London Hop-On Hop-Off 1-Day River Pass and the Painted Hall: Is It Worth It?

Alright, so you’re planning a trip to London, and, very probably, you’ve heard about the Hop-On Hop-Off bus tours. Maybe too it’s crossed your mind a boat tour would be just the ticket as well. Very few people realize you can wrap a trip to the Painted Hall at Greenwich inside the whole tourist shebang. If you’re looking to cram a lot of sightseeing into a single day, the “London Hop-On Hop-Off 1-Day River Pass” coupled with entry to the Painted Hall looks like a solid choice. I checked it out, and this is what I discovered. I’ll run you through everything – what you get, how it works, and whether it’s actually a good deal. Maybe even more importantly, if it’s the right kind of tour to fit into your travel plans.

What’s Included in This Package?

Okay, so, basically, you get a couple of key things with this pass. In fact it’s a bit of a combo. There is that classic Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour, giving you transport all over central London. But wait, there is more, a trip up and down the Thames. Arguably though, a normal boat ride wasn’t quite exciting enough for the brains-trust at tourism HQ, so they bundled it with an entry ticket to the Painted Hall in Greenwich.

Here’s the thing, it seems like they really want you to go to Greenwich, maybe since it’s outside of central London, it’s frequently ignored. A visit isn’t just the Painted Hall, either, it’s a full day out by the water. You’ve got the Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum, and the Royal Observatory too it’s all pretty clustered together in one handy location. So, to recap, a bus tour plus a river cruise, topped with access to the Painted Hall and the general delights of the “Maritime Greenwich” world heritage site. On paper it does look attractive.

You will want to think carefully about the timetable though. Basically the key thing to remember is that the bus will drop you off at the water, from where the river cruise will then deliver you out to Greenwich for the Painted Hall. I’m assuming you will be heading there and back, that journey plus seeing the attractions means you’ll need a plan if you are going to use the Hop-On Hop-Off to see other locations.

The Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour Component

As it happens, the Hop-On Hop-Off bus is that quintessential tourist experience. As a matter of fact it drives all around the city center, hitting pretty much all the must-see spots. You get a commentary, pointing out landmarks and, so it is said, some local stories and tidbits. There are numerous companies offering such services, and very, very, frequently, they all follow slightly altered, if pretty similar routes. A slight deviation here or there, possibly better frequency on some of the main routes, the choice, apparently, can be somewhat baffling.

So, then, let’s face it. A bus trip really just depends on what you hope to get out of it. For many, very simply it’s a way to move between sites without trying to the public transport. The weather might have turned. Or perhaps one has mobility difficulties. In cases such as that, paying a premium for travel might just be the answer.

It is worth thinking too it’s more than transportation however, as the guided tours are meant to be part of the fun. Usually that’s delivered through headphones. On a nice day sitting on the upper deck does have something going for it, and very occasionally I find out something interesting about things I had no idea about, even in places that I think I know pretty well. Also bear in mind some routes may include walking tours too it’s also another feature that you might or might not want to take advantage of.

Sailing Up the River Thames

Taking a boat trip down the Thames, okay so it’s a total classic way to see the city from a rather unique perspective. Very much something different from being stuck in traffic or zipping around underground. That’s often a relaxing way to travel, actually, and depending on who you go with, you might also get a pretty informative commentary as you drift along.

Now there are loads of boat companies running trips up and down the river, a bit like the buses. So, then, what do you get in practice? From Westminster Pier, close to the Houses of Parliament, you head east. Key thing here, the cruise is a one-way trip. It only runs from central London to Greenwich (for this pass, anyway), so you will not need to get back from Greenwich. If you aren’t intending to spend too long there you need to be pretty aware of timings, especially towards the end of the day.

Actually, for seeing famous landmarks, this cruise will get you right up close to many. We’re talking about the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Then there’s Canary Wharf, and the O2 Arena. As a matter of fact that is a really nice route for those picture postcard style snapshots.

Yet there’s more. These boats come equipped with spots for a quick cup of tea or a snack. It is what it is, rather. If that floats your boat (no pun intended, I would have said. Ha!) Then again you might like the open upper deck to get out into the fresh air. Check what the boat you are using offers before hopping on board though.

Greenwich and The Painted Hall

Once you get to Greenwich, that’s where you’ll find the Painted Hall, nestled within the Old Royal Naval College. This place, honestly, is pretty remarkable. Now, so it is said, it took something like 19 years to complete this thing, and you’re staring up at ceilings created by Sir James Thornhill. These vast paintings depict monarchs, mythical figures, and allegorical scenes. To put it differently, history. Huge figures. Loads of detail. Very colorful.

Very probably it is the scale of the place that strikes you at first. In fact, because painting above your head isn’t too easy, the artist actually built himself a special scaffolding so he could reach everywhere. As a matter of fact that meant he had to stand further back to be able to see what he was doing. What is truly stunning is it really does feel like looking at one enormous canvas when you are walking around on ground level.

You know, you’re also free to wander around the rest of the Old Royal Naval College grounds. And Greenwich, overall, just feels distinct from central London, actually, which makes it a worthwhile place to get out and have a wander.

