paris bus tour in english

• Select Language
• Select Currency
• Australian Dollar
• Canadian Dollar
• Chinese Yuan (CNY)
• British Pound (GBP)
• Indian Rupees (INR)
• Japanese Yen (JPY)
• Malaysian Ringgit
• Newzealand Dollar
• Singapore Dollar

Hop On Hop Off Paris - Bus Tours

Want to see the best of a city? Visit the top attractions at your own pace without having to follow a set route with a group tour, or maybe it’s a new city you’re exploring and aren’t sure what is best to see. Then a hop-on hop-off bus tour is what you need. Browse through our curated list of the best-selling Hop-On Hop-Off Paris tours and tickets, book for instant confirmations. Paris bus tours are the best way to explore the world’s most romantic city with the flexibility to get off and on at your convenience. The bus routes pass through some of the iconic spots of the city like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Seine River, Palace of Versailles, and others.

Paris Sightseeing Bus Tours

( ) experiences found.

• Recommended
• High to low
• Low to high
• User rating

Top Customer Reviews

Joseph davies.

Tour route and timing very good.

Beatriz Silva

Great experience, Nice way to know the city if you have a little time

Experience Paris in Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours

Paris - the city of dreams, lights, and undying romance! The capital city of France attracts millions of tourists from all over the world, thanks to its charm and globally recognizable icon, the Eiffel Tower. The city is blessed with a rich culture, cuisine, art, music, and nightlife scene that is truly unmatched. The city is home to the world's biggest art museum- the Louvre and the most visited monument - the Eiffel Tower. The legend has  that the popular drink 'Bloody Mary' was invented in Paris. 

Explore the world's most romantic city and tick the key attractions off your bucket list with Paris hop-on hop-off bus tour. Sit back and relax in an open-top bus to experience the city from a unique vantage point.  Choose between three different bus tour packages: Classic premium, or deluxe. Relax in a comfortable, all-weather bus during your Paris hop-on hop-off tour. You can even combine your bus tour with a 2-day Paris Museum Pass, Eiffel Tower tour, or a Seine River Cruise. And, for those looking for a great deal, pick up the Paris Pass with free admission to Louvre, Versailles Palace, and many other attractions!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: what is a hop-on hop-off paris bus tour, and how does it work.

Paris bus tour offers you the convenience and flexibility to get off at the nearest designated stop. No tour guide, you set your own itinerary. You’ll find all the stops are located strategically at all the major attractions, making your touring as hassle-free as possible. And then, when you’re ready to continue, return to a designated bus stop, show your pass, and hop back on the bus and onwards towards your next attraction. So, go ahead and make a whole loop of the route once you have your tour ticket, get familiar with the city and pick out your favorite places to visit and then return to them during your stay.

Q: Where do I exchange my Paris Bus tour voucher or paper ticket?

You can start your tour of (Paris) at any of the designated bus stops. Look for your nearest stop to your hotel, and make sure to check out the route. There may be more than one route on offer, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead of arrival as there may be specific attractions you want to see. Check the tour website for details of the routes, attractions, bus stops and any changes.

Q: Where can I start the hop on hop off bus tour?

You can start your tour at any of the designated bus stops. Check the tour website for details of the routes, attractions, bus stops and any changes. Almost all will, but it’s worth verifying the routes before you arrive. See, a little preparation can go a long way.

Q: Are these guided bus tours?

You’ll find that hop-on hop-off bus tours can be either live or audio-guided, depending on the tour provider. Many will have a pre-recorded commentary that’ll share fascinating information about the history of (Paris), its culture, and many places of interest. You’ll find that the audio commentary will be provided in various languages. English, French, German and Spanish are the most commonly used, but others may be available.

Q: What is the validity of the ticket?

There are several ticket options available to you, depending on your length of stay. Each bus tour will have validity from 24, 36, 48 to 72 hours. Add to that, the vouchers are valid anywhere between 6 months to 1 year and can be used at any point during that period. Please check the product page or bus tour operator for complete details.

