London buses are all cashless, so you need an Oyster card, Travelcard or contactless payment card to ride. Bus fare is £1.75, and a day of bus-only travel will cost a maximum of £5.25. You can transfer to other buses or trams for free an unlimited number of times within one hour of touching in for your first journey.

That’s a great question, but it has two very different answers depending on whether you mean riding a bus or buying one.

Here’s a breakdown for both:

1. Cost to Ride a London Bus (Fare for Passengers)

This is simple and relatively cheap. Single Fare: £1.75 with a contactless payment card (credit/debit), Oyster card, or mobile payment (Apple/Google Pay). What you get: This fare includes a “Hopper” benefit. You can take unlimited bus or tram journeys within one hour of first touching in for no extra charge. Daily Cap: If you make multiple journeys in a single day, your fares are automatically capped. The daily cap for bus and tram travel only is £5.25. Once you reach this amount, any further bus/tram journeys that day are free. Important: You cannot pay with cash on London buses. You must use a contactless card, Oyster card, or a valid travel pass.

2. Cost to Buy a London Bus (The Vehicle Itself)

This is a major capital purchase for a transport operator. A new double-decker bus (like the modern hybrid or electric models you see in London) typically costs between £300,000 and £400,000. A new single-decker bus costs roughly £200,000 to £300,000. Key Factors: The price varies hugely based on: Technology: Diesel buses are cheaper. Hybrids (diesel-electric) are more expensive