Operated by London United. First bus 05:25, last bus 00:00. 226 journeys on weekdays. Today, a Sunday: first 07:06, last 00:00. Fares: £1.75 flat — more.

Wanted a different 290? 2 other bus routes are numbered 290 elsewhere in the UK — see every 290 bus timetable by area.

Each column is one journey, headed by the time it sets off. A · means that journey does not stop there. Times are shown at the route's main timing stops — buses serve all stops in between. Switch a table to All stops for every stop it calls at, or open a stop's own page for live departures there.

Christmas & bank holidays

These dates are not the usual timetable for the day they fall on. They come from the operator’s published data, which for Christmas and New Year is often late or incomplete, so check with London United before you travel. Everything above is an ordinary week.

Not published yet: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, 28 December, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Operators often publish festive timetables only a few weeks ahead, so check again nearer the date.

• Boxing Day — Saturday, 26 December 2026
  The operator’s data lists more buses on this date than on an ordinary Saturday (91 journeys each way, against 49), which usually means two timetables have been added together by mistake. Check with London United before you travel.

Route map

Show other buses nearby

All stops on route 290

How busy is route 290?

1.11m passenger journeys were recorded on route 290 in 2024/25 across 606,946 kilometres operated.

Millions of passenger journeys per financial year, from Transport for London's published bus statistics. A passenger journey is one boarding of one bus — someone commuting five days a week makes ten of them, so this is not a count of people. Years marked 53w ran 53 weeks rather than 52, so they sit about 2% high against their neighbours. TfL changed how boardings were estimated in 2017 and restated 2016/17 on the new basis; the chart uses the restated figure, so years before 2016/17 are not exactly comparable with those after. Route-level totals do not sum to TfL's network figures, which carry separate adjustments. Powered by TfL Open Data. Compare every London route →

Towns & areas on this route

Frequently asked questions

What time is the first 290 bus?

The first 290 departure on weekdays leaves at 05:25 (check the full timetable below for your stop, as times vary along the route — weekend times can differ).

What time is the last 290 bus?

The last 290 on weekdays leaves its first stop at 00:00. Always check the timetable for your specific stop — later stops are reached after this time.

How much does the 290 bus cost?

London buses use TfL's flat fare: £1.75 per journey with contactless or Oyster, and the Hopper fare gives you unlimited bus and tram changes within one hour. Daily and weekly caps limit what you can spend. Cash is not accepted.

Who runs the 290 bus?

The 290 is operated by London United.

Timetable data from London United via the DfT Bus Open Data Service (South East England feed). London United last updated their Bus Open Data publications on 28 November 2025. Check before you travel — services can change at short notice.