Other Hop On Hop Off Destinations

• New York City
• San Francisco
• Washington DC
• Los Angeles
• Johannesburg
• San Antonio
• Reykjavik Iceland
• St-Petersburg
• Benalmadena
• Thessaloniki
• Kristiansand
• BUENOS AIRES
• Hop On Hop Off Bus Offers and Deals

travel inspiration from guidebook

Discover the hidden gems of Paris: A comprehensive guide to its attractions and landmarks

Paris, the city of love, lights, and fashion, is known worldwide for its iconic landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre… The post Discover the hidden gems of Paris: A comprehensive guide to its attractions and landmarks appeared first on The Guidebook - isango! .

10 Fun Facts About Paris You Can Share During Your Paris Tours

No way! Really The post 10 Fun Facts About Paris You Can Share During Your Paris Tours appeared first on The Guidebook - isango! .

Exploring the Romantic side of Paris – The Places to Go

Romancing in the city of love The post Exploring the Romantic side of Paris – The Places to Go appeared first on The Guidebook - isango! .

Get the latest offers and inspiration

Sign up to our newsletter and get the best isango! has to offer

• Enter a valid email
• Enter the characters shown below Captcha not matching

Terms of Use

• Booking terms & conditions
• Picture credits

Get in touch

Haven't found what you're looking for?

Try a more specific search (e.g Add city or destination name)

You have signed up successfully.

Please stay tuned on your email for exciting offers.

Sign Up Login Login Or Sign Up

Sign up to create and view bookings Login to create and view bookings

• Enter full name
• E-Mail ID Already Exists User does not exist Enter a valid email
• Please enter password Enter valid password(at least 6 characters)
• Remember me Forgot Password
• I wish to receive top deals and travel inspiration
• By signing up you agree to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

Forgot Password

• Enter your email address and we will send an email with a link to reset your password.
• Continue Login

Email sent successfully.

Choose a place

Paris Bus Tour

Active filters:

Paris City Tour

Experience an immersive Paris city tour boarding a panoramic bus. Discover the main neighborhoods and Paris monuments such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Invalides, The Paris city hall and substantially more, with a commentary with individual earphones.

Illumination Tour of Paris

Visit Paris on board a panoramic bus and listen to the comments provided by a mobile app. Discover the most famous monuments and quarters of Paris illuminated, in accordance with the time of the year.

City Tour and Seine Cruise

Discover Paris through a Seine cruise and a sightseeing tour in a panoramic bus. Enjoy comments adapted to all on our mobile app and discover the history of the most emblematic monuments such as the Louvre, the Opera, the Champs Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel tower, the Invalides…

TootBus Ticket - Pass 1 day

Paris at your own pace

1 Day E-Ticket Big Bus Hop on Hop off Pass

Take advantage of a one or two-day pass to visit Paris in total freedom at your own pace aboard a double-decker Big Bus. Hop on and off as you please with one of the two tours offered. Discover the must-see sites of Paris while listening to the city's history through a recorded audio commentary available in several languages.

City Tour and Eiffel Tower 2nd Floor with Reserved Access

Discover Paris aboard a commented city tour by panoramic bus through major Parisian neighborhoods. Admire the superb view from the top of the Eiffel Tower and enjoy reserved access avoiding long queues.

City Tour, Seine Cruise and Eiffel Tower 2nd Floor with Reserved Access

Discover the Eiffel tower and enjoy an exceptional view over the rooftops of Paris from the second floor. This offer also includes the discovery of Paris and its main landmarks through a city tour and an audio-guided cruise on the Seine. 

City Tour, Eiffel Tower Lunch with Reserved Access and Seine Cruise

Enjoy a pleasant lunch on the Eiffel Tower first floor restaurant "MADAME BRASSERIE", a city tour, a Seine River cruise, and admire the view from the second level of the Eiffel Tower.

