Big Bus Tours – Explore Iconic Cities with Hop-On, Hop-Off Freedom
See the City Your Way with Big Bus Tours
Hop On Now →Intro to Big Bus Tours
From the neon buzz of New York to the regal charm of London, there’s one effortless way to explore them all: Big Bus Tours. Operating in 25+ iconic global cities, Big Bus offers the most flexible, scenic, and informative way to experience top attractions without the stress of public transit or tight itineraries.
Whether you’re on a 24-hour layover or a weeklong getaway, these hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours give you the power to travel at your own pace, with routes designed for discovery and narration designed for context.
Explore with our complete Big Bus Tours guide — featuring the best cities to ride in, top attractions on each route, ticket tips, combo passes, and exclusive experiences to make every city your own.
Why Choose Big Bus Tours for City Sightseeing?
Big Bus Tours isn’t just a transportation option — it’s a narrated experience, an orientation tool, and a convenient attraction hub all in one. Here’s why millions of travelers trust it every year:
- Hop-On, Hop-Off Freedom
Explore what you want, when you want. Stay longer at key attractions and skip others entirely. - Pre-Mapped Routes
Carefully planned stops include must-see highlights and local neighborhoods — great for first-timers. - Live or Audio Commentary
Learn the stories behind buildings, bridges, and boroughs with onboard guides or multi-language headsets. - Multiple Route Options
Many cities offer 2–3 loops — historic core, modern skyline, cultural quarters. - 24, 48, or 72-Hour Passes
Choose your duration and explore at your own speed. - Optional Add-Ons
Combine with river cruises, night tours, attraction entry, and museum access.
Whether you’re traveling solo or with kids, Big Bus Tours makes sightseeing seamless, safe, and surprisingly customizable.
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Top Cities to Experience Big Bus Tours
Here are the most popular Big Bus cities — with highlights for each.
1. London, England
Classic Route Highlights:
- Buckingham Palace
- Tower of London
- Westminster Abbey
- London Eye
- Big Ben
- Hyde Park
Add-Ons:
- Thames River Cruise
- Night Tour
- Walking Tours of royal or historic districts
2. New York City, USA
Uptown Loop: Harlem, Central Park, Museum Mile
Downtown Loop: Times Square, Wall Street, 9/11 Memorial
Add-Ons:
- Statue of Liberty Ferry
- Empire State Building Entry
- Brooklyn Night Loop
3. Paris, France
Must-Sees on the Red Route:
- Eiffel Tower
- Louvre
- Champs-Élysées
- Notre-Dame
- Moulin Rouge
Extras:
- Seine River Cruise
- Wine tasting tours
- Skip-the-line museum access
4. Dubai, UAE
Iconic Stops Include:
- Burj Khalifa
- Dubai Mall
- Palm Jumeirah
- Souks & Marina
Extras:
- Sunset Desert Tour
- Arabian Dhow Cruise
- Entry to Dubai Frame
5. Rome, Italy
Historic Route:
- Colosseum
- Vatican City
- Trevi Fountain
- Spanish Steps
Combo Tickets:
- Skip-the-line Vatican entry
- Colosseum guided tours
- Audio-guide city pack
6. Hong Kong, China
City & Peak Route Highlights:
- Victoria Peak Tram
- Star Ferry
- Stanley Market
- Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
Add-Ons:
- Night Market Walking Tour
- Sampan Boat Ride
- Sky100 Observation Deck
Destinations Covered by Big Bus Tours
Big Bus operates in some of the most visited cities across four continents:
North America
- New York City – Times Square, Central Park, Empire State Building
- Las Vegas – The Strip, Fremont Street, night tours available
- Washington, D.C. – Monuments, museums, Capitol Hill
- Miami – Beachfront areas, Wynwood, Little Havana
- San Francisco – Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz access
- London – Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye
- Paris – Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Montmartre
- Rome – Colosseum, Vatican City, Spanish Steps
- Budapest – Buda Castle, Parliament, thermal baths
- Dublin – Guinness Storehouse, Temple Bar, Trinity College
- Dubai – Burj Khalifa, Marina, Souks, Palm Jumeirah
- Abu Dhabi – Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Yas Island
- Singapore – Marina Bay Sands, Chinatown, Gardens by the Bay
- Hong Kong – Victoria Peak, Star Ferry, Kowloon
- Hong Kong – Victoria Peak, Tsim Sha Tsui, Star Ferry views
- Singapore – Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Merlion Park
- Sydney – Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach
- (Coming soon: Tokyo, Bangkok, Seoul)
Each city features its own set of unique routes, stop frequency, and bundled experiences.
Big Bus Experiences by Travel Style
New York City
See the Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, and more. Big Bus New York includes downtown and uptown routes, plus nighttime tours and Statue of Liberty ferry options.
London
Get views of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the Tower of London while cruising along the Thames. Some tickets include walking tours and river cruises.
Dubai
In a city of architectural marvels, Big Bus Dubai helps you navigate everything from the Burj Khalifa to the Dubai Marina and Old Souk markets. It’s a great way to connect the old and new sides of the city.
