Your ideal pass: Which Hop-on Hop-off operator to choose in Paris?

Looking to explore Paris at your own pace? Hop-on Hop-off tours might just be the perfect way to see the city’s iconic sights! With providers like Big Bus, Tootbus, and Batobus, you can easily visit top attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and Notre Dame. Each tour offers a slightly different experience with various amenities, so choosing the right one can be a bit tricky. Curious about which Hop-on Hop-off tour is the best fit for you? Let’s dive in and find out!

Paris Hop-on Hop-off tours compared - a detailed look at your experience

While Hop-on Hop-off tours are the easiest way to explore a new city, choosing from the number of tours available in a city like Paris can be overwhelming. From the table above, you must have realized that this choice comes down to the smallest details regarding your travel group size, requirements, and budget. We have gone into the finer aspects of every tour operator to spare you the descent into a research rabbit hole.

While all tour operators provide professional services, here are some traveler needs and which operator to choose from:

• Budget-friendly: Batobus Hop-on Hop-off boat cruises are cheaper than others but if you wish for bus tours and more stops, Big Bus is a more suitable option - choose the Big Bus 24-hour Discover Pass. Combo tickets are also a good investment for a cost-effective journey.
• Quick exploration: We suggest Tootbus as they cover more ground in one go. Opt for the one with a Seine cruise if you can spare some more time.
• Extensive trip: Here, the choice will be the one with the most attractions covered. While this is a close tie between Big Bus and Tootbus, we suggest Tootbus as they offer a few additional stops than Big Bus and have several walking tours included. Opt for the Tootbus 72-hour Pass with Seine cruise.
• Unique experiences: Batobus offers Hop-on Hop-off boat tours - an interesting trip where you enjoy a relaxing cruise and see the city from a new perspective. For the 2024 Paris Olympics, Tootbus offers the dedicated purple route (from June 3rd to September 8th, 2024) covering major city sights and Olympic venues.
• Accessibility: Choose Big Bus or Tootbus tours if you are a wheelchair user as Batobus boat tours can be difficult to navigate. Most buses have a designated wheelchair space and ramps. However, there is usually just one such space, so you might have to wait in case it's already occupied. The upper decks of the buses are also not accessible. If you do want to experience a cruise, book Big Bus or Tootbus tickets that include Seine cruises. 
• Family with kids: Choose Tootbus if you have small kids as they offer kid-friendly commentaries. Additionally, they offer cost-effective and bundled family tickets for 2 adults and 2 children.
• Unsure itineraries: While most Hop-on Hop-off tour operators have flexible cancellation policies, Big Bus tours have a longer validity making it ideal for advance planning and in case of unsure trips.
• More languages: If you are looking for audio guides in more languages, choose Tootbus over Big Bus. Batobus doesn’t have audioguides.
• Combo tickets: Big Bus offers valuable combos. Your Hop-on Hop-off tour may be clubbed with the Pantheon or 'Emily in Paris' Guided Tour tickets. If you are in the city for a short time, possibly from a long layover, find Paris airport transfers and Hop-on Hop-off combos for a quick sightseeing and transit experience.
• More stops & specialty routes: As Paris is gearing up for the 2024 Olympics, Tootbus has paused its regular Blue route and replaced it with the Purple route till September 8th, covering more Olympic sites and Paris attractions. This would make Tootbus a good option for those visiting during this time. Additionally, Tootbus has more stops and unique ones like Trocadero enabling access to more parts of the city.
• App: While you can find all the information in your ticket email, Big Bus has the most user-friendly app with live tracking and stop information.
• Seine cruises: Big Bus and Tootbus both have options to include a Seine river cruise. Batobus hop-on hop-off tour occurs entirely on the Seine.
• Pets: Dogs and small pets in muzzles or appropriate carriers are generally permitted on Tootbus and Batobus. However, staff can deny entry if the dogs appear dangerous. Big Bus permits only guide dogs. 
• Beat traffic: If you don't want to waste time stuck in traffic during peak tourist season in Paris, choose Batobus and bypass road traffic entirely.

More city tours by Paris Hop-on Hop-off service providers

Big Bus and Tootbus operate other tours in Paris (that are not Hop-on Hop-off). Big Bus offers a 2-hour night tour that lets you see the City of Lights all lit up. Similarly, Tootbus also has a night tour, a kid’s guided tour, and a Christmas bus tour during the season. Sometimes, they are included in the hop-on hop-off tours, or available separately. Browse the list below and choose your pick to make your Paris trip even more personalized and fun:

• Big Bus: Paris Panoramic Night Bus Tour
• Tootbus: Paris Night Bus Tour
• Tootbus: Paris Kids Guided Tour
• Tootbus: Paris Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Night Tour
• Tootbus: 1.5-Hour Christmas Bus Tour of Paris