Is it a Good Deal? Breaking Down the Costs

So, is this Hop-On Hop-Off deal a bargain? To start with, the true cost depends on the time of year and who you book it through, though you are very often paying the same regardless of the supposed discounts. Basically prices range anywhere from about £50 to £70 for an adult.

So what do you get if you booked it all separately? For instance a Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour on its own usually starts around £30. Then a river cruise can range from £15 to £20. Tickets for the Painted Hall can usually be had for about £13.

Now if we add that all up, very much like my GCSE maths, it seems like the combo deal will only really save you money if you were planning to do each individual bit in the first place. It’s likely cheaper than buying each part separately, but really only by a few pounds at best. But then the time savings, arguably that has value in itself.

The Pros and Cons: Is This Package Right for You?

Now then, before you reach for your wallet, it’s helpful to mull over who would actually get the most out of this London package. In general, here’s a quick rundown of the good and, so it seems, not-so-good points:

Pros:

• Time-saving: In short it combines travel and sightseeing into one, pretty handy for those on a tight schedule.
• Comprehensive experience: You could very well get a taste of London from the land and river, and throw in a little bit of culture.
• Value (Maybe): Probably it does offer a small saving versus purchasing each component individually, providing you planned to visit each attraction.

Cons:

• Pace: You’re spending all day getting from place to place. And as a matter of fact the schedule might not suit you if you’re planning other activities for that day.
• Weather-dependent: The top deck of a bus on a miserable grey, and damp day doesn’t always look so inviting, actually. And the river can feel pretty bleak when it’s windy too.
• Not ideal for relaxed sightseeing: Very probably, the nature of hop-on-hop-off tours mean you might only get a fleeting look at some sites. Basically it all goes by in a flash.

To be honest this package suits visitors who have only a day or two in London and want to get a snapshot of the city. Basically, a pretty frantic day where getting a bit of everything ticked off might be the key goal.

Alternative Options to Consider

Very probably there are a bunch of different ways to see London, depending on what you are in to. Is it just getting around to different places, that will affect your choice. Do you need to sit down every so often?

• Oyster Card or Contactless Payment: You could grab an Oyster card or just use your contactless payment on public transport for travel between locations.
• Regular River Bus Services: If it’s primarily the river you are hoping to see, actually these operate more like a normal bus service. Probably not geared up as “sightseeing trips”, these will tend to run more often than tour boats.
• Walking Tours: Maybe you want to get to know one specific area. You see, these are typically fairly small and focused, which is why they can work really well. They go further into the details that a massive bus tour tends to gloss over.

What it comes down to is you choosing the components that suit you. You’re free to see exactly what you want to see, and for however long you want. Of course the downside here is the increased stress involved in organization of your day.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Day

If you’ve opted to jump on the Hop-On Hop-Off River Pass train, a bit of planning goes a pretty long way. In the same way that the restaurant that doesn’t bother advertising generally doesn’t need the trade, very often the people best prepared, or prepared at all, are the ones who have the better experience.

• Start early: As I was saying, you really want to make the most of your one-day pass. The buses and boats start fairly early, actually, so beat the crowds and get going first thing.
• Check timetables: Clearly you’ll need to know the bus and boat schedules. These will be impacted by events such as bank holidays too. Maybe even football games. Knowing in advance means you don’t need to get stuck waiting, which, actually, always eats into your time.
• Prioritize: Think beforehand what spots are can’t-miss sights for you, like your favorite dish at dinner. Then, in that case, focus on getting to those first. Then in fact you aren’t so bothered if you fail to see every last building in the city.
• Wear comfy shoes: In reality you’re going to be doing a lot of walking, so treat those feet well. You see, after all, they’re what gets you around. And a bottle of water. If it is going to be hot. And an umbrella if it might rain. The better equipped you are the better your chances.
• Consider a guidebook or app: You’ll want something on hand with info and maps of attractions so you understand where you’re going, that’s where the magic happens. Something digital, of course, is typically easier. Just a little pre-trip planning makes everything that bit smoother.

In short a little legwork goes a pretty long way!

FAQ: Quick Questions Answered

Is the Painted Hall worth visiting?

Very yes. Honestly this impressive attraction has remarkable ceiling paintings and just a huge sense of history and scale. But as a matter of fact allow a few hours at least to travel from central London.

How frequent are the Hop-On Hop-Off buses?

It seems the buses usually run every 15-20 minutes, and as I said, that will depend on the time of year, day of the week and whatever major event happens to be transpiring. It always helps to check the latest schedules.

Are there audio guides on the river cruise?

Often there are. Very very many offer commentary providing details on the landmarks you’re floating past. I want you to confirm this beforehand, of course, so that’s where you do the research.

Can I use my Oyster card on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus?

So no, it tends to be that Oyster cards are not accepted on Hop-On Hop-Off buses. This pass typically offers a one-day ticket valid for the duration of the tour. That may well depend on the tour, very much it’s up to you to find that information, as very likely the tourism folks don’t shout that information from the rooftops.