Croydon: London Bus Simulator Guide: Two ways to play from the start
About
OverviewCroydon: London Bus Simulator puts you behind the wheel of real London buses in a detailed recreation of Croydon, where you pick up passengers, complete routes, run your own bus company, and ride the tram network too.
What is on this page
Contents
Two ways to play from the start
Table
Both modes use the same map, but your goals are different in each.
| Shifts | you work alongside other players in the same server |
| Simulation Server | you drive freely at your own pace |
| Company building | spend what you earn on new buses and upgrades |
| Tram network | open to you in both modes |
| Voice chat | works in both modes so you can talk to other drivers |
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Basic loop: from bus selection to route completion
Step
The core of the game never changes no matter how far you progress.
- Pick a bus choose one from the buses you already own before heading out
- Drive to each stop passengers will be waiting at stations along the way
- Issue the correct ticket the interactive ticket machine is how each passenger boards; get it right
- Complete all stops work through every station on the route to finish it and earn your reward
Growing your bus company
Step
The Empire Builder and Route Builder achievements mark the two earliest milestones in company ownership: founding the company and laying your first custom route. Weekly leaderboards let you measure your company against others.
- Create your company this is the first step, marked by the Empire Builder achievement
- Design your first route choose which stops it covers, marked by the Route Builder achievement
- Enter the weekly leaderboard compete against other companies and aim for a higher rank each week
The tram network as a change of pace
Tips
Croydon has an extensive tram network alongside its bus routes. Spawning your first tram unlocks its own achievement.
- Tram stops are separate from bus stops and form their own route structure
- Switching between buses and trams keeps long sessions from feeling repetitive
Exploration and hidden spots
TipsThe Location Hunter and Location Master achievements are earned by travelling around town and discovering every area on the map. The developers note that even after you have found everything, revisiting areas can reveal things you missed the first time.
- Explore around town to start finding locations
- Find every area in the game to earn Location Master
- Revisit places you have already found — the developers note you will always see something you have not seen before
Community strategy ideas
CommunityThese ideas and tips come from people playing the game. Share your discoveries too!
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Croydon: London Bus Simulator
Glossary
Glossary- Shift
- A multiplayer work mode where you drive alongside other players.
- Simulation Server
- A free-driving mode where you explore and complete routes at your own pace.
- Station
- A stop where passengers wait to board or alight.
- Route
- An ordered sequence of stations that you drive through from start to finish to earn a reward.
- Tram network
- A separate track-based transit system in the game with its own stations and routes, distinct from the bus network.
- Weekly leaderboard
- A ranking that lets bus companies compete against each other.
- Ticket machine
- An interactive in-game device used to issue the correct ticket to each boarding passenger.
Common questions
FAQWhat should I do on my very first session?
Start by completing your first route from beginning to end, which earns you the My First Route achievement and gives you a feel for the controls and ticketing system. Once that is done, you can jump into a Shift with other players or keep exploring on a Simulation Server.
Can I build my own route instead of driving preset ones?
Yes — after you create your company you can design your own bus route and choose which stops it covers. This is marked by the Route Builder achievement.
Is there anything to do beyond driving routes?
You can explore the map to find every location for the Location Hunter and Location Master achievements, compete on weekly company leaderboards, drive the tram network, and buy gifts for other players through the shop.
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