Wondering if the Big Bus Tour in New York City is worth it?
You’re not alone—navigating the energy, crowds, and endless options of NYC can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re short on time or visiting for the first time.
As someone who’s explored New York both on foot and from the top deck of a Big Bus, I know how valuable a well-planned tour can be.
This post is for curious travelers, itinerary planners, and anyone debating whether to buy Big Bus Tour tickets.
I’ll break down the pros, cons, and insider tips—so you can decide if this iconic hop-on, hop-off experience is the right fit for your trip.
Let’s ride!
The Big Bus Tour in New York
You may be wondering if a hop-on hop hop-off New York bus is worth it. Absolutely, yes!
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!
Taking the downtown loop of the New York tour bus is a convenient way to see many of New York’s top attractions on your sightseeing date.
The Big Bus Tour’s downtown loop service provides an efficient tour of lower Manhattan’s iconic sites without having to navigate the city’s hectic downtown on foot.
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 on the NY 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 my 2-day experience on this bus tour, I’ll answer commonly asked questions about it in New York City.
Big Bus Tour NYC Reviews from Google
Our New York experience was made so much better thanks to our incredible driver, Jimmy. From the moment we stepped on board, he greeted us with the warmest smile and the kind of positive energy that’s downright contagious.But Jimmy didn’t stop at just getting us from point to point — he went above and beyond his role, peppering our journey with delightful nuggets of local information, fun facts, and thoughtful insights that gave us a deeper appreciation for the city. His enthusiasm was genuine and his cheerfulness truly lit up the whole bus!Jimmy clearly loves what he does, and it shows. He made everyone feel comfortable, cared for, and totally at home. It’s rare to meet someone so dedicated and passionate — and who makes such a lasting impression in such a short time.Jimmy, you are a gem! You made our day, and you absolutely deserve recognition — and a raise! Thank you for going the extra mile (literally and figuratively)!
This was one of the last attractions we did on our trip, it was awesome to learn all the hidden history of the city. I would say if your going to do this you should do it at the start of your trip as it has a lot of valuable information on what things your could do and things to look out for. All these things were very well documented to us by our amazing host Shelley! She was an absolute charm and took the time to get to know us. German was an absolutely amazing driver, navigating through the jungle of NYC traffic. It was such a good way to round off the trip!
Santana was so nice. She ensured that everybody knew that no one should stand up while the bus was moving by repeating that to passengers when they got on board. She did come up to the roof whenever she could to explain about places coz not everyone grabbed headphones and even emphasized on upcoming attraction spots so we would be prepared to take photos. She did share other insights around the areas too (like which area has cheap and good stuff). We took the bus 3 times that day and because of her service, I’m glad we chose Big Bus.
TL;DR ➤ Get discounts for the best Hop On Hop Off Bus NYC!
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 the 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 street, and there was an endless hum of activity.
Fortunately, an online account is not needed for the Big Bus Tour. Be sure to select the downtown loop option if you want to focus on sightseeing in the downtown area.
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 begin.
While in line, we struck up conversations and exchanged stories, insights, and recommendations for our stay in New York.
🎟️ Big Bus Tour New York City Tickets and Pricing
Planning your hop-on, hop-off adventure through the Big Apple? Here’s everything you need to know about Big Bus Tour New York City tickets, pricing, and how to get the best value for your money.
The regular price of a ticket is $42 and above. However, you can use the link below to find discounted fares.
➤ Get discounts for the Hop on Hop Off New York City tour.
🗓️ Ticket Options at a Glance
Big Bus offers flexible ticket types to suit a range of sightseeing needs:
| Ticket Type | Duration | Inclusions | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Ticket | 1 Day | Downtown Route + Audio Guide + Hop-on, Hop-off access | First-time visitors with limited time |
| Premium Ticket | 2 Days | Downtown + Uptown Routes + Audio Guide + Hop-on, Hop-off access | Weekend getaways or deeper exploration |
| Deluxe Ticket | 2 Days | Downtown + Uptown + Panoramic Night Tour + Circle Line Cruise | Visitors wanting the full NYC experience |
| Night Tour | 90 min | Non-stop panoramic evening tour (no hop-on, hop-off) | Those wanting skyline views after dark |
💲 Sample Pricing (as of 2025)
Prices can vary slightly depending on the season and promotions, but here’s a general idea:
- Classic Ticket: From $53 (Adult) | $45 (Child 3–12)
- Premium Ticket: From $63 (Adult) | $55 (Child)
- Deluxe Ticket: From $78 (Adult) | $70 (Child)
- Night Tour: From $48 (Adult) | $42 (Child)
🔔 Tip: Children under 3 ride free when accompanied by an adult.
🛍️ Where to Buy Tickets
You can purchase Big Bus Tour tickets in several convenient ways:
- Official Website (bigbustours.com) – often includes online discounts and bundle deals.
- Mobile App – download the Big Bus Tours app for ticket management and real-time bus tracking.
- On-Site – buy at major departure points like Times Square or Battery Park (subject to availability).
- Third-Party Resellers – platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide sometimes offer bundled discounts.
💡 Best Value Tips
- 💳 Use a NYC Sightseeing Pass: Many passes like the New York Explorer Pass or Go City include Big Bus access, often at a reduced bundled rate.
