Night buses in London

The London Night Bus network is a series of night bus routes that serve Greater London. Services broadly operate between the hours of 23:00 and 06:00.

Many services commence from or operate via Trafalgar Square and are extensions or variations of daytime routes and hence derive their number from these; for example, route N73 from Oxford Circus to Walthamstow Central follows that of route 73 as far as Stoke Newington, before continuing further north.

History

The first night bus was introduced in 1913. By 1920 there were two 'All Night Bus Services' in operation named the 94 and 94a running from 23:30 to 05:30. A few more services were introduced over the following decades, but all ceased during World War II. Services resumed after the war, increasing as trams and trolleybuses were replaced in the late 1950s and 1960s. In 1978 London Transport listed 21 all-night bus routes. On many of these routes, "all-night" service meant a departure frequency of no more than one bus an hour. In April 1984, the number of routes was increased from 21 to 32. At this point the peak service required 80 buses; by August 2013 this had grown to 890.

Originally the night bus network had its own fare structure, but with the introduction of the Oyster card in 2003, it was incorporated into the Transport for London fare structure. Until the mid-2000s, all routes had N prefixes. However, as some routes merely mirrored their day time equivalents, the N prefixes were dropped and these routes became 24-hour services; for example, route N14 was no longer differentiated from route 14.

Services are operated by private operators under contract to London Buses. The Night Bus contracts are often bundled with those of the equivalent daytime routes and awarded for a five-year period, with an optional two-year extension based on performance standards being met. Some however are tendered individually.

With some London Underground lines operating a 24-hour service at weekends from August 2016, a further eight routes commenced 24-hour operation on Friday and Saturday nights. Further changes were made as the Night Tube network expanded.

In May 2015, the Night Bus network was the subject of The Night Bus, a Channel 4 documentary.

Operation

Night Bus routes are often related to the day numerical equivalent, normally running the same route but with an extension at either end of the service. This is normally to provide a night service to destinations served by tube or train during the day. Some N-prefixed routes may begin operation before the last service of their day numerical equivalent for the day.

However, there are a few N-prefixed route numbers that have no relation to their daytime equivalents: the N5, N20, and N97 all operate in a different part of London to their respective day routes. Also, the N118 (which runs partially alongside route N18), N472 (whose daytime service was withdrawn in January 2026), N550 and N551 (which provide night service on parts of the DLR network) have no corresponding daytime routes.

There are also 24-hour routes, which run day and night but usually with a lower frequency during the night hours. The vast majority run the same route at all times. With the introduction of the Night Tube, some day routes have been extended to run during Friday and Saturday nights to serve the stations.

Route	Start	End	Operator
N1	Thamesmead	Tottenham Court Road station	Go-Ahead London
N2	Crystal Palace bus station	Marylebone station	Arriva London
N3	Oxford Circus tube station	Bromley North railway station	Transport UK London Bus
N5	Edgware bus station	Trafalgar Square	First Bus London
N7	Northolt tube station	Oxford Circus tube station	Metroline
N8	Hainault	Oxford Circus tube station	Stagecoach London
N9	Heathrow Terminal 5	Aldwych	Metroline
N11	Ealing Broadway station	Whitehall	Go-Ahead London
N15	Oxford Circus tube station	Romford Market	Go-Ahead London
N18	Harrow Weald bus garage	Trafalgar Square	First Bus London
N19	Clapham Junction railway station	Finsbury Park bus station	Arriva London
N20	Barnet Hospital	Trafalgar Square	Metroline
N21	Trafalgar Square	Bexleyheath town centre	Go-Ahead London
N22	Oxford Circus tube station	Fulwell	Go-Ahead London
N25	Ilford	Oxford Circus tube station	Stagecoach London
N26	Chingford railway station	London Victoria station	Stagecoach London
N27	Camden Market	Hammersmith bus station	Transport UK London Bus
N28	Southside Wandsworth	Camden Town tube station	Metroline
N29	Enfield Town	Trafalgar Square	Arriva London
N31	Clapham Junction railway station	Camden Town tube station	First Bus London
N32	Edgware bus station	London Victoria station	Metroline
N33	Fulwell railway station	Hammersmith bus station	First Bus London
N38	Walthamstow bus station	Victoria bus station	Arriva London
N41	Tottenham Hale bus station	Trafalgar Square	Arriva London
N44	Sutton railway station	Aldwych	Go-Ahead London
N53	Whitehall	Plumstead railway station	Stagecoach London
N55	St Thomas of Canterbury Church	Oxford Circus tube station	Stagecoach London
N63	Crystal Palace	London King's Cross railway station	Transport UK London Bus
N65	Chessington World of Adventures	Ealing Broadway station	First Bus London
N68	Old Coulsdon	Tottenham Court Road	Transport UK London Bus
N72	East Acton	Roehampton	First Bus London
N73	Walthamstow bus station	Oxford Circus tube station	Arriva London
N74	Roehampton	Baker Street tube station	Go-Ahead London
N83	Ealing Hospital	Golders Green tube station	Metroline
N86	Harold Hill	Stratford bus station	Stagecoach London
N87	Fairfield bus station	Aldwych	Go-Ahead London
N89	Trafalgar Square	Erith	Go-Ahead London
N91	Cockfosters tube station	Trafalgar Square	Go-Ahead London
N97	Hammersmith bus station	Trafalgar Square	Go-Ahead London
N98	Stanmore tube station	Red Lion Square	Metroline
N109	Oxford Circus tube station	Croydon town centre	Transport UK London Bus
N113	Edgware bus station	Trafalgar Square	Metroline
N118	Ruislip tube station	Trafalgar Square	First Bus London
N133	Morden tube station	Liverpool Street bus station	Transport UK London Bus
N136	Oxford Circus tube station	Chislehurst	Go-Ahead London
N137	Crystal Palace bus station	Oxford Circus	Arriva London
N140	Harrow Weald bus garage	Heathrow Central bus station	Metroline
N155	Morden tube station	Aldwych	Go-Ahead London
N171	Hither Green railway station	Tottenham Court Road station	Go-Ahead London
N199	St Mary Cray railway station	Trafalgar Square	Stagecoach London
N205	Leyton	London Paddington station	Stagecoach London
N207	Uxbridge tube station	Bloomsbury Square	Transport UK London Bus
N242	Homerton University Hospital	Tottenham Court Road	Stagecoach London
N250	Fairfield Halls	Brixton tube station	Arriva London
N253	Tottenham Court Road station	Aldgate tube station	Arriva London
N263	North Finchley bus station	Finsbury Square	Metroline
N266	Brent Cross bus station	Hammersmith bus station	Metroline
N277	Cubitt Town	Islington	Stagecoach London
N279	Waltham Cross	Trafalgar Square	Arriva London
N343	New Cross bus garage	Trafalgar Square	Go-Ahead London
N381	Peckham	Whitehall	Transport UK London Bus
N472	North Greenwich bus station	Abbey Wood railway station	Go-Ahead London
N550	Canning Town bus station	Trafalgar Square	Stagecoach London
N551	Gallions Reach Shopping Park	Trafalgar Square	Stagecoach London

