Advertising on London's iconic red buses is one of the most powerful ways to reach audiences across the city. Bus wraps and bus sides are two popular formats that offer excellent visibility and creative impact. Both formats deliver strong brand presence, yet they suit different campaign goals.
What is a Bus Wrap
A bus wrap covers the whole vehicle in a bold branded design. This format turns the bus into a moving billboard that dominates the streets. Key features of bus wraps include:
- Full coverage across all sides of the bus
- High impact with creative freedom
- Maximum visibility from long and short distances
- Works well for national or high-profile launches
Brands use bus wraps when they want complete takeover visibility. A wrap creates a strong statement and is perfect for building brand prestige.
What is a Bus Side
Bus sides are adverts fixed along the main panels of a bus. These can include T-sides, supersides and streetliners. Each offers targeted reach along London's busiest routes. Highlights of bus sides:
- Large space with prominent street-level presence
- Flexible options depending on campaign size
- Cost-effective for repeat coverage
- Ideal for product launches and seasonal pushes
Creative Freedom with Bus Wraps
Bus wraps give brands freedom to experiment with design. The complete surface allows for immersive graphics, bold colours and standout visuals. They work well when you want your campaign to be unforgettable.
Consistent Exposure with Bus Sides
Bus sides travel through key routes daily. Commuters, pedestrians and drivers see the adverts repeatedly. The consistent exposure builds brand recall and delivers results across different audiences.
Choosing the Right Format
When selecting between bus wraps and bus sides, consider:
- Budget: Wraps often require a larger spend while sides offer scalable options.
- Campaign Goal: Wraps suit prestige launches while sides support reach and frequency.
- Creative Needs: Wraps allow for bold, all-over graphics while sides deliver focused messaging.
Performance Metrics & ROI
Track your campaign's success with industry-standard metrics:
- Daily Impressions: Bus wraps generate 250,000-400,000 daily impressions, while bus sides achieve 150,000-250,000.
- Audience Demographics: 65% adults aged 25-54, 55% female, 45% male, mixed socioeconomic groups.
- Brand Awareness Lift: Typical campaigns see a 15-25% increase in prompted brand awareness.
- Recall Rates: Bus advertising achieves 75% recognition rates among regular commuters.
- Cost Efficiency: Bus advertising delivers some of the lowest cost-per-thousand impressions in outdoor media.
Many brands have successfully used bus wrap and bus side advertising formats across London. Explore our case studies for real examples that show how bus wraps and sides drive impact in the capital.
Industry-Specific Considerations
Optimise your approach based on your sector:
- Retail Brands: Bus sides excel for product launches and seasonal promotions while wraps work well for flagship store openings.
- Entertainment: Wraps create buzz for movie releases and events while sides maintain awareness throughout runs.
- B2B Services: Professional messaging works well on business route sides, wraps for major announcements.
- Sector Examples: Technology companies favor clean, modern wrap designs; fashion brands utilize bold, artistic visuals.
Start Your Campaign Today!
London Bus Advertising gives your brand visibility on one of the busiest transport networks in the world. Whether you choose wraps, sides or a mix of formats, your message will travel across the capital every day. Get in touch with us to plan your next campaign.