Paris
Explore the City of Light with stops near the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre-Dame. Many packages include cruise tickets and evening illumination tours.
San Francisco
From the Golden Gate Bridge to Fisherman’s Wharf, this route includes both downtown and beachside neighborhoods. Some options also include a Sausalito shuttle or Alcatraz combo.
For First-Time Visitors
Big Bus gives you instant city orientation. Learn the layout, choose favorite stops to return to later, and catch iconic landmarks early in your trip.
For Families
Hop-on access lets you tailor sightseeing to kids’ energy levels. Onboard commentary entertains them while rest breaks are always an option.
For Solo Travelers
No stress, no navigation apps. Get your bearings safely while listening to in-depth city history. Meet fellow travelers or explore independently.
For Romantic Travelers
Combine Big Bus with sunset river cruises or champagne experiences in Paris, Rome, or NYC. Timed passes let you pair mornings with museums and evenings with fine dining.
For Long-Stay Travelers
Use it during your first day to orient yourself, then again later to visit missed attractions. Some cities offer 3-day passes or upgrade to premium night tours.
Types of Big Bus Tickets & Add-Ons
Big Bus offers several ticket types and upgrades, tailored to your time and interest level:
Classic Ticket (24 Hours)
- Unlimited hop-on, hop-off for 1 day
- Ideal for short visits or orientation days
- Available in all cities
- Adds extra day plus optional extras
- River cruises in Paris, Dubai, London
- More value for multi-day explorers
Deluxe Ticket (72 Hours)
- Includes all routes, add-ons, and night tours
- Great for slow travelers or families with downtime
Night Tour Passes
- Non-stop panoramic city ride after dark
- Often live-guided (London, NYC, Dubai)
- Not hop-on/off — continuous loop only
Combo & Attraction Passes
- Save by bundling with:
• Empire State Building
• Louvre or Vatican Museum
• Madame Tussauds
• Sky100, Dubai Frame, or London Eye - Best value when you plan 2–3 activities per day
Mobile Passes & QR Codes
- No need to print tickets
- Scan directly at any bus stop via email or app
- Live route tracking available in select cities
Sample Itineraries Using Big Bus Tours
Here are 1–3 day example plans to show how Big Bus fits perfectly into any style of city trip:
1-Day Whirlwind Tour – Paris
Morning:
Start at Eiffel Tower → Trocadéro → Arc de Triomphe
Afternoon:
Hop off at Louvre → walk to Notre-Dame → quick crêpe lunch in Latin Quarter
Evening:
Ride the Seine cruise from stop #5, then do the full Red Route loop back
2-Day Discovery Trip – NYC
Day 1:
Downtown loop: 9/11 Memorial → Wall Street → Chinatown → Brooklyn Bridge
Evening:
Add-on Night Loop (view Empire State + Times Square illuminated)
Day 2:
Uptown loop: Museum of Natural History → Central Park → Harlem
Afternoon: Ride to The Met → return via Columbus Circle
3-Day Flexible Explorer – London
Day 1:
Royal Route: Tower of London → St. Paul’s → Buckingham Palace
Add walking tour of Westminster
Day 2:
River Thames cruise → London Eye stop → Shakespeare’s Globe + Borough Market
Optional night tour with live guide
Day 3:
Free morning: ride Red Route again, hop off at any missed favorite
Visit Hyde Park + lunch in Notting Hill
End with photo stops at Big Ben and Parliament
Tips for Making the Most of Big Bus Tours
- Start early to beat queues and get seats on the top deck
- Use noise-canceling headphones if the city is loud (you can plug in your own)
- Bring sunscreen or hat for open-top buses in warm cities
- Download the Big Bus App to track real-time bus arrivals and routes
- Use it as transit in cities with hard-to-reach monuments (e.g., Rome’s catacombs, Dubai’s old souks)
- Mark stops to revisit for food, photos, or souvenirs later in your trip
- Buy combo tickets online in advance — it’s often 10–20% cheaper than on-site
- Sit on the right side for the best skyline views in NYC, Paris, and Hong Kong
More Sightseeing Tour Options Around the World
| City Sightseeing Worldwide
Another hop-on/off brand with strong presence in Spain, Italy, and South Africa.
| Gray Line Tours
Classic guided city tours + national park day trips in the U.S. and Canada.
| Go City Passes
Perfect for bundling Big Bus tickets with museums, cruises, and attractions.
| Walks Tours
In-depth local guide-led experiences, often great add-ons after Big Bus orientation.
| Local Tuk-Tuk or Tram Tours
Combine with Big Bus for up-close neighborhood exploration in Lisbon, Bangkok, or Porto.
Ready to see the world one city loop at a time?
With panoramic views, guided narration, and flexible hop-on freedom, Big Bus Tours transforms city sightseeing into a curated adventure. Book your passes, map your perfect route, and explore unforgettable landmarks from the top deck with confidence.
Start planning your next journey now with our City Tour Guide Hub for more expert tips.
