See NYC your way. Hop off at the sights that call to you.
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mulevich/DepositphotosQuick Guide
New York Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tours
New York has two major hop-on hop-off bus operators: Big Bus Tours and TopView Tours. Each has unique features that cater to different kinds of travelers.
Big Bus Tours: 1-3 Day Hop-on Hop-off Ticket
Great for first-time visitors. It offers two main routes, Downtown and Uptown, with multilingual audio guides, solid coverage of key landmarks, and a consistent schedule. It’s a dependable choice for seeing Manhattan’s greatest hits in one or two days.
Save time and money with this ultimate package: 48 hours on the bus, skip-the-line Empire State Building entry, and a 1-hour harbor cruise past the Statue of Liberty.
TopView Tours: 24 or 48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Ticket
Perfect if you want a more robust experience. It has more stops and frequent departures, and it includes optional perks like bike rentals and boat cruises. It also covers a wider area, including Brooklyn and the Bronx.
Tickets & Prices
All ticket options include unlimited boarding during their time window, audio guides in multiple languages, and route maps.
Get 1 Extra Day FREE when you book Essential or Explore tickets!
| Ticket Type | Adults | Children (3-12y) |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Hours Discover Ticket | $65.00 | $55.00 |
| 24 Hours Essential Ticket (+1 Extra Day = 48 Hours) | $87.00 | $77.00 |
| 48 Hours Explore Ticket (+1 Extra Day = 72 Hours) Best Value | $105.00 | $95.00 |
| 48 Hours + Cruise Limited Bundle Offer | $105.00 | $95.00 |
| Half-Day Ticket | $44.00 | $39.00 |
- 24 Hours Discover Ticket includes access on the Downtown loop only.
- 24 Hours Essential Ticket includes 48 hours of access on both Downtown and Uptown loops, plus free Harry Potter Butterbeer ice cream.
- 48 Hours Explore Ticket includes 72 hours of access on both Downtown and Uptown loops, a guided walking tour of Brooklyn & DUMBO with a local guide, plus free Harry Potter Butterbeer ice cream.
- 48 Hours Ticket + Cruise includes both loops and a 1-hour guided boat cruise around Liberty Island with views of the Statue of Liberty and NYC skyline. Cruise may be booked on a different day than the bus tour.
- Half-Day Ticket is valid for 3 hours of hop-on hop-off access. Redeem at any time during operating hours.
| Ticket Type | Adults | Children (3-12y) |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Hours | $69.00 | $59.00 |
| 48 Hours | $79.00 | $69.00 |
Both ticket options includes access to both the Uptown and Downtown routes.
Tips to Choose Ticket Duration
Not sure which pass to go for? It depends on your schedule, pace, and interests.
- If you’re short on time, choose the half-day ticket for a three-hour panoramic loop that lets you see the city without hopping off.
- 24-hour pass is perfect for travelers who have a packed day planned and want to hit the highlights quickly.
- If you’re staying a bit longer or want to split up your sightseeing between different areas, a 48-hour pass gives you that extra time without pressure.
- 72-hour pass is ideal for anyone who needs or wants to move at a slower pace or enjoy bonus experiences like a harbor cruise or museum entry.
- If you’re planning to visit major attractions, combo passes can be a smart investment that saves you time and money.
FAQs about Ticketing
Where can I buy tickets?
Do children get discounts?
Yes. Both operators provide child‑rate tickets (or free entry) under certain age thresholds. For Big Bus New York, children aged 3 to 12 ride on child tickets, and those 2 years and under travel free, provided they do not occupy a separate seat.
For TopView, children 3 years old and under ride free, and child tickets apply for ages 4 through 12
Can I change my booking date?
For Big Bus, many “fully flexible” tickets can be rescheduled at no cost. For other ticket types, changes may include fees. For TopView, the default position is that tours are non‑refundable, and date changes are rarely guaranteed, though some night‑tour products do allow cancellations up to 24 hours in advance. Always check the exact terms before purchasing.
