is the big bus tour in nyc worth it

Big Bus New York

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Big Bus New York: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

Big Bus New York: Sightseeing Night Tour by Open-top Bus

New York Pass: Empire State Building and 100+ Attractions

Big Bus NYC: 1-Day Hop-on Hop-off Tour with Empire State Building

New York: 1-Day Hop-on Hop-off Tour & Empire State Building Entry

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Big Bus New York - Things You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Review: The Big Bus Tour in New York City

I absolutely loved the Big Bus Tour in New York City. It’s the best way to go sightseeing in an open-top, hop-on hop-off, top-rated tour and explore the best New York attractions !

If this is your first-time visiting New York and you want to see all the top landmarks, this double-decker tour bus will take you there.

The Big Bus Tour in New York

You may be wondering if a hop-on hop-off bus is worth it. Absolutely, yes!

If you consider the time and money spent on transportation costs, waiting for buses, navigating the subway (which can be confusing for visitors), and getting from one point of interest to another, it is worth every dollar!

I had a great visit to New York City on Big Bus Tour. My goal was to show the city to some friends from Italy who were visiting the US for the first time.

Since we only had about two days to spend together, the hop-on hop-off was undoubtedly the best decision.

From our experience, we’ll answer commonly asked questions about the Hop-on Hop-off bus while visiting New York City.

Google Reviews

Why take the big bus tour in new york.

While seeing New York from the open-top deck of the double-decker bus, the city unfolded block by block with panoramic views from every angle.

As we traveled through the streets, the sights were unobstructed and new visual backdrops were revealed.

The towering skyscrapers and colorful billboards filled the air with excitement and as the cityscape continued to change, it gave a grand feeling to the experience.

I especially enjoyed being able to relax from the upper deck of the bus while taking in the energy of city scenes.

Because I also live in a large city, the rhythm felt familiar from the elevated vantage point .

Car horns were honking, crowds traversed through the streets and there was an endless hum of activity.

Best of all, the tour gave me the chance to interact with other travelers who were seeing New York while waiting for the tour to began.

We struck up conversations and exchanged stories, insights, and recommendations during our stay in New York.

How Much is the Big Bus Tour in New York

The regular price of an adult and child ticket is $60.00 and $50.00, respectively. However, you can use the link below for discounted fares.

Get discounts for the Big Bus Tour NYC  here .

How Long is the Big Bus Tour in New York

The round-trip New York City Big Bus Tour takes about two hours from start to finish.

The bus is the perfect solution for visitors worldwide because they offer pre-recorded audio narratives and translations in five languages — French, German, Spanish, Italian, and English.

Are There Toilets on the Big Bus

No. Unlike charter buses, you won’t travel long between stops. So the best thing to do is exit at a stop, find a public restroom, see an attraction, if desired, and then catch the next bus.

If you are not sure where to find one, ask a Big Bus guide on the street. The driver may also have some suggestions.

Charter buses come equipped with a bathroom because travel is expected to be for a much longer period.

How Does the Big Bus Tour Work in New York City

The tour offers three options for purchase — 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day.

When you decide the number of days of your tour and purchase your ticket, the clock starts when your ticket is scanned while boarding the bus for the first time.

The ticket is good for 24, 48, or 72 hours. So, if you have a 1-day ticket and board the bus at 11:00 AM on Monday, it can still be used until 11:00 AM on Tuesday.

We found a ton of touring options for sightseeing in New York.

Aside from the extended period, the 2 and 3-day tickets also offer discounted bike rentals.

The buses run every 20 minutes on average. However, the first stop at the M&M store can be a long wait during peak season.

You can exit or board at any of the designated stops as much as you want.

The only exclusion is the one-loop tour Night Tour which is a panoramic non-stop tour.

Where to Catch the Big Bus Tour in New York City

During the tour, the buses only stop at designated stops.

Your ticket is good for as long as the buses operate during the day and it may be used on both the red and blue routes.

When you board, make sure you get a hop-on hop-off New York bus route map!

Big Bus NYC Red Route

The red route sightseeing tour covers lower Manhattan and you’ll see many landmarks like St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Wall Street, the Chrysler Building, and General Grant’s Tomb.

You can catch a tour at any one of the following bus stops and you can get your tickets in advance of boarding.

1 – M&M’s World – 7th Ave & W 48th St (Outside M&M World & Majestic Deli)

2 – Times Square East – W 42nd St & Broadway (at Knickerbocker Hotel)

3 – Empire State Building / Korea Town – 5th Ave & W 32nd St (at CVS Pharmacy)

4 – Flatiron District – 5th Ave & W 23rd St (at Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop)

5 – SoHo – Broadway and Spring Street (at Nike Store)

6 – Chinatown / Little Italy – 100 Lafayette Street (near the corner at Walker St)

7 – Brooklyn Bridge – Park Row & Beekman St (across from 33 Park Row)

8 – Wall Street / Charging Bull – Broadway & Wall St (Southwest corner near Rector St)

9 – Statue of Liberty / Battery Park – State St and Bridge St (at Subway Entrance)

10 – Circle Line Sightseeing – 12th Ave & 40th St (opposite Pier 81)

11 – Times Square North – 7th Ave & W 50th St (at Majestic Deli)

Big Bus NYC Blue Route

The blue route covers upper Manhattan, and half of the ride is mostly views of Central Park. You can switch to the blue route at red stop #2.

We recommend changing routes at stop #11 (the Majestic Deli) where you can take a break and have a nice lunch.

12 – The Metropolitan Museum of Art – 5th Ave & E 83rd St (near 83rd St)

13 – Central Park Zoo – 5th Ave & E 66th St (opposite 845 5th Ave)

14 – Columbus Circle – Central Park & Columbus Circle (SW corner of Central Park)

Tips and Things to Know Before You Go

The bus has two levels, the upper level offers panoramic views of the city but be careful of overhanging traffic lights and trees. Don’t stand while the bus is in motion.

• After you find a seat, check the audio to confirm it is working.
• Snacks are allowed. Bring a frozen bottle of water and protein bites to keep you energized.
• When on the upper deck, cover up with sunscreen to protect your skin on hot sunny days.
• If you are a family of 3 or more, take seats across from one another so you’ll have views and photos from both sides of the bus.

Tourists were lined up at stop #1 at least an hour before departure and the line extended the entire block and rounded the corner.

We decided to see other points of interest and returned around 11:00 AM.

The wait to board the bus was about 20 minutes. It was a relaxing ride and there we saw so much!

By the time we reached stop #9, we were pumped and ready to exit the bus so that we could explore the city! And you probably will be too.

Here’s the secret sauce that really made the experience memorable. Exit at stop #9 and take a FREE ferry to Staten Island.

To see the Statue of Liberty, stand on the left side of the boat. When returning, stand on the right side.

Traveling on a budget? Read my review of the Westside YMCA Hotel !

Final Thoughts About the Big Bus Tour in New York City

Overall, the tour was a pleasant way to see New York city and when you are on the upper deck, you hardly notice the traffic.

Some other advantages of seeing the city by bus include:

• Avoiding parking hassles. I mean, who actually drives in New York?!
• Photo opportunities. With the open-top or large windows, you have excellent photo opportunities as you pass by iconic landmarks and cityscapes.
• Comprehensive sightseeing of major landmarks and attractions within two hours.
• You can get local recommendations from the guides who operate the bus.

I usually opt for a hop-on hop-off bus when I am short on time or to get my bearings in the city before deciding what to do.

Either way, when you take the tour bus, it doesn’t appear impossible to take a bite out of the Big Apple.

Happy Travels!

Hop on Hop off New York Bus Tour – Is it worth it?

• Posted by by Elle-Rose
• Updated: May 9, 2022
• 4 minute read

Are you wondering if the Hop on Hop off New York Bus Tour is worth the money?

A Hop on Hop off New York bus tour is one of the classic ‘touristy’ things to do in the city. In fact, you’ll often spot these tour buses around the city, full of tourists getting their fill of sightseeing.

But is the Hop on Hop off New York Bus Tour worth it, and is it something you should spend your money on?

In my opinion… YES! It’s worth it!

There are 2 main Hop on Hop off New York bus tours you can do in NYC…

BIGBUS New York – Click here for info and tickets  

City Sightseeing Bus – Click here for info and tickets 

They’re both extremely similar in what they offer (I’ve done both) – so this post applies to both companies.

What makes a Hop on Hop off New York Bus Tour worth it?

In my opinion, it’s one of the easiest ways to see the city, and tick off a lot of the major sights in one day.

The Hop on Hop off New York Bus Tour has been designed to fit in all the main sightseeing must-sees in the city, and it’s also a lot of fun too.

Here’s why I think the Hop on Hop off New York Bus Tour is worth doing….

Reason 1: It’s good for first time visitors

If you’re visiting NYC for the first time, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed with how much stuff their is to see and do.

The Hop on Hop off New York Bus Tour is a great way to make sure you at least glimpse all the main sights and attractions.

The pre-planned route that the bus takes is designed to fit in as many sights as possible, so you know you’ll be driving past all the good stuff (so you can be poised, camera ready!).

If you are visiting NYC for the first time, I HIGHLY recommend booking the Hop on Hop off New York Bus Tour for your first day.

You can use it as a chance to see loads of stuff, but also to work out where you want to go back to in the following days.

Reason 2: It’s genuinely interesting

If you jump on a bus with a good tour guide, then the tour is genuinely interesting and you learn a lot about the city.

I know a lot of people think it’s just a sightseeing tour, but it’s nice to drive around the city and have facts and information given to you, so you actually learn about the city too.

They’ll point out historical places, TV and movie locations, random facts, everything!

Reason 3: It’s so easy

If the idea of navigating the city on your own is a bit daunting, and you’re a little bit apprehensive about using the Subway, then you can essentially use the Hop on Hop off New York Bus Tour as you means of getting around the city.

The map they give you is super easy, and each bus stop is usually located right by a corresponding attraction or sightseeing point.

So you can get off wherever you want to explore, and then jump back on another bus once you’re finished.

It makes the whole experience of sightseeing in NYC so easy!

Reason 4: You can bundle it with a ferry or night tour

I like that you can bundle your tickets with a ferry or night tour – as it just lets you do that little bit more during your NYC vacation.

Ferry tours are amazing in NYC because the skyline looks amazing from the water (so that’d be my personal pick!) but the night tour would also be a great choice for anyone wanting to enjoy the skyline views during the evening.

Anyway, I like that you can bundle these together with your bus ticket – it means you save money and time!

Reason 5: You get amazing photo opportunities

I love photography, so this is a major plus point for me. Sitting on the top deck of the bus gives you pretty epic photo opportunities you just would be able to get any other way.

It’s also pretty consistent too – every new street or every corner you turn there will be something else to take photos of!

Reason 6: You get to see Uptown, Midtown and downtown

NYC is pretty big, and it’s easy as a tourist to get swallowed up exploring one area – and you forget to venture a little further afield to see other neighbourhoods.

A Hop on Hop off New York Bus Tour means you can see lots of different areas in the city.

There are a few different tour companies that run Hop on Hop off New York Bus Tours, but with most of them you can book 1, 2 and 3-day tickets for the Hop on Hop off New York Bus Tour, and all of those options include access to two different loops (this just means, two different bus routes).

The 2 loops are Uptown and Downtown, so each loop takes you past different sights and attractions where you might want to hop off and explore.

As I mentioned above, you’ll also have access to live audio commentary from your tour guide too – which makes it so entertaining and educational!

They will make sure you don’t miss anything important!

BIGBUS New York –  Click here for info and tickets  

City Sightseeing Bus –  Click here for info and tickets 

As you can see, there are a lot of stops to explore, and so many opportunities to get out and explore NYC using the Hop on Hop off New York Bus Tour! I hope this blog post has been useful and you enjoy your trip to NYC!

Elle-Rose is the owner and editor of The World and Then Some! She has been a professional travel writer for over 12 years, writing for many different publications, including this one. Elle-Rose is a city break expert, and she specializes in popular locations such as NYC, London, Las Vegas and Dubai, regularly visiting to stay on top of new attractions, restaurants and hotels. Elle-Rose is super active on TikTok (@theworldandthensome), and loves filming video content in the cities she visits - so go and say hello!

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Explore NYC with Ease: Big Bus New York – Ultimate Guide

March 4, 2024 by Deborah Green Leave a Comment

Ever felt overwhelmed by the bustling streets of New York City, with its towering skyscrapers, endless attractions, and hidden gems waiting to be discovered? You’re not alone. The city that never sleeps is vast and vibrant, offering something for everyone but navigating it can be a daunting task. Enter the Big Bus New York , a beacon of hope for tourists and locals alike seeking to explore the Big Apple with ease and comfort.

• Big Bus New York offers a flexible and comfortable way to see the city.
• Various ticket options cater to all types of travelers.
• Insider tips and hidden gems make for an unforgettable NYC experience.
• Strategic stops and routes cover major NYC attractions.
• Learn how to maximize your Big Bus experience with our guide.

• 1.1 Maximizing Your Big Bus Experience
• 1.2 Routes to Remember
• 1.3 Hidden Gems and Insider Tips
• 1.4 Navigating New York Like a Pro
• 2.1 The Experience
• 2.2 Why Choose the Hop-on Hop-off Tour?
• 2.3 Planning Your Tour
• 3.1 Challenging Assumptions
• 4.1 Spring: Blooms and Beginnings
• 4.2 Summer: Sunlight and Spectacles
• 4.3 Fall: A Tapestry of Colors
• 4.4 Winter: The City in Lights
• 5.1 Street Food Staples and Where to Find Them
• 5.2 Neighborhood Noshes: A Taste of Local Life
• 5.3 Gourmet Getaways and Fine Dining Finds
• 5.4 Food Markets and Festivals: A Feast for the Senses
• 6.1 Museum Mile and Beyond: A Journey Through Art History
• 6.2 Street Art and Urban Canvas
• 6.3 Live Performances and Theatrical Magic
• 6.4 Gallery Hopping: From Mainstream to Maverick
• 7 Conclusion
• 8.1 Is the Big Bus New York worth it?
• 8.2 How do I choose the right Big Bus ticket?
• 8.3 Can I hop on and off at any stop?
• 8.4 What are the must-see stops on the Big Bus New York?
• 8.5 Are there any insider tips for first-time Big Bus users?

Why Big Bus New York is a Game-Changer for NYC Visitors

In the heart of a city as expansive and vibrant as New York , navigating through its bustling streets and avenues can be both exhilarating and daunting. This is where Big Bus New York transforms the urban exploration game. Offering a unique vantage point atop its double-decker buses, it allows visitors to soak in the sights and sounds of the city without the hassle of navigating the complex subway system or the expense of cab rides. With meticulously designed routes that cover all major landmarks and attractions, Big Bus New York ensures that you don’t miss out on anything this magnificent city has to offer, making it a game-changer for both first-time visitors and seasoned travelers.

