If you’re looking for an unforgettable way to explore a new city or simply see the sights in your hometown, Big Bus Tours is one of the best options out there. It offers comprehensive hop-on hop-off tours in over 20 cities around the world, giving travelers a comprehensive look at what each destination has to offer. Here’s our full review of Big Bus Tours.
Table of Contents
What is Big Bus Tours?
Big Bus Tours operates in 16 locations around the world, including New York City; San Francisco; Chicago; Philadelphia; Boston; Washington D.C.; Dubai; Abu Dhabi; Sydney; London, Istanbul, Rome, and Paris.
In addition to offering bus tours of major metropolitan areas like London or Paris, Big Bus also offers day trips from most cities. For example, from New York City you can take a tour through Brooklyn Heights or Long Island City as well as visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
From Los Angeles, you can take a unique tour that includes stops at Universal Studios Hollywood (including lunch), Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park, and Warner Brothers Studios where you get to see sets used in TV shows such as Friends, The Big Bang Theory and Desperate Housewives.
If you’re traveling with a group of friends, or simply want to be able to see as many sights as possible while in one area, Big Bus Tours offers hop-on hop-off service in most of its locations around the world. The tours are available year-round and can be taken on foot or by bicycle depending on the location.
See Related: How to Book Cheap Bus Tickets [Step-by-Step]
The Experience
Big Bus Tours is known for its top-notch tour guides and comfortable buses that provide an enjoyable experience from start to finish. The sightseeing buses come equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and even audio commentary so you can learn more about your surroundings as you drive by them.
With the hop-on hop-off option, you’ll be able to easily get on and off at any stop along the route without worrying about buying tickets or reservations beforehand.
Tour times and length varies by location but most locations offer between three and five tour routes, which vary from 45 minutes to two hours in length.
Audio guides are available in more than 20 languages at each location. The audio guides are available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese (Brazilian). They also have Japanese and Mandarin. They will soon be adding other languages to their collection such as Cantonese and Korean.
The live commentary from the tour guide is a great addition to your experience. You will learn about the history and culture of the city you are visiting, as well as some fun facts that you may not have known before. The tours also come with some other extras, such as maps and guides that show you where to go in each city.
There are some tours that only feature audio commentary instead of live guides. These tours still give great information about the area and allow travelers to explore on their own time without having to worry about getting lost or missing out on anything important.
See Related: Explore Los Angeles – Discover the Best Tours of LA
The Routes
Big Bus Tours has routes throughout some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, including London, Paris, New York City, Sydney, and more. Each route features multiple stops throughout various districts of each city and highlights some of its most popular attractions.
You can also opt for themed routes such as food tours or night tours depending on what type of experience you’re looking for.
See Related: Trips to San Francisco from Los Angeles: Your Ultimate Guide
Cost & Value:
The cost of a Big Bus Tour ticket varies depending on which city you choose to explore and how long you want your tour to last; however, they are typically very reasonably priced compared to other tour companies.
Plus, if you plan ahead and buy tickets online in advance, you can usually get discounts or combo deals that include other attractions like boat tours or museum tickets. All in all, Big Bus Tours provides excellent value for money when it comes to exploring some of the world’s top destinations.
See Related: Best Bus Tours From Columbia, South Carolina
Tickets
Tickets are valid for 24 hours if you purchase a one-day ticket and 48 hours if you purchase a two-day ticket. If you’re traveling with children, they can get half off their fare!
If you want to see more than one city, there’s no need to buy multiple tickets—just make sure that your first ride starts at least 30 minutes before the second ride begins. If that sounds complicated, don’t worry! Our friendly drivers will make it easy for you!
Prices vary by age and range from about $35 to $70 for a one-day adult ticket. Children’s tickets are generally half-price.
At some locations, one-day adult tickets are $35 and children’s tickets are half that price. Other locations have lower prices; you can find out the exact cost of your ticket here
Some countries charge more for children’s tickets than for adult ones, even if those children are older than 12 or so. You can find out what your child’s ticket will cost based on his or her age here
The type of ticket you choose also affects pricing: single-day, multiple day and annual passes all differ in price from each other (and from their counterparts in other cities). For example, a single-day pass in Washington D.C., New York City, and Chicago costs $35; but if you want to visit both cities during your trip home from work every night for a week it’ll set you back $50.
See Related: Best Bus Tours in Paris, France
Free Walking Tours
Big Bus Tours offers free walking tours and boat cruises with your ticket. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Big Bus Tours also offers a Desert Safari tour with your ticket.
If you’re visiting one of the cities where Big Bus Tours offers a free walking tour, then you can use it to explore the city in more detail than what is available on the bus. If there are certain parts of town that are not covered by the bus route but are touristy or interesting to you anyway, then this is a good option for getting off the bus and wandering around them!
If you’re visiting one of the cities where Big Bus Tours offers boat cruises as part of their package deal, then definitely check those out! They are a lot of fun (and sometimes even include food!).
Pros & Cons of Big Bus Tours
Pros:
- Free walking tours in some cities
- Bus routes cover many touristy areas and can be a good way to see the city in more detail than what is available on foot
- Boat cruises are fun!
- They offer different packages depending on how long you want to stay in a city and how much time you want to spend on the bus
Cons:
- The price of the packages can add up quickly, especially if you are planning on doing several cities during your trip
- The guides can be hit or miss
- You are stuck on the bus with other people, so if you want to do a private tour, this option is not for you!
- There are still many different ways to see the city though, so don’t let that stop you from checking out Big Bus Tours.
See Related: Best Bus Tours in London: Top Picks for Sightseeing
Are Big Bus Tours Worth It?
Big Bus Tours is a popular tour company that offers hop-on hop-off bus tours in several cities around the world. Many customers have reported positive experiences with the tour, citing the convenience and flexibility of being able to hop on and off at various locations, as well as the knowledgeable and friendly tour guides. However, some customers have criticized the high cost of the tours and the length of time spent on the bus.
Overall, Big Bus Tours generally receives positive reviews and is considered worth it by many customers. But, it is best to read reviews and compare prices with other tour options before booking a tour with Big Bus Tours.
Big Bus Tours are great for travelers who want to see a city at their own pace and make their own decisions about how much time to spend at each stop. They’re also perfect for travelers who want to explore the city with friends or family but don’t want the hassle of planning everything ahead of time.
Related Resources