses have both audio and visual next-stop announcements:

• Audio: An automated voice announces the name of the next stop before arrival.
• Visual: An LED or LCD screen near the front of the bus displays the next stop name and the route number.
• iBus system: London's iBus system tracks every bus in real time. This powers the announcements and also provides real-time arrival data to bus stop displays and the TfL Go app.

This system helps visually impaired passengers (audio) and hearing-impaired passengers (visual display). It also helps visitors who are not familiar with the route.

Paying for the Bus

London buses are cashless. You cannot pay with coins or notes on board. Accepted payment methods:

• Oyster card: Tap on the reader when boarding. A single bus fare is 1.75 pounds regardless of distance.
• Contactless card or phone: Tap your bank card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay on the reader. Same 1.75-pound fare.
• Daily cap: Bus fares are capped at 5.25 pounds per day. After three journeys, any additional bus trips that day are free.
• Hopper fare: You can make a second bus journey within 60 minutes of tapping in on the first bus at no extra charge. This also applies to trams.

Night Buses

London has an extensive night bus network operating after midnight. Night bus routes are prefixed with "N" (such as N9, N29, N207). Some major routes (such as the 24, 29, 73, and 176) run 24 hours without an "N" prefix.

All night buses are accessible with the same ramp and wheelchair space as daytime buses. Keep in mind:

• Night buses run less frequently, typically every 15 to 30 minutes.
• Buses can be busier after midnight on Friday and Saturday nights.
• The TfL Go app shows real-time arrival times for night buses.
• Safety is generally good, but sit near the driver if you prefer.

Useful Bus Routes for Tourists

Tips for Bus Travel

• Buses in central London can be slow during rush hour (7:30 to 9:30 AM, 4:30 to 7:00 PM). For short distances, a black cab may be faster during peak times.
• If the ramp is broken on a particular bus, the driver should radio for the next bus. This is rare, but you have the right to request another vehicle.
• Service dogs are welcome on all buses at no charge. No muzzle is required.
• Folding bicycles are allowed on buses, but large mobility scooters may not fit in the wheelchair space. See our Mobility Scooters guide for size limits.
• The top deck of double-decker buses is only accessible by stairs. Wheelchair users stay on the lower deck where the wheelchair space is located.
• Buses are a great sightseeing option from the lower deck. You get to see London at street level, and the fare is much cheaper than a tour bus.