N1

Route N1 commenced operating on 28 June 1995 between Plumstead garage and Trafalgar Square. It was originally operated by London Central, being taken over by First London on 14 November 1998. On 8 January 2000 it was extended beyond Plumstead to Thamesmead, and in April 2000 withdrawn between Trafalgar Square and Aldwych being diverted to Tottenham Court Road station. Upon being re-tendered, the route was taken over by East Thames Buses on 15 October 2005.

In October 2009, East Thames Buses was sold to Go-Ahead London, which included a five-year contract to operate route N1.

Current route

Route N1 operates via these primary locations:

N2

Route N2 commenced operating on 13 April 1984 between West Norwood station and Trafalgar Square. In October 1984, it was extended north from Trafalgar Square to Friern Barnet and south from West Norwood station to Crystal Palace bus station. In June 1995, it was withdrawn between Camden Town and Friern Barnet, and rerouted to Hampstead Heath. In November 1999, the Trafalgar Square to Hampstead Heath section was withdrawn and replaced by route N24. Upon being re-tendered, it passed from Metroline to Arriva London in April 2000.

Current route

Route N2 operates via these primary locations:

N3

Route N3 began operating on 27 October 1989 between Beckenham Junction station and Victoria bus station via Oxford Circus. In October 1993, it was extended to start back at Chislehurst. In May 2000, it was altered to operate between Bromley North station and Oxford Circus. Its operation passed from London Central to Connex on the same date.

Route N3 was included in the sale of Connex to Travel London in February 2004 which in turn was sold to Abellio London in May 2009. New Routemasters commenced operating route N3 on 8 February 2016.

Current route

Route N3 operates via these primary locations:

N5

Route N5 commenced operating on 28 October 1989 between Edgware station and Victoria bus station. In June 1995, it was withdrawn between Trafalgar Square and Victoria. It was operated by Metroline since its inception until July 2020 when it passed to London Sovereign.

Current route

Route N5 operates via these primary locations:

N7

Route N7 commenced operating on 30 August 2003 between Northolt and Russell Square partly replacing route N23. It was initially operated by First London. Upon being re-tendered it passed to Metroline on 23 June 2007 who commenced a further contract on 21 June 2014. In October 2014 it was withdrawn between Oxford Circus station and Russell Square.

Current route

Route N7 operates via these primary locations:

N8

Route N8 commenced operating on 13 August 1988 between Bow Church and Queensbury station. In July 1992, the Marble Arch to Queensbury section was withdrawn, with the route redirected to Victoria bus station. In July 1995, it was altered to operate from Woodford Wells to Trafalgar Square. In June 1999, it once again began operating to Victoria, albeit via Piccadilly Circus. This was altered in April 2000 with it now routed via Berkeley Square. In June 2004, its eastern terminus was altered to Hainault. In June 2009, it was again withdrawn between Oxford Circus and Victoria being replaced by route C2.

Route N8 has been operated by Stagecoach London since its inception. On 28 June 2014, a further contract commenced with New Routemasters.

Current route

Route N8 operates via these primary locations:

N9

Route N9 commenced operating on 25 February 1994 between Kingston and Trafalgar Square replacing parts of routes N65 and N97. In March 1997 it was extended from Trafalgar Square to Aldwych. On 29 September 2001, the Hammersmith bus station to Kingston section was withdrawn and the route diverted to Heathrow Central bus station, as well as the new Heathrow Terminal 5 from 2008. Route N9 has been operated by London United since its inception. On 27 January 2024, this route was transferred to Metroline from their Brentford garage.