Paris City night tour + Moulin Rouge show (glass of champagne)

Discover Paris by night ! This city tour will allow you to understand better the history of Paris and its architecture over the centuries.The magic will continue at the Moulin Rouge with its mythic "Féerie" revue : 1000 sumptuous shimmering costumes, international attractions by consummate artists and the famous French Cancan which has contributed greatly to the notoriety of this mythic Parisian cabaret.

Paris Hop On Hop Off Bus, Big Bus

• 8.10 / 10 5,114 reviews | 114,806 travellers Very good, we visited Paris in one day, so we saw it and stopped at the most important stops. They have an audio guide on the bus, who tells you what you are seeing. We complete the bus with the walk along the Seine, which I also recommend 10 Anonymous
• Free cancellation up to 1 hours before the service starts

A Paris Big Bus tour is one of the most comfortable and enjoyable ways to explore Paris. Discover the city on the various lines and  hop off and back on at any of its stops , appreciating the sights from an open-top deck with interesting commentary in English.

Paris Sightseeing Bus Tour

Route & stops.

The Paris Big Bus tourist bus has a route with ten stops in total: throughout the tour, you'll discover Paris and its top landmarks on an open-top double-decker bus. 

Some of the most popular stops are the Eiffel Tower , Opera Garnier , Louvre Museum , Notre Dame , and Champs-Élysées . During the bus ride, enjoy pre-recorded commentary in English or in any of the other ten languages we have available.

Check out the different stops on the tourist bus route  by clicking on the link below:

• Route and stops

Types of tickets

Choose the type of ticket that adapts best to your needs: 

• 24-hour ticket: Offers unlimited access to the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off buses for 24 hours.
• 24-hour ticket + boat tour on the Seine : Offers unlimited use of the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off buses for 24 hours, plus a boat ride on the Seine River. You'll have to activate your ticket first on one of the buses before being able to get on the boat. 
• 48-hour ticket + boat tour on the Seine : Apart from unlimited use of the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off buses for 48 hours, you'll also enjoy a cruise down the Seine.

How it works

A bus ticket is valid for 24 or 48 hours from the first time you use it . This means that a 48-hour ticket used for the first time on Monday at 3 pm will be valid until Wednesday at the same time. 

During the chosen period, you can get on a Hop-On Hop-Off bus as many times as you want and explore Paris.

Although when making the reservation, you'll be asked for a start date, you can use the service over the two weeks following the start date . When you have made your reservation, we'll send you a voucher you must hand in on the first bus you get on.

Schedule and frequency

Tourist bus.

• Schedule:  Every day from 10 am to 7:30 pm (the final bus departs from stop 1 at the Louvre). The final bus that runs the complete route departs at 5:30 pm.
• Frequency:  Every 15-20 minutes.
• Total duration:  Between 2 hours and 2 hours 15 minutes.

Seine river cruise 

This cruise departs from the  Port de la Bourdonnais (stop 8, close to the Eiffel Tower) . Registration for the cruise takes place at pontoon number 3 . 

The cruise sets sail daily , every 45 minutes from 10:30 am until 9 pm , and the total duration of the crossing will be 1 hour .

More Information

1 day - 2 days.

The activity takes place with recorded commentary in English.

Unlimited use of the Hop On Hop Off buses for 1 or 2 consecutive days

Individual headphones with audioguide commentary in English

Seine cruise (depending on selection)

When to book?

You can book up to the start time, as long as there are places remaining. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Varies according to the attraction included.

Sustainability

All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code .

Our providers commit to:

• Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
• Uphold fair employment standards.
• Foster the growth of local communities.
• Preserve the integrity of local culture.
• Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
• Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
• Operate with honesty and transparency.
• Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

• No printing of documentation required.

Big Bus Tours Eur Show more

Corporate name: Big Bus Tours Ltd

Not permitted.

Frequently asked questions

Q - Is the bus air conditioned?

A - No, there is no air conditioning on the bus.

Q - What happens if the weather is bad?

A - Due to weather conditions, in some circumstances, the open-top bus may be modified to a bus with a roof to protect passengers.

Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.

Q - How to book?

A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

If you have any other questions please contact us.

