Hop On Hop Off Belfast Bus Tours

What is a Hop-on Hop-off tour?

A hop-on hop-off tour is a convenient and flexible way to explore a city, especially for visitors who want to visit the major attractions at their own pace, without feeling overwhelmed. These tours, usually on a bus, operate within several fixed routes, with multiple stops at popular landmarks and neighborhoods. Passengers can hop off to explore any of the stops in detail and hop back on the next bus when they are ready to continue the tour. Most of these tours also offer audio guides and live guides, providing insights into the landmark and its history. 

How to choose the best hop-on hop-off tour of Belfast: 

With two great options – City Tour and City Sightseeing – it’s all about what kind of Belfast adventure you are looking for. Here’s how to pick the one that suits you best: 

1. Live guides vs. audio guides: Love chatting with a local expert? Both City Tours and City Sightseeing tours offer live English-speaking guides for a more personal experience.  However, if you prefer to listen at your own pace, audio guides are also available in six languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Mandarin. 
2. Fancy an epic day trip: City Sightseeing has an optional 9-hour, add-on trip to visit the filming locations of Game of Thrones and the UNESCO-listed national nature reserve, Giant’s Causeway. Just keep in mind, this add-on tour starts at 8.45am, so plan accordingly. However, both City Sightseeing and City Tours offer 24-hour and 48-hour passes for the regular route. 
3. Open-top vs. closed buses: For fresh air and a view of the city from the top deck, City Tour’s open-top buses are perfect (with a covered lower deck for chilly, rainy days). City Sightseeing operates fully enclosed buses – great if you prefer a cozy, weather-proof option. 
4. Traveling with a furry friend: If you’ve got a pet tagging along, both City Sightseeing and City Tour are perfectly good options – they welcome your four-legged companions onboard. 

Finding the perfect hop-on hop-off pass duration: 

Deciding between a 24-hour and 48-hour pass for your hop-on hop-off tour of Belfast? Here’s a quick guide to help you pick the right one for your trip:

1. 24-hour pass: Perfect for a power-packed day:

If you are short on time or just looking to hit the highlights, the 24-hour pass is ideal. The 24-hour pass allows you to explore all the 19 stops on the Red Route, including the Woolf Shipyard, where the Titanic was built, Queen’s University, known to be the first institution to teach both Protestant and Catholic students together, owing to Ireland’s complex religious history, the iconic murals along Falls Road and Shankill Memorial Garden. You can dip your toes into Belfast’s turbulent history and its memorials that remind one of the city’s resilience. Both City Tours and City Sightseeing offer this option, making it easy to fit it into your itinerary. 

1. 48-hour pass: Great for a deeper dive

Got more time to explore? The 48-hour pass lets you slow things down and soak in the finer details. Stroll through Belfast’s oldest market, St. George’s, known for its Friday Market tradition, since 1604. If time permits, get tickets for exclusive entry into the Crumlin Road Gaol, the only remaining Victorian prison in Northern Ireland. They have several interactive displays and holograms about its prisoners and their stories. 

If you opt for City Sightseeing, they also offer a 9-hour day trip to the Giant’s Causeway, which includes the filming locations of Game of Thrones, including the Dark Hedges featured in the show. This add-on tour takes the scenic Antrim Coast Road, initially built as Grand Military Way, for its strategic vantage points. Today, it is home to one of nature’s biggest wonders — the Vanishing Lake — which can fill up and empty within a span of a few days. 

How to make the best of your Belfast Hop-on Hop-off tour

1. Take a full loop: If time allows, try taking the full loop of the tour, covering all 19 stops. This will give you a complete overview of the city, its landmarks, cultures, and history, and even help you plan which stop you might want to revisit later. 
2. Invest in a few experience tickets: While you’re on the tour, consider purchasing tickets for some of the attractions on the itinerary. Visit the immersive museum in Crumlin Road Gaol or watch a live performance at the Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich. 
3. Wear comfortable clothing and footwear: You’ll be hopping on and off the bus and strolling through the city, so comfortable walking shoes are a must. Belfast’s weather is also quite unpredictable, so carry layers and a light rain jacket, just in case!
4. Pick the best time to visit: To make the best out of your tour, start as early as possible. A little research and planning on your end will help you avoid peak crowds without rushing. Also, late afternoon and sunset lighting makes for great photos, so schedule all your nature and street visits between this time. 
5. Consider the add-on experience: If you’ve got more time on your hands, the 48-hour pass is a great option. You can even add the Game of Thrones and Giant Causeway day trip to your schedule for a full day of sightseeing. 
6. Choose the best seats for you: When it comes to seating, we recommend open-deck buses. However, if the weather is not ideal or you are traveling with infants, the closed-deck buses provide shelter and comfort, without compromising on the views.