Open Top Bus Routes 2026

[lxfe_mxtterz]

With the summer rapidly approaching, I'd like to get out and make the most of the open top buses which are running around the country this year.

I seem to recall a particular bus blog site (think it was Hants & Surrey Bus Blog) used to publish a yearly comprehensive list of all the open top buses running each summer, but the site appears to have closed down which is a shame as it had some very good and interesting articles.

Does anybody have an alternative list of which open top buses are running this year?

Many thanks.

 

[CN12 AWU]

I know usually Stagecoach Merseyside do a 400 from Seacombe Ferry to New Brighton using 17502 not sure if it's running this year

Chester, Manchester, Liverpool and Cardiff and the Lake District have open top Buses

Not sure where else has them

 

[Strathtay 260]

The 78 and 599 in the Lake District are my go to. Also the Peak District has some seasonal open top journeys

 

[padbus]

Stagecoach SW service 95 Exmouth to Sandy Bay is usually open top. It runs from the beginning of the school Easter holidays till the end of the school autumn half term holidays.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

I think Swanage has an open top route (the one that goes on a ferry).

Manchester tourist bus is open top (as are several other city's)

 

[andyb87]

I think Swanage has an open top route (the one that goes on a ferry).

Manchester tourist bus is open top (as are several other city's)

Stagecoach East Midlands has open toppers in Skegness, Cleethorpes and Lincoln. Scarborough sea front I think has at least two operators and there are O/T services in Whitby and (I think) Bridlington.

 

[YorkRailFan]

East Yorkshire Buses operates an open-top service from Easter through October along Scarborough's seafront, branded as Beachcomber. Scarborough also has the open-top 555 Coastcruiser service to Filey.

Stagecoach runs the Peak Sightseer Open-Top, returning from 23rd May daily until 19th September and then Saturdays only until 10th October. The Peak Sightseer takes two routes, the RED route from Bakewell to Chatsworth and the BLUE route from Chatsworth to Blue John Cavern.

Citysightseeing York & Golden Tours York both run open-top buses around the city, both run year round as well.

There's an open-top bus in Whitby running from March to October (usually coinciding with change in clocks)

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Stagecoach East Midlands has open toppers in Skegness, Cleethorpes and Lincoln. Scarborough sea front I think has at least two operators and there are O/T services in Whitby and (I think) Bridlington.

Bridlington doesn't have open top buses anymore sadly. The 14 to Flamborough Head is now run by closed top buses (including a route branded EvoSeti) and Coaster buses to Scarborough are closed top, often with Coaster branding.

 

[43055]

Went on First Wessex 11 Weymouth - Portland Bill at the weekend. At the moment it is every 2 hours at weekends but I believe it goes to hourly all week in the summer.

 

[WibbleWobble]

I think Swanage has an open top route (the one that goes on a ferry).

Manchester tourist bus is open top (as are several other city's)

Yes, the 50 which is open top all year around.

But if the weather is really nice, then duplicates will normally be closed top.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

Thanks to all who have replied, some very good suggestions so far! Agreed the Lake District open top buses are fantastic.

I have just seen that the Stagecoach Thanet open top route 69 has been extended this year and now serves Margate and Minnis Bay. I did this route last year when it was just the section between Broadstairs and Ramsgate and it was a pleasant (if rather short) run, so this is a welcome improvement.

 

[Towers]

Yes, the 50 which is open top all year around.

But if the weather is really nice, then duplicates will normally be closed top.

You can, however, use the Morebus app to identify not only where each bus is (punctuality can be severely affected by the queues for the ferry on busy days), but also which vehicle it is and whether it’s a full or partial open topper, or indeed a closed top.

The same operator offers a range of other open top routes in the Poole area, running under their ‘Breezer’ brand. The fleet includes ex Bournemouth Yellow Buses YBZ 223 & 224, a pair of formerly 02 plate Volvo B7/East Lancs which, assuming they reappear this year, are a nice bit of ‘heritage’ traction!

 

[Russel]

Stagecoach runs the Peak Sightseer Open-Top, returning from 23rd May daily until 19th September and then Saturdays only until 10th October. The Peak Sightseer takes two routes, the RED route from Bakewell to Chatsworth and the BLUE route from Chatsworth to Blue John Cavern.

Has the timetable / route detail been released for this year's Peak Sightseer?

Had a quick look around but can only find last years timetables.

 

[josh23]

The 1 between Weston-super-Mare & Sand Bay runs every half hour M-S, every hour on Sundays
All year round

 

[RDP]

Thanks to all who have replied, some very good suggestions so far! Agreed the Lake District open top buses are fantastic.

I have just seen that the Stagecoach Thanet open top route 69 has been extended this year and now serves Margate and Minnis Bay. I did this route last year when it was just the section between Broadstairs and Ramsgate and it was a pleasant (if rather short) run, so this is a welcome improvement.