Free cancellation

You may also be interested in.

Seine River Cruise

Moulin Rouge Official Tickets

Tour of the Palace of Versailles

Batobus Paris Hop On Hop Off Boat Tours

Big Bus: 24/48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour of Paris with Optional Cruise

• You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
• Plan your itinerary in Paris with this unlimited hop-on hop-off bus tour and choose between Discover, Essential, or Explore passes.
• All 3 passes give you access to buses scheduled every 7 to 15 mins, 1 route with 10 stops located near the most iconic attractions in the City of Light.
• The cherry on top with the Essential and Explore HOHO Pass? Get additional access to a 1-hour Seine River cruise!
• Get to know more about the locations you pass by through multilingual recorded commentary available onboard.
• The most popular stops on your route include the Champs-Elysées, Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Notre Dame.
• 24 or 48-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off pass
• Recorded commentary in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian & Portuguese
• Single-use headsets
• 1-hour Seine River cruise (optional)
• Entry tickets to attractions

Classic Red Route

• First bus: 9:45am from stop #1 (Louvre-Pyramide)
• Last bus: 5:30pm from stop #1 (Louvre-Pyramide)
• Frequency: Every 7 to 15 mins
• Popular stops: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame

Please click here for a detailed Red Route map and its boarding points.

• Tip: Opted for Seine River cruise? Be prepared to capture pictures with stunning backdrops as the route is dotted with beautiful bridges.
• Facilities: Free Wi-Fi, Pre-recorded Audio Commentary, Single-use Headsets. Wheelchair Accessibility.
• These tickets are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase.

Tootbus: 24/48/72-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Paris with Optional Night Tour

• Explore the best of Paris at your own pace, with this unlimited hop-on hop-off bus pass.
• Get access to the Blue Route and 10 stops around the City of Lights with your 24/48/72-hour HOHO pass.
• What's more? Your tickets also include 3 themed walking tours and learn more about the sites around the city through an audio guide.
• The eco-friendly open-top double-decker bus will give you the best views of the city, perfect for sightseeing and upgrade for a night tour.
• Some of the popular stops include Opera Garnier, Notre Dame, Latin Quarter, Louvre Museum & Galerie Lafayette.
• 24/48/72-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off bus pass
• Audio guide available in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Brazilian, Arabic, Russian, Chinese & Japanese
• Kids' audio guide available in English & French
• Complimentary walking tours
• Free earphones made from recyclable materials
• 2-hour night tour (optional)
• Audio guide in English, French, Spanish, German & Italian (for night tour)
• Kids audio guide in English & French (for night tour)

Nov 7 to Mar 31

• First bus: 9:30am from stop #1 (Printemps / Galerie Lafayette)
• Last bus: 5pm from stop #1 (Printemps / Galerie Lafayette)
• Frequency: every 15mins
• Popular stops: Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, Eiffel Tower

Apr 1 to Oct 31

• First bus: 9:30am from stop #1 (Printemps/Galerie Lafayette)
• Last bus: 6:30pm from stop #1 (Printemps/Galerie Lafayette)
• Frequency: every 10mins

Purple route (Jun 3 to Sep 8)

• Popular stops: Montmartre, Moulin Rouge, Arc De Triomphe
• First bus: 8pm from Louvre stop, Place du Carrousel du Louvre (9pm from Apr to Oct, 6pm from Jan 2 to Feb 28 & Nov 1 to 20)
• Frequency: once a day
• Popular stops: Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Moulin Rouge

Please click here for detailed HOHO route maps and boarding points and here for night tour route map.

• Tip: While in Paris, attend An Eerie Concert at Sainte Chapelle at Night for an experience of a lifetime.
• This experience is wheelchair accessible.
• Your pets and guide dogs are welcome on the buses. Small dogs and other pets must be seated on your lap.
• Children aged 4 and under can travel for free, if they aren't entitled to their own seat.
• You can use your tickets on any day before the tour date.

