London Bus 281

Bus 281 in London links Hounslow Bus Station and Tolworth Station. The route is 0.0 km long with 58 stops, and the official schedule from Transport for London puts the full trip at about 83 minutes. On a weekday it runs 123 trips in one direction, and 99 on a weekend day.

Route at a glance

Route of Bus 281

Outbound: Hounslow Bus Station → Tolworth Station

This direction has 58 stops. The route passes Douglas Road (TW3), Twickenham Station, Elmfield Avenue, Kingston University / County Hall. The full list of stops in order is below.

Inbound: Tolworth Station → Hounslow Bus Station

This direction has 61 stops. The route passes Tolworth Broadway, Kingston University / County Hall, Cambridge Road (TW11), London Road / Twickenham. The full list of stops in order is below.

Schedule and frequency

According to the official schedule from Transport for London, the route runs 123 trips in one direction on a weekday, and 99 on a weekend day.

Frequency calculated from the departure table: in the morning peak buses run every 8–10 minutes, most often every 10; midday every 9–10 minutes; in the afternoon peak every 10; on weekends every 12–15 minutes.

Fare and payment

A single ride costs 1.75 £ — fare in effect since 5 July 2026. The same fare applies to buses in London.

A single bus or tram journey costs £1.75. The Hopper fare lets you make unlimited bus and tram journeys within one hour of your first tap at no extra charge. Daily spending is capped at £5.25; a 7 Day Bus & Tram Pass costs £24.70. London buses do not accept cash — pay by contactless or Oyster. Transfers within 60 minutes are free. Within the Hopper hour the transfers are free; you must tap the same card or device.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a ride on bus 281 cost?

1.75 £ for a single ride — fare in effect since 5 July 2026.

When do the first and last trips run?

From Hounslow Bus Station the first is at 00:09 and the last at 23:57. From Tolworth Station they are 00:03 and 23:51.

How long does the trip from Hounslow Bus Station to Tolworth Station take?

About 83 minutes end to end — the median of full trips in the official schedule.

How many stops does the route have?

58 outbound and 61 inbound according to the official GTFS feed. The two lists do not match exactly.

Does bus 281 run on weekends?

Yes. On weekends and holidays there are 99 trips in one direction, running from Hounslow Bus Station between 00:09 and 23:57.

Every route number with its termini, operating hours and travel time is collected in the London buses overview.

Data current as of August 22, 2026. Schedule and termini — Transport for London (TfL). Fares — Mayor of London, MD3517 July 2026 fare changes (Direction to TfL). Stop list, schedule and route geometry come from the official GTFS feed (Bus Open Data Service (BODS), version 20260822_025337).