river cruise big bus paris

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• Phone: +33183644543

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• Location : France
• Price : 67.90
• Duration : 1 Day(s)

Paris: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Seine River Cruise

· Enjoy a 1, or 2 consecutive day pass to the open top sightseeing bus

· Learn the story of the sights via the on board audio guide

· Jump off at the Louvre Museum to see the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo

· Feel free to hop on and hop off the bus at any of the stops

· Set your own schedule

· See many of the top sights in Paris in just 1 hour on a Seine cruise

· Enjoy a wide range of departure times with your flexible tickets

· Cruise under the famous Pont Neuf and Pont Marie as you learn about their history with your audio guide

Description

Explore Paris at your own pace with a 1 or 2-day Big Bus hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour. Step off the Bus at the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame, Champs-Elysées and more and see the monuments from outside. Then, cruise along the Seine River by panoramic Bateaux Parisiens cruise boats on 1 hour cruise ride.

Discover Paris at your own pace, keep up with your very own schedule, and spot the sights you need to see within the Paris City with a 1-day or 2-days Big Bus Paris passes to the open-top hop-on hop-off sightseeing Big Bus ride. You can purchase a 1-day or 2-day Big Bus Paris ticket to suit your own schedule.

Explore Paris from an open-top hop-on hop-off sightseeing Big Bus and see bird's eye perspectives of the cobbled streets from the top deck. Travel down grand boulevards, and alongside the banks of the River Seine, leaping off at 10 strategic stops to explore more. 

Hop off  to visit iconic monuments which include the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum. The audio guide on board is available in 8 languages, providing you with the story of the attractions, from Napoleon’s triumphal Arc de Triomphe at the cease of the Champs-Elysées, to the astonishing Opera Garnier, wherein a super décor of marble awaits.

Watch the famous boutiques from the top of the bus on Champs-Elysées, or hop off to wander the cobbled streets of the Marais, ascend the Eiffel Tower, or stroll amongst artists in Montmartre. Get up-close to the gargoyles of Notre Dame, or discover the present-day artwork of the Centre Pompidou with this Big Bus Tour.

A complete loop takes around 2 hours 15 minutes (without getting off) or you could hop off at any one of those 10 stops:

• Eiffel Tower, Quai Branly (Pont d’Iéna)

• Champ de Mars, Avenue Joseph Bouvard

• Opéra Garnier, 15 Rue Scribe

• Louvre-Pyramide, Big Bus Information Center, 11 Avenue de l’Opéra

• Louvre-Pont des Arts (close to Pont des Arts)

• Notre-Dame, Quai de Montebello (across Notre-Dame)

• Musée d'Orsay (across the Orsay Museum)

• Champs-Elysées, 156 Avenue des Champs-Elysées

• Grand Palais, Avenue Winston Churchill

• Trocadéro, Avenue Paul Doumer 

Afterwards, discover Paris in a different way on this Seine River Cruise tour. Once onboard, you’ll enjoy a 1-hour cruise down the Seine River admiring the UNESCO-indexed riverbanks and Parisian landmarks consisting of the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, the Louvre Museum, the Orsay Museum, Notre-Dame de Paris, and a number of monumental bridges. See houseboats and floating restaurants as you float along under the bridges throughout the Seine River, adding to the charming ecosystem of this very unique city.

You can get any boat in the course of the working hours of the company.

Paris: 1 Day Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Seine River Cruise

Discover Paris at your own pace with a 1 day hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus pass. Complete your journey with 1-hour River Sightseeing Cruise Tour.

Tour duration: 1 Day(s)

Paris: 2 Days Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Seine Cruise

Discover Paris at your own pace with a 2 days hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus pass. Complete your journey with a 1-hour Seine River Sightseeing Cruise Tour.