Current route

Route N9 operates via these primary locations:

N11

Route N11 commenced operating on 13 April 1984 between Shepherd's Bush Green and Liverpool Street station. In April 1985 it was extended at both ends, westward to Acton Town and east to Hackney Central. It was extended east again in November 1985 to Hackney Wick. In August 1986 it was diverted at the western end from Shepherd's Bush to Turnham Green, this was reversed in February 1994.

Having been replaced between Trafalgar Square and Hackney Wick in October 1989 by route N6, it resumed operating to Liverpool Street in February 1994. In March 2001 it was diverted at Hammersmith to Wembley Stadium. Having been operated by London United since its inception, on 29 June 2003 it was taken over by London General. On 7 June 2008, route N11 was diverted at West Ealing to Ealing Broadway station being replaced by route 297.

On 23 November 2022, it was announced that route N11 would be rerouted to run to Whitehall instead of Shoreditch following a successful consultation. The withdrawn section of the route is now covered by an extended route N26. This change was implemented on 29 April 2023.

Current route

Route N11 operates via these primary locations:

N15

Route 15 corridor

Route N15
Oxford Circus London Underground N15 Piccadilly Circus London Underground Trafalgar Square London Underground 15 15H Aldwych Ludgate Circus National Rail Tower Hill London Underground Docklands Light Railway National Rail 15H Aldgate London Underground 115 Limehouse Docklands Light Railway National Rail Blackwall Docklands Light Railway 15 Canning Town London Underground Docklands Light Railway 5 East Ham London Underground 115 Barking London Underground London Overground National Rail Becontree Heath Romford Market 5 N15
				Oxford Circus London Underground N15
				Piccadilly Circus London Underground
				Trafalgar Square London Underground 15 15H
				Aldwych
				Ludgate Circus National Rail
				Tower Hill London Underground Docklands Light Railway National Rail 15H
				Aldgate London Underground 115
				Limehouse Docklands Light Railway National Rail
				Blackwall Docklands Light Railway 15
				Canning Town London Underground Docklands Light Railway 5
				East Ham London Underground 115
				Barking London Underground London Overground National Rail
				Becontree Heath
				Romford Market 5 N15

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Route N15 commenced operating on 15 July 1995 between Becontree Heath and Paddington station to replace a section of withdrawn route N95 between Becontree Heath and Aldgate. In August 1998 the route was extended from Becontree Heath to Romford Market and withdrawn between Marble Arch and Paddington. The latter was reverted in May 2001. In October 2007 the route was extended from Paddington to Paddington Basin. In August 2010 the route was withdrawn between Regent Street and Paddington Basin, this section replaced by route 159. In May 2013 the route was withdrawn between Trafalgar Square and Regent Street.

Having been operated by East London since its inception, it was taken over by Go-Ahead London on 26 August 2017 from their Henley Road bus garage, having part of the allocation run from River Road bus garage and additional services run from Camberwell bus garage.

Current route

Route N15 operates via these primary locations:

N18

Route N18 commenced operating on 13 April 1984 between Sudbury and Liverpool Street station. In April 1985 it was extended from Sudbury to Harrow Weald via Edgware at its outer end and curtailed from Liverpool Street to Aldwych at its inner end. Having been operated by First London since privatisation, it was included in the sale of Willesden Junction garage to Metroline in June 2013. In November 2017 operation of the route passed to London United.

Current route

Route N18 operates via these primary locations:

N19

Route N19 commenced operating on 28 October 1989 between Clapham Junction station and Finsbury Park station. London General operated it until April 2000 when it was taken over by Arriva London. London General won the route back when re-tendered from March 2012, before it returned to Arriva operation in April 2017.

Current route

Route N19 operates via these primary locations:

N20

Route N20 commenced operating on 28 October 1989 from Chipping Barnet to Aldwych as route N1. It was curtailed from Aldwych to Trafalgar Square on 18 July 1992. It was renumbered as N20 on 24 June 1995. First London operated it from 15 July 1998 until it returned to Metroline on 25 August 2003.

Current route

Route N20 operates via these primary locations:

N21

Current route

Route N21 operates via these primary locations:

N22

Route N22 commenced operating on 24 November 2000 between Richmond and Piccadilly Circus replace the withdrawn section of route N9 between Richmond and Putney Bridge. On 29 September 2001, the route was extended from Richmond to Kingston. On 3 June 2006, it was withdrawn curtailed from Kingston to Fulwell. It has always been operated by London General (now Go-Ahead London). On 16 July 2017, the route was withdrawn between Green Park and Piccadilly Circus and diverted to Oxford Circus via Berkeley Square, partly replacing route C2.

Current route

Route N22 operates via these primary locations:

N25

Route N25 commenced operation on 15 July 1995 between Romford station and Trafalgar Square. Initially operated by East London, upon being re-tendered it passed to First London on 26 July 1999. It ceased on 26 June 2004, when route 25 was converted to 24-hour operation. Route N25 was reintroduced on 1 December 2018 when route 25 ceased to be a 24-hour route with Tower Transit operating it. Upon being re-tendered, it was taken over by Stagecoach London on 23 May 2020.

