Arrive in London and check in to the Royal National Hotel in Russell Square. Explore at your own pace with easy access to the British Museum, Covent Garden and the West End, and get local tips from the Contiki Hub.
Day 2
Day 2: London
Use your reserved Hop On Hop Off bus day pass (3 routes with audio commentary). Visit The Hub for info, then enjoy included tickets to the London Eye and a Thames river cruise. Optional: fish and chips in a local pub.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3
Day 3: End London
Trip ends in London. Keep exploring nearby highlights such as Kensington Palace and St Paul’s Cathedral, or relax in a local café.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
2 breakfasts included at the hotel.
2 nights in a centrally located hotel (Royal National Hotel or similar) in Russell Square, twin-share as standard.
1-day Hop On Hop Off bus pass with a choice of 3 routes and onboard audio commentary.
Admission to the London Eye and a Thames River cruise for panoramic city views.
On-the-ground support from Contiki Travel Hub experts at the Royal National courtyard for check-in information and local tips.
What’s not included
International flights to and from London are not included.
UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or visa (if required) must be arranged independently before travel.
Travel insurance is not included and should be purchased by the traveller.
Meals not specified (all lunches and dinners, plus drinks and snacks) are at your own expense.
Guided sightseeing is not included — this is an unguided tour.
Single supplement for a private room is available at additional cost.
Additional information
Dining Summary
2 Breakfast (B)
FAQs
London: You’ll need Essential Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)From?January 8, 2025, UK law means that if you’re entering/transiting through border control in the United Kingdom (UK) and Northern Ireland you’ll need an?Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)?before you travel. Confused? Don’t be – just read on here.
London: You’ll stay in a twin share room (meaning you’ll be paired with a fellow traveller of the same gender, and will have two separate beds). If you’re booking your trip with a friend/travel companion – just let us know, so we can join your bookings and ensure you share a room. Need a lil’ more privacy? You’re welcome to opt for a single supplement if you like.
Included Experience
London: Take the day to hop on and off as you please whilst seeing the sights from another angle
London: Enjoy panoramic views of the city of London and it’s impressive skyline
London: Cruise along the world-famous River Thames as you soak in iconic sights and scenes of this city like the Big Ben, Tower Bridge and Westminster Abbey.
London Eye Observation Wheel Experience
Step aboard the London Eye for a gentle 30-minute rotation in a glass capsule high above the Thames. Take in Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, The Shard, the soaring dome of St Paul’s, and Buckingham Palace as the city unfolds in every direction.
Opened to mark the millennium, this 135-metre landmark blends sleek engineering with cinematic views. Whether by day or near twilight, the slow sweep encourages measured gazes and well-framed photos as London’s riverside sequence aligns beneath you.
Thames River Cruise: Westminster to Tower Bridge
Cruise the River Thames on a narrated journey past Westminster and the London Eye, gliding by St Paul’s, Shakespeare’s Globe, and Tate Modern toward the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Open decks and wide windows deliver superb angles for skyline shots.
The Thames has been London’s working artery for two millennia; from its waters, the city’s story reads clearly. Live or recorded commentary picks out eras and anecdotes, with calm moments to pause for photos and reflection between historic quays.
St Paul’s Cathedral Entry
Step inside St Paul’s Cathedral to admire Sir Christopher Wren’s baroque vision—from polished marble to the soaring dome and atmospheric crypt. Explore chapels, mosaics, and memorials that chart national triumphs and sorrows in London’s spiritual heart.
Rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666, St Paul’s anchors civic memory from Blitz resilience to state occasions. Entry is at additional cost and bookable on tour; those who wish may climb to the galleries for sweeping views across the City.
Kensington Palace & Sunken Garden Visit
Visit Kensington Palace, the intimate royal residence beside Hyde Park. Wander the royal State Apartments associated with William and Mary and exhibitions tracing court ceremony, design, and the life of Queen Victoria.
Outside, stroll the Sunken Garden—redesigned to honour Diana, Princess of Wales—where seasonal plantings frame reflective pools and carved stonework. Entry is at additional cost and bookable on tour; staff can advise timings to pair with nearby museums.
London Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Pass
Discover London’s icons with a full-day pass on the open-top bus network. Ride the Hop On Hop Off bus across three interlinking routes with audio commentary, jumping off for close-up looks at Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Tower of London.
From the breezy upper deck, trace the Thames from Westminster to the City, then sweep west to Kensington and Notting Hill. This flexible orientation pairs skyline views with context, helping you map the city’s districts while deciding where to linger longer.
Some of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. This website will provide you with information on the protection that applies in the case of each holiday and travel service offered before you make your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk.