Tour duration: 2 Day(s)

✔  English speaking guide on the bus

✔  1 or 2-day hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus pass

✔  Audio commentary on the boat

✔  1-hour Seine River cruise

✘  Hotel pick-up and drop off

✘  Gratuities (optional)

✘  Transfer between the attractions

Know Before You Go

⚈  Important Information : The voucher is not an entrance ticket, you will receive your ticket/tickets by e-mail and WhatsApp (if used).

⚈  Hop-on hop-off buses operate daily, departing every 10 minutes in Summer and every 20 minutes in Winter.

⚈  Scheduled times are subject to change and weekend times slightly vary.

⚈  Audio Guide is available in 11 languages on the bus. (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Arabic, Korean or Mandarin Chinese.)

⚈  From April to September: Come at the time of your choice from 10 am to 10 pm, every 30 minutes (except 1 pm and 7.30 pm : no departure - last departure at 10.30 pm subject to a minimum number of participants). Weekends and weekdays in June, July and August: from 10 am to 11 pm. On July 14, due to the festivities, the last sightseeing cruise departure will take place at 3 pm.

⚈  The audio guide on the boat is available in 14 languages, including French, English, Hindi, Arabic, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

⚈  The river cruise boats host 300 people in good weather and 120 people in rainy weather to comply with the rules.

⚈  All boats are non-smoking. It is however possible to smoke on the outdoor terrace of some of restaurants. Some of boats are equipped with an outdoor terrace where it is possible to smoke.

⚈  The company name is Bateaux Parisiens. The address is Port de la Bourdonnais 75507. Pier Number 3. It is orange color. The departure point is just right at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.The river cruise tickets are valid for a month until the travel date.

⚈  Mobile or Paper voucher are accepted

⚈  The rules of hygiene on boats do not allow to accept an animal except for guide dogs.

⚈  In the car park area, all passengers with a ticket for the river cruise are given 1 hour free parking. Please keep your tickets until your boat tour is over.

⚈  Some information may vary due to corona virus measures. Please contact us for detailed information before the tour.

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Attractions for This Tour

Customer Reviews

Eren Koç 14-December-2023, 02:00

Paris Big Bus Hop On Hop Off Tour with Seine River Cruise

I recently took the Paris Big Bus Hop On Hop Off Tour with Seine River Cruise and it was a great experience. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and helped us learn a lot about the city. The bus was clean and comfortable and the views from the river cruise were amazing. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Paris.

Luis Boone 18-May-2020, 16:15

Exactly as it’s described in the booking description. Bus was on time on we had a place to sit every time. Drivers were all very friendly. The views were amazing & great opportunities for beautiful pics both in bus and cruise.

Paris Business and Travel

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Big Bus Paris Hop-On Hop-Off Tour With Optional River Cruise

Paris, known as the ‘City of Light,’ attracts over 30 million travelers annually, making it one of the most popular destinations worldwide. However, navigating its charming streets and iconic landmarks can be overwhelming for many travelers.

Imagine a stress-free way to explore Paris at your own pace, hopping on and off a double-decker bus while soaking in the city’s beauty. But that’s just the beginning of what this tour has to offer.

Stay tuned to uncover how this experience can elevate your Parisian adventure beyond the ordinary.

Just The Basics

• Convenient hop-on hop-off access at various stops in Paris
• Informative audio commentary in multiple languages
• Option to upgrade for a Seine River cruise
• Personalized itinerary creation for a flexible sightseeing experience

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• Catacombs of Paris Semi-Private VIP Restricted Access Tour
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Tour Pricing and Lowest Price Guarantee

When booking the Big Bus Paris Tour, travelers can take advantage of competitive pricing starting from €40.50 and a Lowest Price Guarantee. This ensures that customers are getting the best value for their money.

The pricing comparison highlights the affordability of this tour, especially considering the inclusions like the option to upgrade for a Seine River cruise . This river cruise inclusion adds another layer of enjoyment to the sightseeing experience, making it even more worthwhile.

With the guarantee details in place, customers can book with confidence, knowing they’re getting a great deal.