Maximizing Your Big Bus Experience

Choosing the right ticket can significantly enhance your Big Bus experience . The service offers various ticket options, including Classic, Premium, or Deluxe, each providing varying degrees of flexibility to suit your itinerary. Additional perks such as night tours or boat cruises are also available, depending on the ticket type. An insider tip for savvy travelers: keep an eye out for Big Bus New York promo codes for discounted fares, which are often available through various online platforms or travel agencies. This way, you can enjoy an extensive tour of New York City at a fraction of the cost.

Routes to Remember

The Big Bus’s Red and Blue routes are particularly noteworthy for their comprehensive coverage of the city’s most iconic sights. The Red Route, also known as the Downtown Loop, takes passengers through the heart of Manhattan. It offers unparalleled views of Times Square, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty from afar, and much more, making it an essential experience for any visitor. On the other hand, the Blue Route, or the Uptown Loop, showcases the cultural richness of Harlem and the serene beauty of Central Park, providing a contrast to the bustling downtown area and highlighting the diverse experiences New York City has to offer.

Hidden Gems and Insider Tips

While the Big Bus tours cover many of New York City’s most famous landmarks , they also offer opportunities to explore lesser-known locales that are equally captivating. One such hidden gem is the Brooklyn Bridge stop on the Downtown Loop, where you can hop off and explore DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). This neighborhood is renowned for its stunning waterfront views, picturesque cobblestone streets, and vibrant arts scene. Insider tips like these can help you discover the city’s unique neighborhoods and experiences that lie beyond the typical tourist path.

Navigating New York Like a Pro

The Big Bus New York is not just about sightseeing; it’s about experiencing the city like a local . With the help of the Big Bus New York app, you can track bus locations in real-time, making it easier to plan your day around the city’s rhythms. The app also provides detailed information about each stop, including nearby attractions and dining options, allowing you to customize your journey. To avoid the crowds and ensure a comfortable experience, it’s best to catch the bus early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the buses are less crowded, and the city reveals its true character.

Explore New York City from Above: The Ultimate Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

New York City, a sprawling metropolis filled with iconic landmarks, bustling streets, and hidden gems, offers an endless array of sights and experiences. For those looking to capture the essence of the Big Apple in a flexible, comprehensive, and exciting way, the hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour by open-top bus presents the perfect solution.

The Experience

Imagine cruising down the streets of New York, the city’s skyline towering above you, as you enjoy unobstructed views from the open-top deck of a bus. This hop-on hop-off tour offers a unique vantage point to witness the hustle and bustle of the city, from the majestic Empire State Building and the sprawling Central Park to the historic Brooklyn Bridge and the vibrant Times Square .

With the flexibility to hop off at any of the numerous stops, you can explore New York City’s museums, landmarks, and neighborhoods at your own pace. Whether you’re drawn to the artistic allure of the MoMA, the historical significance of the Statue of Liberty, or the architectural marvel of the Chrysler Building, this tour puts the city’s best features at your fingertips.

Why Choose the Hop-on Hop-off Tour?

• Flexibility: With the option to hop on and off at various stops, you tailor your New York City adventure to your interests and schedule.
• Comprehensive Coverage: The tour routes are designed to cover the most iconic and significant parts of the city, ensuring you don’t miss out on any must-see attractions.
• Unique Perspectives: The open-top bus offers unparalleled views of the city’s architecture, streetscapes, and the daily life of its inhabitants.
• Informative Commentary: Equipped with an audio guide, you’ll receive valuable insights and interesting facts about the city’s history, culture, and landmarks as you travel.

Planning Your Tour

The New York: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus is available with options for 24 or 48-hour tickets, giving you ample time to explore the city at your leisure. With a rating of 4.03 stars from over 2,500 reviews, past visitors have lauded the tour for its convenience, comprehensive route, and the freedom it offers to explore New York City’s diverse attractions.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, the hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour by open-top bus is an exhilarating and efficient way to experience the heart of New York City. Don’t miss the chance to embark on this unforgettable journey above the streets of the Big Apple.

For more information and to book your tickets, visit GetYourGuide .

Personal Experiences and Uncommon Angles

Having experienced New York City both with and without the convenience of the Big Bus , I can attest to the unparalleled ease and unique perspectives it offers. There’s something inherently magical about viewing the city from the open deck of a double-decker bus, wind in your hair, as you transition seamlessly from one iconic site to another. This mode of exploration invites you to connect with the city in a way that’s simply not possible through any other means of transportation, offering a blend of adventure, relaxation, and discovery.

Challenging Assumptions

It’s a common misconception that sightseeing tours like the Big Bus are designed solely for tourists. However, even lifelong New Yorkers can discover new facets of their city through these tours. The Big Bus invites everyone to see New York through a different lens, encouraging passengers to appreciate its history, architecture, and spirit anew. This experience challenges the routine perceptions of the city, revealing its layers and complexities in a way that daily life often obscures.

Exploring the Seasons with Big Bus New York

New York City, a metropolis that dramatically transforms with the seasons, offers a different charm whether it’s the blooming beauty of spring, the sun-drenched streets of summer, the golden hues of fall, or the snowy silence of winter. Big Bus New York provides an exceptional platform to experience these seasonal shifts , each bringing its own unique flavor to the city’s landmarks and landscapes. This section delves into how the Big Bus tour adapts to and enhances the experience of New York’s changing seasons, making every ride, regardless of the time of year, a unique adventure.

Spring: Blooms and Beginnings

As the city shakes off the winter chill, Big Bus tours in spring offer a front-row seat to New York’s awakening. The routes become scenic journeys past blossoming parks and vibrant street art, symbolizing renewal and growth. The mild weather makes it an ideal time for open-top bus rides, allowing unobstructed views of the cherry blossoms in Central Park and the colorful murals in SoHo and the Lower East Side. Springtime also sees a host of festivals and outdoor events, many of which are highlighted and accessible on the tour’s stops.

Summer: Sunlight and Spectacles

Summer in New York is an invitation to bask in the bustling city life, and Big Bus tours are your gateway to the action. With extended daylight hours, the tours offer longer operating times, ensuring you can make the most of your day exploring. Summer routes emphasize waterfront attractions, such as Battery Park and the Brooklyn Bridge, where you can enjoy the breeze off the water and stunning skyline views. The season’s lively atmosphere is contagious, with street performers, open-air markets, and waterfront concerts adding to the immersive experience.

Fall: A Tapestry of Colors

Fall brings a mesmerizing palette of colors to New York’s parks and streets , making it a favorite season for many. The Big Bus tour during these months is a moving vantage point from which to admire the changing leaves against the backdrop of urban architecture. The crisp air and golden light enhance the beauty of landmarks like the High Line and Central Park, offering a picturesque journey through the city. Fall also marks the season of cultural events, such as film festivals and art shows, many of which are easily accessible from the tour’s various stops.

Winter: The City in Lights

Winter transforms New York into a twinkling, festive wonderland , and the Big Bus tour offers a cozy way to explore the city’s seasonal decorations and holiday markets. Wrapped in the warmth of the lower deck or braving the chill for those magical snowy views from the top, passengers can enjoy the holiday lights of Fifth Avenue, the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, and the ice-skating rinks dotted throughout the city. Winter tours often include special routes that focus on the best of New York’s holiday spirit, making it a memorable way to experience the city’s festive cheer.

Regardless of when you visit, Big Bus New York adapts to the city’s rhythm, offering a unique perspective on its ever-changing character. Each season unfolds with its own story, and aboard the Big Bus, you’re sure to witness the narrative of New York City in a way that’s both comprehensive and captivating.

Navigating New York’s Culinary Landscape with Big Bus Tours

New York City is not just a melting pot of cultures but also a culinary capital that offers an array of gastronomic delights from around the globe. With Big Bus New York, food enthusiasts can embark on a delicious journey that goes beyond the typical tourist spots, diving deep into the city’s diverse food scene. This section explores how the Big Bus tour can be your guide to discovering New York’s best eats, from iconic street food to hidden gourmet gems.

Street Food Staples and Where to Find Them

The streets of New York are lined with vendors serving up quick, delicious bites that are as much a part of the city’s fabric as the Empire State Building. With Big Bus, you can hop off at strategic stops to sample famous New York hot dogs near Central Park, indulge in halal gyros in Midtown, or savor artisanal ice cream in Greenwich Village. The flexibility of the tour allows you to explore these flavors at your own pace, turning your sightseeing adventure into a culinary exploration.

Neighborhood Noshes: A Taste of Local Life

Each of New York’s neighborhoods offers a distinct dining experience reflective of the city’s multicultural makeup. Big Bus tours provide the perfect opportunity to discover these diverse culinary landscapes. Hop off in Chinatown for authentic dim sum, venture into Little Italy for a slice of Neapolitan pizza, or explore the Lower East Side for traditional Jewish delicacies. The tour’s comprehensive route ensures you can experience the authentic tastes of New York without missing out on the sights.

Gourmet Getaways and Fine Dining Finds

For those looking to splurge on a gourmet experience, New York City’s fine dining scene is unparalleled. The Big Bus tour passes through neighborhoods known for their high-end eateries, including the Michelin-starred restaurants of Tribeca and the avant-garde culinary establishments in Chelsea. While these stops may require a reservation and a more considerable portion of y our t ravel budget, they promise an unforgettable dining experience that’s worth every penny.

Food Markets and Festivals: A Feast for the Senses

New York’s food markets and festivals offer a taste of the city’s best dishes all in one place, and Big Bus tours make it easy to join in the feast. Seasonal markets like the Winter Village at Bryant Park or the Smorgasburg in Brooklyn are accessible via the tour, offering everything from gourmet snacks to international dishes. These markets not only provide a chance to sample a wide variety of foods but also offer a glimpse into the local lifestyle and the city’s vibrant community spirit.

With Big Bus New York, your journey through the city becomes a movable feast, offering a taste of the world within the confines of a few square miles. Whether you’re a foodie seeking the next great bite or a traveler looking to immerse yourself in New York’s cultural diversity, the Big Bus tour serves as your passport to a world of flavors waiting to be discovered.

Unlocking New York’s Art and Culture with Big Bus Tours

New York City, a global hub of art and culture, boasts an impressive array of museums, galleries, and performance venues that attract artists and enthusiasts from around the world. The Big Bus New York tour not only offers a convenient way to see the city’s iconic landmarks but also serves as a key to unlocking its rich cultural tapestry. This section highlights how you can leverage your Big Bus experience to immerse yourself in New York’s vibrant art scene, from world-renowned institutions to underground galleries.

Museum Mile and Beyond: A Journey Through Art History

One of the most culturally enriching stops on the Big Bus tour is the famous Museum Mile along Fifth Avenue, home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, and the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, among others. Each museum offers a deep dive into different art periods and styles, from ancient artifacts to contemporary installations. The convenience of the Big Bus allows you to hop off at any of these institutions and spend your day wandering through centuries of creative expression.

Street Art and Urban Canvas

New York’s art scene isn’t confined to museum walls; it spills out onto the streets, transforming the city into a dynamic canvas. Neighborhoods like Bushwick in Brooklyn and the Lower East Side in Manhattan are famous for their vibrant street art, with murals that cover entire building facades. The Big Bus tour routes through these areas provide a unique opportunity to witness the ever-changing urban art landscape, showcasing works by both renowned international artists and local rising stars.

Live Performances and Theatrical Magic

No visit to New York is complete without experiencing the magic of its live performance scene . Whether it’s a Broadway show, an off-Broadway play, or a live music performance in a historic venue like the Apollo Theater, the Big Bus tour offers easy access to these cultural experiences. With stops near the Theatre District and other performance hubs, you can easily plan an evening of entertainment after a day of sightseeing.

Gallery Hopping: From Mainstream to Maverick

For art lovers looking to explore beyond the major museums, New York’s gallery scene offers a glimpse into the contemporary art world’s heart. Areas like Chelsea and the Lower East Side are teeming with galleries that feature works by both established and emerging artists. The Big Bus’s flexible schedule allows you to embark on a self-guided gallery hop, discovering cutting-edge art and perhaps even meeting the artists and curators who are shaping the future of art in New York.

Through its comprehensive routes and flexible hop-on, hop-off service, Big Bus New York opens up a world of artistic and cultural exploration. It invites you to delve into the city’s creative soul, offering a seamless blend of historical insights and contemporary perspectives. Whether you’re an art aficionado or a curious traveler, the Big Bus tour is your gateway to experiencing the rich cultural fabric of New York City.

The Big Bus New York transcends the conventional tour experience, offering a key to unlock the vast, dynamic landscape of New York City. Whether you’re a first-time visitor eager to see all the iconic sights or a seasoned local looking to rediscover your city, the Big Bus provides a fresh perspective on both the celebrated and the hidden corners of the city. So, grab your ticket, hop on, and embark on an adventure that promises to redefine your New York City experience.

Is the Big Bus New York worth it?

Yes, for its convenience, comprehensive routes, and the unique perspectives it offers on the city, the Big Bus New York is definitely worth it.

How do I choose the right Big Bus ticket?

Consider your schedule, interests, and whether you want extras like night tours or boat cruises. Each ticket type offers different benefits to suit various needs.

Can I hop on and off at any stop?

Yes, the Big Bus New York allows unlimited hop-on hop-off privileges at any of its designated stops, making it easy to explore the city at your own pace.

What are the must-see stops on the Big Bus New York?

Don’t miss Times Square, the Empire State Building, Central Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge, among others. Each stop offers a unique slice of NYC life.

Are there any insider tips for first-time Big Bus users?

Yes, start early or late to avoid crowds, use the app to track bus times, and don’t be afraid to explore the lesser-known stops for a unique NYC experience.

• Big Bus Tours New York Official Website
• NYCgo – The Official Guide to New York City
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

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Big Bus Tour - New York

Review Highlights

“ John Harkins was the tour guide - absolutely wonderful - a big reason we enjoyed the tour. ” in 8 reviews

“ We took the Downtown Loop and Aaron provided great information mixed with comedy. ” in 19 reviews

“ I strongly believe it is one of the best deals in town for tours and is a must for first time visitors of Manhattan . ” in 33 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

New York, NY 10156

Theater District, Midtown West

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Amenities and More

About the business.