Tootbus: 24/48/72-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Paris with Seine River Cruise

• Discover the charm of Paris at your own pace with a 24/48/72-hour hop-on hop-off pass ensuring you don't miss a single spectacle the city has to offer.
• Multiple stops and frequent buses arriving every 10-15 mins make this ticket offer the flexibility to embark and disembark as you please.
• Want to discover more? Set sail along the Seine River on a cruise from the Eiffel Tower, offering an unparalleled view of Parisian landmarks.
• Benefit from amenities on the eco-friendly open top-deck buses, including multilingual audio guides and insightful live commentary on the cruise.
• A few popular stops along the way are the Eiffel Tower, Opera Garnier, Notre Dame and more.
• 24/48/72-hour hop-on hop-off pass
• Kids' audio guide in English and French
• 1-hour Seine River cruise
• Live commentary in English and French (on the cruise)
• Last bus: 6:30pm from stop #1 (Printemps / Galerie Lafayette)

Seine River cruise

• First cruise: 10:30am from Eiffel Tower
• Last cruise: 6pm from Eiffel Tower
• Frequency: 30 mins

Please click here for detailed cruise route map.

• Tip: Hop off at the Notre Dame stop and take a stroll through the charming streets of the Latin Quarter, known for its bohemian vibe.
• This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
• Your guide dogs are welcome on the buses. Pets are allowed only if they are placed in small boxes.
• The Seine River cruise pier is located at the foot of the Eiffel Tower on the riverside, very close to stop #9.

Big Bus: 2-Hour Panoramic Night Bus Tour of Paris

• See Paris under its enchanting night lights aboard this 2-hour non-stop night tour around the City of Lights.
• This pass gives you front-row access to the city’s landmarks illuminated in the evening.
• Learn more about the locations you pass through, with the pre-recorded commentary available in 6 languages.
• Be connected throughout your journey via the free Wi-Fi available onboard and post a selfie or two.
• Some of the popular locations on your route include the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and Montmartre.
• 2-hour bus tour of Paris
• Recorded commentary English, French, German, Spanish, Italian & Portuguese
• Free mobile app for live updates
• Tour guide (subject to availability)
• Hotel transfers
• Tip: Start your nightlife experience in Paris by heading to Montmartre for breathtaking sunset views.
• Facilities: Wheelchair accessibility, Pram/stroller accessibility, Free Wi-Fi.
• Please note that this night tour is a non-stop tour and not a hop-on hop-off tour.

Tootbus: Night Bus Tour of Paris

• Set off at dusk to witness the magical Paris bathed in the shimmering lights in the evening from the open-top deck of your bus.
• The single route takes you through the city's most iconic spots for 2 hours.
• Plug into your earphones and hear engaging stories about the city of love with the multilingual audio guide for adults and children.
• Famous spots on your bus tour route include Opera, Concorde, Champs Elysées, and more.
• Audio guide in English, French, Spanish, German & Italian
• Kids audio guide in English & French
• First bus: 8pm from Louvre stop, Place du Carrousel du Louvre
• First bus: 9pm from Louvre stop, Place du Carrousel du Louvre

Nov 1 to 20

• First bus: 6pm from Louvre stop, Place du Carrousel du Louvre

Please click here for a detailed route map and boarding points.

• Tip: If you’re into French wines, make time to visit a ‘hidden’ vineyard in the heart of Paris, known as Clos Montmartre, right behind the Sacré-Coeur basilica.
• Ramps and elevators are available on the buses for easy access.
• Your guide dogs are welcome on the buses.
• Children aged 4 and under can travel for free if they are seated on an accompanying adult’s lap.