Current route

Route N25 operates via these primary locations:

N26

Route N26 commenced operation on 18 July 1992 between Walthamstow Central station and Victoria bus station. It was introduced to replace the withdrawn sections of route N6 between Trafalgar Square and Walthamstow. In 1995 it was curtailed from Victoria to Trafalgar Square but extended at the other end to Walthamstow Fulbourne Road. In 2001 it was rerouted from Walthamstow Central to Chingford station, instead of Fulbourne Road, partly replacing route N38.

On 23 November 2022, it was announced that a proposed extension of route N26 to Victoria, in line with a revised (daytime) route 26, would be going ahead following a consultation; it was implemented on 29 April 2023.

Current route

Route N26 operates via these primary locations:

N27

Route N27 was introduced on 3 February 2001 between Turnham Green and Chalk Farm. It was operated by First London. It ceased on 19 March 2004 when route 27 was converted to 24-hour operation. It resumed on 9 March 2019 when route 27 ceased to be a 24-hour route, this time being operated by London United. On 9 November 2019, it was taken over by Abellio London.

Current route

Route N27 operates via these primary locations:

N28

Routes N28 and N31 corridor

Route N28
Camden Town station London Underground N28 N31 31 Chalk Farm station London Underground Swiss Cottage station London Underground South Hampstead station London Overground 328 to Golders Green station Kilburn High Road station London Overground Kilburn Park station London Underground Maida Hill The Chippenham 28 to Kensal Rise station Westbourne Park station London Underground Notting Hill Gate station London Underground 31 to White City bus station High Street Kensington station London Underground 328 to World's End N31 to Clapham Junction station Kensington (Olympia) station London Overground London Underground National Rail West Kensington station London Underground Fulham Broadway station London Underground Imperial Wharf station London Overground National Rail Wandsworth Bridge Wandsworth Town station National Rail Southside Wandsworth N28 28
				Camden Town station London Underground N28 N31 31
				Chalk Farm station London Underground
				Swiss Cottage station London Underground
				South Hampstead station London Overground
				328 to Golders Green station
				Kilburn High Road station London Overground
				Kilburn Park station London Underground
				Maida Hill The Chippenham
				28 to Kensal Rise station
				Westbourne Park station London Underground
				Notting Hill Gate station London Underground
				31 to White City bus station
				High Street Kensington station London Underground
				328 to World's End
				N31 to Clapham Junction station
				Kensington (Olympia) station London Overground London Underground National Rail
				West Kensington station London Underground
				Fulham Broadway station London Underground
				Imperial Wharf station London Overground National Rail
				Wandsworth Bridge
				Wandsworth Town station National Rail
				Southside Wandsworth N28 28

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Route N28 commenced operating on 29 May 1999 between Camden Town and Southside Wandsworth. On 24 July 2023, the route was diverted via King's Road and Battersea Bridge and terminating at Clapham Junction station from 24 July until 29 July due to Wandsworth Bridge being closed. On 30 July 2023, the route was reinstated to Southside Wandsworth, but diverted via King's Road and Battersea Bridge from 30 July until 2 October, missing stops between New Kings Road and Bridgend Road in both directions due to the closure of Wandsworth Bridge. The route returned to normal running via Wandsworth Bridge when it reopened on 2 October 2023.

Current route

Route N28 operates via these primary locations:

N29

Route N29 commenced operating on 27 February 1980 between Enfield Town and Trafalgar Square. On 14 January 2006 it was curtailed from Enfield Town to Ponders End with Mercedes-Benz O530G articulated buses introduced. On 26 November 2011 it was converted back to double deck operation.

Current route

Route N29 operates via these primary locations:

N31

Routes N28 and N31 corridor

Route N31
Camden Town station London Underground N28 N31 31 Chalk Farm station London Underground Swiss Cottage station London Underground South Hampstead station London Overground 328 to Golders Green station Kilburn High Road station London Overground Kilburn Park station London Underground Maida Hill The Chippenham 28 to Kensal Rise station Westbourne Park station London Underground Notting Hill Gate station London Underground 31 to White City bus station High Street Kensington station London Underground 328 to World's End 28 N28 to Southside Wandsworth Earl's Court station London Underground Battersea Clapham Junction station London Overground National Rail N31
				Camden Town station London Underground N28 N31 31
				Chalk Farm station London Underground
				Swiss Cottage station London Underground
				South Hampstead station London Overground
				328 to Golders Green station
				Kilburn High Road station London Overground
				Kilburn Park station London Underground
				Maida Hill The Chippenham
				28 to Kensal Rise station
				Westbourne Park station London Underground
				Notting Hill Gate station London Underground
				31 to White City bus station
				High Street Kensington station London Underground
				328 to World's End
				28 N28 to Southside Wandsworth
				Earl's Court station London Underground
				Battersea
				Clapham Junction station London Overground National Rail N31

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Route N31 commenced operation on 11 November 1989 between Camden Town and Notting Hill Gate. It initially operated on Friday and Saturday nights only until it became a seven days a week service on 18 July 1992 with the Alexander bodied Mercedes-Benz 811Ds were replaced by Wright Handybus bodied Dennis Darts that in turn were replaced by Marshall Capital bodied Dennis Darts in 1999.