Business owner information

The open-top Big Bus sightseeing tour is the most enjoyable and convenient way to see New York, where you will take in the world famous landmarks; from the inspiring Statue of Liberty to the dramatic Empire State Building. Throughout the tour, you can learn about the city's history from our entertaining and informative commentary. You can hop-on and hop-off at any of the 30+ Big Bus stops to explore and visit NYC's tourist attractions such as the American Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There are three ticket types to choose from, allowing you to explore the sights of New York in several neighborhoods spanning Downtown, Midtown and Uptown at your own leisure. Present your printed or smartphone e-tickets to board the bus at any one of our Big Bus stops - travelling with us is easy! New York is one of the most thrilling and dynamic cities in the world and taking the Big Bus tour of this multi-faceted city will let you experience all it has to offer. Big Bus Tours operates tours in cities across the world and we're committed to providing you with fantastic customer service; all the way from purchase through to your open-top sightseeing experience. …

Ask the Community

Ask a question

Do the tours take longer during the workweek since there is more traffic? Which days are the least busiest? During the week or on the weekend? How is the night tour?

Yes, traffic is lighter on weekends , but ridership is heavier..night tour 90 min

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Overall rating

752 reviews

Great way to see an overview of the city and get an idea of what you want to take more time on. They have moved away from human tour guides though and that was a huge bummer. At some points there was too much static to even hear the words, so the learning aspect was greatly diminished. For the cost we paid, I really felt gipped that there were no human guides. The people helping you get on the bus were also rude. We purchased online, which means you have to get scanned by someone, then they hand you a PAPER RECEIPT that you must have to get back on the bus. This means if you buy a two day ticket, you better not lose the paper, because the qr code cant be scanned again. The bus was clean, we felt safe, the stops were good. I was just very disappointed in the human element.

Terrible! It was around $180 for two people for two days. Some drivers are friendly, and others were not. The buses run for a short period of time. Each bus was absolute chaos! They didn't let us get in the bus on the second day since we had the QR code on our phone instead of printed tickets. We had a rainy day, and water LITERALLY LEAKED into the bottom half of the bus! We were getting SOAKED!!!! Called and asked for a refund or a reschedule and we were told no. Half of the pick up spots were changed since it was raining and the drivers and staff didn't want to be in the rain. Honestly you could walk everywhere!! I've taken these buses in other cities and this was by far the worst.

Several years ago we got the hip on hip off pass and were very happy with them. Last week we had the opposite experience. Very limited route, rude employees and you cannot ride the bus all the way around. Every bus we got on would stop halfway, then kick everyone out. You had a choice to wait 20 minutes for another bus or walk to another stop. Save your money and take the subway.

It was raining so we thought this would be a nice overview of the city. We were told to get on a bus that was fully wrapped (including windows) with an advertisement. The windows were fogged over and when I asked if they could turn the vents on we were told "No because it will mess up the wrap." So we spent $80 each to ride around for 2 hours and not be able to see anything. Worst "tour" of my life. I will be reporting them to BBB. Please if you have a bad experience also, report it. That is the only way to try and get things better for the next person.

Imagine taking a tour bus without a tour guide. And they oversell the seats so you aren't guaranteed to get one. All for the low low price of $80 a person!

I highly recommend BigBus HopOnHopOff bus tours. I like to walk, but if you want to see most attractions in a short amount of time, you'll need a lift. The personnel are very helpful. Kossivi Adjeyi has a great personality and is straightforward. He was really fun and nice. Thank you Kossivi and BigBus tours.

The reviews suggest a helpful/knowledgeable guide. It was basically public transportation with an awful audio tour. They refused to refund after I got off after just 1 stop. You could see that NO one on the bus was having a good time.

I have been in and out of the city for many, many, years, but have never done a bus tour. With visitors joining from out of town, it was time to give it a try! Here are some pluses and minuses for the tour and route: 1. It does get pricey for a lot of people. It depends on how many stops you are going to make and what the trade-offs are for other options. This, you need to figure out and use your judgement on. 2. The tour people are generally friendly and available. However, the tour narration is 100% through ear buds and though they are "free" they are awful. Bring your own wired buds or headphones. 3. The narration is pretty brief. You are not going to learn a lot about the city, but you might pick up on some interesting notes like I did. 4. No, you do NOT want to be on the bus on the lower level. If you do that, this is just an uncomfortable bus ride. Do this on a good weather day and wait as long as you need to get on top. Doing this on a pleasant weather day in August was not an issue getting on the top. 5. Being on top of the bus in the open is really what the tour is all about. Enjoying great weather, seeing the city from a new angle, these were worth the price alone. 6. The stops sound more interesting than they are. If you are a tourist without knowing the city, you WILL be disappointed. If you know the city, understand where the stops are, and have an idea of what you want to see in the area which might be different from what they are labeled, this could be a great tour for you!

Well, not what I expected, but not sure what other options were available. We wanted to get a tour around the city, and I'd say we got on a bus that went around to most of the spots, but didn't really get much of a tour. It's a prerecorded message that highlights a few of the main attractions. I've been on other on/off buses that there is an actual Tour guide, much more valuable and interesting/interactive and informative. However, this was fine to go around the two loops they offer. We paid online and got a 10% discount. To find out, if we would have purchased from one of the people hanging out at a stop, it would have been 15% discount. With so many of the salespeople around, I felt more secure buying online. Overall, it was fine to get a ride and ability to hop on and off at their stops. Was it more than it should be, for what you get? I think so. So, it was average. Finally, 1 day option is probably good enough. And, check out the top of each bus. We got on one and it was a quarter covered, which is fine on a sunny or rainy day. But if you are sitting right behind it, it prohibits you from seeing ahead of you or around.

Book online, save 10%, book by salesperson save 15%

Hope statue

Worst tour I have been on in a long time the audio was awful and the information was few and far between

56 other reviews that are not currently recommended

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Hop On, Hop Off Bus Tours in New York City  

A great alternative, especially for the first time visitor, is getting around town by taking advantage of a Hop On, Hop Off Bus Tour .

Hop On, Hop Off Bus Tours allow you to take a guided tour around the city from the comfort of a big double Decker bus that stops at all the major attractions. The great part about these types of tours is that you are free to hop off the bus at any of the attractions, spend as much time as you like enjoying it and then hop right back on the bus to continue on to the next destination.

However, like most things in life, there are pros and cons to the Hop On, Hop Off Bus tours and here they are:

The Pros of Hop On, Hop Off Bus Tours

• They make getting around the city easy. You just hop on, sit back and ride.
• They stop at all the major attractions , so you don't have to worry about finding your way to them.
• At one time there was just one tour operator, but now there are several to choose from , which means more competition and better pricing.
• They usually have tour guides who ride along with you and point out the various places you can visit and tell you some interesting tidbits of information about each of them.
• If the tour bus drops you off there, you can be confident it's safe for tourists.

The Cons of Hop On, Hop Off Bus Tours

• They can be expensive, especially for a large family.
• During peak visitor season, the busses get crowded and you might have to wait in line a long line before you can fit on a bus.
• Traffic in Manhattan is horrible. Oftentimes, the tour bus will have to crawl along with the rest of the traffic , cutting into your sightseeing time.
• You will be sharing the bus with other tourists who may be noisy when you're trying to listen to the tour guide, and some of them are slobs, so the bus may be messy.

Hop On, Hop Off Bus Tour Companies

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The 5 Best NYC Bus Tours for 2024

Let a trained driver worry about the traffic while you enjoy the Big Apple's best sights.

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As one of the largest cities in the world, New York City has so much to see and do. That's why many visitors start their trip off with a bus tour to see iconic sights and neighborhoods and get the lay of the land. To help you find the tour that's best for you, U.S. News reviewed traveler sentiment and expert input to determine the top New York bus tours. Read our suggestions below for some of the best bus tours you can book for your next trip to the City That Never Sleeps.

Big Bus Tours

Price: Adults from $80; kids from $70 Duration: 75 to 90 minutes

Big Bus New York offers a hop-on, hop-off tour that features 18 stops at major attractions like Bryant Park, Broadway and St. Patrick's Cathedral, with prerecorded commentary provided along the way. Double-decker buses frequent stops every 20 minutes on the Red Line (which runs through downtown) and every 30 minutes on uptown's Blue Line. The Essential Ticket, which is valid for one day, grants you access to the 90-minute downtown and 75-minute uptown routes and lets you add on extras like tickets for Madame Tussauds, the Empire State Building or a harbor cruise. Big Bus New York is a hit with travelers who appreciate the ability to tailor tours to their interests. Others bemoaned the overcrowded buses and long wait times.

You can also book a Discover Ticket, which explores famous landmarks downtown, or an Explore Ticket, which is a two-day hop-on, hop-off bus tour experience. Big Bus Tours also operates a seasonal night tour.

Check prices & availability on:

A Slice of Brooklyn Bus Tours – The Original Brooklyn Pizza Tour

Price: Adults from $105; kids from $95 Duration: 4.5 hours

Brooklyn has so much to see and do – and eat! The Original Brooklyn Pizza Tour, which reviewers describe as a great experience with even better pizza, lasts 4.5 hours and takes travelers throughout the borough to sample delicious slices from places like Grimaldi's and L&B Spumoni Gardens. You'll also see filming locations for movies like "Saturday Night Fever" and "Goodfellas."

Ticket prices include lunch. Tours are available Friday through Monday and Wednesday at 11 a.m. A Slice of Brooklyn also leads a seasonal tour exploring Dyker Heights' Christmas lights , among other options.

On Location Tours – "Sex and the City" Hotspots Tour

Price: From $66 Duration: 3.5 hours

Fans of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda can relive all their favorite "Sex and the City" moments during this New York bus tour, which features more than 40 popular locations from the show and movies. During the tour, you'll view iconic filming locations, walk past Carrie Bradshaw's brownstone apartment, sample cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery, drink a cosmopolitan (if you wish) and shop in Greenwich Village. Plus, you'll visit stops from the reboot "And Just Like That," including Bergdorf Goodman and Chelsea Market. Reviewers peg this tour as fun and fabulous.

Tourgoers can pay another $10 for priority seating. Participants must be 18 or older. Tours generally depart Thursday to Sunday at 2 p.m., though additional days may be available during the summer months. On Location Tours operates other filming locations tours for shows and movies, including "Gossip Girl," "The Sopranos" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," among others.

USA Guided Tours – Discover NY Tour

Price: Adults from $99; kids from $89 Duration: 6 hours

On this full-day tour, you'll drive through some of the city's most famous neighborhoods and most-visited areas. You'll have your choice of a traditional bus or a bus with either a glass top or a convertible top. Regardless of the vehicle, enjoy the expert commentary and a history lesson from your tour guide as you cruise past Times Square, Madison Square Park, Central Park, Rockefeller Center and more. A 15-minute stroll through each of the main stops is included, as is a boat cruise that takes you to see the famous NYC skyline. Many travelers call this tour fantastic and a must-do in New York.

Tours depart at 9 and 10 a.m. daily. USA Guided Tours also offers a night tour of the Big Apple.

Hush Hip Hop Tours – Birthplace of Hip Hop

Price: Adults from $79.99; kids from $58 Duration: 3 hours

Travelers routinely praise the Birthplace of Hip Hop tour not only for its cultural lessons about Harlem, but also for the informative guides who explain the history of hip-hop music. During this tour, you'll see famous clubs, murals dedicated to artists and the Apollo Theater. Plus, you'll get to observe a dance session and show off your moves.

Outings run Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 11 a.m. Hush Hip Hop Tours also operates walking tours of Harlem and Brooklyn, among others.

Check prices & availability on:  

Interested in more New York City tours? Check out the:

• Best New York City Tours
• Best New York City Food Tours
• Best Statue of Liberty Tours
• Best New York City Boat Tours
• Best New York City Walking Tours

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Which New York Bus Tours Are Best?

This post reviews and compares the various bus tour options available to you in NYC, including hop-on-hop-off, fully guided, themed, and night tours. 

This content written by local tour guides who don't just review but actually lead these bus tours, so we know a thing or two about them.

If you are looking for content written by enormous media companies using AI and favored by Google, then you've come to the wrong place.

If you are like many visitors, you are struggling to decide which of the many bus tour companies to choose, or if to choose one at all.

There are hop-on-hop-off buses, fully-guided bus tours, themed tours, night tours, and the list goes on.

Well, we are here to help make sense of it all.

In this post, we explain the pros and cons of each option and compare the different options.

These are two questions that we locals get asked all of the time, and the following tips come from our own experiences.

And we also got inspiration from the contributions of the roughly 200k members of our popular NYC Travel Tips Facebook group. At the bottom of this you can see what group members thought about bus tours.

Our group consists of locals, like our guides, veteran visitors to NYC and newbies.

There's no need to become a member to read the posts, comments, and recommendations, so check us out once you finish reading this post.

So, without further ado, let's get moving.

• Double Decker Bus Hop-on-Hop-Off
• Hop-on Hop-off Tours Compared
• Fully Guided Bus Tours
• Movie + Themed Bus Tours
• Night Bus Tours
• Combo Deals
• Brooklyn Bus Tours

NEW YORK HOP ON HOP OFF SIGHTSEEING BUS TOURS

Traditional hop-on-hop-off bus companies provide transport to major sites all over the city, which can be appealing if the New York subway system seems daunting.  

Typically guests purchase 1, 2, or 3-day access passes and can then get on/off the bus at any of the company's designated stops at any time, or they get tickets through a tourist pass .

Most multiple-day tickets include more than one route to explore, a free bike rental, and sometimes even a ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty!

Depending on the service you use, tickets might also include admission to more than one museum, popular attractions like the Empire State Building, and freebies at nearby businesses.

Prices for these combination tickets are sometimes too good to pass up.

All offer audio headsets with commentary in multiple languages.

Unfortunately, no hop-on-hop-off company offers live tour guides at this time. For live guides, check out the next section .

The market is very competitive with companies outdoing each other's prices regularly.

Be sure to check for any deals by clicking the links.

However, no information is provided when you are off the bus, and commentary on board occasionally consists of a recording.

For that reason, these tours are best for those looking for an informational shuttle service between attractions rather than detailed information about the city.  

Leave the detailed touring to our pay-what-you-wish walking tours  or our audio tours , many of which start and end near popular bus stops.

Likewise, during the busy season, guests may have to wait for multiple buses to pass through a stop as seat availability is not guaranteed.

Also, keep in mind that though bus tours guarantee easy transportation around the city, they are not always the quickest as all bus tours are subject to NYC traffic!

BIG BUS TOURS

If we were ranking these buses, Big Bus would be at the top of the list.

Big Bus Tours consist of 35+ stops around New York City on 5 routes, including Downtown, Uptown, and Midtown Manhattan routes, Harlem Routes, and one route in Brooklyn ( see map detail ).  

