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Big Bus Washington tours
- Zip through landmarks or linger at leisure, the 1/2/3-day Washington DC hop-on hop-off bus tour fits your style – the capital's yours to conquer.
- Hop on and off as you please along the 17 stops on the Red Loop as buses run every 15 to 20 mins.
- Opt for a 2 or 3-day pass for a Potomac River cruise, a visit to the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, enjoy a 2-hour sunset tour, and get great offers!
- Hop on a double-decker bus, grab those headphones, and let the city's history unfold in 5 languages. Sightseeing just got exciting, right?
- As an Authorized National Park Service concessioner get an up-close view of top spots like the White House, Korean War Memorial, and Washington Monument.
- Zip through landmarks or linger at leisure, the 1/2/3-day Washington DC hop-on hop-off bus tour fits your style – the capital's yours to conquer.
- Hop on and off as you please along the 17 stops on the Red Loop as buses run every 15 to 20 mins.
- Opt for a 2 or 3-day pass for a Potomac River cruise, a visit to the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, enjoy a 2-hour sunset tour, and get great offers!
- Hop on a double-decker bus, grab those headphones, and let the city's history unfold in 5 languages. Sightseeing just got exciting, right?
- As an Authorized National Park Service concessioner get an up-close view of top spots like the White House, Korean War Memorial, and Washington Monument.
Inclusions
- 1/2/3-day unlimited hop-on hop-off tour
- Access to Red Loop
- 45-min Potomac River one-way boat ride (based on option selected)
- Morning shuttle transfers from Mayflower, Hilton & Marriott to stop #1 Union Station (based on option selected)
- 2-hour sunset tour (based on option selected)
- 25% off on sunset tour (based on option selected)
- Bike rental offer (book 1 hour, get 1 free)
- Discounts at I Love DC Gifts, Artechouse, International Spy Museum Store & Unlimited Biking (based on option selected)
- Free commemorative Oval Office photo from White House Gifts (based on option selected)
- Pre-recorded audio commentary in English, French, German, Spanish & Brazilian Portuguese (on the bus)
- Exclusive drop-offs close to monuments
- Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking
HOHO tour
Please click here for a detailed route map and boarding points.
You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Red Loop
- First bus: 9:30am from stop #1 (Union Station)
- Last bus: 5:30pm from stop #1 (Union Station)
- Frequency: Every 15 to 20 mins
- Popular stops: Natural History Museum, The White House & Willard Hotel, Air & Space Museum
Potomac River boat ride
- Departure from The Wharf: at 12:30pm, 14:30pm & 16:30pm
- Departure from The Dock at Georgetown: 13:30pm, 15:30pm & 17:30pm
2-hour Sunset tour
- Departure: 6:30pm & 7pm from Union Station
Hottel shuttle transfer
- Departure: 9:20am from Mayflower Hotel, 9:30am from Washington Hilton & 9:45am from Georgetown Marriott
- The buses are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- Your safety comes first so visitors with mobility issues are restricted on the upper decks.
- Due to restrictions on the bus, pets (except ADA service animals)are not allowed onboard.
- The Georgetown dock for the Potomac boat ride is not accessible by wheelchair and pram/strollers.
- The tour remains closed on Independence Day (Jul 4), Oct 29 & Christmas (Dec 25).
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
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Snapshots from our guests
4.2
296 ratings
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What our guests say
Suzan
Nov 2024Verified booking
The bus made it easy to get to the points of interest saving time and energy. Especially nice if you've never been to DC. The mall is much longer than one would think. We were able to see the White House from the bus. The view from street level is hampered by many fences and barriers.
James
Oct 2024Verified booking
The informative audio commentary and the good circuit that the bus took, round many major sights of DC. Great for us 1st time visitors
Shannon
Oct 2024Verified booking
It was awesome to see all of the stuff along the route. We tried to board on stop 15....not aware that the stop was not in service... we waited for 45 minutes then walked to another stop. The driver said said it was cancelled for the day. This should have been noted on the site.
