Big Bus San Francisco Bus Tours

All top attractions covered
All top attractions covered
Regular Schedule. Unlimited rides
Regular Schedule. Unlimited rides
Last minute availability. Instant confirmation.
Last minute availability. Instant confirmation.



San Francisco Big Bus tour passing Golden Gate Bridge with tourists on open-top deck.
Double-decker bus on San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Tour passing by the Golden Gate Bridge.
Passengers on Big Bus San Francisco
San Francisco Ferry Building
San Francisco Big Bus tour with live guide passing Golden Gate Bridge.
Open-top bus tour passing through San Francisco's Union Square with city buildings in the background.
San Francisco City Hall viewed from a Big Bus hop-on hop-off tour.
Alamo Square in San Francisco
Golden Gate Park San Francisco
Golden Gate Park San Francisco
San Francisco Big Bus tour passing Golden Gate Bridge with tourists on open-top deck.
Double-decker bus on San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Tour passing by the Golden Gate Bridge.
Passengers on Big Bus San Francisco
San Francisco Ferry Building
San Francisco Big Bus tour with live guide passing Golden Gate Bridge.
Open-top bus tour passing through San Francisco's Union Square with city buildings in the background.
San Francisco City Hall viewed from a Big Bus hop-on hop-off tour.
Alamo Square in San Francisco
Golden Gate Park San Francisco
Golden Gate Park San Francisco
San Francisco Big Bus tour passing Golden Gate Bridge with tourists on open-top deck.
Double-decker bus on San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Tour passing by the Golden Gate Bridge.
Passengers on Big Bus San Francisco
San Francisco Ferry Building
San Francisco Big Bus tour with live guide passing Golden Gate Bridge.
Open-top bus tour passing through San Francisco's Union Square with city buildings in the background.
San Francisco City Hall viewed from a Big Bus hop-on hop-off tour.
Alamo Square in San Francisco
Golden Gate Park San Francisco
Golden Gate Park San Francisco
4.0(95)

Big Bus: San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

from
$63
Free cancellation

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
Flexible duration
Audio guide
Routes
TOTAL DURATION60 minutes
FREQUENCYEvery 15 minutes
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Bus
FIRST DEPARTUREBig Bus Tours Visitors' Center at 10:00 AM
LAST DEPARTUREBig Bus Tours Visitors' Center at 6:00 PM
Timeline
Map

1

Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center
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Powell Street Cable Car Turnaround
16 min walk

2

North Beach / Chinatown

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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North Beach / Chinatown
1 min walk
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City Lights Bookstore

3

Embarcadero Center

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Embarcadero Center
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Rincon Park
7 min walk

4

Ferry Building

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Ferry Building
3 min walk
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Alcatraz Ferry Landing
15 min walk

5

Union Square South

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Union Square South
2 min walk
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Maiden Lane
2 min walk

6

Hilton Hotel

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Hilton Hotel
10 min walk
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Glide Memorial Church
1 min walk

7

Civic Center

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Civic Center
1 min walk
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Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
2 min walk

8

Alamo Square

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Alamo Square
1 min walk
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Painted Ladies
2 min walk

9

Haight Ashbury

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Haight Ashbury
2 min walk
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Amoeba Music

10

Golden Gate Park

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Golden Gate Park
3 min walk
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Conservatory of Flowers
10 min walk

11

Golden Gate Park 2

12

North Vista Point / Golden Gate Bridge

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Golden Gate Bridge
4 min walk
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Battery Spencer
4 min walk

13

Palace of Fine Arts

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Palace of Fine Arts
2 min walk
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Fort Mason Center
8 min walk

14

Marina / Cow Hollow

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Marina / Cow Hollow
3 min walk
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Lyon Street Steps
6 min walk

15

Lombard Street

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Lombard Street
3 min walk
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Russian Hill
4 min walk

16

Pier 35 / Cruise Terminal

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Pier 35
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Pier 7
7 min walk