You can also download their app, which has maps to help you plan your route.

Guests listen to an audio recording in one of 10 languages while on the bus and they are free to wander around on their own at each stop.  

They also offer a  night tour , which is not a hop-on-hop-off tour as well as  combo packages .  

All of the Big Bus routes are included for free with the Sightseeing Pass , GoCity Explorer Pass , and the New York Pass .

UPDATE: Big Bus has actually added a new feature for kids: Peppa Pig ears!

All children who climb onboard will receive a pair of Peppa Pig ears to wear and an activity sheet.

There is also an audio commentary channel just for kids which focuses on the history of this character and includes music from the latest album.

Big Bus Tickets

Here are just a few of their most popular tickets. Prices are for tickets purchased online. It's slightly more expensive on-site.

All prices below reflect an additional 10% off pricing that you can only get when purchasing tickets directly from the official Big Bus website.

Essential Ticket 1 Day

• 1 Day Hop-on, Hop-off w/ 2 extensive routes
• The ticket includes 50% on a 2-hour bike rental.
• Price: $72/Adults | $63/Children

Premium Ticket 2 Day

• 2-Day Hop-on, Hop-off Tour w/ 2 extensive routes
• Price: $90/Adults | $81/Children

Deluxe Ticket 3 Day

• 3-Day Hop-on, Hop-off Tour w/ 2 extensive routes
• The ticket includes a 2-hour bike rental
• Price: $100/Adults | $90/Children

Discover Ticket 1 Day

• 1-Day Hop-on, Hop-off Tour covering Downtown route
• Price: $54/Adults | $45/Children

Learn more and/or purchase tickets here .

TIP: Save an additional 5% off tickets by using Tiqets !

Big Bus also offers even more combinations where you can add on attractions (see below ), which could include access to the Empire State Building,  Madame Tussauds, and much more.

Be sure to read our post comparing all the different tourist pass options in NYC .

Review of Big Bus New York

Big Bus is the best-reviewed hop-on-hop-off bus tour in NYC and the company regards itself as the premium hop-on-hop-off bus service in New York City.

This company sports an overall 4 out of 5-star  rating on TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide. Reading their reviews will help set proper expectations.

Most negative comments focus on the amount of time that it can take to get onto a bus and the audio systems not working properly. Negative reviews are more likely in high seasons.

Even those who didn’t enjoy their experience typically reported that this bus service was worth considering. 

TopView NYC

This is a relatively new company offering hop-on-hop-off bus tours, but they’re giving the competition a run for their money.

Not only are their prices much cheaper, but they also offer a lot of additional activities and attractions for free with each ticket.

In addition to their main Downtown tour, they also provide hop-on-hop-off routes of Uptown & Harlem, Brooklyn, and even a Night tour.

Depending on which ticket option you choose, you can also get access to a Statue of Liberty Cruise, a Central Park Bike Rental, and the Museum of the City of New York.

This hop-on-hop-off bus tour ticket can be used at any time within 6 months of the original purchase date.

That means you are free to buy tickets when they are on sale and wait until you plan to visit NYC to use them. 

Reviews of TopView NYC

Ratings for this company have suffered in recent years.

While some of this might be due to issues that all companies had during the pandemic, there is no mistaking the fact that their reviews are not very good anymore.

TopView has an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars , and most guests feel that they don't provide accurate instructions on how to use their service.

Whatever is going on behind the scenes, one thing is for sure: many reviewers are displeased with this company.

Their prices might be some of the lowest in NYC, but sometimes when it seems too good to be true, it actually is.

Same Day Downtown Pass

• 24-hour Hop-on-Hop-off Downtown Bus Tour
• $45/Adults | $35/Children

Same Day Downtown & Uptown Pass

• 24-hour Hop-on-Hop-off Downtown & Uptown Bus Tour
• $61/Adults | $51/Children

All City Pass (2-Day)

• 48-Hour Hop-on-Hop-off Downtown Bus Tour
• Uptown Tour
• 2-Hour Central Park Bike Rental
• $81/Adults | $71/Kids

All City Pass (3-Day)

• 72-Hour Hop-on-Hop-off Downtown Bus Tour
• Brooklyn Tour
• Statue of Liberty Cruise
• Museum of the City of New York
• Free Butterbeer at the Harry Potter Store
• Skyscraper Museum
• $115/Adults | $101/Kids

All City Pass (5-Day)

• 120-Hour Hop-on-Hop-off Downtown Bus Tour
• $131/Adults | $115/Kids
• Purchase tickets or learn more .

TIP: We highly recommend choosing a more reliable and better-rated service, but if you're really looking to save some money, this is the most affordable hop-on hop-off bus tour currently available in NYC.

CITYSIGHTSEEING NYC BUS TOURS

NOTE: Big Bus has officially taken over every aspect of operation for City Sightseeing in New York City, so this service is no longer available.

The following information is kept here only for those who have not yet been informed of this change.

CitySightseeing NYC offers a similar open-top, double-decker hop-on-hop-off service as Big Bus.

Like Big Bus, CitySightseeing is a global company and you most likely have seen their red double-decker buses in other cities.  

Reviews of CitySightseeing NYC

When it comes to their hop-on-hop-off service, the reviews are mixed.

CitySightseeing has earned an overall rating of 3 ½ out of 5 stars.

As with most bus services in New York, the negative comments focused mostly on long wait times and audio systems not working properly.

Those who were pleased with their experience reported that the bus drivers/guides were both helpful and knowledgeable.

( NOTE - there are no longer live tour guides).  

Previous guests have complained about experiencing a lot of pressure to tip the guide/driver at each stop.

So, either be prepared to ignore these pleas or carry $1 bills to distribute at each stop.

• Downtown Tour (Midtown south to the Financial District)
• Uptown Tour (Midtown north to Harlem)
• Brooklyn Tour (Currently unavailable)
• Bronx Tour (Currently unavailable)
• Night Tour/Holiday Lights (Currently unavailable)
• Downtown: $59/Adults | $49/Children

NEW YORK CITY HOP ON HOP OFF TOURS COMPARED

If you're having trouble deciding which hop on hop off company to work with and figuring out how much tickets cost, this section will directly compare all the most pertinent details about each service.

As you can see, there are a few main differences you'll want to keep in mind when deciding which service to choose:

• No matter how you do the math, Big Bus is the bigger name in hop-on hop-off tours, and they do charge a bit more.
• Although they aren't as popular as Big Bus, they do have 3 day and 5 day tickets, and they also include additional activities that aren't offered by their competitors.
• If you read the reviews for each service, you'll find a lot more negative experiences being reported about TopView NYC than Big Bus.

HOP ON HOP OFF WITH A TOUR GUIDE 

As a company that primarily offers walking tours, we prefer these types of bus tours as they include all the benefits of a bus tour without most of the cons!

The guide accompanies you on and off of the bus at each stop so you get detailed information about all the major sites, rather than just wandering around on your own.

You are also with the same bus, driver, and guide for the entire duration of the tour, so you never have to worry about getting a seat and can enjoy the tour in a more intimate setting.  

These are premium tours run in climate-controlled buses, therefore they are more expensive than the traditional hop-on-hop-off variety.

However, you will see a lot more, more in-depth, in a much shorter amount of time. 

USA GUIDED TOURS

Visiting New York can be an exciting and bewildering experience.

If you’re looking for a nice overview of the entire city, you might want to consider the NYC Day Bus Tour .

In addition to a fully guided trip throughout the Big Apple, you’ll also enjoy a walking tour and usually a boat cruise (Apr 1 till Dec 31)  around Manhattan.

The full trip will take roughly 5 hours to complete and you will see a lot of significant landmarks along the way.

Your tour guides hop off at each stop to help show you around!  

Available daily from 10 AM – 3 PM.

TIP: If you are planning on visiting Washington, DC, you will get 30% off the Discover DC Tour  (normally $69) if you purchase it at the same time as your Discover DC Tour.  

You will need to call USA Guided Tours to confirm your NYC tour date.

• $99 for Adults
• $89 for Children
• $10 off for members of the Military
• Duration: 5 hours
• More info or to book online .

Reviews for USA Guided Tours NYC

All of the reviews for USA Guided Tours are positive.

With a full 5-star rating on TripAdvisor and Viator, it’s safe to say that this is one of the highest-rated tour companies in NYC.

One happy customer went so far as to exclaim that this is a must for any first-timers in New York. This seems to be a common sentiment, as several visitors left similarly positive comments. 

ONBOARD NYC

OnBoard offers day and nighttime tours, including an 8-hour Premium See-It-All Tour, which covers the length of Manhattan and comprises a visit past or to the Statue of Liberty. 

• Cost : $69.99 and up depending on type/length of tour and which day of the week
• Duration : Tours vary from 3.5-8 hours
• Tour with Staten Island Ferry Ride
• Tour with a ticket to the Statue of Liberty
• Not currently available

Reviews of OnBoard NYC Tours

Reviews for this company are very good, resulting in an overall 4 ½ star rating on TripAdvisor and Viator. 

Some went so far as to indicate that they visited locations you wouldn’t typically see on a tour of New York City. 

SPECIALTY AND THEMED BUS TOURS

• NYC Street Theater
• Movie and TV Tours
• Scott's Pizza Tour
• Hip Hop Tours
• Kenny Kramer's Seinfeld Tour

The Ride is Broadway on a bus!

A unique experience that, according to their website is "equal parts theatrical show and immersive tour."

It's designed to be fun and entertaining, with street performers scattered throughout the tour route.  

The information about the city is rather limited and the route is confined to the area around Times Square, so guests looking for a comprehensive city tour should look at "The Tour" or elsewhere.

Tickets and Reviews of The Ride

This service has received an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide ( read the reviews ). 

Most guests enjoyed their experience on The Ride, but some have said that the quality of this tour has decreased over time.

It would appear that this trip does not appeal to all audiences, but it’s worth noting that hundreds of customers have left positive feedback about their adventures.

If you’re looking for something a bit different, many passengers have suggested that this is one of the most original and unique bus tours in New York!

• Price: $79 per person
• Duration : 75 minutes
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before tour time.
• Purchase tickets here .

TIP: The Ride is free for those who purchase the New York Pass  or  the Explorer Pass .

Read our post comparing NYC tourist passes . 

This fun and educational trip is from the same company that brought you The Ride.

The Tour is less about the performance (there are no singers or dancers along the route) than it is about the city itself. 

Clocking in at 15 minutes longer than The Ride, this service is more affordable and it covers a slightly larger area.

TIP: Both the RIDE and the TOUR are free for those who purchase the New York Pass  or  the Explorer Pass .

Reviews of The Tour

Much like the other services from this company, The Tour has an overall 4 out of 5-stars rating on TripAdvisor.

There are a few negative comments, but the overwhelming majority of their ratings are positive.

Some passengers suggest that this is a great option for anyone who might be short on time, while others say it’s the best tour they’ve ever taken.

Several of the negative reviews indicate that they were expecting the same experience that is offered on The Ride, but that simply isn’t the case.

Please make sure to select the right bus tour from this company to avoid any confusion.

• Cost: $39 per person
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Not currently available.

TIP: Both the RIDE and the TOUR are usually free for those who purchase the New York Pass  or  the Explorer Pass .

ON LOCATION TOURS

If you’re a major movie buff, then this is the tour for you!

On Location Tours specializes in showing guests where all their favorite movies and TV shows were filmed.

Some of their most popular tours include:

• NYC TV & Movie Tour
• Sex and the City Hotspots Tour
• Gossip Girl Sites Tour
• Sopranos Sites Tour
• TCM Classic Film Tour
• When Harry Met Seinfeld Tour
• Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Sites Tour
• Superhero Film Locations Tour
• Manhattan TV & Movie Sites Tour
• East Village TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour
• and the Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour .

Guides also pepper the tours with history about the neighborhoods you drive through.

Reviews of On Location NYC Tours

With a 4 ½ out of 5-star  rating and over 1,500 positive reviews on TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide, it’s safe to say that On Location Tours has impressed a lot of customers.

That being said, about 10% of their reviews are from unhappy passengers, who complain that the tour wasn’t as long as they were promised, while others simply found it uninteresting.

Although these comments may be troubling, it’s worth remembering that there are ten times as many people who absolutely loved their experience with this company.

Several guests recommend this tour for film buffs of all ages, stating that it is both informative and fun for movie lovers.

• Cost: Varies with tours, but most are between $30-$70.
• Duration:  Tour times vary, but most run between 2-4 hours

HUSH HIP-HOP TOURS

Whether you are looking to bust a move or bust a rhyme, Hush Hip Hop Tours has the perfect tour for fans of the genre.

It claims to be the only hip-hop tour company in the world with pioneers of hip-hop, DJs, and professional break-dancers leading its tours.

As you travel from one location to the next, some of the people who helped make the movement possible will explain how this art form was born in the streets of NYC.

Their tours will take you to Harlem, the Bronx, and Brooklyn.

Reviews of Hush Hip Hop Tours

This may be one of the highest-rated experiences on the list, as Hush Hip Hop Tours have earned an overall 5 out of 5-stars rating from most 

An overwhelming majority of customers have reported that their trip around New York was not only memorable but historically accurate as well.

Some have even said that this tour is great for all audiences, suggesting that you need not be a fan of hip-hop to learn a lot about the city while on your trip.

There are only a handful of negative comments, and few of them seem to have anything in common that would suggest any major issues with their service.

• Bus Tours: from $75
• Free cancellation with 24 hours notice.

TIP: Hush tours are also available for free with The Sightseeing Pass .

SCOTT'S PIZZA TOUR

Scott's Pizza Tours are the premier pizza tours of New York City.  

Scott's offerings are primarily walking tours. However, on Sundays, Scott offers a pizza bus tour that reaches the outer boroughs of NYC.  

• $85 per person
• Duration: 4.5 hours
• Includes stops at 4 pizzerias
• Proof of vaccination is required
• Stops change weekly

Reviews of Scott's Pizza Tours

Everyone loves pizza, and according to reviewers on TripAdvisor, learning about the dish can be pretty fun.

An overwhelming majority of the reviews for their bus tour are positive.

This tour takes place on a yellow school bus, so it might not be the most comfortable seating you’ll ever experience.

That said, almost everyone who has experienced the trip has had an absolute blast.

Positive reviews suggest that the entire journey is entertaining, and you’ll even have the opportunity to eat a few slices!

Scott also offers pizza walking tours, including:

• Greenwich Village Pizza Walk
• Crosstown Pizza Walk
• Lower East Side Pizza Walk
• Brooklyn Pizza Walk

KENNY KRAMER'S SEINFELD TOUR

Fans of Seinfeld will definitely want to consider taking this tour.