Paris Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour and Pantheon Entry Tickets

• Get unlimited rides with just one ticket! Make sightseeing flexible and fuss-free onboard the iconic double-decker bus with 24 or 48-hour passes.
• Make the most of your time and money! Hop on to buses available every 7-15 minutes and travel across the city to see its crowned gems.
• Bypass entry lines of the Pantheon and easily access popular stops like the Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and more.
• Sail the Seine River with the 48-hour pass. Get drunk on Parisian vibes, sway with the lull waves, and see iconic landmarks in a new light.
• Enjoy panoramic views and learn little secrets tucked in the nooks of the city with multilingual audio guides onboard the comfy open-top bus.
• 24/48Hr hop-on hop-off pass
• Multilingual audio guide (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean or Mandarin Chinese)
• Free headsets
• Skip the line entry to Pantheon
• 1-Hour Seine River cruise (optional)
• Entry to attractions
• First bus from Classic route: 9:45 am from Eiffel Tower
• Last bus from Classic route: 6:40 pm from Trocadéro
• Frequency: approx every 7 to 15 minutes
• Popular Stops: Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, Notre Dame, Champs-Elysées, Trocadéro

Please click here for boarding point details of Classic Red Route.

Seine River Cruise

• First cruise: 10:30 am at Pontoon No. 3, Port de la Bourdonnais (near Eiffel Tower stop)
• Last cruise: 9:00 pm
• Frequency: Every 45 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends
• Tip: While in the Trocadéro area, visit the local food market for some authentic French cheese and wine.
• Shutterbugs, take note: Flash photography is a no-go inside the venue. You can click photos without flash to your heart’s content.
• Lower decks of Big Buses are suitable for prams/strollers and wheelchair users.
• Your guide dogs are welcome in the buses.

Paris Big Bus Tour Review

T he Paris Big Bus Tour is the gift that keeps on giving. Truth be told I love to walk and see cities on foot, but Paris is a must by bus because it makes financial sense, and it will save you a lot of time.

The Big Bus Tour in Paris

Is it worth it.

When traveling, I am a fan of taking public transportation and traveling like a local. It’s environmentally friendly and you can save money on car rental expenses.

Taking the Big Bus Tour was one of the best decisions that we made because the tourist attractions are spread apart, and you can see many more points of interest while saving time and money.  

Paris is made up of 20 neighborhoods (or arrondissements) and the Big Bus Tour will travel through 7 of them.  

We spent a total of 9 days and Paris and had a pretty full agenda which included lunch at the Eiffel Tower , a river cruise on the Seine, a day trip to Versailles, a classical concert at La Sainte Chapelle, trips to outdoor markets like Marche des Enfants Rouges, visiting the rooftop of the Arc de Triumph, souvenir shopping, Sacre Coeur, the Louvre Museum, the Champs Elysees, the Catacombs, Rue de Cler, Pont Alexandre , a croissant making class with a Parisien chef, Ile de la Cite, Berthillon, and more. We also ventured out to see Paris at night and the views were stunning!

How Long is the Big Bus Tour in Paris

The Red Route is the main tour, and it takes about two hours to see everything if you don’t exit the bus. We stayed on the bus from start to finish to get a idea of places that we wanted to visit on foot.

How Much is the Big Bus Tour in Paris

The ticket fee will vary based on the number of days that you want to join the tour bus. I recommend the combination ticket where you can see the points of interest for the Big Bus, and take a cruise on the river Seine.  

It is possible to do both the tour and the cruise in one day. If you join the tour and finish by 5 PM, you can then join the cruise on the river and catch the sunset depending on the time of year that you go.  

Check for tickets on the Paris Big Bus Tour here .

Are There Toilets on the Big Bus

Sorry, but no matter what the city it is very likely that you won’t find any restrooms. However, you can ask the driver or attendants on the bus to guide you. The wonderful thing about Paris is there are public restrooms available for just a euro.

When is the Best Time to Visit Paris

We went on the bus tour at the end of March for Spring break. The weather was a bit chilly and in the high 50s to low 60s. It was sunny, but not incredibly warm.  

The prime months are April, May, September, and October when highs reach a comfortable 60-70°F (15-21°C).

Big Bus Tour Review

We purchased our tickets online using a smartphone after touring Notre Dame. Because the cathedral was one of the tour stops, we thought we were close, but the stop was a 7-minute walk away.  