On 29 May 1999, the route was diverted to terminate at Clapham Junction station. It was converted back to double decker operation in June 2004 with Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TLs. It was included in the June 2013 sale of First London's Westbourne Park to Tower Transit. Upon being re-tendered, on 28 April 2018 the route passed to Metroline.

Current route

Route N31 operates via these primary locations:

N32

Route N32 corridor

Route N32
Edgware bus station London Buses London Underground N32 32 Burnt Oak Broadway Colindale West Hendon Broadway Staples Corner 316 to Brent Cross West station 16 to Brent Park Cricklewood bus garage Cricklewood Broadway Kilburn station London Underground Brondesbury station London Overground Kilburn High Road station London Overground 32 to Kilburn Park station 316 to White City bus station Maida Vale station London Underground Edgware Road station London Underground 16 to Paddington station Marble Arch station London Underground Hyde Park Corner station London Underground Victoria station London Buses London Underground National Rail N32
				Edgware bus station London Buses London Underground N32 32
				Burnt Oak Broadway
				Colindale
				West Hendon Broadway
				Staples Corner
				316 to Brent Cross West station
				16 to Brent Park
				Cricklewood bus garage
				Cricklewood Broadway
				Kilburn station London Underground
				Brondesbury station London Overground
				Kilburn High Road station London Overground
				32 to Kilburn Park station
				316 to White City bus station
				Maida Vale station London Underground
				Edgware Road station London Underground
				16 to Paddington station
				Marble Arch station London Underground
				Hyde Park Corner station London Underground
				Victoria station London Buses London Underground National Rail N32

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Route N32 commenced operating on 29 April 2023 between Edgware bus station and Victoria station when route N16 was renumbered to route N32 as part of the Central London bus changes.

Current route

Route N32 operates via these primary locations:

N33

Route N33 commenced operating on 18 May 2019 between Fulwell station and Hammersmith bus station with the curtailment of route 33 due to the closure of Hammersmith Bridge.

Current route

Route N33 operates via these primary locations:

N38

Route N38 commenced operating on 14 July 1995 as a half hourly service between Trafalgar Square and Chingford Mount with hourly bifurcation to Chingford station and Chingford Hatch, replacing most of Route N96. Initially operated by East London, upon being tendered it passed to Arriva London from 19 April 1997, being diverted to Victoria bus station on the same date. On 28 April 2001, the route was curtailed from Chingford to Walthamstow.

Current route

Route N38 operates via these primary locations:

N41

Route N41 commenced operation on 9 December 2000 between Tottenham Hale bus station and Archway. On 5 February 2005 it extended from Archway to Trafalgar Square. It has always been operated by Arriva London.

Current route

Route N41 operates via these primary locations:

N44

Route N44 commenced operating on 18 August 1995 between Sutton station and Trafalgar Square. On 26 April 1996 it was extended to Aldwych. It has always been operated by London General (now Go-Ahead London).

Current route

Route N44 operates via these primary locations:

N53

Route N53 commenced operating on 27 October 1989 between Erith and Victoria bus station. On 28 July 1995 the route was withdrawn between Erith and Thamesmead and extended to Oxford Circus. On 8 January 2000 the Thamesmead to Plumstead section was withdrawn. On 28 June 2002, the route was withdrawn between Plumstead and Erith. On 15 February 2003 it was withdrawn between Whitehall and Oxford Circus. It ceased on 20 March 2004 when route 53 was converted to a 24-hour service. It was reinstated on 15 June 2019 when route 53 ceased to be a 24-hour service.

Current route

Route N53 operates via these primary locations:

N55

Route N55 commenced operating on 28 April 2001 between Whipps Cross and Oxford Circus station. On 25 June 2004 it was extended from Whipps Cross to St Thomas of Canterbury Church. It has always been operated by Stagecoach London.

Current route

Route N55 operates via these primary locations:

N63

Route N63 commenced operating on 16 November 2002 between Crystal Palace and King's Cross station. It is operated by Transport UK London Bus.

Current route

Route N63 operates via these primary locations:

N65

Route N65 commenced operating on 31 August 2002 between Kingston upon Thames and Ealing Broadway station. It ceased on 24 January 2004 when route 65 was converted to 24-hour operation. It was reintroduced on 25 October 2018 between Chessington World of Adventures and Ealing Broadway, as a re-numbering of route 65's night-only section between Kingston and Chessington.

Current route

Route N65 operates via these primary locations:

N68

Route SL6 corridor

Route N68
Tottenham Court Road station Elizabeth line London Underground N68 SL6 to Russell Square 68 to Euston bus station Holborn station London Underground Aldwych Waterloo station London Underground National Rail SL6 direct non-stop Elephant and Castle 468 Camberwell Green King's College Hospital Denmark Hill Herne Hill station National Rail Tulse Hill station National Rail SL6 direct non-stop West Norwood station National Rail 68 Upper Norwood Selhurst Park Thornton Heath High Street SL6 to West Croydon bus station Wellesley Road tram stop Tramlink East Croydon station Tramlink National Rail South Croydon South End 468 Purley Reedham station National Rail Coulsdon Town station National Rail Coulsdon South station National Rail Old Coulsdon N68
				Tottenham Court Road station Elizabeth line London Underground N68
				SL6 to Russell Square
				68 to Euston bus station
				Holborn station London Underground
				Aldwych
				Waterloo station London Underground National Rail
				SL6 direct non-stop
				Elephant and Castle 468
				Camberwell Green
				King's College Hospital
				Denmark Hill
				Herne Hill station National Rail
				Tulse Hill station National Rail
				SL6 direct non-stop
				West Norwood station National Rail 68
				Upper Norwood
				Selhurst Park
				Thornton Heath High Street
				SL6 to West Croydon bus station
				Wellesley Road tram stop Tramlink
				East Croydon station Tramlink National Rail
				South Croydon South End 468
				Purley
				Reedham station National Rail
				Coulsdon Town station National Rail
				Coulsdon South station National Rail
				Old Coulsdon N68

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Route N68 commenced operating on 27 March 1999 between Purley Cross and Trafalgar Square. On 28 April 2000, the route was diverted at Aldwych via Kingsway, and High Holborn to Tottenham Court Road station and extended from Purley to Old Coulsdon. Having been operated by Arriva London from its inception, on 31 March 2006 it was taken over by London Central and on 31 March 2018 by Abellio London.

Current route

Route N68 operates via these primary locations:

N72

Route N72 commenced operating on 5 September 1999 between East Acton and Roehampton. It ceased on 24 April 2004 when route 72 was converted to 24-hour operation. With the closure of Hammersmith Bridge, it was reintroduced on 18 May 2019 with a routing via Putney Bridge.

On 13 December 2025, following a public consultation, route N72 was rerouted to additionally serve the White City Estate.

Current route

Route N72 operates via these primary locations:

N73

Route N73 commenced operating on 22 September 1989 between Walthamstow Central station and Victoria bus station. On 17 June 2017, it was withdrawn between Victoria and Oxford Circus, being replaced by route 390.

Current route

Route N73 operates via these primary locations:

N74

Route N74 commenced operating on 23 November 2002 between Roehampton and Baker Street station.

Current route

Route N74 operates via these primary locations:

N83

Route N83 commenced operating on 13 September 2002 between Golders Green and Ealing Hospital. Operated by First London, it ceased on 16 April 2004 when route 83 became a 24-hour service.

It was reintroduced on 13 September 2016 when route 83 was curtailed to only operate between Golders Green and Alperton and route 483 was curtailed to operate between Harrow bus station and Ealing Hospital.

Current route

Route N83 operates via these primary locations:

N86

Route N86 commenced operating on 26 June 2004 between Harold Hill and Stratford bus station replacing the withdrawn section of route N25 between Harold Hill and Ilford.

Current route

Route N86 operates via these primary locations:

N87

Route N77 commenced on 18 August 1995 between Tolworth and Trafalgar Square. On 3 June 2006 route N77 was renumbered N87 and curtailed between Tolworth and Fairfield bus station.

Current route

Route N87 operates via these primary locations:

N89

Route N89 commenced operating on 28 June 2002 between Erith and Trafalgar Square.

Current route

Route N89 operates via these primary locations:

N91

Route N91 commenced operating on 25 February 1994 between Hornsey Rise and Trafalgar Square. On 23 June 1995, the route was extended from Hornsey Rise to Potters Bar. Having been operated by MTL London since its inception, when re-tendered it passed to Capital Citibus on 31 January 1997. It passed with the Capital Citybus to First London in July 1998. When next tendered, it was awarded to Metroline from 6 February 2009.

Current route

Route N91 operates via these primary locations:

N97

The route is primarily used as a night replacement for the Piccadilly line between Piccadilly Circus and Hammersmith stations. Passengers can then continue their journey using night routes N91 (to Cockfosters) or N9 (to Heathrow). There is currently no night service for the Uxbridge branch. Operation of the route passed from London United to Tower Transit on 5 March 2016.

Current route

Route N97 operates via these primary locations:

N98

Route N98 commenced operating on 19 August 1995 between Stanmore station and Trafalgar Square. On 29 April 2000 the route was diverted at Oxford Circus to Red Lion Square. Initially operated by CentreWest, since 3 February 2001 it has been operated by Metroline.

Current route

Route N98 operates via these primary locations:

N109

Route N109 commenced operating on 11 March 1994 between Coulsdon and Aldwych. It was withdrawn on 17 September 1999, being replaced by route N159. It was reintroduced on 28 August 2010 between Croydon and Oxford Circus station replacing route N159. Initially operated by Arriva London, upon being re-tendered it was taken over by Abellio London on 31 January 2015.

Current route

Route N109 operates via these primary locations:

N113

Route N113 commenced operating on 30 June 2012 between Edgware bus station and Trafalgar Square partly replacing route N13.

Current route

Route N113 operates via these primary locations:

N118

Route N118 commenced operating on 17 January 2026 between Ruislip station and Trafalgar Square, running partially alongside route N18 and partially replacing the weekend night service on route 114.

Current route

Route N118 operates via these primary locations:

N133

Route N133 commenced operation on 24 January 2003 between Tooting and Liverpool Street bus station. On 1 September 2007 it was diverted at Streatham to Mitcham. Having been operated by London General since its inception, upon being re-tendered it was taken over by Arriva London on 22 January 2010.