According to Larry David, Kenny Kramer was the actual person who inspired the hilarious character of Cosmo Kramer.

Believe it or not, Kenny still lives in New York and he provides a fabulous tour of the city to give fans a better idea of what life was like for the people that inspired the characters in everyone’s favorite show about nothing.

Visit a lot of the locations you’ve seen in the series and hear about the creation of this concept from Kramer himself!

With the exception of just one negative review, every rating on TripAdvisor is positive. 

Some fans report waiting years to take a tour with Kenny only to have their expectations exceeded in the end.

According to many reviewers, this might be one of the more entertaining bus tours in the city, and it’s perfect for any fan of Seinfeld.

• Cost: $47.50 (plus $2 service charge)
• Available Saturdays at 12 PM
• Duration: 2-3 hours

DO-IT-YOURSELF NYC BUS TOUR

If all of the above sounds out of your price range, then you could always take advantage of the public bus system and tour around the city on your own!

The New York Times published a great article a few years back about the best bus lines and routes to see all the major sites in the city.  

For under $10, the public bus system offers visitors a great way to explore the city on their own for a minimal cost.  

Don't forget that you can also take our free walking tours in combination with this option.

Another option is to download our audio tour app and use it for the neighborhoods that take the bus or subway to get to.

COMBINE BUS, BOAT, HELICOPTER TOURS AND MORE

If you are interested in taking both a boat and bus tour while visiting New York, it's often cheapest to purchase those two tickets as part of a combo deal.

Many companies offer a variety of combinations, including helicopter tours and museum tickets as well.  

Child prices are even less, but they vary. Click the company links for more details.  

Be sure to also read our post comparing the various tourist passes , such as the New York Pass, CityPass and the Explorer Pass, which may be an even better fit for you. 

All passes include some form of bus tour.

In addition to their hop-on hop-off bus tours, this company also offers a variety of additional activities you can combine with their tours to save money.

These combo packages include tickets to some of the most popular attractions in New York City, so there's a pretty good chance you're already planning to see them anyway.

• $100/Adults | $90/Children
• $80/Adults | $70/Children
• $130/Adults | $120/Children

Purchase combo tickets here .

Some of these deals are better than others, and in the case of packages that include the Statue of Liberty or the 9/11 Memorial Museum , we recommend reading more about these to find out if you can get tickets for even cheaper another way.

It's also worth noting that most of these attractions are also included alongside the Big Bus tours with the New York Pass , the  New York Sightseeing Pass  or  the Explorer Pass .

CITY SIGHTS

City Sights also offers several different combo packages at a low rate. Use the promo phrase SAVE10 to get an extra 10% off each package.

Big Bus Classic Tour + 1 Attraction

• 24-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
• Both Downtown and Uptown Loops
• Empire State Building
• Top of the Rock
• Intrepid, Sea, Air, and Space Museum
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Madame Tussauds
• 9/11 Tribute Museum
• New York Historical Society
• The Cloisters Museum
• Central Park Sightseeing Guided Bike Tour
• Central Park Sightseeing Walking Tour
• $79/Adults | $69/Children
• Purchase this combo deal .

Big Bus Classic Tour + 3 Attractions

• $139/Adults | $129/Children

The Sightseeing Pass

• NYC Bus Tour for 1-10 days
• One World Observatory
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• Night Bus Tour
• American Museum of Natural History
• Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Guggenheim Museum
• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
• On Location Tours - When Harry Met Seinfeld
• Prices from $149/Adults | $139/Children

New York Tour Shuttle

This bus tour is perfect for those who only have limited time in New York.

Over 9 hours, you'll see several different landmarks and enjoy access to sites such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.

Additionally, you'll also make a special stop in Little Italy for lunch.

This is a fairly comprehensive day trip that covers most of the bases in NYC.

Tickets are a bit expensive, but ratings indicate that the service may be worth its higher price tag.

• Ticket Prices: $99 per person
• Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
• Availability: Thursday – Monday at 9:00 AM
• Statue of Liberty (w/ access to the Pedestal)
• Wall Street Walking Tour
• St. Patrick's Cathedral
• Little Italy

Reviews for this service are quite good, as a majority of customers have given the trip a 5-star rating.

Several visitors mentioned their tour guides by name, indicating that they were very friendly and provided a lot of useful information about the city.

Although they enjoyed the experience, some reviewers felt it important to note that you will need a lot of stamina for this all-day outing.

If you are interested in day trips such as this, consider checking out our comparison of NYC in a day tours .

This company is currently offering their night bus tour in a combo package which includes tickets to the Edge Observatory.

If you're planning to visit this attraction and you're interested in taking a bus tour at night, this is an excellent opportunity to save some money.

The bus tour itself begins at 5:30 pm and lasts for 4 hours, so you'll want to visit the Edge Observatory before taking the tour.

This combo tour is available 3 days a week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

• $94/Adults | $84/Children

NIGHT BUS TOURS OF NYC

Many of the companies listed above also offer evening bus tours.

The New York skyline is breathtaking when illuminated after dark, and a bus tour is a great way to see many different areas of the city in a short amount of time.

Night tours do not typically operate as hop-on-hop-off tours, even though many are operated by hop-on-hop-off companies in double-decker buses.

There are also small group shuttle bus night tours.  

NOTE: Some of these night tours are included in the multiple-day tickets offered by each company.

In addition to its highly-rated daily tour, this company also provides one of the longest and most detailed night tours in New York.

Clocking in at 4 ½ hours in length, the NYC Night Bus Tour will take you past some of the most popular destinations in the entire city, including locations such as Times Square, Chelsea Market, Chinatown, and Greenwich Village.

This excursion also includes at least one short walking tour. Discover how New York City changes when the sun goes down! Available Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 5:30 PM to 10 PM.

• $59 for Adults
• $49 for Children
• $6 off w/ Military ID
• Duration: 4 hours
• Availability: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
• More information and to book .

Every single review for this particular night tour is 5 stars . Most guests report that this company is very professional and reliable, describing their tour guides as entertaining and knowledgeable. 

TOP VIEW NYC

In addition to their hop-on hop-off bus tours, this company also offers a night tour which allows you to see what the city looks like after dark.

This outing doesn't include any of their other bus tours, nor does it provide access to the Museum of the City of New York or a free Central Park bike rental.

Even so, it is one of the few options for a night bus tour as of March 2024.

If you're interested in seeing the city lights after the sun sets, this is an excellent option you might want to consider.

• Not Hop-on Hop-off
• No additional activities or routes
• $51 per person

NOTE: Don't forget that this night tour is included with their 2, 3, and 5-day hop-on hop-off bus tour ticket.

TIP: We recommend considering another service, as this company routinely receives negative reviews indicating they aren't the best option on our list.

BIG BUS NIGHT TOUR

Big Bus offers nightly bus tours that depart between 6-7 pm every 15-20 minutes from Times Square (6 pm - 8 pm in winter months).

Sites include Radio City Music Hall, 5th Avenue, the Empire State Building, the Manhattan Bridge, and the Manhattan skyline from the Brooklyn waterfront.

You can view their night tour route map (yellow).  

• Price: $62.10 per person
• Duration : 2 hours.
• Included in the price of all multi-day Big Bus tickets.
• It is not included in the New York Pass.

TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS

We hope that this post provides you with enough information to decide which, if any, NYC bus tour is right for you.

To help you get a sense from others about the various tours, we've included these opinions and suggestions from members of our popular New York Travel Tips Facebook group.

Here, Lindsey asks the question that anyone considering these tours wants to know.

Among those who have taken and enjoyed a bus tour, one of the most common reasons they gave is to become oriented to the city.

Rather than hop on and hop off, many people found it helpful to do a full loop first and note what sites you’d like to go back to.

This can be a great way to narrow down your itinerary to only places you know you will like.

These tours are more than just a way to orient yourself, you’ll learn things about NYC as well and see a lot!

Plus, on a hop-on hop-off bus tour, you may be pleasantly surprised to discover new places that intrigue you enough to go back and visit them.

This group member liked learning about the city’s neighborhoods and then deciding where to go back to.

She also loved the fact that the bus gives her feet a rest while she still discovers more of the city.

Like the others, this group member recommends them but feels that the tours are best used as sightseeing tours, rather than a means of getting from attraction to attraction as that can eat into one’s time.

For those who have never done a bus tour, don’t worry as they are pretty easy to use.

For example, Big Bus has an app that shows you in real time where buses are so you know when to be at the stop.

You may have noticed that two members above were able to take the Big Bus tour for free by purchasing a New York Pass. You can read more about this pass here .

Need help planning your bus tour itinerary? This member has organized one for you!

As for taking the unusual tour, The Ride, it really depends on what you are looking for. 

If you are looking for an informative tour that takes you around the city, The Ride isn't the best choice. That isn't to say you won't enjoy it.

If you want to be entertained in a one-of-a-kind manner, then it could be just what you are looking for, especially after a long day and you want to sit back and relax.

If you have any more questions about NYC bus tours (or anything else about NYC) that we haven't covered here, check out our New York Travel Tips Facebook group !

And much, much more

About the author.

Stephen Pickhardt

North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

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The 10 best bus tours in NYC

From superhero movie sets to a Sex and the City excursion, these are the best NYC bus tours for sightseeing

Want to take in all that NYC has to offer but with maximum comfort and convenience? Book yourself an NYC bus tour — these stellar sightseeing options are a visitor's best friend. While you could get your steps in on a walking tour or eat your way through NYC on a foodie jaunt, you’ll see more sights in a smaller amount of time on one of the city’s top bus tours. Whether you’re looking for the classic hop-on hop-off experience that stops at all the major attractions, a themed TV and movie route spotlighting popular filming locations or a spirited excursion to the outer boroughs, we’ve got you covered with our guide to the best bus tours in NYC. Read on, then hop on!

RECOMMENDED: Find more New York City tours .

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click  here .

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Best NYC bus tours

1.  Big Bus New York Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

First time exploring the wonderful city that is New York? This comprehensive, fully narrated tour allows you to customize your itinerary to just how you want it, boarding and leaving whenever it’s convenient for you. Vouchers can be redeemed in Times Square, where the tour begins. Choose from two circuits: the 90-minute Downtown Loop, which visits neighborhoods such as Little Italy and Chinatown and attractions like the Stock Exchange and the World Trade Center; and the 75-minute Uptown Loop, which includes classic New York spots like Lincoln Center, Rockefeller Center and the Apollo Theatre. Think of it as a handy little passport to discovering all the best of this fascinating city. 

2.  THE RIDE New York City

Double-decker bus tour not your thing? Amp up your usual sightseeing excursion with this dynamic part-show, part-city tour. Yes, it’s as wild and wonderful as it sounds. The multi-million-dollar bus (yep, you heard that right) offers outward-facing stadium seating with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Billed as a “traveling theater,” the uniquely designed bus allows riders to take photos of top attractions ( the Chrysler Building, Grand Central Terminal) and interact with street performers during the 75-minute ride. It's a blast.

3.  New York Bus Night Tour

If New York is the city that never sleeps (which it totally is, btw), it makes sense to experience it in all its nighttime glory. This after-hours tour starts in midtown Manhattan, then drives past iconic and illuminated landmarks like the Empire State Building, Times Square and Chinatown, with expert commentary on the city’s history and celebrity residents along the way. There will also be time to stretch your legs during the four-hour excursion, with guided walks in High Line Park and Grand Central Station. And trust us, all those glittering, gleaming views of Manhattan at night are just as glorious as billed. 

4.  Sex and the City Hotspots Tour

Has there been a better unofficial NYC spokesperson than Carrie Bradshaw herself? This bus tour pays homage to the New York-loving sex columnist by spotlighting all of the hotspots from the original stint of the hit HBO show. (Alas, locations from the  And Just Like That  reboot aren’t featured, so no Che Diaz sightings here!) B oard the bus and get reacquainted with some of your favorite Sex and the City settings, like Steve and Aidan's bar Scout — where you can stop to sip a Cosmo, of course — the Pleasure Chest, where Charlotte bought her 'Rabbit' vibrator, and Carrie’s iconic stoop. Jimmy Choos optional!

5.  Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens Coach Tour

Manhattan may get a lot of the glory, but this comprehensive tour (it lasts for four-and-a-half hours) takes you through three equally deserving boroughs that made New York, well, New York. (Sorry, Staten Island!) Board in midtown and drive north through the Upper East Side to Spanish Harlem and the Bronx. Check out Yankee Stadium and the Italian enclave on Arthur Avenue before crossing into Queens. You’ll drive through Astoria and Long Island City before entering Brooklyn, where you’ll explore trendy ‘hoods including Greenpoint and Williamsburg. There’s just enough time left to drive over the iconic Brooklyn Bridge for one last look at the New York City skyline. Lush .

6.  Birthplace of Hip Hop Tour - Harlem & The Bronx

Like R euben sandwiches, eggs Benedict and Martin Scorsese, hip-hop was born right here in New York City. Discover the origins of the groundbreaking musical genre on this bus tour of Manhattan, Harlem and the Boogie Down Bronx . Led by a grandmaster —no, not Flash, but similarly legendary emcees like Kurtis Blow, Johnny Famous, Roxanne Shante and Reggie Reg — the excursion starts at the location of the first hip-hop party in Manhattan before heading uptown to iconic spots like the Apollo Theater, the Graffiti Hall of Fame and Yankee Stadium. You’ll get to watch a real b-boy and b-girl dance session, snap photos in front of famous murals dedicated to Big L and Kool Herc, and even learn how to freestyle!

7.  Superhero Film Tour of New York

From Spider-Man to Batman to Jessica Jones , New York City has played home to many a superhero. On this sightseeing tour, you’ll see around 40 locations featured in your favorite super-powered TV shows and movies, from the setting of the Battle of New York in The Avengers to The Daily Planet building from the Superman franchise to the exact spot where Danny Rand flips over a cab in Iron Fist . This is one fascinating exploration that will make superhero fans and comic-book buffs very happy indeed.

8.  Sunday Harlem Gospel Guided Tour

Explore the culture of Harlem, one of the meccas of Black-American identity, on this guided tour. The tour visits both iconic and lesser-known attractions, such as  Columbia University, the Cotton Club and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. After visiting the Apollo Theater, where Michael Jackson once performed, and the famous stretch of 125th Street, where Duke Ellington lived, guests will be welcomed by a local congregation to participate in a Gospel mass. 