17

Pier 39

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Pier 39
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Musical Stairs
2 min walk
  • Wanna see San Francisco like a boss? Grab a hop-on hop-off ticket and get ready to explore the city for 1 or 2 days.
  • With buses swooping in every 15 mins, you can explore the 16 stops along the Red Route
  • Upgrade for a 2-day pass, go on a sunset or Chinatown tour, and get a ticket to The Flyer or 7D Experience – take a simulated flight or dive into interactive video games.
  • As you roll through the city on the open-top buses, let the audio guide available in seven languages whisper sweet nothings about San Fran's history.
  • From the majestic Golden Gate to the funky Haight-Ashbury, you'll see it all. Washington Square, Alamo Square – the gang's all here.
  • Wanna see San Francisco like a boss? Grab a hop-on hop-off ticket and get ready to explore the city for 1 or 2 days.
  • With buses swooping in every 15 mins, you can explore the 16 stops along the Red Route
  • Upgrade for a 2-day pass, go on a sunset or Chinatown tour, and get a ticket to The Flyer or 7D Experience – take a simulated flight or dive into interactive video games.
  • As you roll through the city on the open-top buses, let the audio guide available in seven languages whisper sweet nothings about San Fran's history.
  • From the majestic Golden Gate to the funky Haight-Ashbury, you'll see it all. Washington Square, Alamo Square – the gang's all here.

Inclusions

  • 1 or 2-day unlimited hop-on hop-off tour
  • Access to Red Route
  • Access to The Flyer or 7D Experience (choose one, based on the option selected)
  • Guided Chinatown walking tour (based on the option selected)
  • 60-min sunset tour (based on the option selected)
  • Bike rental offer: book 1 hour, get 1 free (based on the option selected)
  • Audio guide in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese & Korean (on the bus)
  • Complimentary headphones
  • Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking

Please click here for the detailed route map and boarding points and here for sunset tour route.

You can join a tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.

Red Route

  • First bus: 10am from stop #1 (Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center)
  • Last bus: 6pm from stop #1 (Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center)
  • Frequency: Every 15 mins
  • Popular stops: Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, Pier 39

Sunset tour

  • Departure: 6:30pm from stop #1 (Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center)
  • Frequency: Once every evening
  • Duration: 60 mins
  • Keep in mind food & alcohol (except non-alcoholic drinks in screw-top bottles), and luggage are not allowed on the buses. Pack wisely!
  • Not all buses are wheelchair accessible. You can contact the service operator 48 hours before your trip and they'll try to assist you.
  • Your safety comes first so visitors with mobility impairments may be restricted from accessing the upper decks.
  • Your guide dogs (except pets) are welcome onboard.
  • Booking information, operating hours, and meeting point details for the Chinatown walking tour, The Flyer and 7D Experience, and the bike rental offer will be shared in the ticket post-booking.
  • The sunset tour is closed on the 4th of July, Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving and New Years Eve.
  • You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Big bus near the Ferry Building
Coit tower San Francisco
Kid on the bus
Grace Cathedral
Grace Cathedral
Golden Gate Bridge at sunset
San Francisco bay bridge
Downtown San Francisco during Sunset
Big bus near the Ferry Building
Coit tower San Francisco
Kid on the bus
Grace Cathedral
Grace Cathedral
Golden Gate Bridge at sunset
San Francisco bay bridge
Downtown San Francisco during Sunset
Big bus near the Ferry Building
Coit tower San Francisco
Kid on the bus
Grace Cathedral
Grace Cathedral
Golden Gate Bridge at sunset
San Francisco bay bridge
Downtown San Francisco during Sunset
NEW

Big Bus: San Francisco Sunset Tour

from
$49
Free cancellation

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
Flexible duration
Audio guide
  • Tick tock, it's San Francisco o'clock! Hop aboard for a whimsical sunset tour and in just 60 mins, you'll see iconic landmarks bathed in golden light.
  • Evenings are for exploring and this non-stop tour takes you on the Blue Route, dotted with bustling streets, modern museums, and more.
  • Return transfers? Check! Get a free shuttle to Union Square after the tour ends for maximum convenience.
  • Prepare for mind-blowing fun facts as the open-top bus is equipped with an audio guide in 6 languages.
  • Nob Hill, Bay Bridge, Embarcadero – watch the sky light up like a disco ball as you zip through the city. It's like being in a real-life postcard, only way more fun.
  • Tick tock, it's San Francisco o'clock! Hop aboard for a whimsical sunset tour and in just 60 mins, you'll see iconic landmarks bathed in golden light.
  • Evenings are for exploring and this non-stop tour takes you on the Blue Route, dotted with bustling streets, modern museums, and more.
  • Return transfers? Check! Get a free shuttle to Union Square after the tour ends for maximum convenience.
  • Prepare for mind-blowing fun facts as the open-top bus is equipped with an audio guide in 6 languages.
  • Nob Hill, Bay Bridge, Embarcadero – watch the sky light up like a disco ball as you zip through the city. It's like being in a real-life postcard, only way more fun.

