Millions of Londoners and visitors are set to benefit from cheaper travel this summer, as the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announces the expansion of the popular Hopper fare to weekends.
For the first time, a new Weekend Hopper offer will allow passengers to make unlimited bus and tram journeys for the price of a single fare across an entire day on Saturdays and Sundays.
The initiative will run from 25 July to 31 August, covering six weekends during the school summer holidays, including the August Bank Holiday.
Under the scheme, passengers will pay just £1.75 – the cost of a single bus or tram journey – to travel as much as they like on the same day.
The move builds on the Mayor’s long‑standing commitment to keeping transport affordable. Earlier this year, bus and tram fares were frozen for the seventh time since 2016, maintaining some of the lowest fares in the UK.
City Hall has also indicated that efforts are under way to extend the current fare freeze through the summer, making the Weekend Hopper an even better deal.
The original Hopper fare, introduced in 2016, allows unlimited bus and tram journeys within one hour for a single fare.
Since its launch, customers have made more than one billion Hopper journeys, with regular users saving significant amounts over time. TfL estimates that making just two Hopper journeys a week could have saved passengers as much as £1,500 over a decade.
The Weekend Hopper extends this principle from one hour to a full day of travel, significantly increasing flexibility.
The offer is designed to help Londoners manage the cost of living while making it easier to explore the city.
For example, a family of two adults and two under‑16s could save up to £7 per day, or £14 over a weekend, if making three or more journeys.
The Mayor is also continuing his commitment to ensuring that children under 18 travel for free on buses and trams.
The timing of the Weekend Hopper coincides with a busy summer calendar in London, making it easier for residents and visitors to access events and attractions across the capital.
- Major sporting events such as the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and London Athletics Meet
- Large‑scale concerts, including performances at Wembley Stadium and The O2
- Cultural exhibitions at leading venues such as the V&A, National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery
- Theatre productions across the West End
The offer is expected to support attendance at these events while boosting footfall for local businesses.
Buses and trams play a key role in London’s transport network, offering one of the most accessible and inclusive ways to travel.
- Around 96% of households are within 400 metres of a bus stop
- More than 90% of routes run at high frequency
- All buses are fully accessible, with low‑floor boarding and dedicated wheelchair spaces
The Weekend Hopper encourages greater use of public transport, helping reduce congestion and support more sustainable travel patterns.
The scheme also complements wider initiatives to enhance London’s public spaces and economy.
These include the Mayor’s £400,000 Summer Streets fund, which supports outdoor dining and community activity, and plans to transform Oxford Street into a pedestrian‑focused area.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said:
“During 10 years as Mayor, I’ve been committed to keeping public transport as affordable as possible. This has included freezing bus and tram fares a record seven times. I am determined to continue to help Londoners with the cost-of-living crisis. My Hopper fare has enabled millions of people to enjoy cheaper bus travel. I know how expensive the summer holidays can be for families and my new Weekend Hopper - which is a whopper of a deal - will make it cheaper and easier for Londoners and visitors to enjoy all that our great city has to offer this summer. I know that buses and trams are a real lifeline for many Londoners, and I’m determined to keep them the most accessible and affordable mode of transport in the capital as we continue building a greener, fairer, better London for everyone.”
By making travel more affordable, the Weekend Hopper is expected to encourage more people to visit local high streets, restaurants, and attractions across the city.
To promote the new offer, Transport for London has introduced a playful campaign featuring three bus routes wrapped in “hopping frog” designs. These buses will run on routes 23, 49 and 295, taking passengers past major landmarks such as the Royal Albert Hall, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus, and connecting with London’s expanding Superloop network.
By combining lower fares, extensive network coverage and a packed calendar of events, the initiative aims to make the capital more affordable, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone.
Image credit: iStock
