London Bus Travel with Young Kids: Why Buses Beat the Tube

Everyone defaults to the Tube. It is faster, it is what Londoners do, and buses feel like the slower option. But here is what experienced parents know: for journeys with young kids, London buses are often brilliant—and sometimes better than the Underground.

Buses get unfairly dismissed as the slow alternative. But when you are traveling with a toddler who wants to see the world, or a baby who needs feeding, or just trying to get somewhere without wrestling a buggy through Tube station barriers—buses suddenly make perfect sense.

Why Buses Work Better for Families

Visibility matters to toddlers. The Tube involves standing in dark tunnels with nothing to look at, which tests the patience of any child under four. Buses offer constant window entertainment—red post boxes, other buses, dogs walking past, construction sites, people doing interesting things. This is the difference between twenty minutes of "Are we there yet?" and twenty minutes of engaged pointing.

No stairs, no barriers, no lifts to find. You can board any London bus with a buggy in seconds. No hunting for the one lift in the station, no navigating barriers, no carrying buggies up emergency staircases when the lift is broken. You wheel straight on, park in the designated buggy space, and sit down. Revolutionary when you have been battling Tube station access.

Space to actually move. If your toddler gets restless on a bus, they can stand (while you hold them), look out different windows, move between your lap and their seat. On a packed Tube, you are all wedged in one spot with zero flexibility. Buses give you breathing room—literally and figuratively.

Feeding-friendly environment. Need to breastfeed or give a bottle? Buses are perfect. You have a seat (usually), space around you, windows for privacy if you want it, and nobody cares. Try feeding on a crowded Tube while standing and holding the handrail. It is technically possible but far from relaxing.

The Routes That Actually Make Sense

Best East London bus routes for families:

• Route 97 (Chingford to Stratford City) - Links residential areas to Westfield, runs through Walthamstow, frequent and reliable
• Route 69 (Walthamstow to Canning Town) - Connects to DLR and Tube, good for hospital visits and shopping centers
• Route 308 (Clapton Pond to Wanstead) - Perfect for Hollow Ponds visits, runs past multiple parks and playgrounds
• Route W19 (Ilford to Walthamstow) - Local route connecting community facilities, libraries, and leisure centers

When buses beat the Tube:

• Journeys under three miles (often faster door-to-door when you factor in Tube station access)
• Traveling with sleeping babies in prams (buses don't wake them with sudden stops and starts)
• Weekend trips to parks or local attractions (direct routes without changes)
• Shopping trips where you will return with bags (buggy storage doubles as shopping storage)

Timing Your Bus Journey

Buses have different busy periods to the Tube:

• School run times (8-9am, 3-4pm weekdays) - Buses fill with students, can be noisy and crowded
• Weekend afternoons (1-5pm) - Shopping crowds, particularly routes to retail areas
• Sunday mornings (before 10am) - Surprisingly empty, brilliant for leisurely family travel

Best times for stress-free bus travel:

• Mid-morning weekdays (9:30-11:30am) - Post school run, pre-lunch, perfect timing for toddler groups or soft play visits
• Early afternoons (12:30-2:30pm) - Quiet period between lunch and school pickup
• Weekend evenings (after 6pm) - Shoppers gone home, evening calm, good for returning from family dinners

Buggy Etiquette That Actually Matters

The designated buggy space holds two buggies—in theory. In practice, one double buggy or two singles. If the space is full, you are supposed to fold your buggy. But drivers rarely enforce this, and most passengers understand the struggle. Position yourself near the space and wait for the next bus if you cannot fit.

Wheelchair users have priority. If someone in a wheelchair needs the space, you must fold your buggy or leave the bus. This is not optional—it is the law. Most parents carry a baby sling for exactly this situation. Have a backup plan.

Brake your buggy. Every time. The bus will brake suddenly at some point, and an unsecured buggy will roll. Click that brake the moment you board. Non-negotiable for safety.

Face your buggy toward the back of the bus. This way, when the bus brakes, your buggy rolls toward you (where you can stop it), not away into other passengers. Small detail, massive difference.

Payment and Free Travel Rules

Children under 11 travel free on London buses. No Oyster card needed, no registration required, just get on. This makes buses brilliantly economical for family travel. Under-5s travel free on Tubes too, but buses extend this to age 11.

You need an Oyster or contactless card. Buses don't accept cash anymore. Keep your Oyster topped up, or use contactless payment. Running out of credit with a restless toddler while hunting for a shop to top up is not fun—trust me.

Hopper fare is your friend. One bus fare (£1.75) gives you unlimited bus travel for one hour. Take two or three buses in an hour, pay once. Perfect for journey legs that require changes, or when your first bus is too full and you need to catch the next one.

Managing Long Bus Journeys

Under 20 minutes: Most toddlers manage fine with window-watching, a small snack, and pointing out things they see. Buses naturally entertain curious kids better than any toy you could bring.

20-40 minutes: Bring a small book, some stickers, or finger foods that buy you time. Play counting games—"How many red cars can you spot?" or "Let me know when you see a dog." Simple games work brilliantly and require zero equipment.

Over 40 minutes: Consider if a bus is really your best option. That is a long journey for a toddler in any environment. If you are committed to the route, bring snacks, drinks, entertainment, and realistic expectations. Plan a break halfway if possible—get off, stretch legs, continue on the next bus using your Hopper fare.

When to Choose Bus vs Tube

Choose buses when:

• Your child is in a buggy and likely to stay there (napping, under 1 year, content)
• The journey is under 5km and doesn't involve crossing central London
• Traveling during off-peak hours when time pressure is not critical
• You want a less stressful, more scenic journey
• Your destination is near a bus stop but far from a Tube station

Choose the Tube when:

• Speed matters (appointments, meeting friends, time-sensitive plans)
• Crossing large distances across London (Zone 1 to Zone 4+)
• Your child is in a carrier rather than buggy
• Traveling during times when buses will be stuck in traffic
• You have already mastered Tube travel and feel confident

Read our guide to Tube Travel with Toddlers for when the Underground is actually the better option for your family journey.

The Bus Stop Reality Check

Request stops vs compulsory stops: Most bus stops in London are request stops—the bus will not stop unless someone presses the bell or is visibly waiting. Press the bell one stop before yours, gather your belongings, prepare your buggy. Missing your stop because you were not ready is easily done with kids.

Wait where the driver can see you. Stand near the bus stop flag, make yourself visible, especially in the evening or rain. If the driver cannot see you clearly, they might pass by. Hold out your arm if needed—the universal "I need this bus" signal.

Not all buses have the buggy space near the front. Some newer buses have buggy spaces midway through. Check when you board and move to the right spot quickly. Don't block the aisle trying to figure out where to park your buggy.

What to Pack for Bus Travel

The essentials: Oyster card or contactless payment, water for your child, small snacks, wipes for sticky fingers, one lightweight toy or book. That is genuinely all you need for most bus journeys.

Emergency supplies: Baby carrier or sling (in case you need to fold the buggy), spare nappy (buses don't have changing facilities, but you are never far from a shop or café), muslins or tissues (spills happen).

What you can leave at home: The full changing bag with three outfit changes. Buses take you through populated areas—shops, cafés, and facilities are always close by. Pack light and problem-solve if issues arise.

Try a simple bus journey this week to somewhere your child will enjoy—a park, a playground, a library. Build your confidence with low-stakes trips before attempting longer journeys.

TotSpot shows you bus-accessible family-friendly venues with exact route numbers, so you can plan direct journeys without complicated changes.