The Most Popular Bus Route in London, Ranked

Choose the bus route you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:32
Navigating through the bustling streets of London, the myriad of bus routes available can be both a convenience and a puzzle. To ease this journey, understanding which routes are favored by daily commuters can help new residents and visitors make informed decisions. This list reflects the most popular bus routes as voted by those who travel them most frequently. By participating in this live ranking, you contribute to a community-driven guide that assists others in discovering efficient and preferred travel options throughout the city. Your votes help ensure that the information stays current and reflective of real-world usage, which is invaluable for planning trips, whether for daily commutes or leisurely explorations.

What Is the Most Popular Bus Route in London?

  1. 1
    98
    votes

    Route 25

    Transport for London
    This bus route runs from Oxford Circus to Ilford and is popular due to its frequent service and connections to major shopping destinations such as Stratford and Westfield shopping center.
    Route 25 is a popular bus route in London that operates between Ilford and Oxford Circus. It provides a key transportation link connecting residential areas in East London with the city center.
    • Operational Days: Seven days a week
    • Total Distance: 13.5 miles (21.7 km)
    • Number of Stops: 72
    • Average Journey Time: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes
    • Frequency: Every 8-12 minutes during peak hours
  2. 2
    52
    votes

    Route 149

    Transport for London (TfL)
    This bus route connects Edmonton Green to London Bridge and is popular due to its convenient route through various shopping and entertainment districts including Tottenham Hale, Seven Sisters, and Elephant and Castle.
    Route 149 is a popular bus route in London that operates between Edmonton Green and London Bridge station. It covers a total distance of approximately 11 miles and passes through various key locations in North London and the City of London.
    • Start Point: Edmonton Green
    • End Point: London Bridge station
    • Total Distance: Approximately 11 miles
    • Operational Hours: 24 hours
    • Frequency: Every 7-8 minutes during peak hours
  3. 3
    20
    votes

    Route 73

    Transport for London (TFL)
    This bus route runs from Victoria to Stoke Newington and is popular due to its scenic route through some of London's most iconic landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and the British Museum.
    Route 73 is one of the busiest and most popular bus routes in London. It connects Victoria Station in Central London to Stoke Newington in North-East London.
    • Route Number: 73
    • Starting Point: Victoria Station
    • End Point: Stoke Newington
    • Total Distance: 10 miles (16 kilometers)
    • Operating Hours: 24 hours, runs throughout the day and night
  4. 4
    22
    votes
    Route 29
    Andrew Bossi · CC BY-SA 2.5

    Route 29

    Transport for London (TfL)
    This bus route connects Wood Green to Trafalgar Square and is popular due to its convenient route through the bustling Camden Market and the popular shopping district of Oxford Street.
    Route 29 is one of the most popular bus routes in London, known for its scenic and convenient journey through the city.
    • Route Number: 29
    • Start Point: Trafalgar Square
    • End Point: Wood Green Station
    • Total Length: 7.4 miles (11.9 km)
    • Operated By: Tower Transit
  5. 5
    19
    votes

    Route 38

    Transport for London (TFL)
    This bus route runs from Victoria to Clapton Pond and is popular due to its convenient route through various shopping districts including Oxford Street, Tottenham Court Road, and Hackney Central.
    Route 38 is a popular bus route in London that serves Victoria Station and Clapton Pond. It is operated by London General for Transport for London (TFL). The route is known for its scenic journey, passing through major landmarks such as Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, and St. Paul's Cathedral. It provides a convenient transportation option for both commuters and tourists.
    • Start Point: Victoria Station
    • End Point: Clapton Pond
    • Operated By: London General
    • Fare Type: flat fare (contactless payment accepted)
    • Frequency: approximately every 8-12 minutes
  6. 6
    3
    votes
    Route 341
    Vintotal · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Route 341

    Transport for London (TfL)
    This bus route connects Waterloo to Northumberland Park and is popular due to its convenient route through the busy financial district of the City of London and its connections to various train and tube stations.
    Route 341 is one of the most popular bus routes in London. It connects County Hall to Waterloo Station via Lambeth North and South Bank.
    • Type: Double-decker bus route
    • Operated by: Abellio London
    • Stops: 39
    • Length: 8.7 miles (14.0 km)
    • Frequency: Every 6-10 minutes during peak hours
  7. 7
    6
    votes

    Route 43

    Transport for London
    This bus route runs from London Bridge to Friern Barnet and is popular due to its convenient route through some of London's most iconic landmarks including St. Paul's Cathedral, the Bank of England, and the Emirates Stadium.
    Route 43 is one of the most popular bus routes in London, known for connecting various important neighborhoods and landmarks. It offers passengers a convenient way to travel through the city.
    • Length: 52.2 km
    • Start Point: Friern Barnet
    • End Point: London Bridge
    • Number of Stops: 91
    • Frequency: Every 6-10 minutes (peak hours), every 12-15 minutes (off-peak hours)
  8. 8
    9
    votes

