Route 188
North Greenwich to Russell Square — the sneaky diagonal that skips the Jubilee crush.
Closure affecting the route (97% of normal)
Live road speed
A closure is affecting the route near Creek Road / Norman Road — expect diversions and longer waits. (towards Tottenham Court Road)
Estimated from live speeds on 8 of 8 sampled stretches
Where the jam is
Roam Intelligence
LIVE›Due to a emergency bridge works, ROUTES 188 N1 are on diversion in both directions via Greenwich High Road, Deptford Bridge and Deptford Church Street. Buses westbound are not serving stops from Greenwich Church Street 'B' to Macmillan Students Village 'H' while eastbound buses are not serving Macmillan Students Village 'D' to Greenwich Town Centre / Cutty Sark Stn dlr 'A'.
Live Departures
No buses due right now
Every London bus is wheelchair-accessible with a low floor and ramp. Refreshes every 15s.
All Stops
Crowd Forecast
Forecast — based on rush hour patterns, local events and live status. Not a live count.
Popular Journeys
Local Area Guide
North Greenwich
The O2 end of the line. After a gig here everyone piles onto the Jubilee — the 188 is your quiet escape west along the river.
💎 Gem: The Tide elevated walkway by the O2 is free and gives you skyline views most tourists never find.
Greenwich / Deptford
Rolls up through Greenwich's fringes into Deptford, one of the last genuinely scruffy-in-a-good-way pockets of southeast London.
🍽 Eat: Deptford Market Yard for coffee and the Friday–Saturday high street market.
💎 Gem: Deptford's arches under the railway hide independent bars and record shops.
Canada Water
Interchange with the Overground and Jubilee, wrapped around the old Surrey Docks. Handy hop-off if you're heading east on the ELL.
💎 Gem: Russia Dock Woodland behind the station is a proper hidden green lung.
Bermondsey
Warehouse-conversion Bermondsey — antiques, coffee roasters and the best of south London's food scene along Bermondsey Street.
🍽 Eat: Maltby Street Market (Sat–Sun) for the food stalls under the arches — go before noon.
💎 Gem: The Bermondsey Beer Mile is a Saturday institution — start at the Druid Street end.
Southwark / Borough
Borough Market territory — the 188 drops you within striking distance of the best food market in London and Tate Modern.
🍽 Eat: Borough Market, open Thurs–Sat properly — arrive early for fewer crowds.
Waterloo
Crosses the river into the South Bank cultural strip. Jump off for the National Theatre, BFI and the riverside walk.
🍽 Eat: The food stalls behind the Royal Festival Hall.
Aldwych / Holborn
The genteel end — Somerset House, the theatres of the Strand's fringe and the Georgian squares of Bloomsbury as you reach Russell Square.
💎 Gem: Somerset House's courtyard fountains run all summer and the terrace café faces the river.
What's Nearby
Nothing to show here right now.
Service Alerts
CREEK ROAD, SE10: Due to a emergency bridge works, ROUTES 188 N1 are on diversion in both directions via Greenwich High Road, Deptford Bridge and Deptford Church Street. Buses westbound are not serving stops from Greenwich Church Street 'B' to Macmillan Students Village 'H' while eastbound buses are not serving Macmillan Students Village 'D' to Greenwich Town Centre / Cutty Sark Stn dlr 'A'.
LONDON ROAD, SE1: ROUTES 1 40 63 68 155 171 172 176 188 363 and BL1 heading northbound, are on diversion due to emergency roadworks taking place on London Road. Bus stop 'Elephant & Castle / London Road' (A) will not be served. Please allow extra time for your journey.
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Departure reminders
Best stops, what's nearby & how it connects — just ask