To add, the area was congested, and the instructions were confusing. After calling the tour company, we found the stop heading west but then learned that the bus stop was across the street and coming from the south direction.  

Fortunately, we caught it in time and were able to get nice seats on the upper deck. 

It was a sunny, cool day and one would think would be an excellent opportunity for photos. The problem for me is that I don’t have great photography skills and I was using my smartphone.  

When we got to a landmark or icon, it was difficult to take a good shot due to the speed at which the bus traveled, bumps in the road, construction equipment, or overgrown trees, not to mention the hands, heads, and cameras of other passengers.

On our tour there were two routes in operation, the red route, and another color (which may no longer be available). The red route took about two hours to see everything. Then we had to exit the bus at the last stop to catch another bus that went into other neighborhoods.

The most interesting point on the second route was The Moulin Rouge. Otherwise, the sights were non-eventful, so we caught up on rest and napped on the lower level during the ride.

Overall, it was time well spent. And since we planned activities at a few of the attractions we had the chance to make up for bad photos taken on the bus. 

Where to Catch the Big Bus Tour in Paris

There are 10 stops on the red route and the buses will arrive in frequent intervals. During peak visiting months, like spring to summer, you can expect longer waits and slim pickings for a good seat.

1 – Louvre Pyramide / Big Bus Information Centre (11 avenue de l’Opéra)

2 – Louvre at Pont des Arts (2 rue de l’Amiral de Coligny)

3 – Notre Dame ( 3, Rue Lagrange (outside souvenir shop, opposite park entrance)

4 – Musée d’Orsay (58 Place Henry de Montherlant, facing the museum)

5 – Champs-Elysées (156, avenue des Champs-Elysées, facing the Arc de Triomphe)

6 – Grand Palais (Avenue Winston Churchill, facing Grand Palais and Petit Palais)

7 – Trocadéro (Avenue Paul Doumer, next to the Musée de l’Homme)

8- Tour Eiffel (Quai Branly, Entrée 2 Tour Eiffel, at the north pillar of the Eiffel Tower)

9 – Champ de Mars (Avenue Joseph Bouvard)

10 – Opéra Garnier (Facing 15 rue Scribe, next to the Roissy airport shuttle bus stop)

Things to Know Before You Go

• The tour is pre-recorded and the audio narratives can be heard in English, French, Italian , Spanish, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Mandarin, and Korean.
• Be mindful of potential traffic delays, especially during peak hours so that you can plan your tour for off-peak times to avoid congestion.
• Be aware of any events that may alter the experience (rallies, protests, huge sports competitions).

I can’t emphasize the awareness of events enough. There was an enormous parade outside our hotel on one trip, and protests that caused the Champs Elysee to be boarded up during another trip.

Final Thoughts on the Paris Big Bus Tour

Overall, it was a pretty fun girls’ trip but the last thing I wated to do was spend most of our time and money riding the subway all over Paris.

The Big Bus is a no brainer if you want to see the best of Paris without wearing yourself out.

As a US citizen, I try to make the most of my visits to Europe.

The more countries I visit, the more I am convinced that I’ve made the best use of a 10-hour flight.

A quick trip to the Covent Garden in London, Venice , Italy, or any another country is always must for me.

And as always, you can see whether you are in New York , Paris, or Chicago , you experience so much in a short amount of time with a Big Bus Tour.

• Paris Tourism
• Paris Hotels
• Paris Bed and Breakfast
• Paris Vacation Rentals
• Flights to Paris
• Paris Restaurants
• Things to Do in Paris
• Paris Travel Forum
• Paris Photos
• All Paris Hotels
• Paris Hotel Deals
• Last Minute Hotels in Paris
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Big Bus hop on hop off tour Paris - Paris Forum

• Europe    
• France    
• Ile-de-France    
• Paris    

Big Bus hop on hop off tour Paris

• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Vacation Rentals
• Ile-de-France forums
• Paris forum

8 replies to this topic

Don't buy in advance and don't do HOHO bus tour at all.