The 69 was extended to Minnis Bay from the start of the 2025 summer school holidays restoring a service (although with a slightly different route) that had previously operated about thirty years earlier. The route through Broadstairs is also slightly different this year. Westwood depot has six buses to cover three duties these being Tridents 17528/9, Scania Omnicitys 15101/3 and E400s 19135/6.

 

[Citibus]

In Wales:
Llandudno & Conwy tour (Alpine)
Tenby (First)

In Northern Ireland:

Belfast (city Sightseeing)
Londonderry - Derry (city Sightseeing)

 

[Flange Squeal]

I authored the original list on the Hants & Surrey Bus Blog site, but following its closure (not just a Facebook page) I still maintain a list of open-top services for my own use but don’t have a website on which to put it. I don’t appear to be able to upload a PDF to the forum so have attached the current list as images. Orange denotes routes that the operator has confirmed are due to return this year, while red are ones that ran in 2025 but which I’ve not yet confirmed are running in 2026. Hopefully it’s of some use. When I’m next on my computer I’ll see if I can create some sort of table containing the information on here.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

I authored the original list on the Hants & Surrey Bus Blog site, but following its closure (not just a Facebook page) I still maintain a list of open-top services for my own use but don’t have a website on which to put it. I don’t appear to be able to upload a PDF to the forum so have attached the current list as images. Orange denotes routes that the operator has confirmed are due to return this year, while red are ones that ran in 2025 but which I’ve not yet confirmed are running in 2026. Hopefully it’s of some use. When I’m next on my computer I’ll see if I can create some sort of table containing the information on here.

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Glasgow's second City Sightseeing route is not returning for 2026.
Additionally, Gourock(!) has an open top tour bus on days a cruise ship is in town.

 

[CN12 AWU]

In Wales:
Llandudno & Conwy tour (Alpine)
Tenby (First)

In Northern Ireland:

Belfast (city Sightseeing)
Londonderry - Derry (city Sightseeing)

And Cardiff or there was a tour bus last time I went
It was Transpora and City Sightseeing doing tours

 

[YorkRailFan]

Has the timetable / route detail been released for this year's Peak Sightseer?

Had a quick look around but can only find last years timetables.

We'll be back on Saturday 23rd May 2026!
More information to follow.



Visit some of the Peak District’s most popular destinations with stops including Castleton and the Caverns, Chatsworth, Bakewell, Bamford, Padley Gorge, Hathersage, the Monsal Trail and more.

Peak Sightseer

Sit back and enjoy the scenery from a grandstand view as our open top bus takes you to some of the Peak District National Park’s most popular destinations.

www.stagecoachbus.com

This is what I found.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

I authored the original list on the Hants & Surrey Bus Blog site, but following its closure (not just a Facebook page) I still maintain a list of open-top services for my own use but don’t have a website on which to put it. I don’t appear to be able to upload a PDF to the forum so have attached the current list as images. Orange denotes routes that the operator has confirmed are due to return this year, while red are ones that ran in 2025 but which I’ve not yet confirmed are running in 2026. Hopefully it’s of some use. When I’m next on my computer I’ll see if I can create some sort of table containing the information on here.

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Absolutely brilliant! Thank you so much for the list and also previous years' lists - all of which have been very useful.

 

[James101]

Regional Transport operate their T1 from Shrewsbury to Ironbridge via various locations of interest from May. Apox 3 hour round trip from Shrewsbury with a break at Ironbridge, or a longer break with catching the later journey. Mostly operated by an ex-Lothian/First open-top Scania, bonus of certain journeys operated by a Routemaster or Leyland National, details of which on their website.

 

[adam rogan]

Llandudno have a few double deck open top routes that go around the town and the neighboring towns with stops at local sightseeing spots such as a Conwy Castle.

There are also two routes that go up the orme mountains, one a single deck convertible which opens when the weather is good and the other a vintage/retro manual coach. I'm unsure what make it is but the drivers make stops to point out the seals.

 

[Stan Drews]

I authored the original list on the Hants & Surrey Bus Blog site, but following its closure (not just a Facebook page) I still maintain a list of open-top services for my own use but don’t have a website on which to put it. I don’t appear to be able to upload a PDF to the forum so have attached the current list as images. Orange denotes routes that the operator has confirmed are due to return this year, while red are ones that ran in 2025 but which I’ve not yet confirmed are running in 2026. Hopefully it’s of some use. When I’m next on my computer I’ll see if I can create some sort of table containing the information on here.

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The Stirling and Dundee tours won't be returning in 2026.
However, as mentioned elsewhere the Local Highlights Tour in Inverclyde will be operational again when cruise ships are in Greenock port.
The Aberdeen tour now has 2 buses operating for 2026. (doubling the 2025 frequency).