Inclusions

  • 60-min non-stop sunset tour
  • Audio guide in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian & Portuguese (on the bus)
  • Complimentary headphones
  • Return shuttle transfer to Union Square

Exclusions

  • Hop-on hop-off service

Please click here for the detailed route map and boarding points.

Blue Route (sunset tour)

  • Departure: 6.30pm from stop #1 (Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center)
  • Duration: 60 mins
  • Frequency: once every evening
  • Keep in mind food & alcohol (except non-alcoholic drinks in screw-top bottles), and luggage are not allowed on the buses. Pack wisely!
  • Not all buses are wheelchair accessible. You can contact the service operator 48 hours before your trip and they'll try to assist you.
  • Your safety comes first so visitors with mobility impairments may be restricted from accessing the upper decks.
  • Your guide dogs (except pets) are welcome onboard.
  • The tour does not operate on Jul 4, Nov 23 (Thanksgiving), Dec 24 (Christmas Eve), and Dec 31 (New Year's Eve).
  • You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
San Francisco Sightseeing Flex Pass
Escape game, San Francisco
Couple biking near Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Lady at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, San Francisco
Aquarium at the Bay, San Francisco
San Francisco Sightseeing Flex Pass
Escape game, San Francisco
Couple biking near Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Lady at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, San Francisco
Aquarium at the Bay, San Francisco
San Francisco Sightseeing Flex Pass
Escape game, San Francisco
Couple biking near Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Lady at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, San Francisco
Aquarium at the Bay, San Francisco
NEW

San Francisco Sightseeing Flex Pass: Choose 2 to 6 Attractions

from
$79
Extended validity
Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
Flexible duration
  • Explore up to 6 popular attractions in San Francisco with this flex pass that offers free entry for up to 60 days (9 weekends) after activation.
  • Experience the speed and convenience of hassle-free access to your favorite attractions with a single digital pass on your phone.
  • Confused about what to see? Choose between 2 to 6 places from a list of 10+ attractions, including popular places like the Asian Art Museum and Madame Tussauds.
  • Enjoy your San Francisco trip more when you save 35% on costs, after buying a bus pass and visiting 2 attractions like Madame Tussauds and Aquarium of the Bay.
  • Get the thrill of an adrenaline rush as you zoom through the streets of San Francisco on your bike that you can rent for free for 1 hour with the flex pass.
  • Explore up to 6 popular attractions in San Francisco with this flex pass that offers free entry for up to 60 days (9 weekends) after activation.
  • Experience the speed and convenience of hassle-free access to your favorite attractions with a single digital pass on your phone.
  • Confused about what to see? Choose between 2 to 6 places from a list of 10+ attractions, including popular places like the Asian Art Museum and Madame Tussauds.
  • Enjoy your San Francisco trip more when you save 35% on costs, after buying a bus pass and visiting 2 attractions like Madame Tussauds and Aquarium of the Bay.
  • Get the thrill of an adrenaline rush as you zoom through the streets of San Francisco on your bike that you can rent for free for 1 hour with the flex pass.

Inclusions

  • Access to 2/4/5/6 attractions
  • Hop-on hop-off tours
  • Museums: Asian Art Museum, Madame Tussauds San Francisco
  • Attractions: Aquarium of the Bay
  • Tours: GoCar 1-Hour Tour, San Francisco Ghost Hunting Tour
  • Activities: Escape Game San Francisco Downtown, Scavenger Hunts San Francisco
  • Get complete details here
  • You can enter any attraction only once.
  • After the date of purchase but before activation, the pass remains valid for 1 year.
  • The pass gets activated once you visit the 1st attraction.
  • First, download the Sightseeing Pass App. Use your order confirmation number to add your pass to your phone. Once you visit your first attraction, your pass will be activated!
  • Feeling old school? You can also print your pass at home using the link in your confirmation email. You can also show this version of your pass on your phone.
  • Your pass is activated as soon as you visit your 1st attraction and is valid for 60 days post the activation date.
  • These tickets can’t be cancelled. However, you can use them any time within the next 12 months.
  • These tickets are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.

Big Bus San Francisco hop-on hop-off tours

Discover San Francisco at your own pace with Big Bus hop-on hop-off tours! Explore iconic sights like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Fisherman's Wharf. With flexible routes and frequent stops, it's the perfect way to soak in the city's charm and vibrant culture.