    Route 149

    Transport for London (TfL)
    This bus route connects Edmonton Green to London Bridge and is popular due to its convenient route through various shopping and entertainment districts including Tottenham Hale, Seven Sisters, and Elephant and Castle.
    Route 149 is a popular bus route in London that operates between Edmonton Green and London Bridge station. It covers a total distance of approximately 11 miles and passes through various key locations in North London and the City of London.
    • Start Point: Edmonton Green
    • End Point: London Bridge station
    • Total Distance: Approximately 11 miles
    • Operational Hours: 24 hours
    • Frequency: Every 7-8 minutes during peak hours
  9. 9
    5
    votes

    Route 10

    Transport for London (TfL)
    This bus route runs from Hammersmith to King's Cross and is popular due to its convenient route through the popular shopping district of Oxford Street and its connections to various train and tube stations.
    Route 10 is a popular bus route in London that connects Hammersmith bus station to King's Cross station, passing through several key areas and landmarks.
    • Start: Hammersmith bus station
    • End: King's Cross station
    • Key Areas: Hammersmith, Kensington, Knightsbridge, Hyde Park, Marble Arch, Oxford Street, Tottenham Court Road, Russell Square
    • Landmarks: Hammersmith Apollo, Olympia Exhibition Centre, Kensington Gardens, Harrods, Hyde Park, Marble Arch, Oxford Street shopping district, The British Museum
    • Operating Hours: 24 hours a day
  10. 10
    7
    votes

    Route 168

    Transport for London (TfL)
    This bus route connects Hampstead Heath to Old Kent Road and is popular due to its convenient route through various shopping and entertainment districts including Camden Town, Waterloo, and Elephant and Castle.
    Route 168 is a popular bus route in London that connects Hampstead Heath in North London to Prince Charles Drive in Kidbrooke. It is one of the longest bus routes in the city, covering a distance of approximately 12 miles. The route passes through various landmarks and neighborhoods, providing passengers with a diverse journey experience.
    • Start Point: Hampstead Heath
    • End Point: Prince Charles Drive, Kidbrooke
    • Distance: Approximately 12 miles
    • Landmarks: Regent's Park, Oxford Street, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Victoria Station, Vauxhall Bridge, Oval, Camberwell, Peckham, Blackheath
    • Neighborhoods: Hampstead, Camden Town, Euston, Bloomsbury, Holborn, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Westminster, Pimlico, Vauxhall, Kennington, Oval, Camberwell, Peckham, Blackheath, Kidbrooke

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Ranking factors for popular bus route

  1. Route coverage
    The extent to which a bus route covers key areas and destinations, such as residential neighborhoods, employment centers, shopping districts, hospitals, schools, and other places of interest, is crucial. A popular route will serve as many of these areas as possible.
  2. Connectivity
    The ability of a bus route to connect with other forms of transportation, such as trains, trams, and other bus routes, is essential for passengers who need to transfer between different modes of transportation during their journey.
  3. Reliability
    The punctuality and consistency of a bus route, in terms of how regularly and reliably the buses run, is important for passengers in planning their daily commutes and trips.
  4. Travel time
    The duration of a journey on a specific bus route, as well as the amount of time it takes to travel between key destinations on the route, is a significant factor in its popularity. The shorter the travel time, the more likely passengers are to choose that route.
  5. Ease of access
    How easy it is for passengers to find and access bus stops, purchase tickets, and obtain information about the route, such as schedules and fare pricing, can influence the popularity of a route.
  6. Safety and security
    The safety of passengers on buses and at bus stops along the route, as well as the overall security of the buses themselves, is critical in determining the popularity of a route.
  7. Comfort and amenities
    Factors such as cleanliness, seating availability, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi connectivity can affect how popular a bus route is among passengers.
  8. Affordability
    The cost of tickets and fare structures for a bus route can influence its popularity, as passengers may prefer more affordable options.
  9. Public sentiment and perception
    The overall reputation of a bus route, based on factors such as its safety, reliability, and cleanliness, can impact its popularity among the general public.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular bus route in London. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or route is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2448 views
  • 228 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each route once every 24 hours. The rank of each route is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular bus route in london

London’s extensive bus network is an essential part of the city’s transport system. With over 8,000 buses serving more than 700 routes, the iconic red double-decker buses are a common sight on the streets of London. The capital’s bus routes cover a wide range of destinations, from tourist hotspots to residential areas, making it easy for locals and visitors to get around the city. However, with so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which bus route is the most popular in London. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the most popular bus route in London, as voted by the community on StrawPoll.

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