Which Big Bus route is best for first-time visitors?

The Downtown loop covers the most famous landmarks in one circuit: Empire State Building, Times Square, SoHo, Little Italy, Chinatown and the Financial District. A 24-hour pass gives you enough time to ride the full loop and hop off at 2 or 3 stops along the way.

Is the hop-on hop-off bus better than the subway?

For sightseeing, yes. You see the city from the open-top deck and can hop off at landmarks without navigating the subway map. For getting somewhere fast, the subway is quicker and cheaper. Most visitors use both: the bus for the first day's overview, the subway for targeted trips after that.

Do kids ride free on the sightseeing bus?

Children under 4 ride free on most Big Bus services. Children aged 4 to 12 need a child ticket, which is discounted. Check the specific pass you are booking for the exact age policy.

NYC Sightseeing Bus Tours

New York Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tours 2026

Open-top double-decker buses covering Uptown, Downtown and Brooklyn loops

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Overview

New York hop-on hop-off bus tours

24 and 48-hour hop-on hop-off passes
Downtown, Uptown and Brooklyn loops
Open-top double-decker buses with audio commentary
Combo deals with Empire State Building and Circle Line

Big Bus operates New York's main hop-on hop-off sightseeing service on open-top double-decker buses. Routes cover Downtown Manhattan (Empire State Building, Times Square, SoHo, Chinatown), Uptown (Central Park, Museum Mile, Harlem) and Brooklyn (Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, Williamsburg). Passes run for 24 or 48 hours with unlimited hop-on hop-off access and audio commentary in multiple languages. Combo packages pair the bus pass with Empire State Building tickets and Circle Line harbour cruises.

FAQ

Frequently asked

Quick answers on booking, access and what to expect.

Buy a 24 or 48-hour pass, board at any marked stop, and ride the full loop or hop off wherever you want to explore. Show your mobile ticket to the driver each time you board. Buses run every 15 to 30 minutes depending on the route and time of day. Audio commentary plays through headphones provided on board.

Why tickadoo

Why book NYC bus tours with tickadoo?

24 and 48-hour passes from Big Bus New York
Combo deals with Empire State Building and Circle Line cruises
Instant mobile tickets, show your phone to board
Full-refund guarantee if your tour is cancelled
Competitive pricing, often cheaper than buying at the stop

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New York Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tours 2026

All Bus Tours on Sale

Big Bus: New York City Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

TopView: New York City Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Best of NYC: Hop-on Hop-off Tour + Empire State Building Tickets + Circle Line Cruise

Big Bus: New York City Night Bus Tour

Circle Line: New York City Sightseeing Cruise

New York hop-on hop-off bus tours

Frequently asked

How does the NYC hop-on hop-off bus work?

Which Big Bus route is best for first-time visitors?

Is the hop-on hop-off bus better than the subway?

Do kids ride free on the sightseeing bus?

Why book NYC bus tours with tickadoo?

New York by month

Plan your visit

Theatre in other cities

New York hop-on hop-off bus tours

Frequently asked

How does the NYC hop-on hop-off bus work?

Which Big Bus route is best for first-time visitors?

Is the hop-on hop-off bus better than the subway?

Do kids ride free on the sightseeing bus?

Why book NYC bus tours with tickadoo?