Tajinder
Sep 2024Verified booking
It was nice. Very easy to change your ticket again booking QR code. And then Inlearntvthatvtiu can track buses also on their app. That was a good experience.
curtis
Aug 2024Verified booking
Ticketing was easy and the rides were good but the drop off locatioon were not very well marked which made irt hard to find on the map
Eric
Aug 2024Verified booking
You can see the highlights of the city and visit them afterwards. Be careful how long it takes to get back to your starting point, as we had to walk back because the driver had finished his shift. Too bad it spoiled the experience a bit.
View original review in French
Margaret
Jun 2024Verified booking
It would have been much better to have a live guide. The audio didn't identify many of the buildings and it was difficult to understand at times. Our bus broke down but our driver was very nice and helpful.
James
May 2024Verified booking
Easy process checking in. Everyone was friendly and courteous. The Red Loop covered all of the monuments and important buildings tourist want to see, and the price was reasonable.
Terrence
Mar 2024Verified booking
My wife and I have enjoyed using Hop On/Hop Off buses in a lot of our travels, but this was our worst experience. Nothing to do with HeadOut but with Big Bus. We stopped at the Washington Monument and walked to the WWII memorial, then walked to the closest stop. We waited more than 80 minutes for the bus to arrive.... there was heavy traffic but in the same time we saw 6 local buses drive by from the same general area. When we tried to use it today, we were told the buses couldn't get to the tidal basin, therefore, they couldn't make a normal loop or stop where we wanted to get. Probably should have rated even lower than I did but again, the problem was with Big Bus and not HeadIut.
Susan
Mar 2024Verified booking
Everyone was extraordinarily pleasant and upbeat. The guys on the street that were helping people navigate into getting tickets and all of that were lovely. It's always nice to see that in this these days. Truly, I saw a few of them take an extra measure to make sure that customers were able to navigate their way through things. Good job all.
Nancy
Jan 2024Verified booking
It was great getting to see all the attractions of the city without the hassle of transportation to each seperately. I could not have done it on my own. The mobile application is a great addition as well, getting to know each stop with the attraction nearby to check.
Victoria
Dec 2024Verified booking
Cusps to Charon at the spy museum she was helpful.
Michele
Dec 2024Verified booking
The bus drivers were great. The busses were on time and easy to find. The bus had good visibility of the sites.
Bjørn-Kåre
Nov 2024Verified booking
Bus Quality is very bad
Anne
Oct 2024Verified booking
It was nice to ride on the top deck on the nice sunny days looking at our monuments . The drivers were polite
Betty
Oct 2024Verified booking
Ticketing was very easy. Boarding the bus was also easy. We left the driving up to Nick, our bus driver.
Wolfgang
Sep 2024Verified booking
Ticketing was fast and easy, the "Hop-on-Hop-Off Tour Washington" was great. :)
Sarah
Jun 2024Verified booking
Very convenience, and the staff were very helpful, friendly .👍
Lisa
Dec 2024Verified booking
Eileen
Nov 2024Verified booking
Ligia
Nov 2024Verified booking
Louise
Nov 2024Verified booking
Hazem
Nov 2024Verified booking
Maria
Nov 2024Verified booking
Robert
Nov 2024Verified booking
Kick off the festive vibes with a bag of holiday treats, perfect for kids and kids-at-heart.
- Unwrap DC's holiday magic on a 2.5-hour non-stop bus tour that transforms the capital into a wonderland of historical cheer and festive excitement.
- Jingle all the way with a free Santa hat and festive treat bag while cruising past iconic monuments on a specially-curated route.
- Board the open-top double-decker buses guided by an English-speaking guide or a multilingual audio guide bringing DC's festive stories to life.
- Freeze the perfect holiday moment with an exclusive photo stop at the White House Christmas tree and pass Lincoln Memorial, The Capitol Building and more.
Kick off the festive vibes with a bag of holiday treats, perfect for kids and kids-at-heart.
