[3] On 5 August 1922, Leyland LB (London Bus) type buses were introduced on route 11 by Arthur George Partridge and Christopher Dodson Ltd with chocolate livery and the fleet name "Express".

[16] The route starts at Fulham Broadway and operates via the West End and some of London's most famous landmarks to Waterloo station.

In October 1996, London General buses operating on route 11 from its Waterloo garage switched to City Diesel.

[19] The route has a cameo appearance in the 2006 film The Da Vinci Code, where the protagonists take a number 11 bus from near Temple Church to get to "Chelsea Library", though they get off at Westminster Abbey; this is the same route the bus takes in real life.

[25][26] Route 11 operates via these primary locations:[27] The bus route passes many tourist attractions including:[28] It also went near the Royal Courts of Justice, St Clement Danes, Aldwych station, High Commission of Australia, Savoy Hotel, Nelson's Column, Admiralty Arch, Big Ben, Palace of Westminster and New Scotland Yard.

[30] There is an e-book tour guide indicating the points of interest along the number 11 bus route and detailing connecting buses to other London tourist attractions.