Orientation in London: - One-Two-Go London: The Ultimate Guide to London 2014 - page 132

London's iconic red buses are recognized the world over, even if the traditional Routem-
aster buses, with an open rear platform and on-board conductor to collect fares, have been
phased out. These still run on Heritage Route 9 and 15 daily between about 09:30 and
18:30, every 15 minutes. Buses are generally quicker than taking the Tube for short (less
than a couple of stops on the Tube) trips, and out of central London you are likely to be
closer to a bus stop than a tube station.
Bus routes are identified by numbers and sometimes letters, for example the 73 runs
between Victoria and Seven Sisters. Yellow signs indicate you must purchase your ticket
before you board. You must either have a Pay-as-you-go Oyster card, Travelcard season
ticket, bus saver ticket, bus pass, or have bought a one way ticket from a machine at the
bus stop. These machines do not provide change (even more reason to use one of the other
options).
Buses display their route number in large digits at the front, side and rear. All bus stops
have their location and the direction of travel on them.
Night Bus
Standard bus services run from around 06:00-00:30. Around half past midnight the network
changes to the vast night bus network of well over 100 routes stretching all over the city.
This fact already makes it difficult for visitors to get to the right place, so either plan ahead
or better use a taxi for short distances.
There are two types of night buses: 24-hour routes and N-prefixed routes.
24-hour services keep the same number as during the day and will run the exact same route,
such as the number 88, for example. N-prefixed routes are generally very similar to their
day-route, but may take a slightly different route or are extended to serve areas that are fur-
ther out. For example, the 29 bus goes from Trafalgar Square to Wood Green during the
day; however, the N29 bus goes from Trafalgar Square to Wood Green and on to Enfield.