9.  Gossip Girl Bus Sites Tour

“Spotted at Grand Central, bags in hand” is the opening line of the New York-centric hit show Gossip Girl . And this is a big “XOXO” to the city and its super-elite, showcasing a number of memorable locations from the hit teen drama. Follow in the footsteps of Blair Waldorf , Serena van der Woodsen and the rest of the Constance Billard crew and explore many of the show’s glamorous locations on this three-hour bus tour, including The Empire Hotel (where Chuck Bass lived and worked), the Vera Wang boutique where Blair tried on her wedding gown and, of course, those iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where you can take a photo op.

10.  The Sopranos Filming Locations Bus Tour

First thing’s first: yes, we know that The Sopranos largely takes place in New Jersey. But just like Jersey residents proudly tout “NJ/NYC” in their Instagram bios, we’re going to lovingly co-opt the crime drama as our own. Starting in midtown Manhattan and crossing over into the Garden State, this Jersey-set tour will feature key locations from the Mafia-inspired HBO series, including the diner where Chris was shot, the spot where Big Pussy spoke with the FBI and the booth in Tony’s restaurant where the final episode was filmed. You’ll also catch a glimpse of Satin Dolls (the Bada Bing bar).

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The best bike tours in NYC

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The 5 Best NYC Bus Tours – [2024 Reviews]

A great way to experience the big apple - take a bus tour in new york city.

The city of New York, also known as the Big Apple, has everything an average traveler looks for on a trip: countless historical and cultural attractions, vivid night life, bustling parks, magnificent skyscrapers, a variety of designer stores and boutiques, cafes and restaurants for every taste, and, of course, a highly developed tourist industry.

The range of NYC bus tours is unbelievable. From budget to luxury, bus tours in NYC can take place during day or at nighttime, last a couple of hours or all day long. You can take a mini bus or a double decker bus tour.  Also see: Your Guide To Visiting New York City.

Best New York City Bus Tours

Quick answer: the 5 best bus tours of new york city.

• New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour
• New York City Guided Sightseeing Tour by Double Decker Bus
• Big Bus New York Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
• New York City Sightseeing Tour by Coach
• New York Double-Decker Bus Night Tour

Best NYC Bus Tour Reviews

#1   new york in one day guided sightseeing tour.

• Departure Point: 7th Avenue, between 50th & 51st Streets
• Departure Time: 10 a.m.
• Duration: 5 hours (approx)
• Includes: Professional tour guide, guided coach tour, tickets for boat cruise (not included during the off season Jan 1 – April 1; guests will visit Grand Central Terminal instead)

During the whole trip, a professional friendly guide, who will share the knowledge of the city and its sights, will accompany you. This NYC tour will take place on a bus, as well as on a boat, which will take you around the harbor.

You will enjoy the magnificent skylines of Brooklyn and Manhattan, take pictures of Governor’s Island and Ellis Island, take a look at the city’s numerous bridges, such as Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and Williamsburg Bridge. And of course, you’ll have a great 360 o -degree view of the Statue of Liberty, for the most magnificent photos.

Keep in mind, though, that between January 1 and April 1, the boat cruise is changed for a visit to Grand Central Terminal of New York City.

During this bus tour, there will be a short lunch stop at the Fulton 55 Market, where you can find all kinds of New York street food or a café to your liking.

On this NYC bus tour, you will visit the sights, filmed in numerous world-known movies. These are the Flatiron Building, the Empire State Building, the Rockefeller Center, Plaza Hotel, and, of course, Central Park. You will drive through some iconic neighborhoods of New York City, such as Chinatown, Soho, and Greenwich Village.

This NYC bus tour ends at the original departure point.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, #2   new york city guided sightseeing tour by double decker bus.

• Departure Point: Gray Line Visitors Center
• Departure Time: 9 a.m.
• Duration: 6 or 8 hours
• Includes: Professional guide, transport by double decker bus, 1-hour New York Harbor cruise, admission to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck (8-hour tour only)

Irrelevant of which itinerary you choose, you will get a double decker bus tour around NYC with informative friendly guide all along the way, much of attention to every person on a small tour group, and plenty of impressions from this NYC bus tour.

Relax on a bus tour around Manhattan, including its Lower, Upper, and Midtown parts, Times Square, the Fifth Avenue, Central Park, the Greenwich Village, Madison Square Garden, One World Trade Center, Battery Park, Wall Street, South Street Seaport, Little Italy, and, of course, the Rockefeller Center.

Sometimes, you will hop off the bus, to go on walking guided tours around the best-known attractions of the Big Apple. And, of course, a 1-hour boat cruise will offer fascinating views of the Statue of Liberty and the city’s world famous skyline.

This NYC bus tour ends at the Rockefeller Center.

If you choose an 8-hour-long bus tour, you will then take an elevator, and in less than a minute, find yourself 70 stories above the ground, at the top of the Rock Observation Deck, with an unbelievable view of vibrant New York City life underneath and a magnificent panorama of the city’s skyline.

#3  Big Bus New York Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

• Departure Point: Board the bus at any stop along your route
• Duration: Varies
• Includes: Hop-on hop-off bus tour, live guide

See the complete Tour Stops Schedule .

Explore New York City with your own itinerary by an open-top Big Bus tour, which makes over 30 stops around the city, for you to hop on and hop off whenever you like.

This double decker bus tour around NYC offers a trip by Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Central Park, Empire State Building, through the famous Manhattan district, not less famous Brooklyn district, Harlem, and many, many other significant spots of the Big Apple.

On the way, you have a chance to learn about the city’s history from the engaging guide.

This hop on hop off bus tour makes navigating around New York City landmarks easy and pleasurable. Just show your voucher (printed or mobile) to the Big Bus staff on any stop and hop on.

Ride through Upper, Lower or Midtown Manhattan, visit the Greenwich Village, take a look at Little Italy and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and hop off wherever you see an interesting spot or a place for magnificent photos. Or stay for a whole route, which takes approximately 2 hours.

#4   New York City Sightseeing Tour by Coach

• Departure Point: Sheraton New York
• Departure Time: 8:30 a.m.
• Duration: 5 hours (approx.)
• Includes: Live commentary on-board, 9 stops during the tour

This NYC bus tour will take you to Central Park, Dakota Building, Lincoln Center, the Upper West Side, the Flatiron Building, the Greenwich Village, the district of Soho, Harlem, Little Italy, and many, many other attractions of New York City.

You have a chance to enjoy a guided walking tour around the famous district of Chinatown and get off the bus near the Brooklyn Bridge, for a magnificent view of Brooklyn district and Manhattan Bridge.

On the way, you will drive past the Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, Museo del Barrio, the Fifth Avenue, the Radio City Music Hall, and, of course, the Rockefeller Center.

Get a chance to visit the Financial District, Wall Street, and the Battery Park, for a great view of the Statue of Liberty.

There will be a stop for a short lunch at Chelsea Market, where you can find numerous budget cafes and street food vendors.

Enjoy the personal service and attention of the guide, due to a small number of tourists on the group. You will see that a mini bus tour in NYC is not worse than a tour on a big double decker bus.

This NYC bus tour ends at Herald Square, by the Empire State Building.

#5   New York Double-Decker Bus Night Tour

• Departure Point: Gray Line Visitor Center
• Departure Time: Daily at 6:30 p.m.
• Duration: 90 minutes (approx.)
• Includes: Double Decker Bus Tour

Rest after a long day of sightseeing, while enjoying the views of Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, the Manhattan Bridge, Greenwich Village, Little Italy, the Lower East Side, Soho, and Chinatown.

Get to know the history of New York City from an on-board guide, while seating comfortably on the double decker tour bus. You will cross the Brooklyn Bridge for a sparkling view of the evening Manhattan skyline.

And if you are lucky to come to New York City during Christmas time, enjoy the Holiday Lights Tour, instead of the Night Tour, which will take you to Midtown, covered in Christmas lights and decorations.

The guide will show famous New York City department stores, brightly decorated for the holidays, filled with people buying presents for their significant ones.

This NYC double decker bus tour returns to original departure point.

Your Guide to Visiting New York City

Airports & entry, planning tips, restaurants & eating out, nightlife & entertainment, getting around, accommodations.

There are three airports in New York City: John F Kennedy International Airport, La Guardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport.

To get from the JFK Airport to the city, take the AirTrain, which links to the subway, and will take you to Manhattan in one hour by the cost of $2,75. Or use the service of an express bus to Grand Central Terminal or Port Authority, which takes 1,5 hours and costs $18.

You can also take a taxi from the taxi dispatch booths or use services, such as Uber. The flat taxi fare is $52, excluding tolls, tips, and rush hour surcharge.

La Guardia is the closest airport to Manhattan, and still, least accessible by public transport. You can take an express bus #Q70, which will bring you to the 74 th St – Broadway metro station, and will cost you $15. Or take a cab, which will cost approximately $34 – $53, excluding tolls and tips.

From Newark Liberty Airport, take the AirTrain to Newark Airport train station, and then, take any train to New York Penn Station for $13. Taxi fares range from $60 to $80, excluding tolls and tips.

You should promptly consider your plans for the Big Apple, before you pack your luggage. Are you going for a picnic in the Central Park? Are you planning to visit a musical, an opera, or a theatre performance? Are you going to dine in a luxury top-end restaurant on the Fifth?

Consider all your wants and needs for your trip to New York, not only to pack everything you might need, but also to get tickets in advance. Keep in mind, the most popular places and events can be highly overbooked during the high season (summer, vacation time, and during the holiday season).

New York City might have its disadvantages, but you’ll never get hungry in the Big Apple, that’s for sure. Countless cafes, bars, bistros, and restaurants cater for every taste and budget. Italian, Asian, Middle Eastern, Greek, French, Mexican – the variety of cuisines available is outstanding.

From small family cafes to large international restaurant chains, from fast food to luxury “haute couture” cuisine, from street food of all kinds to extravagant restaurants with huge booking lists. To get the best taste of NYC, we would recommend taking a guided NYC food tour .

Whatever plans you have for the Big Apple, you definitely can’t leave without trying these typical New York foods and drinks:

• Cheesecake New York
• Long Island Ice Tea

If you are on a budget, don’t miss the markets: Chelsea and Fulton 55, where you can find all kinds of New York street food, as well as numerous budget cafes. To get the best taste of NYC, we would recommend taking a guided NYC food tour .

New bars and clubs open and close in New York City all the time. Every district is filled with night entertainment facilities. If you are in Manhattan, head to Greenwich Village. There are plenty of places, popular with locals, mostly NYU students. Chelsea and Lower East Side are other popular nightlife spots in the heart of the Big Apple. However, if you are staying in Brooklyn, Queens, or Staten Island, don’t worry, you won’t feel the lack of sparkling New York nightlife.

New York City has the name of the world capital of jazz, and it is probably true. The city has expired many world famous jazz musicians in the past, and nowadays, it has countless settings, where you can listen to good jazz music, while enjoying a drink with your friends or a date.

Probably, the most famous jazz club in the world is the Blue Note in Greenwich Village. And the Village Vanguard, which dates back to 1935, is another popular spot in the district for jazz admirers. However, if you can’t afford such top-end places, take a look at Smalls or Fat Cat, situated also in Greenwich Village, just a block from each other, which keep their charges quite reasonable.

Salsa, although originates from Cuba, also draws numerous dance lovers to New York City clubs. If you find yourself into passionate Afro-Caribbean rhythms, head to Copacabana, the best-known Latin dance club dating back to 1940’s, situated right next to Times Square, El Morocco in Spanish Harlem, or Iguana in West Midtown.

As for classical entertainment, Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall, along with Broadway theaters are the main venues you should head towards. Opera, ballet, music shows, and concerts of all kinds will suit any cultural taste and budget.

And, of course, most New Yorkers tend to be passionate sports fans. Baseball, basketball, hockey teams – you have a wide list to choose from. Join the locals in one of the games, pick your favorite, and don’t forget to buy souvenirs during a break.

New York City has an extended system of public transportation, which includes subway, buses, commuter rail, and ferries. The terrible stories about New York City subway crimes are mostly in the past. However, you should still be careful, when traveling alone at night: don’t flash your valuables in public, use crowded stations, and try to be around people all the time.

Yellow cabs are as much the symbol of New York City, as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. They are numerous, reasonably priced, and comfortable. To get a cab, all you need to do is stand close to the road and raise your arm. However, if you are in a hurry, it may be wiser to go underground, due to heavy traffic, especially during rush hours.

New York City has some of the most expensive accommodations in the world. Be prepared to pay a minimum of $100 – $200 for a hotel room and, at least, $50 for a bed in a hostel in Manhattan. However, Manhattan is not the only district in New York. You can find much cheaper accommodation in Long Island City, Queens, Brooklyn, or New Jersey. Cheaper fares are also available during January and February, in the end of August, and on Sundays.

Typically, the room fare is claimed without taxes. All New York State and New York City taxes add up to approximately 15%. So, be prepared to pay more on arrival, than the amount on the booking.

New York City generally experiences cold winters, wet springs, hot humid summers, and cool dry autumns. In winter, the temperature can decrease to -18 o C and during the summer, be prepared for the temperature to go up to 38 o C sometimes. Snowstorms are regular during the winter months, but the snow rarely lies longer, than for a couple of days. Also, tropical storms can hit the city during summer time and in September. So, keep that in mind.

Attractions

The Big Apple is never short on attractions to keep tourists busy from sun up to sun down. The Empire State Building is one of the most popular attractions as you are able to see the New York skyline from the observation deck. The Statue of Liberty is not to be missed. If you find yourself in Central Park, there are plenty of food vendors and even free activities to enjoy. If you want to take in a show, be sure to hit Broadway, and if music is your thing, there’s always the Radio City Music Hall.

Tour Guides

The New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour is our top pick for the best NYC bus tour

Richard Moore

Related articles, ▷ the 7 best new york city dinner cruises [2024 reviews], 🚁 the 5 best nyc helicopter tours [2024 reviews], top 5 best broadway shows in nyc [2024 reviews], the 5 best niagara falls tours from new york city [2024 reviews].

Suggested companies

Topview sightseeing, the new york pass, city sightseeing new york.

Big Bus Tours New York   Reviews

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Tour included in NY Pass

We took the Downtown Loop tour during our 3 day visit to NYC which was included in our NY Pass and it was absolutely fantastic. We got off at 9/11 Museum, in hindsight we should have stayed on for the full loop. Maybe next time.

Date of experience : March 25, 2024

Not what you would expect!