Are combo tickets available?
Yes! Big Bus offers two fantastic combo packages that bundle the hop-on hop-off tour with NYC’s top attractions:
Option 1: Bus + Empire State + Boat Cruise. You get 48 hours of hop-on hop-off access, skip-the-line entry to the Empire State Building, a scenic harbor cruise, and free Harry Potter Butterbeer ice cream. This is the most popular combo for first-time visitors.
Option 2: Bus + Empire State + Ellis Island Ferry. This package includes 24 hours on the bus, Empire State Building admission, ferry access to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, plus a bike rental discount. It’s great value if you want to see America’s most iconic landmarks in one trip.
Are mobile tickets accepted?
It depends. Some Big Bus tickets allow cancellation up to 24 hours before your tour. TopView may charge a 15 percent fee or decline refunds depending on use and timing. Read the fine print carefully to avoid surprises. Often you can, with notice 24 to 48 hours ahead. Read the ticket terms before booking.
Can I cancel my ticket?
Yes, with notice 24 hours ahead. Read the ticket terms before booking.
Reviews
Travelers praise both NYC hop-on hop-off operators for easy Manhattan sightseeing. Big Bus gets high marks for combo bundles (cruises, Empire State Building) and hitting all the headline sights, while TopView wins on Downtown frequency with buses every 5 minutes and generous bundle options. However, peak hours bring frustrations: long waits, full buses, no air conditioning on lower decks in summer, and communication gaps around stop closures or early 5pm endings.
For a smoother day, start early, ride a full loop to see the city, then start hop off at 2–3 must-see stops on the next loop around.
Route Map & Stops (Schedule)
New York’s two major hop-on hop-off operators cover dozens of stops through multiple loops. You can access all the major districts and sights with ease.
Big Bus Tours Routes
Big Bus operates two main sightseeing loops through Manhattan, with optional extras like a night tour or seasonal loops.
You can view and download route maps or track buses in real time using the Big Bus Tours mobile app.
Downtown Loop (Red Route)
- Duration: Approximately 90 minutes for the full loop
- Frequency: Every 15 minutes (subject to traffic)
- Operating Hours: First bus around 09:00, last full loop around 17:00
- Main Starting Point: Stop #1, 7th Avenue & W 48th Street (near M&M’s World)
| Stop & Attractions | First Bus | Last Bus |
|---|---|---|
| Stop 1: M&M’s World — Times Square, Broadway theaters, Madame Tussauds | 9:00 | 17:00 |
| Stop 2: Planet Hollywood — Knickerbocker Hotel, Empire State Building (short walk), Bryant Park | 9:10 | 17:10 |
| Stop 3: Empire State Building / Koreatown — Empire State Building, Macy’s, Koreatown | 9:17 | 17:17 |
| Stop 4: Flatiron District — Flatiron Building, Union Square, The High Line (south end) | 9:25 | 17:25 |
| Stop 5: SoHo — SoHo shopping, Nike Store, boutique galleries | 9:35 | 17:35 |
| Stop 6: Chinatown / Little Italy — The Banksy Museum, Chinatown, Little Italy streets | 9:40 | 17:40 |
| Stop 7: Brooklyn Bridge — Brooklyn Bridge, Woolworth Building, One World Observatory (short walk) | 9:45 | 17:45 |
| Stop 8: Wall Street / Statue of Liberty — Wall Street, Trinity Church, 9/11 Memorial, ferry access to Statue of Liberty | 9:50 | 17:50 |
| Stop 9: Trinity Church — The Battery, World Trade Center, 9/11 Museum | 9:55 | 17:55 |