Booking Options and Free Cancellation

To enhance the booking experience for the Big Bus Paris Tour, travelers can explore various options and benefit from the flexibility of free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour begins. When considering booking flexibility and the cancellation policy , here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Opportunity to modify or cancel bookings without penalty
• Peace of mind knowing you can adjust plans if needed
• Flexibility to change tour dates or group size
• Easy online process for cancellations or modifications
• No added stress if plans unexpectedly change

These aspects ensure that travelers have the freedom to adjust their arrangements without worrying about losing out.

Hop-On Hop-Off Access and Audio Commentary

Hop aboard the Big Bus Paris Tour and enjoy the convenience of hopping on and off at any stop along the route while listening to informative audio commentary in multiple languages.

The audio commentary effectiveness enhances the sightseeing experience, providing valuable insights into Paris’s landmarks and history. Plus, the bus station locations are strategically placed for easy access to key attractions, ensuring a seamless journey.

The tour route flexibility allows travelers to explore Paris at their own pace, creating a personalized itinerary tailored to their interests. Customer support satisfaction is prioritized, with friendly staff ready to assist and ensure a smooth experience.

Sightseeing Pass Options and River Cruise Upgrade

Explore the various sightseeing pass options available for the Big Bus Paris Tour and consider upgrading for a delightful River Cruise experience on the Seine. When selecting your pass, keep in mind these benefits:

• Enjoy the iconic landmarks of Paris from a unique vantage point on the Seine River cruise.
• Maximize your time with priority access to the Eiffel Tower included in certain pass options.
• Create your personalized itinerary with the flexibility of a 24 or 48-hour sightseeing bus pass.
• Enjoy the city’s history and culture with informative audio commentary available in multiple languages.
• Enhance your experience by opting for additional upgrades like entry to the Arc de Triomphe for a comprehensive Parisian adventure.

Convenient Features and Inclusions

After exploring the sightseeing pass options and considering a delightful River Cruise upgrade, visitors to Paris can now discover the array of convenient features and inclusions offered by the Big Bus Paris Tour.

On board amenities include informative audio commentary in multiple languages, personalized itinerary creation , and free Wi-Fi for a connected experience. Travelers can enjoy panoramic views from the open-top bus while having the option to upgrade for a serene Seine River cruise.

The flexibility of hop-on hop-off access at any stop along the route allows for itinerary customization based on individual preferences. Plus, the inclusion of entry tickets to the iconic Arc de Triomphe adds value to the sightseeing experience.

With these features, exploring Paris becomes not only convenient but also enriching.

Customer Feedback and Recommendations

Visitors to the Big Bus Paris Tour have expressed a mix of positive and negative feedback, providing valuable insights for those considering the experience.

• Enhanced communication on closures can improve customer satisfaction .
• Clearer end time indications are necessary for better planning.
• More frequent buses would enhance the overall experience.
• Decreasing overcrowding on buses can lead to higher customer satisfaction .
• Shorter distances between stops can make the tour more convenient for passengers.

Areas for Improvement and Suggestions

To enhance the overall experience of the Big Bus Paris Tour, prioritizing clearer communication on closures, more frequent bus services, and reducing overcrowding are essential improvements to consider.

Customer satisfaction can be significantly enhanced by ensuring that travelers are promptly informed of any closures or deviations from the regular route, preventing inconvenience and disappointment.

Increasing the frequency of bus services would reduce wait times, allowing visitors to optimize their time exploring Paris.

Plus, addressing the issue of overcrowded buses would greatly improve the comfort and enjoyment of the tour for passengers.

Implementing these improvement suggestions wouldn’t only enhance the overall customer experience but also contribute to a smoother and more enjoyable sightseeing adventure in the beautiful city of Paris.

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Common questions

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Big Bus Paris Tour?

Yes, on the Big Bus Paris tour, guests can bring their own picnic provisions. However, there are beverage restrictions in place. Enjoy your snacks while exploring the city’s sights and attractions with the flexibility of the hop-on-hop-off experience.