Current route

Route N133 operates via these primary locations:

N136

Route N136 commenced operating on 9 February 2008 between Chislehurst and Oxford Circus station replacing route N36 between Grove Park and Oxford Circus. Having been operated by Stagecoach London since its inception, upon being re-tendered it was taken over by Go-Ahead London on 27 May 2017.

Current route

Route N136 operates via these primary locations:

N137

Route N137 commenced operating on 16 March 2001 between Crystal Palace bus station and Oxford Circus station. Having been operated by London Central since its inception, upon being re-tendered it was taken over by Arriva London on 9 July 2004.

Current route

Route N137 operates via these primary locations:

N140

Route N140

Route N140
Harrow Weald bus garage N140 140 Harrow bus station London Buses London Underground National Rail SL9 South Harrow station London Underground Northolt Park station National Rail Northolt station London Underground Yeading White Hart Roundabout Yeading Dilston Close Yeading Willow Tree Lane Hayes the Grapes 278 to Ruislip High Street Hayes & Harlington station Elizabeth line National Rail 140 Harlington High Street Harlington Corner Heathrow Central bus station London Underground Elizabeth line National Rail London Buses List of airports Bus transport in the United Kingdom N140 SL9 278
				Harrow Weald bus garage N140 140
				Harrow bus station London Buses London Underground National Rail SL9
				South Harrow station London Underground
				Northolt Park station National Rail
				Northolt station London Underground
				Yeading White Hart Roundabout
				Yeading Dilston Close
				Yeading Willow Tree Lane
				Hayes the Grapes
				278 to Ruislip High Street
				Hayes & Harlington station Elizabeth line National Rail 140
				Harlington High Street
				Harlington Corner
				Heathrow Central bus station
				London Underground Elizabeth line National Rail London Buses List of airports Bus transport in the United Kingdom N140 SL9 278

This diagram:viewtalkedit

Route N140 operates beyond the operational hours of routes SL9 and 140. It commenced operating on 31 March 2000 between Harrow Weald bus garage and Heathrow Central bus station. It ceased on 16 April 2004 when route 140 was converted to a 24-hour service. It was reinstated on 7 December 2019 when route 140 was withdrawn between Heathrow Central bus station and Hayes & Harlington station, letting the section being transferred to the newly introduced route X140 (now SL9) and also when route 140 ceased to be a 24-hour service.

Current route

Route N140 operates via these primary locations:

N155

Route N155 commenced operating on 18 August 1995 between Sutton station and Trafalgar Square. On 28 May 1999, the route was extended from Trafalgar Square to Aldwych. On 12 December 2003, it was withdrawn between Sutton and Morden, being replaced by route N44. It has been operated by London General (now Go-Ahead London) since its inception.

Current route

Route N155 operates via these primary locations:

N171

Route N171 commenced operating on 27 April 1996 between Hither Green station and Trafalgar Square. In 2000 it route was diverted at Aldwych to Tottenham Court Road station instead of Trafalgar Square. In 2006, the route was changed to terminate at Catford bus garage instead of Hither Green, and so mirror the day 171 route.

On 30 April 2011 it was rerouted back to Hither Green station. It is operated by Go-Ahead London.

Current route

Route N171 operates via these primary locations:

N199

Route N199 commenced operating on 12 September 2015 between St Mary Cray station and Trafalgar Square to replace discontinued night bus N47.

Current route

Route N199 operates via these primary locations:

N205

Route N205 was introduced on 31 August 2013 when route 205 ceased to be a 24-hour route. It has been operated by East London since its inception.

Current route

Route N205 operates via these primary locations:

N207

Route SL8 corridor

Route N207
427 to Uxbridge (York Road) Uxbridge station London Underground N207 SL8 Uxbridge The Greenway Hillingdon Heath Lees Road Hayes End Uxbridge Road Uxbridge County Court Hayes the Grapes Hayes Bypass 207 Southall Trinity Road 427 to Southall (Merrick Road) Southall North Road Southall Iron Bridge Ealing Hospital Hanwell Broadway West Ealing Broadway Ealing Broadway station London Underground Elizabeth line National Rail Ealing Common station London Underground Acton Town Hall Acton Central station London Overground Acton Vale Bromyard Avenue Uxbridge Road Adelaide Grove Shepherd's Bush Market station London Underground Shepherd's Bush stations London Underground London Overground National Rail SL8 207 to White City bus station London Buses London Underground Holland Park station London Underground Notting Hill Gate station London Underground Queensway station London Underground Lancaster Gate station London Underground Marble Arch station London Underground Oxford Circus station London Underground Tottenham Court Road station London Underground Elizabeth line Holborn station London Underground Bloomsbury Square N207
				427 to Uxbridge (York Road)
				Uxbridge station London Underground N207 SL8
				Uxbridge The Greenway
				Hillingdon Heath Lees Road
				Hayes End
				Uxbridge Road Uxbridge County Court
				Hayes the Grapes
				Hayes Bypass 207
				Southall Trinity Road
				427 to Southall (Merrick Road)
				Southall North Road
				Southall Iron Bridge
				Ealing Hospital
				Hanwell Broadway
				West Ealing Broadway
				Ealing Broadway station London Underground Elizabeth line National Rail
				Ealing Common station London Underground
				Acton Town Hall
				Acton Central station London Overground
				Acton Vale Bromyard Avenue
				Uxbridge Road Adelaide Grove
				Shepherd's Bush Market station London Underground
				Shepherd's Bush stations London Underground London Overground National Rail
				SL8 207 to White City bus station London Buses London Underground
				Holland Park station London Underground
				Notting Hill Gate station London Underground
				Queensway station London Underground
				Lancaster Gate station London Underground
				Marble Arch station London Underground
				Oxford Circus station London Underground
				Tottenham Court Road station London Underground Elizabeth line
				Holborn station London Underground
				Bloomsbury Square N207