 

[Belfastmarty]

In Wales:
Llandudno & Conwy tour (Alpine)
Tenby (First)

In Northern Ireland:

Belfast (city Sightseeing)
Londonderry - Derry (city Sightseeing)

Translink might occasionally use their open top Olympian 2000 on the 402, but it certainly can't be relied upon. OT but 2000 did a shift on the Coleraine Town Service a couple of weeks back

 

[markymark2000]

I authored the original list on the Hants & Surrey Bus Blog site, but following its closure (not just a Facebook page) I still maintain a list of open-top services for my own use but don’t have a website on which to put it. I don’t appear to be able to upload a PDF to the forum so have attached the current list as images. Orange denotes routes that the operator has confirmed are due to return this year, while red are ones that ran in 2025 but which I’ve not yet confirmed are running in 2026. Hopefully it’s of some use. When I’m next on my computer I’ll see if I can create some sort of table containing the information on here.

I wanted to say Thank You for this excellent list. I've used it a number of times in the past and it's been really useful. I hope that someone is able to provide a platform for you to host the list.

Additionally, Gourock(!) has an open top tour bus on days a cruise ship is in town.

However, as mentioned elsewhere the Local Highlights Tour in Inverclyde will be operational again when cruise ships are in Greenock port.

Just a shame that the Gourock open top tour is never promoted anywhere online for non cruise passengers to know when it runs. I'm sure there are a number of tourists who would want to go on the tour but due to lack of any information anywhere about the dates of operation or stops etc, they will never know about it or buy tickets on it. The whole tour seems to be very much on a need to know basis, and if you aren't a cruise passenger, then you just don't need to know.

 

[Flange Squeal]

Just a shame that the Gourock open top tour is never promoted anywhere online for non cruise passengers to know when it runs. I'm sure there are a number of tourists who would want to go on the tour but due to lack of any information anywhere about the dates of operation or stops etc, they will never know about it or buy tickets on it. The whole tour seems to be very much on a need to know basis, and if you aren't a cruise passenger, then you just don't need to know.

Funnily enough that’s the reason I’ve never included it, as while it’s possible to find photos on Flickr or Facebook showing it exists, the lack of publicity has made me assume it is solely for use by customers of the cruise companies so not accessible to the public (or the public are not welcome).

 

[Jimmi]

I authored the original list on the Hants & Surrey Bus Blog site, but following its closure (not just a Facebook page) I still maintain a list of open-top services for my own use but don’t have a website on which to put it. I don’t appear to be able to upload a PDF to the forum so have attached the current list as images. Orange denotes routes that the operator has confirmed are due to return this year, while red are ones that ran in 2025 but which I’ve not yet confirmed are running in 2026. Hopefully it’s of some use. When I’m next on my computer I’ll see if I can create some sort of table containing the information on here.

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Transpora in Blackpool is an awkward one when it comes to open toppers, they used an open top E400 around this time last year on the 26, but around the time they were starting the Cardiff Sightseeing tour, appearances of open toppers of the 26 became few and far between - there's also a gap in term times on an afternoon to allow the bus on the 26 to do a school contract although for the most part this seemed to largely only happen on Mondays and Fridays from my observations further reducing the likelihood of open toppers. Open top Trident V158MEV has been on the 26 the last few days however.

Should also note, last year, Transpora did two open top tours of Blackpool Illuminations, one starting opposite Blackpool Tower and the other starting at Marton Mere - whilst these tours were running, it was quite common to see an open topper on the 21 board that isn't tied to a school contract (21 doesn't run in school holidays)

 

[83G/84D]

Llandudno have a few double deck open top routes that go around the town and the neighboring towns with stops at local sightseeing spots such as a Conwy Castle.

There are also two routes that go up the orme mountains, one a single deck convertible which opens when the weather is good and the other a vintage/retro manual coach. I'm unsure what make it is but the drivers make stops to point out the seals.

You are probably referring to the two Mercedes Benz Sprinters operated by Alpine Travel (as well as several Volvo B7TL's last time I was there).

Check out the www.opentopbus.net website for more information on open top buses.

 

[route101]

Funnily enough that’s the reason I’ve never included it, as while it’s possible to find photos on Flickr or Facebook showing it exists, the lack of publicity has made me assume it is solely for use by customers of the cruise companies so not accessible to the public (or the public are not welcome).

https://www.greatscenicjourneys.co.uk/journey/547-gourock-open-top-tour/

 

[markymark2000]

'Starting point: Glasgow', no info on fares, no info on specific stops or times.

Also given the amount of outdated information on the site, I'm not sure that I'd really trust it (It still promoted Bright Bus Tours in Edinburgh and that changed nearly a year ago. Promotes the Dundee tour that Stan confirms isn't returning. Promotes Stagecoach Dumfries 246 and of course Stagecoach haven't ran that since August last year)

(post edited to provide better clarification)