Are There Any Discounts Available for Children or Seniors on the Tour?

Discount eligibility varies for children and seniors on the tour. Tour flexibility allows for different pricing options based on age. Visitors can inquire about available discounts when selecting tickets, ensuring an inclusive and affordable experience for all.

Is There a Restroom on Board the Big Bus Paris for Passengers to Use?

Passengers can find comfort in knowing that there is a restroom on board the Big Bus Paris for their convenience. This amenity ensures a pleasant experience throughout the tour, enhancing passenger comfort and convenience.

Can I Bring My Pet on the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour?

While traveling with pets , individuals should inquire about pet-friendly accommodations on the hop-on hop-off bus tour. It’s essential to check the guidelines in advance to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for both the passenger and their furry companion.

Are There Any Restrictions on Luggage Size or Items That Can Be Brought on the Bus?

Luggage restrictions on the bus are minimal, typically limited to manageable items that won’t obstruct aisles. Prohibited items may include hazardous materials, oversized bags , or anything that could inconvenience other passengers.

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Experience the magic of Paris with the Big Bus Paris Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and optional river cruise.

With flexible pricing, informative commentary , and convenient access to all the must-see sights, this tour offers a unique way to explore the city at your own pace.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this tour is a fantastic choice for experiencing the beauty and charm of Paris.

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable journey through the City of Light!

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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.

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14 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!

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Six presumed dead after cargo ship crash levels Baltimore bridge

BALTIMORE — A major Baltimore bridge collapsed like a house of cards early Tuesday after it was struck by a container ship, sending six people to their deaths in the dark waters below, and closing one of the country’s busiest ports.

By nightfall, the desperate search for six people who were working on the bridge and vanished when it fell apart had become a grim search for bodies.

“We do not believe that we’re going to find any of these individuals still alive,” Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon N. Gilreath said.

Jeffrey Pritzker, executive vice president of Brawner Builders, said earlier that one of his workers had survived. He did not release their names.

Up until then, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore had held out hope that the missing people might be found even as law enforcement warned that the frigid water and the fact that there had been no sign of them since 1:30 a.m. when the ship struck Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Moore expressed heartbreak after officials suspended the search for survivors.

"Our heart goes out to the families," he said. "I can’t imagine how painful today has been for these families, how painful these hours have been have been for these families."

It was a crushing blow to the loved ones of the missing men, who had waited for hours at a Royal Farms convenience store near the entrance of the bridge for word of their fate. 

Follow live updates on the Baltimore bridge collapse

The tragic chain of events began early Tuesday when the cargo ship Dali notified authorities that it had lost power and issued a mayday moments before the 984-foot vessel slammed into a bridge support at a speed of 8 knots, which is about 9 mph.

Moore declared a state of emergency while rescue crews using sonar detected at least five vehicles in the frigid 50-foot-deep water: three passenger cars, a cement truck and another vehicle of some kind. Authorities do not believe anyone was inside the vehicles.

Investigators quickly concluded that it was an accident and not an act of terrorism.

Ship was involved in another collision

Earlier, two people were rescued from the water, Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace said. One was in good condition and refused treatment, he said. The other was seriously injured and was being treated in a trauma center.

Moore said other drivers might have been in the water had it not been for those who, upon hearing the mayday, blocked off the bridge and kept other vehicles from crossing.

“These people are heroes,” Moore said. “They saved lives.”

Nearly eight years ago, the Dali was involved in an accident. In July 2016, it struck a quay at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium, damaging the quay.

The nautical commission investigated the accident, but the details of the inquiry were not immediately clear Tuesday.

The Dali is operated and managed by Synergy Group. In a statement, the company said that two port pilots were at the helm during Tuesday's crash and that all 22 crew members onboard were accounted for.

The Dali was chartered by the Danish shipping giant Maersk, which said it would have no choice but to send its ships to other nearby ports with the Port of Baltimore closed.