2 days; 2 Adults & 2 Teens: 360USD. The experience did not live up to expectations, an outdated not service oriented experience! Sellers standing at route-stops generally 'sales-aggressive'. Driver beggin for Tips when asked a question. Busses often full at 1st floor in week 42. Blue Line was very dissapointing, not busses every 30 min. Bus delayed and GPS on approaching bus not working, meaning not visible in App. Street-seller at stop 2 not helpfull at all after waiting more than 30 min og No bus in sight in App. We waited 50 min for bus around 2pm. Busses stop operation very early in afternoon. The Audio was not that informative. Not worth the price.

Date of experience : October 18, 2023

Excellent way to learn about the city

Excellent way to learn about the city, Kids loved sitting up top Only issue is when we were hopping back on , conductor asked to see our “ printed ticket” which we never has one as everything was digital on our mobile app. Supposedly that was supposed to have benn given to us when we started our trip. He stil let us on after ssveral discussions.Otherwise great mode

Date of experience : April 18, 2019

Enjoyed the 2-days of touring NYC

Enjoyed the 2-days of touring NYC. Sitting up top is the best. Some guides were better than others. The Sunday afternoon around 4:30pm traffic was not moving, the bus was packed and sat below. Air conditioning not "on" or "not working". Crazy hot and uncomfortable - everyone upset! Windows didn't open - worst 60 mins ever!

Date of experience : August 15, 2019

Buses overcrowded

Buses overcrowded. Ok if you want to sit inside downstairs and see nothing. Often queuing for long periods whilst buses come and go. Audio system inadequate and failed. Bus terminated on its route and kicked off roadside at bus stop to wait another bus. Expensive price for poor service.

Date of experience : May 26, 2019

Reply from Big Bus Tours New York

Good Afternoon Aaron Gallavan, We apologize for the difficulties you've endured while trying to board your tour. Unfortunately, due to ongoing construction, we have encountered some delays and higher than normal traffic and route changes. We only close stops when we are mandated to by the Department of Transportation, we abide by all rules and regulations set forth on us. Whenever we do need to make changes to our routes, these closures are posted on our website and app under “Service Information”. The advertisements on the windows are made keeping guests vision in mind, and we are sorry if yours was altered in any way. Our mechanics, are working strenuously to remedy the issues with audio. None the less, we thank you for your feedback and we hope this incident doesn't deter you from touring with us again. Kind Regards, BBTNY

Your company is the worst

Your company is the worst. No air conditioning or ventilation in main compartment, pick up near Penn Station at 34 St. & 8 Ave shut down causing confusion for our party, not enough buses running for get on and get off, unable to use 2nd day because buses last run on Sunday for Explore Harlem is at 3:00 pm,no directs connections to the other color lines, and customer service stinks. I will not recommend your company to nobody.

Date of experience : September 16, 2019

Good Afternoon Johnnie, Please know while we monitor the demand, and plan for additional buses during busier times, there are elements that are out of our control. We do have A/C as well as check our buses before leaving for the days service, but sometimes we experience issues during hotter days. Prior to the stop being removed, it was limited service stop that would take longer than 20-25 mins. Please know all stop designation and removals are set upon us by the Dept. of transportation and we follow all rules and regulations. In regards to Harlem, it is intentionally set up every hour between 10 am- 3 pm and for the fall set for 10 am, 12 pm and 2 pm not for the lack of bus count. All this information is posted on our website, app and brochures. We are truly sorry that we did not meet or exceed your expectations, but with the feedback you provided, we will continue to strive to be better, and hopefully meet your expectations next time you visit New York. Kind Regards, BBTNY

It appeared a few of the employees gave…

It appeared a few of the employees gave out misinformatiom about madam toussant wax museum tour I was told I could attend for free only to be turned around feeling embarssed Some of the employees did not know times of statue of liberty sailing employees also in told us that we could walk from lower manhattan to the circle line tour. We were informed it was a 10 minute walk away, an to just to follow the water along West Street Overall all worker were friendly

Date of experience : May 30, 2019

Unhelpful staff / Tours end early

We were sold full price tickets but not seated on a bus until almost 1 pm when we’re then informed the tours end at 4:30pm. We were not able to experience the full tours we paid for due to being misdirected by the less than kind staff on the buses. Lots of long waits to get on a bus or while on the bus but waiting for more people. The prerecorded tour info was also cheesy and often out of sync with the actual bus location. I have filed a refund request with the company and look forward to a response.

Date of experience : January 16, 2023

Avoid Big Bus Tours!!!!

I purchased a tickets on Big Bus Tours on June 30th. After an hour on the Upper East Side Route, We were told busses for the day were cancelled due to a parade downtown. We were stranded at Columbus Circle and Central Park South with no further information. I have been trying to get a refund or at the very least a voucher to ride another day, but the NYC Customer service people are rude and the online refund portal does NOTHING! Avoid Big Bus Tours!!!!!

Date of experience : July 10, 2019

Good Afternoon Barbara L. Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback here on TrustPilot. We also received your email which referenced your comments above, if you went through our refund process and you didn't receive an error message, your request processed successfully. Please know our customers our top priority and we have forwarded your email to the finance team, please allow some time for your case to be reviewed and processed. Should you have any further questions or concerns please feel free to contact us again directly. Best, BBTNY

A great way to explore the city and…

A great way to explore the city and jump on and off for the attractions. Our group thoroughly enjoyed the commentary given by the tour guides( especially SHERWOOD- his knowledge, professional and attentive approach, humour, clear voice was amazing- make sure you jump on to his bus!!) Thank you so much Sherwood ! . Also, must say these drivers are skilled at route planning and adapting to road closures, vehicle handling and smooth use of the controls. Definitely recommended Big Bus.

Very disappointed with their ticket…

Very disappointed with their ticket policy: my wife have left her printed ticket at the hotel in NJ, and they would not replace it. We were forced to buy new ticket for her and on top of it, only got to drive few stops, before whole bus got stuck in traffic for good. Traffic in Manhattan during UN sessions it horrible (end of september). Most of the streets are closed off to traffick, cops are everywhere (like 20 officers watching one intersection). Not good. Woiuld be better of going to the museum or stay home.

Date of experience : September 26, 2019

Good Afternoon Marek, We apologize for the inconvenience but your tickets are consumers responsibility to hold on to, and as per our policy, lost tickets cannot be reissued. None the less, we are working on updating and improving our ticket system. While we work strenuously to still provide our passengers an opportunity to explore the city despite city events that are out our control. Whenever we have to change or alter a route, or close a stop completely, we only do so once mandated by the Dept. of Transportation. We post these changes on our website and app under “Service information’ All of our guides and agents are aware of these changes and should be informing customers also. We appreciate your feedback as we utilize it as growth-tool in hopes to exceed your expectations on your next sightseeing adventure. Kind Regards, BBTNY

DICK TURPIN RIDES AGAIN STAY AWAY FROM THESE 20th CENTUARY DICK…

STAY AWAY FROM THESE 20th CENTUARY DICK TURPINS ..THESE ARE THE BIG TIME RIP OFF HIGHWAY MEN JUST AFTER YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY SIGNS ON THERE BUSES READ STAND AND DELIVER YOUR MONEY.!!!!!

Date of experience : November 14, 2023

Completely mediocre all round

Really subpar service all round. From their complete lack of communication at the main service point (we had drivers not even turn up for a bus we we're waiting on) to waiting at pick up points for over 45 minutes before a bus shows up. Every 20 minutes is a complete far fatched scenario. The only saving grace we had was one good tour guide in the 2 days we used this service, the rest were generally disinterested, shabbily dressed or just rude in general. Try one of the numerous other services that offer better deals on sites such as Groupon. It cannot be worse, so you have nothing to lose.

Date of experience : May 21, 2019

Good Afternoon Brian, Thank you for sharing your Big Bus experience with us. We apologize for the delays you've encountered while we do our utmost to prevent such inconveniences. We know your time is crucial and we increase the amount of buses to our fleet in preparation of increased volume of passengers. We understand customer service is an important aspect in our business and anything less than professional will not be tolerated. As for the delays, we appreciate your patience at this time, due to ongoing construction in the 5th Ave area we're experiencing delays and route changes. This information is alerted to our passengers via our app and web. Nonetheless, the guide was to inform you of this prior to the tour, for that, we apologize. We hope this incident doesn't deter you from touring with us again. Kind Regards, BBTNY

NO REFUNDS AVAILABLE

So we have had our US holiday cancelled due to the restrictions just placed on travel from the UK for Coronavirus. On contacting Big Bus, they will not refund our 3 day tour tickets as they 'Don't have a refund policy', they just offered tickets for other citys for up to 12 months. As we have no other plans to go anywhere else for the next year, it is pointless accepting this, so we are $135 out of pocket as THEY DON'T OFFER REFUNDS.

Date of experience : March 14, 2020

Hello Neil, Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback here on Trustpilot. We also received your email which referenced your comments above and are happy that we were able to resolve this issue. Should you have any further questions or concerns please feel free to contact us again directly. Best, BBTNY

Experience of this bus tour took place on Monday 10th October 2022. Drivers friendly. Our experience of all other members of staff either on sidewalk or the bus was they were rude and unhelpful and only interested in selling new tickets. We bought a day pass, were not told that only the Red route was running, so would have either paid only for single route or more likely given our experience not bought at all. We were all told extremely rudely to get off the bus at final stop and no reason given why blue route not running, we were literally told to go away! Bus did not stop at every point on the red route listed either. In all not a good experience.

Date of experience : October 10, 2022

Aj B, it is disappointing for us to hear that your experience was anything less than great. We apologize for the disruption of our Uptown Loop service on the date of your visit. This was due to a parade taking place in the city that caused several street closures, which in turn prohibited us to enter the area. We posted this information on our website and app but do apologize that our staff did not mention this when the package was purchased with them. We do not condone this type of behavior and would like to address this, as well as the staff member which was rude to you when having you get off the bus. If possible, can you please reach out to us at [email protected] with further details such as the names or description of the staff members, as well as your booking details?

Worst experience of my travel life

Worst experience of my travel life. I have sent multiple messages to Big Bus via the Big Bus app, yet have not heard back despite the app telling me I would within 24hrs. Worst value for money. Lines way too long. No priority at attractions despite being told by the desk within Madam Tussauds that I would. Was a woeful experience. See my messages to Big Bus for full rundown. For the record, I seriously never make complaints. But I feel so ripped off & aggrieved on this occasion that I feel compelled to provide strong feedback. Regards Mark Malouf

Date of experience : December 29, 2018

Good Day Mark, We thank you for leaving your feedback in TrustPilot, we have also received your email and we understand your frustration. Please be informed it is not our intention as we try our best to the respond to all customer inquiries in a timely fashion, nonetheless with the feedback you provided, we will continue to strive to be better, and hopefully meet your expectations next time you visit New York. We are look forward to hear from you directly. Kind Regards, BBTNY

Why do the NY Hop on Hop off tours have to be so substandard ?

As compared to Hop on Hop off tours we took in other cities in North America and in Europe, the NY Big Bus tour ranks far behind. The positive thing is that the tour did take us around the city albeit with a time consuming breakdown. However: - The comments on the ear plugs audio were very elementary and childish. - The discovery of NY remains very superficial for someone who would not already be somewhat familiar with the city. - Most of the busses we used were filthy, including their seats, and in poor maintenance. - The sales staff on the curbs were ok, but the drivers were not always helpful, and their English was hardly intelligible. I think the company should undertake serious improvements in order to reach an acceptable level of quality.

Date of experience : July 02, 2022

De Picciotto, thank you for leaving us feedback. We regret to hear you felt our buses were not maintained well the day of your visit. Our buses are cleaned before they start the day and also after they return, and our drivers help maintain the buses throughout the day, so we are disappointed to hear this. We are also sorry you did not enjoy the commentary on your tour. Our audio is meant to be family friendly, and contains facts mixed with comedy in order to maintain an informative and entertaining tour. We apologize if you did not find this to be satisfactory and appreaciate you sharing your feedback to give us the opportunity to improve in the future.

Big bus Review downtown loop

On August 12th, we opted for Big Bus the Downtown Loop tour. Unfortunately, the air conditioning was either not turned on or not functioning properly. We encountered issues ranging from the bus not stopping at the designated locations for convenient 10-20 minute walks to see landmarks. To much walking to see places. I wish they would drop off in front of Landmark Given these circumstances, I would strongly recommend individuals to explore the city using the subway system instead. This way, they can select specific destinations they wish to visit and have a more flexible and enjoyable experience.

Date of experience : August 12, 2023

UK great NyC disappointing

While your service in the UK is outstanding the bus tour in NY was nothing but a disappointment. Bus never showed up at our route... waited more than 30 min at stop. Customer service does not pick up the phone. Used the chat and never got a response. Buses were always crowded so had to wait for the following bus multiple times and the guys with the microphones were sometimes obnoxious.

Date of experience : October 05, 2019

Good Afternoon, While its great to hear that you've enjoyed our services, we are disappointed to know we were unable to surpass your expectations on this trip. Please know we monitor delays in hopes to prevent it from occurring, please provide a copy of your tickets to [email protected] to further look into those delays. We pride ourselves in providing exceptional customer service and we have live reps responding within business hours. Thank you for letting us know about the chat, we will report the issue to its designated department immediately. Although, we track the demand, and plan for additional buses during busier times in keeping with capacity control, there are events out of our control. At Big Bus, we strive to exceed customers expectations on a daily basis, and we hope we can still do that for you when you visit New York again. Kind Regards, BBTNY

Big Bus consistently very good way to see the City sights.

I can highly recommend Big Bus Washington. Did the 2 day deluxe pass and added the night tour. Everything runs very smoothly. Live commentary’s are informative. We also did the Walking Tour from the White House Gardens which was very good and useful as far as gaining some history. Took the option of the Observation Deck as aposed to the water cruise. Really enjoyed that too and great views from the 32nd floor. Have just arrived NYC and have also purchased a 2 day deluxe pass so hoping for the same professional experience here.

Date of experience : May 22, 2019

• State of New York
• New York City
• United States

Hop on Hop off NYC Bus Tours – Which One is Best?

• 2 Pinterest

Are you wondering what hop on hop off NYC bus tours to choose from? On this post, your will learn what are the best bus tours companies in New York, what are their route maps and tickets price, how to find discounted tickets, what city pass you should choose and some useful travel tips.

What are the best hop on hop off NYC bus tours companies?

1 – big bus new york, 2 – grayline citysightseeing nyc, 3 – topview sightseeing new york, how do you find discounted hop on hop off nyc bus tours tickets, 1 – compare discounted tickets on travel websites, 2 – compare and book a city pass.

Don’t feel like reading ahead? Click on the following link if you wish to book a hop on hop off NYC bus tour right now.