- Unwrap DC's holiday magic on a 2.5-hour non-stop bus tour that transforms the capital into a wonderland of historical cheer and festive excitement.
- Jingle all the way with a free Santa hat and festive treat bag while cruising past iconic monuments on a specially-curated route.
- Board the open-top double-decker buses guided by an English-speaking guide or a multilingual audio guide bringing DC's festive stories to life.
- Freeze the perfect holiday moment with an exclusive photo stop at the White House Christmas tree and pass Lincoln Memorial, The Capitol Building and more.
Inclusions
- 2.5-hour holiday bus tour of Washington DC
- English-speaking guide
- Free Santa hat & treat bag
- Photo stop at the White House Christmas tree
- Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking
Exclusions
- Hop-on hop-off service
DC holiday tour (Dec 13, 14, 20, 21, 26 to 29)
- Departure: 6:45pm from Big Bus tours stop #1 (Union Station)
- Frequency: Once every evening
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- The buses are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- Your safety comes first so visitors with mobility issues are restricted on the upper decks.
- Due to restrictions on the bus, pets (except ADA service animals) are not allowed onboard.
- Note that the seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- As day yawns into the night, Washington DC transforms! Join the 2-hour sunset bus tour to uncover the city's captivating evening energy.
- The Black Loop route takes you on a non-stop ride along the city's most iconic landmarks revealing DC's softer side in the golden glow of dusk.
- Get the best of both worlds: live guides on weekends and digital commentary on weekdays, making every tour a fun-filled history dive.
- Step into history as you pass popular spots like the Lincoln Memorial, where MLK Jr delivered his iconic speech, or the White House.
- As day yawns into the night, Washington DC transforms! Join the 2-hour sunset bus tour to uncover the city's captivating evening energy.
- The Black Loop route takes you on a non-stop ride along the city's most iconic landmarks revealing DC's softer side in the golden glow of dusk.
- Get the best of both worlds: live guides on weekends and digital commentary on weekdays, making every tour a fun-filled history dive.
- Step into history as you pass popular spots like the Lincoln Memorial, where MLK Jr delivered his iconic speech, or the White House.
Inclusions
- 2-hour sunset tour of Washington DC
- English-speaking guide (from Fri to Sun until Sep 2)
- Pre-recorded commentary in English, French, German, Spanish & Brazilian Portuguese
- Complimentary headphones
- Authorized National Park Service Concessioner
- Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking
- Free child (aged 2 and under) tickets
Exclusions
- Hop-on hop-off service
Please click here for a detailed route map and boarding points.
Black Loop
- Departure: 7pm from stop #1 (Union Station)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Frequency: Once every evening
- The buses are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- Your safety comes first so visitors with mobility issues are restricted on the upper decks.
- Due to restrictions on the bus, pets (except ADA service animals)are not allowed onboard.
- The tour remains closed on Independence Day (Jul 4), Oct 29 & Christmas (Dec 25).
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Why choose the Big Bus Washington DC tours?
Flexibility
Hop on and off at your convenience with multiple stops around Washington DC. Explore key landmarks and attractions at your own pace without a fixed schedule.
Iconic landmarks
Visit top sites like the White House, Lincoln Memorial, and Capitol Hill. The tour covers essential DC attractions, providing a comprehensive city experience.
Informative commentary
Enjoy engaging audio commentary available in multiple languages, offering fascinating insights into Washington DC’s history, architecture, and landmarks to enrich your sightseeing.
Scenic views
Capture stunning views of DC’s iconic monuments and buildings from the open-top bus. Perfect for photography and enjoying the city’s beautiful skyline.
Convenient booking options
Book your tickets online for easy access and choose from various packages, including sunset tours and river cruises.
Big Bus Washington DC routes, stops and maps
Red Loop
Discover DC’s top sights on the Red Loop tour with multilingual commentary. Hop on and off to explore landmarks like the White House and Lincoln Memorial.
