With strategically placed stops at major landmarks and attractions, you can easily visit all the top sites like Times Square, Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Central Park.
Create your own itinerary! Get on and off the bus at any stop to explore attractions, grab a bite, or do some shopping. When you're ready to move on, just catch the next bus.
Live English commentary or pre-recorded audio in multiple languages provides insights into New York's history and culture.
Compared to taxis or individual attraction tickets, hop-on hop-off tours are budget-friendly, with some even including entry fees to various sites.
Make the most of your trip with multi-day passes. Take your time exploring Manhattan one day, Queens the next, and the neighborhood of Harlem on another.
Relax on double-decker buses and soak in the sights sans the hassle of navigating public transportation or hailing cabs.
NYC's hop-on hop-off tours, with kid-friendly stops at Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, will keep your kids entertained and engaged.
Beyond the famous landmarks, you'll explore lesser-known spots like the vibrant street art in Bushwick, the cultural richness of Harlem, and the historic charm of the Lower East Side.
BigBus and TopView are the main hop-on hop-off tour providers in New York City, each offering both downtown and uptown loops. Here’s a breakdown of their schedules and durations.
Downtown Loop
Covers lower Manhattan, including major attractions like the Empire State Building and Battery Park.
Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours
Frequency: Every 15 minutes from 9am to 5pm
Uptown Loop
Covers upper Manhattan, featuring landmarks such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park Zoo.
Duration: Around 75 minutes
Frequency: Every 30 minutes from 10am to 4pm
Downtown Loop
Covers midtown and lower Manhattan, passing through sites like Times Square and Battery Park.
Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours
Frequency: Every 20 to 25 minutes from 8am to 5:45pm
Uptown Loop
Covers upper Manhattan, with stops at the American Museum of Natural History and Theater District.
Duration: Around 2 hours
Frequency: Every 1 hour from 10am to 4pm
Located adjacent to the New York Public Library’s main branch, this outdoor retreat offers over 4,000 books, from classic novels to the latest bestsellers. Its lush greenery and cozy seating make it a great spot to escape the city bustle while enjoying a light lunch or a coffee.
Stop name: Bryant Park
Step into the grand New York Public Library, an architectural gem with high ceilings, shimmering chandeliers and marble walls. The library has a huge collection of over 50 million items, including rare books, old letters, and photos. Visit here if you’re drawn to exploring literary treasures in a serene atmosphere.
Stop name: Bryant Park
Located in the former headquarters of the Bank of New York on Wall Street, this museum offers a glimpse into the history and inner workings of the U.S. financial system. You’ll find over 10,000 artifacts like the first stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the original stock ticker tape machine. What’s more? You can test your skills at the interactive stock trading exhibit, where you can try your hand at buying and selling stocks in a simulated market.
Stop name: City Hall
Learn about the fascinating history of this iconic apartment building, from its construction in 1884 to its role as a haven for New York's cultural elite, with its striking Gothic-style architecture and famous residents, including John Lennon, who was tragically shot and killed outside the building in 1980.
Stop name: Dakota Building
New York City’s hop-on hop-off bus tours include unlimited access to the bus routes for 1-3 days, depending on the ticket purchased. Your tickets include a downloadable route map, pre-recorded commentary in up to 6 languages, and optional upgrades for bike rentals. This allows you to hop on and off at any of the designated stops along the routes to explore the city's top attractions closely.
Absolutely! NYC is a food lover’s paradise, and most bus stops are located in areas with a variety of restaurants, cafes, and food stalls. Stop by Magnolia Bakery at Chelsea Market, Lombardi's Pizza in Little Italy, the iconic Tom's Restaurant on Broadway, and Delmonico's in the Financial District. Use the downloadable map to find eateries near your stop.
No, there are no limits on how many times you can hop on and off within the validity period of your pass. The beauty of these tours is the flexibility to explore at your own pace.
Yes, both BigBus and TopView offer free Wi-Fi on their hop-on hop-off buses in New York City. However, the Wi-Fi's reliability may vary depending on the number of users and the cellular network coverage in different areas. Having a data plan on your phone is a good idea to ensure you’re connected throughout your ride.
Yes, hop-on hop-off tours are safe for young children. Most buses have designated seating areas and seatbelts for children. However, with the constant hopping on and off, it's best to supervise young children closely to ensure their safety. Consider their attention span - a full loop might be too long for younger kids.