Hop on hop off bus tours are great to visit New York at your own pace and tick all the famous landmarks off your list. Hop off the bus as many times as you like within the validity period of your ticket and simply hop on again when you’re ready to visit another site. You may find below the three best companies providing hop on hop off bus tours in NYC including their routes and tickets price.

Big Bus New York is ranked TripAdvisor’s number 1 NYC hop on hop off bus tour.

Enjoy along the way the city’s most famous landmarks with unique guided commentary available in 10 languages. Explore at your leisure and enjoy New York.

Big Bus provides 35 stops around New York via 5 different routes: Uptown and Downtown Manhattan routes, Harlem route, Brooklyn route and a night route. Furthermore visitors can also hop on a boat cruise and enjoy the view from the water.

• Visit Big Bus official website

Grayline CitySightseeing is another large operator providing unlimited hop on hop off bus tours in New York. Their experienced tour guides will delight you with fun and factual stories of the city. Moreover you may also join the CitySightseeing Ferry Tour and admire New York City from the water.

You will explore NYC’s most iconic neighbourhoods (Manhattan, Harlem, Brooklyn and everything in between) with routes that pass all the must-see attractions. You may hop off at 45 different bus stops in the city.

• Visit CitySightseeing official website

Topview SightSeeing is the latest bus tours company in NYC. They provide several sighseeing bus tours around New York and sighseeing cruise options.

Topview hop on hop off bus tours include Manahattan, Harlem, Brooklyn, and Bronx routes. Choose a pass and explore all the attractions that New York has to offer. .

• Visit Topview official website

You have decided what bus tour you want to experience but you are wondering where to find cheap discounted tickets? Well, you are on the right page. Learn below how to save up to 60% by buying your tickets online and on what website to book.

Don’t queue up, skip the line and enjoy the ride.

Once you have compared the different hop on hop off NYC bus tours, we strongly suggest you to compare the prices as there are a lot of discounts available online.

Check the official website of the bus company and travel websites such as Viator or Getyourguide. It is best to compare their offers before booking as discounts and special deals are very often available and can save you some money.

Use our search tool to compare all those deals and find the cheapest price.

• Compare discounted bus tours tickets

Read more: Best NYC city tours

Museums, observation decks, hop on hop off bus tours, sightseeing cruises and other travel costs can add up pretty quickly. In the case you wish to visit several attractions during your stay in New York and enjoy a hop on hop off bus tour, booking a city pass could save you a lot of money.

There are several city pass in New York, and some of them include a free hop on hop off bus tour. Read our New York City Passes Comparison Guide to learn more about them.

The New York Pass

The New York Pass is the only city pass that features Big Bus tours. You will get skip the line entry tickets for 100+ top attractions in New York.

Visit official website

The New York Sightseeing Pass

The New York Sightseeing Pass includes Grayline Sightseeing bus tours and over 100 different attractions.

The Turbopass

The Turbo Pass also includes Grayline Sightseeing bus tours and more than 100 attractions in NYC.

We hope you found this page helpful. Do not hesitate to ask questions in the comments section below. Wishing you an excellent visit in New York. Have fun 🙂

Hop On Hop Off in NYC

The efficient way to see the city.

Taking a taxi or the subway around the city to get every attraction you want to visit, is not only expensive but you don’t end up seeing much of New York City itself. Hop-on Hop-off bus tours are great for exactly this reason, you can jump on or off whenever you want to. This way you discover the city from a completely new perspective while getting where you want to go. 

You'll also love this:

• The 3 Absolute Best Night Bus Tours in NYC
• Fun Things to Do in New York at Night

Table of Contents

Hop-on Hop-off Providers and Routes

There are four different operators of Hop-on Hop-off tours in New York. The two most popular providers are TopView Sightseeing (operate the red&white buses) and Big Bus (which use the dark red buses). These two providers have the largest fleet of buses and drive the routes at regular intervals. While these two operators do have slightly more busses meaning that you won’t have to wait as long at the stops, all of the hop on hop off bus tours on offer drive similar routes along with the same attractions.

IMPORTANT: Even though the hop on hop off buses pass most major attractions along their routes, they are not suited for regular transportation within the city. For simply getting from A to B, the subway is a much better choice.

Hop-on Hop off Buses are great if you want to see a lot in little time

Overview of all Hop-on-Hop-off Loops

Both of the operators of the Hop-on-Hop-off tours are fairly comparable, the only difference being the higher popularity of the Big Bus tours. All hop-on-hop-off tours providers offer the same loops: Downtown, Uptown, Brooklyn, and the evening/night tour.

• Downtown Loop (2 hours)

The most popular tour is the Downtown loop. This tour includes sights such as Times Square, Madison Square Garden, the Empire State Building, SoHo , Battery Park, Radio City Music Hall, Little Italy, Wall Street, the Financial District, Lower East Side, the United Nations Building, Rockefeller Center, Carnegie Hall and many more.

• Uptown Loop (2 hours)

The Uptown loop takes you to the north of Manhattan. You will cross famous 5th Avenue, drive along Central Park in the direction of Harlem , and will see many other attractions on this tour including Lincoln Center, American Museum of Natural History, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Grant’s Tomb, Apollo Theater, Harlem Market, The Museum Mile, the Guggenheim, and the Metropolitan Museum.

You can check out the Uptown and Downtown loops plotted on the map below. This way you can check what attractions along the way you want to see along with where you might want to stop to explore.

• Brooklyn Loop (2 hours)

The third option is the Brooklyn Loop. On this route, you will see the best spots of this beloved borough, for example, the Botanical Garden, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, the Antique Furniture District, Fulton Mall, the Brooklyn Museum, and many others. The new departure point for the tour is Old Fulton Street by Prospect Street in Brooklyn. It no longer connects to any loops in Manhattan.

• Night Tour (2.5 hours)

The fourth tour is the Evening/Night Tour. This hop-on-hop-off bus tour through NYC is also very popular because seeing New York at twilight and at night is truly something special. You will drive by all relevant attractions: you will have a chance to see Times Square and its nighttime glow, the Empire State Building, Central Park,  Greenwich Village , SoHo, Chinatown, and Little Italy.

• Harlem Tour (1.5 hours)

You can also take the Harlem/Bronx Tour. This tour will take you way up to the northern part of New York City and covers such great sights as the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market, Sylvia’s & Red Rooster Lenox Lounge, the Harlem neighborhoods, and the Yankee Stadium.

Tickets for Hop-on Hop-off in NYC

Before purchasing your hop-on-hop-off tickets, you should first find out whether your sightseeing pass already includes tickets. Here’s an overview of what sightseeing pass includes what loops, for how long and by which provider:

Compare Passes

Should you not want to make use of a sightseeing pass, you can find all ticket options by the two major providers, Big Bus and TopView Sightseeing. Note that all tours are offered in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Chinese!

1. Big Bus Ticket Options

• Classic (1 day) : Uptown, Downtown
• Premium (2 days) : Uptown, Downtown, Brooklyn, Harlem, Night Tour
• Deluxe (2 days) : Uptown, Downtown, Brooklyn, Harlem, Night Tour, Sightseeing Cruise, Empire State Building Admission

2. TopView Ticket Options

• 1 Day: Uptown, Downtown, Brooklyn, Night Tour, Cruise
• 2 Days: Uptown, Downtown, Brooklyn, Night Tour, Cruise
• 3 Days: Uptown, Downtown, Brooklyn, Night Tour, Cruise
• New York Sightseeing Ferry: Hop-on Hop-off ferry
• Night Tour only: Hop-on Hop-off bus tour at night

You can even add attractions to those ticket options!

Bus tickets with attractions

Where can I get a good deal on hop-on-hop-off bus tickets?

It is best to buy tickets online . They are cheaper if you buy them online in comparison to at the ticket counter (this is due to the fact that if you buy in advance, the operator can plan ahead). Buying tickets online is secure and fast. First, you choose the date you want to take a tour, and how many people will be on the tour. Then you choose which route you would like to book. You will be sent a voucher that you can redeem at any of the bus stops to hop on the bus!

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Why obnoxious big-bus city tours are sort of awesome

I have a travel confession: I kind of love big-bus tours. You know, the ones with those often gaudy-looking buses with tourists piling on and off in major cities everywhere. Now I don't like to admit that I'm the sort of traveler who hops on a double-decker bus, heads to the top deck, plugs in some cheap headphones that come with the tour and learns the lay of the land by looping about and listening to prerecorded facts and trivia about a city -- but I sometimes am that sort of traveler. And even if you think you aren't the type of traveler to get anywhere near a hop-on and hop-off bus tour, maybe you should give it a try.

Grandma is to thank (or blame?)

I can't truly claim the fame or blame for my appreciation of big-bus tours -- my mom made it happen. A few years ago, she and her sister took a fancy post-teaching retirement trip through Europe courtesy of miles and points. They went to a number of European cities such as London, Paris, Zurich and Rome, but didn't have the luxury of staying in each city more than a few nights.

To conserve energy, reduce stress and maximize time, they decided to start each city visit with a big-bus tour. I may or may not have given their plan an internal side-eye, but it worked out great. When I later traveled to Barcelona and Madrid with my mom (and daughter), she wanted to again rely on the big bus to provide an intro to the European cities and I grudgingly agreed. She was right -- it was sort of great.

Related: Best ways to get to Europe using points and miles

Perfect for short stays

If you have a full week in a city, you can probably find your way around to all the major highlights pretty easily sans bus, but if you are just going for a long weekend, the big bus shines. You can start your first day with a couple of hours on the bus and even hop off at the sites that interest you most. On your subsequent days, you'll have a good feel for the urban geography and can spend your time exploring where you'll be the happiest.

Great when transportation is a challenge

Some travelers thrive on the challenge of learning to navigate public transportation in a new-to-them city, but many don't. In fact, learning to navigate a new city by bus or subway can be really stressful at first -- especially if there's a language or currency barrier. If you don't want to learn the transportation system for a short stay, the big buses are potentially great solutions that don't cost nearly as much as taking a car everywhere. Big-bus tickets will cost more than a public subway or bus pass, but the routes are easy to understand and you can usually use them to get close to many areas of a city. You can typically buy your big-bus tickets online and not have to mess with the currency or chip-and-pin issues you may face at subway or train stations.

If you want to rely on the big bus for a quick visit, the second and/or third day of a pass is usually significantly cheaper than the first day, if you commit to those days up front. For example, the most recent big-bus tour I took was in Vienna, where a one-day pass is around €27, but a two-day pass is just €31.50.

Walk less, enjoy more

Do you still think taking the big bus is lame? Imagine that you have travelers in your group who have issues walking long distances. They may be young kids, older adults or anyone in between. I travel with both and the bus is the easiest solution short of a pricey private driver. In fact, my daughters have not only saved steps on the big buses, but taken legitimate naps. The buses typically loop, so if your kids fall asleep on them, just stay onboard and nap for a loop, which is often one to two hours. When you are jet-lagged in a European city , this can be a great compromise between wasting a day napping in the hotel and getting out.

(As an added perk, there is often included Wi-Fi, so you can catch up on your internet-ing while cruising around the city.)

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Speak to me in a language I can understand

Immersion in a new culture is a beautiful thing, but so is some understanding of what is going on. The big-bus tours usually offer recorded information in a wide variety of languages. On the big-bus tour in Paris, you have your choice of listening to English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese and Korean. After a day of struggling through cafe orders and using translation apps to read signs, listening to your native language for a bit can be a nice break.

Choosing the best big-bus tour

It's common for a major city to have more than one big-bus tour provider, which can get a little confusing. There is no one bus company that is best around the world, so you'll need to choose the best one for you in the city you are visiting. The best one is usually the one with a major stop closest to where you are staying, but compare reviews, prices, hours and routes to choose the ones best for you. The truth is they are normally all very similar.

Bottom line

I get it, "real" travelers don't get on big red buses. But just like I think there is value in strategically popping into an international McDonald's , big-bus tours can also have tangible value on certain types of trips or when exploring with certain types of travelers. Just avoid putting up an Instagram of you on the bus and your friends won't ever be the wiser. We certainly won't tell.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Big Bus tour vs just using the Metro. - New York City Forum

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Big Bus tour vs just using the Metro.

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Is the Big Bus day tour worth it? $50 for 1 day vs an unlimited metro card at $31 for 7 days.

Many people have experienced that. If you want an overview tour, then one of the buses is fine. If you want transportation, use the subway.

We did the night tour over to Brooklyn Heights and back to Times Square if you feel you have to do the bus tour thing. It was a couple of hours of fun.

Should i just wait & buy the subway unlimited when i get there or buy online ahead of time?

Well, you can't buy online ahead of time, so I suggest you wait until you get here, since that's the only option. :)

Take a look at your plans and evaluate how much you plan to use the subway. If you don't plan to use it much, then an unlimited metro card doesn't make sense. The break even point is 13 trips, I believe. I'd skip the bus tour, but a lot of tourists do it, so it's up to you. The best way to get around is by subway and walking.

we are going to new york for the 1st time in oct, we got a 72hour ticket for hop on bus and are going to more or less hammer the ticket in the 1st two days of arriving, doing the full loop of each route and staying on the bus alll way round, each is 1.5 hours -2.5hours depending which one, we have the big advantage of been there 8nites so will get the tube ticket after that,

we are choosing to do this from my 1st experiences of visiting london, weve been to london for 3 days every winter for the last 10years, but it took me until the 4th trip to do the london bus tour and once on we wished we had done earlier, as we saw more land marks on the bus in 3hours that day then the previous 3 trips,

not only that its tiring up and down the tubes, try to walk more on land if its short journeys,

for it to be benificial though you would have to stay on the bus as much as you can - full loops if poss(with the exception of comfort breaks), and use it as a rest ! i wouldnt use it as hop on off as such or it will be a waste of your day and you will probly get nowhere fast...

sit back and relax on the bus on your 1st day as much as poss ,see sights then race around on tubes next 2days..

the tube prices are unbelievably cheaper then the uk ! one weeks subway price would get you only a day tube travel in london !

I can definitely endorse doing a full loop to get an overview. Hopping off may be easy, but judging from the lines of waiting people, hopping back,on isn't as simple. I don't know if I would have purchased a 72 hour pass.

"Bus day tour worth it? $50 for 1 day vs an unlimited metro card at $31 for 7 days."

This sums it up for me if I'm honest! For $31 you get unlimited used of the subway, you're u can go anywhere and it'll last the entirety of your trip vs $50 for a day, that has a very limited route!

The bus is much more of a tour, if you don't plan to hop on, hop off and just do a loop and see the sights it's okay for that, I personally want to explore a bit more. Seeing the sights from a bus doesn't really feel like experiencing them if you get what I mean?

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