- First stop: Union Station
- Timings: 9:30am to 5:30pm
- Frequency: Every 15-20 minutes
- Number of stops: 17
- Full loop duration: 90 minutes
Highlights of your Big Bus Washington DC tour
Lincoln Memorial
Route name: Red Loop
Attraction timings: Open 24 hours
Suggested Big Bus Washington DC Itineraries
Washington DC in 1 day/24 hours
Washington DC in 2 days/48 hours
Washington DC in 3 days/72 hours
Red Route
If you have just one day in Washington DC, the Red Route of the Big Bus Tours is perfect for exploring the city's highlights.
- Start at the White House, taking photos and enjoying the surrounding gardens.
- Hop off at the National World War II Memorial to appreciate its grandeur and significance.
- Visit the Lincoln Memorial for its history and stunning architecture.
- Continue to the Washington Monument for breathtaking views of the city.
- Explore the National Mall, stopping at the various Smithsonian museums, such as the National Museum of American History.
- End your day at the U.S. Capitol, where you can admire the iconic building and its surrounding gardens.
Day 1
Explore Washington DC over 48 hours with Big Bus Tours, focusing on the Red Route for both days:
Day 1:
- Start at the White House, admiring its iconic architecture.
- Visit the Washington Monument for panoramic city views.
- Explore the National Mall, including the Smithsonian museums.
- Stop at the Lincoln Memorial and reflect at the reflecting pool.
- Post-lunch, visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Korean War Veterans Memorial.
- End the day at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
Day 2
Explore Washington DC over 48 hours with Big Bus Tours, focusing on the Red Route for both days:
Day 2:
- Begin at the U.S. Capitol, taking in the grandeur of Capitol Hill.
- Visit the Supreme Court building and the Library of Congress.
- Stop at the National Archives to see the Declaration of Independence.
- Explore the National Air and Space Museum.
- Post-lunch, visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
- End the day at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.
Day 1
Explore Washington DC over three days with Big Bus Tours, focusing on the Red Route for an in-depth experience of the city's top attractions:
Day 1:
- Start at the White House and admire its iconic architecture.
- Visit the Washington Monument for panoramic city views.
- Explore the National Mall and the Smithsonian museums.
- Stop at the Lincoln Memorial and reflect at the reflecting pool.
- Visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial.
Day 2
Explore Washington DC over three days with Big Bus Tours, focusing on the Red Route for an in-depth experience of the city's top attractions:
Day 2:
- Begin at the U.S. Capitol, taking in the grandeur of Capitol Hill.
- Visit the Supreme Court building and the Library of Congress.
- Explore the National Archives to see the Declaration of Independence.
- Head to the National Air and Space Museum.
- Stop at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
Day 3
Explore Washington DC over three days with Big Bus Tours, focusing on the Red Route for an in-depth experience of the city's top attractions:
Day 3:
- Visit the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
- Spend time at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.
- Explore the National Museum of American History.
- Stop by the World War II Memorial.
- End the day with a leisurely walk around the Tidal Basin
Big Bus Washington DC: FAQ's
How do Big Bus hop-on hop-off buses work in Washington DC?
The buses allow you to board and disembark at any designated stop, offering flexible exploration of Washington DC’s attractions at your own pace.
What is included in a Big Bus Washington DC Tour ticket?
Tickets include unlimited hop-on hop-off access, live guided commentary, and the option to upgrade to include a night tour or a cruise on the Potomac River.
How often are the Washington DC Big Bus hop-on hop-off buses?
Buses run every 15-20 minutes.
How many Big Bus Washington DC routes are there?
There is only one route - the Red Loop - which covers all the major landmarks in Washington.
Are there audio guides on the Big Bus Washington DC hop-on hop-off bus tours?
Yes, pre-recorded audio commentary is available in multiple languages.
Are the Big Bus Washington DC hop-on hop-off bus tours accessibility-friendly?
Yes, the buses are wheelchair accessible.
How long is my ticket valid for?
Tickets are valid for 1, 2, or 3 days, depending on the type of ticket purchased.