Victoria Station and the Hop On Hop Off Bus

 London Victoria Station:
Isn't she just grand?????  Another thing I learned in my travels abroad is just how convenient and fun train stations can be.  Not only are they central for coming and going but they are full of shops and eateries.  Good enough for a quick morning Starbucks treat or a dinner the food options are plentiful.  In this station also is an upstairs shopping area. 

 There is a drug store, currency exchange, flower stall, news stands and other services.  An entrance to the underground affectionately called the "tube" and at the rear of the train station is an attached motor coach station where you can get a bus for a day trip outside the city.  Also in the front is a hub for the local buses.

Inside Victoria Station

There is a cool thing I like to do whenever I'm in a new city - look for the "hop-on hop-off bus".  It's a marvelous tool for seeing the highlights while completely comfy.  I opted for the Big Bus London tour which has about 43 stops.  I take the whole circle tour and then on the second pass I simply hop off, visit what I want and then wait no more than 20 minutes for the next bus and get ready for the next stop I want to see.

For only $30 Pounds it was well worth it.  This particular bus gave me headphones which I plugged in to a little box at my seat and had commentary for every point of interest.  You keep your headphones for the day (they are really ear buds but work fine).

This is a shot from my seat on the second level of the bus.  No this is not the London Eye, just a little ferris wheel I thought was cute.  I specifically wanted you to see that the bus is very large.

                                                                 A view of Big Ben from the bus.

A view of the London Eye from the bus.


You all are asking the question aren't you.....did I ride the Eye?  No.  Didn't want to wait "in the Queue".   I'm not afraid of heights though, just was not enough time to do it.


Below another view from the Bus.