- 📅 Plan for Consecutive Days: The Premium and Deluxe passes are valid for consecutive calendar days, not 48 hours—so start early!
- 🎁 Check for Deals: If you search diligently, you can find seasonal offers, student discounts, and holiday promos that are frequently available online.
🗽 Plan Your Trip to New York City
🌱 When to Go: May through October are the best months to enjoy the outdoors. Summer is great for the beach and waterside fun.
✈️ Book Your Flight: Find great deals on Skyscanner.
🏨Where to Stay: Stay at Pod 51. This affordable hotel has a rooftop terrace, and it’s a short walk to 5th Avenue.
🚗How to Get Around: You can get everywhere using the New York subway (highly recommended). If you prefer a car for a day trip to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Bear Moutain State Park, use Discover Car to find the cheapest option.
✨Top 3 Highlights: Don’t miss this yummy Chelsea Market food tour and Highline Park, seeing the Empire State Building, or a walk in Central Park.
📖 Before You Go: Read Breakfast at Tiffany’s or The New York Triology
🚌 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 NYC Tourist Bus
On the New York tourist bus, they only stop at designated places along the route.
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 Big Bus New York bus route map!
🍎 Big Bus NYC Red Route in Lower Manhattan
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.
Riding the downtown loop is a great way to maximize your time in New York by touring key downtown attractions like the 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street, and the Brooklyn Bridge on the double-decker bus.
You can catch a tour at any one of the following Big Bus New York 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 in Upper Manhattan
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.
2 – Times Square East – W 42nd St & Broadway (at Knickerbocker Hotel)
11 – Times Square North – 7th Ave & W 50th St (at Majestic Deli)
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)
➤ Get discounts for the Big Bus New York Hop-on Hop-off Tour.
💡Tips and Things to Know Before You Go
The downtown loop of the sightseeing bus in NYC is a popular choice for first-time visitors to New York who want an introductory tour of the city’s most famous downtown sights and landmarks.
There is also a night bus tour.
So, expect a line because New York City is the most popular tourist destination in the United States.
The bus has two levels; the upper level offers panoramic views of the city. So 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 works when the tour starts.
- 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 can take photos from both sides of the bus.
When we went, travelers were lined up at stop #1 at least an hour before the first departure time, 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 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.
⏱️How Long is the Big Bus Tour in New York
The round-trip NYC bus tours take about two hours from start to finish.
The bus is the perfect solution for visitors worldwide because it has 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.
👨👩👧👦 Is the Big Bus Tour New York City Family-Friendly and Accessible?
Whether you’re exploring NYC with young children, seniors, or someone with limited mobility, the Big Bus Tour New York City makes sightseeing easy, inclusive, and stress-free.
👶 Family-Friendly Features
Traveling with little ones? Here’s why the Big Bus Tour is a great choice for families:
- Stroller Access: Foldable strollers are welcome on board. You’ll just need to collapse them before boarding and store them in the designated area on the lower deck.
- Flexible Hop-On, Hop-Off Format: Need a snack, bathroom break, or nap? Hop off at any of the 15+ stops and rejoin the tour at your own pace.
- Kid-Friendly Audio Guides: Some buses feature multilingual audio guides that include a child-friendly narration option, keeping kids entertained while learning about NYC.
- Free for Toddlers: Children under 3 ride free when accompanied by a paying adult.
- Top Attractions Without the Walking: From Times Square to the Empire State Building, the Big Bus lets you see top NY attractions with minimal walking, perfect for avoiding tired feet or meltdowns.
🍼 Pro Tip: Bring snacks and a refillable water bottle—some stops have limited food options nearby.
♿ Accessibility for Guests with Disabilities
The Big Bus Tour New York City is committed to making its service accessible for all:
- Wheelchair-Accessible Buses: Most Big Bus vehicles are equipped with a manual ramp and a designated wheelchair space on the lower deck. However, not all buses in the fleet have this feature.
- Priority Boarding Support: Guests who need extra time or assistance to board are encouraged to arrive early and alert Big Bus staff. They’re trained to provide help as needed.
- Hearing Assistance: Audio guides are available in multiple languages, and riders can bring their headphones for comfort. For those with hearing impairments, written transcripts of the narration may be requested in advance.
- Companions Ride Together: There is space available for a caregiver or companion to sit near the wheelchair-accessible area.
♿ Important: If you or a family member uses a wheelchair, it’s best to contact Big Bus customer service in advance to confirm which buses on your desired route are accessible that day.
🚍 Summary: Accessible & Family-Ready
✅ Stroller-friendly
✅ Free rides for toddlers
✅ Wheelchair ramps on most buses
✅ Hop-off flexibility for breaks
✅ Narration options for kids
✅ Welcoming to seniors and caregivers
With its hop-on, hop-off design, scenic views, and inclusive amenities, the Big Bus Tour New York City is one of the most convenient ways for families and travelers with mobility needs to explore the city’s top attractions, without the stress of subway transfers, long walks, or tight schedules.
➤ Traveling on a budget? Read my review of the Westside YMCA Hotel!
Final Thoughts About the Bus Tours in New York
Overall, the Manhattan bus tour was a pleasant way to see the 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 wants to drive in New York while on vacation?!
- 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.
Hop on the tour bus and take a juicy bite out of the Big Apple. Just remember, unlike actual apples, this one takes more than a day to digest properly!
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