The bridge, which is about a mile and a half long and carries Interstate 695 over the Patapsco River southeast of Baltimore, was "fully up to code," Moore said.

National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said that her agency will lead the investigation and that a data recorder on the ship could provide more information.

"But right now we're focusing on the people, on the families," she said. "The rest can wait."

President Joe Biden vowed to rebuild the bridge and send federal funds.

"This is going to take some time," the president warned. "The people of Baltimore can count on us though to stick with them, at every step of the way, till the port is reopened and the bridge is rebuilt."

Speaking in Baltimore, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg echoed the president's promise.

"This is no ordinary bridge," he said. "This is one of the cathedrals of American infrastructure."

But Buttigieg warned that replacing the bridge and reopening the port will take time and money and that it could affect supply chains.

The Port of Baltimore, the 11th largest in the U.S., is the busiest port for car imports and exports, handling more than 750,000 vehicles in 2023 alone, according to data from the Maryland Port Administration.

Writer David Simon, a champion of Baltimore who set his TV crime drama "The Wire" on the streets of the city he once covered as a reporter, warned online that the people who will suffer the most are those whose livelihoods depend on the port.

"Thinking first of the people on the bridge," Simon posted on X . "But the mind wanders to a port city strangling. All the people who rely on ships in and out."

Timeline of crash

Dramatic video captured the moment at 1:28 a.m. Tuesday when the Dali struck a support and sent the bridge tumbling into the water. A livestream showed cars and trucks on the bridge just before the strike. The ship did not sink, and its lights remained on.

Investigators said in a timeline that the Dali's lights suddenly shut off four minutes earlier before they came back on and that then, at 1:25 a.m. dark black smoke began billowing from the ship's chimney.

A minute later, at 1:26 a.m., the ship appeared to turn. And in the minutes before it slammed into the support, the lights flickered again.

Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said the workers on the bridge were repairing concrete ducts when the ship crashed into the structure.

At least seven workers were pouring concrete to fix potholes on the roadway on the bridge directly above where the ship hit, said James Krutzfeldt, a foreman.

Earlier, the Coast Guard said it had received a report that a “motor vessel made impact with the bridge” and confirmed it was the Dali, a containership sailing under a Singaporean flag that was heading for Sri Lanka.

Bobby Haines, who lives in Dundalk in Baltimore County, said he felt the impact of the bridge collapse from his house nearby.

"I woke up at 1:30 this morning and my house shook, and I was freaking out," he said. "I thought it was an earthquake, and to find out it was a bridge is really, really scary."

Families of bridge workers wait for updates

Earlier in the day, relatives of the construction crew waited for updates on their loved ones.

Marian Del Carmen Castellon told Telemundo her husband, Miguel Luna, 49, was working on the bridge.

“They only tell us that we have to wait and that they can’t give us information,” she said.

Castellon said she was "devastated, devastated because our heart is broken, because we don’t know how they have been rescued yet. We are just waiting for the news."

Luna's co-worker Jesús Campos said he felt crushed, too.

“It hurts my heart to see what is happening. We are human beings, and they are my folks,” he said.

Campos told The Baltimore Banner that the missing men are from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.

Active search and rescue ends

The Coast Guard said it was suspending the active search-and-rescue effort at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

"Coast Guard’s not going away, none of our partners are going away, but we’re just going to transition into a different phase," Gilreath said at a news conference.

Maryland State Police Superintendent Roland L. Butler, Jr., said it was moving to a recovery operation. Changing conditions have made it dangerous for divers, he said. 

Butler pledged to "do our very best to recover those six missing people," but the conditions are difficult.

"If we look at how challenging it is at a simple motor vehicle crash to extract an individual, I'm sure we can all imagine how much harder it is to do it in inclement weather, when it's cold, under the water, with very limited to no visibility," he said.