This diagram:viewtalkedit

Route N207 commenced operation on 11 October 1996 between Uxbridge station and Victoria bus station. On 12 November 1999 it was diverted at Oxford Circus to Aldwych. On 28 April 2000 it was again rerouted to Bloomsbury Square. Having been operated by First London since privatisation, it was included in the sale of Hayes garage to Metroline in June 2013. Upon being re-tendered, it passed to Abellio London on 6 April 2019.

Current route

Route N207 operates via these primary locations:

N242

Route N242 commenced operating on 31 January 2003 between Homerton University Hospital and Tottenham Court Road station. It ceased on 23 April 2004 when route 242 was converted to a 24-hour service. It was reinstated on 15 June 2019 when route 242 ceased to be a 24-hour service.

Current route

Route N242 operates via these primary locations:

N250

Route N250 commenced operating on 29 August 2003 between Fairfield Halls and Brixton station. It ceased on 20 March 2004 when route 250 was converted to a 24-hour service. It was reinstated on 2 November 2019 when route 250 was withdrawn between Fairfield Halls and West Croydon bus station and also when route 250 ceased to be a 24-hour service.

Current route

Route N250 operates via these primary locations:

N253

Route N253 commenced operating on 3 September 1993 running between Aldgate bus station and Euston bus station. On 25 November 1994 it was extended to Trafalgar Square. On 29 May 1998, the route was withdrawn between Trafalgar Square and Tottenham Court Road station.

Current route

Route N253 operates via these primary locations:

N263

Route N263 commenced operating on 6 April 2025 between Finsbury Square and Tally Ho Corner following the withdrawal of daytime route 271 and night time route N271.

Current route

Route N263 operates via these primary locations:

N266

Route N266 commenced operating on 7 December 2019 between Brent Cross and Hammersmith bus stations when route 266 ceased to be a 24-hour service as part of bus changes preparing for the opening of the Elizabeth line.

Current route

Route N266 operates via these primary locations:

N277

Route N277 commenced operating on 30 June 2018 between Cubitt Town and Islington.

Current route

Route N277 operates via these primary locations:

N279

Route N279 commenced operating on 26 April 1996 between Upshire and Victoria bus station. On 15 October 1999 it was withdrawn between Upshire and Waltham Cross. On 15 October 2004 it was cut back from Victoria to Trafalgar Square.

Current route

Route N279 operates via these primary locations:

N343

Route N343 commenced operating on 2 February 2001 between New Cross bus garage and Victoria bus station. Having been operated by London Central since its inception, about being re-tendered it was taken over by Travel London in 2006. It was included in the sale of Travel London to Abellio London in May 2009. Upon being re-tendered it returned to Go-Ahead London on 13 February 2018.

Current route

Route N343 operates via these primary locations:

N381

Route N381 commenced operating on 9 October 1999 between Peckham and Whitehall. Initially operated by London Central, upon being re-tendered it was taken over by Connex on 9 October 2004. It was included in the sale of Connex to Travel London in February 2004 which in turn was sold to Abellio London in May 2009.

Current route

Route N381 operates via these primary locations:

N472

Route N472 commenced operating on 24 January 2026 between North Greenwich bus station and Abbey Wood station, replacing the night service on 24-hour route 472.

Current route

Route N472 operates via these primary locations:

N550

Route N550 commenced on 30 October 2008 between Canning Town bus station and Trafalgar Square replacing route N50 between Canning Town and East Beckton. Initially operated by East London, upon being re-tendered it was taken over by Tower Transit on 31 August 2013. When next tendered it passed to CT Plus on 1 August 2018. It is now operated by Stagecoach London.

Current route

Route N550 operates via these primary locations:

N551

Route N551 commenced on 30 October 2008 between Gallions Reach Shopping Park and Trafalgar Square. Initially operated by Go-Ahead London, upon being re-tendered it was taken over by Tower Transit on 31 August 2013. When next tendered it passed to CT Plus on 1 August 2018. It is now operated by Stagecoach London.

Current route

Route N551 operates via these primary locations:

Night buses in London

History

Operation

N1

N2

N3

N5

N7

N8

N9

N11

N15

N18

N19

N20

N21

N22

N25

N26

N27

N28

N29

N31

N32

N33

N38

N41

N44

N53

N55

N63

N65

N68

N72

N73

N74

N83

N86

N87

N89

N91

N97

N98

N109

N113

N118

N133

N136

N137

N140

N155

N171

N199

N205

N207

N242

N250

N253

N263

N266

N277

N279

N343

N381

N472

N550

N551

See also