Why choose the Big Bus San Francisco tours?

big bus USD convenience

Flexibility

Big Bus offers hop-on hop-off access, allowing you to explore San Francisco's top attractions at your own pace and spend more time at places that interest you.

Big bus USD views

Comprehensive route

The route takes you to over 15 stops, including Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, and more, ensuring you see all the major landmarks.

commentary in multiple languages

Commentary in multiple languages

Enjoy pre-recorded commentary in 6 different languages, providing insights into San Francisco's history, culture, and architecture as you ride through the city.

multiple ticket options

Multiple ticket options

Choose from a variety of ticket options, including 1-day or 2-day passes along with a Muir Woods tour, to create a sightseeing package that fits your interests and budget.

muir woods tour

Scenic Muir Woods Tour

Enhance your adventure with the Muir Woods tour, where you can marvel at the towering redwoods and enjoy nature just outside the city​.

Big Bus San Francisco routes, stops and maps

red route

Red Route

The Red Route is the main hop-on hop-off bus tour in San Francisco, covering the city's top landmarks and attractions.

Overview:

  • First stop: Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center
  • Timings: 10am to 6pm
  • Frequency: Every 15 minutes
  • Number of stops: 17
  • Full loop duration: 2 hours 20 minutes

Suggested Big Bus San Francisco Itineraries

San Francisco in 1 day/24 hours
San Francisco in 2 days/48 hours
big bus USD

Day 1: Red Route

If you have just one day in San Francisco, choose the Red Route of the Big Bus Tours to explore all the top attractions in the city.

  • Start at Fisherman’s Wharf, enjoy the sea lions and visit Pier 39.
  • Hop off at the Golden Gate Bridge for stunning views and photos.
  • Continue to the Palace of Fine Arts and take in the beautiful architecture.
  • Visit Lombard Street, known for its winding, scenic beauty.
  • End your day at Union Square for shopping and dining.
union square

Day 1: Red Route

Explore San Francisco over 48 hours with Big Bus Tours, dedicating two days to the Red Route:

  • Begin at Fisherman’s Wharf and explore Pier 39.
  • Visit the Golden Gate Bridge for stunning views.
  • Stop by the Palace of Fine Arts to admire its architecture.
  • Explore the vibrant Marina District.
  • Walk down the iconic Lombard Street.
  • End your day at Union Square for shopping and dining.
golden gate state park

Day 2: Red Route

Explore San Francisco over 48 hours with Big Bus Tours, dedicating two days to the Red Route:

  • Start at North Beach and visit Coit Tower and Chinatown.
  • Head to the Ferry Building for local foods and crafts.
  • Explore the Civic Center and its cultural institutions.
  • Visit Alamo Square and see the Painted Ladies.
  • Stop at Haight-Ashbury for its unique shops and history.
  • Conclude your tour at Golden Gate Park

Big Bus San Francisco tips

  • Plan ahead: Review the route map and decide which attractions you want to visit in advance. This helps you make the most of your time​.
  • Start early: Begin your tour early in the day to avoid crowds and have more time to explore each stop​.
  • Dress comfortably: Wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket, as San Francisco weather can be unpredictable, especially near the bay.
  • Use the app: Download the Big Bus Tours app for real-time bus tracking, stop locations, and nearby points of interest​.
  • Pre-book: Purchase your tickets online in advance to secure your spot.

Big Bus San Francisco: FAQ's

How do Big Bus hop-on hop-off buses work in Rome?

The Big Bus hop-on hop-off service in Rome allows you to explore the city at your own pace by hopping on and off the buses at any of the designated stops.

What is included in a Big Bus San Francisco Tour ticket?

You can hop on and off at any stop along the route to explore attractions at your own pace. Buses run frequently on designated routes​.

How often are the Big Bus San Francisco hop-on hop-off buses?

Tickets include unlimited hop-on hop-off access to the Red Route, free walking tours, bike rental offers, entry to The Flyer or 7D Experience at Pier 36, a Muir Woods Tour, and audio guide.

How many Big Bus San Francisco routes are there?

Buses run every 15 minutes.

Are there audio guides on the Big Bus San Francisco hop-on hop-off bus tours?

There is one main route, the Red Route, which covers all major attractions and landmarks in San Francisco​.

Are the Big Bus San Francisco hop-on hop-off bus tours accessibility-friendly?

Yes, pre-recorded commentary is available in 6 languages, providing insights into San Francisco's history and culture.

How long is my ticket valid for?

Tickets are typically valid for 1 or 2 days, depending on the type of ticket purchased.