"There's a tremendous amount of debris in the water," which can include sharp metal and other hazards, and that could take time, Butler said.

'A long road in front of us'

Built in 1977 and referred to locally as the Key Bridge, the structure was later named after the author of the American national anthem.

The bridge is more than 8,500 feet long, or 1.6 miles. Its main section spans 1,200 feet, and it was one of the longest continuous truss bridges in the world upon its completion, according to the National Steel Bridge Alliance .

About 31,000 vehicles a day use the bridge, which equals 11.3 million vehicles per year, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.

The river and the Port of Baltimore are both key to the shipping industry on the East Coast, generating more than $3.3 billion a year and directly employing more than 15,000 people.

Asked what people in Baltimore can expect going forward, the state's transportation secretary said it is too early to tell.

"Obviously we reached out to a number of engineering companies, so obviously we have a long road in front of us," Wiedefeld said.

Julia Jester reported from Baltimore, Patrick Smith from London, Corky Siemaszko from New York and Phil Helsel from Los Angeles.

Julia Jester is a producer for NBC News based in Washington, D.C.

Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

Corky Siemaszko is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital.

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How the Key Bridge Collapsed in Baltimore: Maps and Photos

By Weiyi Cai ,  Agnes Chang ,  Lauren Leatherby ,  Lazaro Gamio ,  Leanne Abraham and Scott Reinhard

On Tuesday, a major bridge in Baltimore collapsed into the water seconds after it was struck by a cargo ship, sending vehicles on the bridge into the river below. The ship lost power and issued a mayday call shortly before it hit the bridge.

The ship, a 948-foot-long cargo vessel called Dali, was about a half hour into its journey toward Colombo, Sri Lanka, when it hit a main pillar of the bridge. All crew members are safe, according to the ship’s owners.

Follow our live coverage .

A mayday call from the ship gave officials enough time to stop traffic at both ends of the bridge. The waters where the bridge collapsed are about 50 feet deep. By Tuesday morning, six construction workers who had been fixing potholes on the bridge remained missing as divers and other emergency workers on boats and helicopters continued to search for them. Two others had been rescued, and one was in the hospital.

Francis Scott

Patapsco River

The ship left the Port

of Baltimore around

1 a.m. on Tuesday.

Where impact occurred

Direction of the ship

The ship hit the

bridge at 1:28 a.m.

The ship hit the bridge at 1:28 a.m.

Where impact

Source: Spire Global

The New York Times; satellite image by Google Earth

The lights of the ship flickered on and off as it lost power in the minutes before the ship changed bearing and hit the bridge.

Ship approached from

the Port of Baltimore

Road repair crews

Ship changed heading

as it neared pillar

Ship hit pillar

Southern and central spans

of bridge began to collapse within

seconds of impact

Northern span began to

collapse seconds later

Within 30 seconds of impact,

the central part of bridge had

entirely collapsed.

Source: StreamTime Live via YouTube

Timestamps are from StreamTime Live video.

The New York Times

The Francis Scott Key Bridge was opened in 1977 and carried more than 12.4 million vehicles last year. The bridge was one of the three major ways to cross the Patapsco River and formed part of Baltimore’s beltway.

The Port of Baltimore is a major trade hub that handled a record amount of foreign cargo last year. It is an especially important destination — the nation’s largest by volume last year — for deliveries of cars and light trucks.

Ship impact

To Chesapeake Bay

Sources: Maryland Port Administration, OpenStreetMap, MarineTraffic

Note: Ship positions are as of 2:46 p.m. Eastern time.

Overall, Baltimore was the 17th biggest port in the United States in 2021, ranked by total tons, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The bridge collapse brought marine traffic there to a standstill, with seven cargo or tanker ships stranded in the harbor as of Tuesday afternoon.

Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency for Maryland and said that his office was in close communication with Pete Buttigieg, the U.S. transportation secretary. The White House issued a statement saying that President Biden had been briefed on the collapse.

Erin Schaff/The New York Times

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