They get stuck in traffic quite badly and run very infrequently.

The Vedettes du Pont Neuf website: https://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/cruises/?date=2023-12-10

The Bateaux-Mouches website: https://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/en/reservation/tickets

The Bateaux Parisiens website: https://www.bateauxparisiens.com/en/cruise-tours.html

The River Seine Cruises website: https://riverseinecruise.com/

You can even bring your own food/snacks and drinks (including wine, champagne, beer etc) on board It’s a really lovely way to spend an afternoon or evening in Paris .

Use regular city buses rather than HOHO buses. You see just as much for a fraction of the price and with much higher frequency.

Would using regular bus or metrobe a challenge for a newcomer to navigate and figure out routes etc.

I have small kids and taking them in metro one station to another multiple times during day is possible but little challenging. I agree that the price is very high but I choose convenience over cost..

The only thing now bothers me after reading the above comment is "TRAFFC" We don't want to get stuck and loose time

For one day with kids, it’s a no brainer.

Frank, load RATP app to your smart phone to help with itinerary transportation.

I am not going to say it isn't a challenge, but once you've made a start, confidence builds quickly. Get a good map of the network - my favourite is: http://carto.metro.free.fr/documents/CartoParisMini.v1.13.pdf

I like it because it is less of a schematic and shows the network laid on top of the actual locations. Not the kind of thing you get with the London Underground, for example.

Then read the parisbytrain site with the map to hand.

The next item is ticketing - this is a quick summary. For the full deal, parisbytrain.

Two basic types of pass with tickets loaded onto cards:

the Navigo Easy (2€ for the card) and you load tickets (t+) on the card - discounted for a ten ticket purchase. One ticket for each trip; and

Navigo Decouverte that offers unlimited travel between midnight Sunday and midnight the next Sunday. This one needs a small photo attached to the card and you buy a weeks travel at a time.

There's more to it than that, but you can get all the info on.....www.parisbytrain.com

So take one step at a time and you'll be using the Metro like any other visitor - a little cautiously at first, and then with growing confidence. It is a brilliant transport system. You'll love it!

• Hotel location for one night - not my first time in Paris 11:36 pm
• Help me choose: Astotel George vs 34B vs Joke 11:28 pm
• Eiffel Tower summit after dinner at Madame Brasserie 11:14 pm
• Do large stations just have Navigo Easy vending machines? 10:53 pm
• 7 nights Paris/MSM decision 9:58 pm
• Day trip from Paris to London or Amsterdam or Luxembourg 9:37 pm
• Taylor Swift - La Defense Arena - 2024 9:33 pm
• Picasso- Paris or Barcelona ? 9:03 pm
• Why can't I get a ticket to the lourve or eiffel tower this 8:10 pm
• carte blanche membership for US visitor 8:09 pm
• How crowded is Louvre since the visitor cap? 6:32 pm
• Paris Taxi 6:19 pm
• Cafes in Le Marais w Outdoor Seating 5:32 pm
• Chartres illuminations 5:29 pm
• What is the best area to stay in paris?!! 451 replies
• Travelling Nice to Paris, TRAIN or FLY? 36 replies
• Buying Louis Vuitton..cheaper in Paris than USA? 33 replies
• Day trips from Paris by train 22 replies
• Paris to Venice via overnight Train 19 replies
• Is European Destinations.com a legit site to book from? 272 replies
• Itinerary for Paris in 3 days 14 replies
• Best Things to buy in Paris 19 replies
• best arrondissement to stay in 11 replies
• What to pack/wear for mid-October Weather 11 replies

Paris Hotels and Places to Stay

• 10 Steps for submitting great Forum questions
• Navigo cards, fares and everything about public transport
• Day Trips from Paris
• Paris with kids
• Important Links for Paris Visitors
• Safety in a Nutshell
• How do I take a bus in Paris?
• FAQ: What are the best books about Paris?
• FAQ: Where are the toilets? Où sont les toilettes?
• Taxis Parisiens
• Price hikes during the Olympic Games.