| Stop 10: World Trade Center — One World Observatory, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Century 21 | 9:57 | 17:57 |
| Stop 11: Chelsea / Pier 57 — The High Line, Whitney Museum, Chelsea Market | 10:10 | 18:10 |
| Stop 12: Hudson Yards — The Vessel, The Edge Observation Deck, Hudson Yards shopping district | 10:15 | 18:15 |
| Stop 13: Circle Line Sightseeing — Cruises, The Edge, Intrepid Museum | 10:18 | 18:18 |
Uptown Loop (Blue Route)
- Duration: Around 75 minutes
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes
- Operating Hours: Roughly 10:00 to 16:00
- Main Starting Point: Typically, Stop #14 (near Columbus Circle and the Hope Sculpture)
| Stop & Attractions | First Bus | Last Bus |
|---|---|---|
| Stop 14: Hope Sculpture — Central Park, Times Square access, Midtown hotels | 10:00 | 16:00 |
| Stop 2: Planet Hollywood — Times Square, Broadway theaters | 10:10 | 16:10 |
| Stop 15: Rockefeller Center — Rockefeller Plaza, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Radio City Music Hall | 10:25 | 16:25 |
| Stop 16: The Metropolitan Museum of Art — The Met, Museum Mile, Central Park East | 10:45 | 16:45 |
| Stop 17: Central Park Zoo — Central Park Zoo, Literary Walk, nearby walking trails | 10:55 | 16:55 |
| Stop 18: Columbus Circle — Shops at Columbus Circle, Time Warner Center, southern edge of Central Park | 11:02 | 17:02 |
| Stop 19: Carnegie Hall — Carnegie Hall, Midtown shopping, historic performance venues | 11:07 | 17:07 |
TopView Tours Routes
TopView operates multiple hop-on hop-off routes across Manhattan and beyond, offering wider coverage and more bundled experiences than most sightseeing operators. Routes include Downtown, Uptown, Brooklyn, and a non-stop Night Tour, with optional combo passes that add cruises and bike rentals.
Downtown Route
- Duration: Around 2 hours for the full loop
- Frequency: Every 20 to 25 minutes
- Operating Hours: First bus around 08:00, last full loop around 17:45
- Main Starting Point: Stop #1, Times Square North (7th Avenue between 47th & 48th Streets)
| Stop & Address | First Bus (estimated) | Last Bus (estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| Stop 1: Times Square North — 7th Ave between 47th & 48th St | 8:00 | 17:45 |
| Stop 2: Times Square South — 7th Ave between 40th & 41st St | 8:11 | 17:56 |
| Stop 3: Bryant Park — 42nd St between 5th & 6th Ave | 8:22 | 18:07 |
| Stop 4: Empire State Building — 5th Ave between 35th & 36th St | 8:33 | 18:18 |
| Stop 5: Flatiron Building — 5th Ave btwn 22nd & 23rd St | 8:44 | 18:29 |
| Stop 6: SoHo — 519 Broadway btwn Spring St & Broome St | 8:55 | 18:40 |
| Stop 7: Canal Street — Broadway btwn White St & Walker St (off Walker St) | 9:06 | 18:51 |
| Stop 8: City Hall — 250 Broadway btwn Park Pl & Murray St | 9:17 | 19:02 |
| Stop 10: Brookfield Place — West St & Chambers (under Tribeca Bridge) | 9:28 | 19:13 |
| Stop 11: Liberty Cruise — West St & Houston St, SE corner | 9:39 | 19:24 |
| Stop 12: Hudson Yards — 12th Ave btwn 30th & 31st St | 9:50 | 19:35 |
| Stop 13: The Intrepid / W 42nd St — 660 W 42nd, btwn River Pl & 12th Ave | 10:01 | 19:46 |
| Stop 14: Port Authority — 8th Ave btwn 43rd & 44th St (Subway entrance) | 10:12 | 19:57 |
| Stop 15: Theater District — 8th Ave btwn 46th & 47th St | 10:23 | 20:08 |
| Stop 23: Radio City — 7th Ave btwn 50th & 51st St | 10:34 | 20:19 |
Uptown Route
- Duration: Around 1.5 to 2 hours for the full loop
- Frequency: Every 25 to 30 minutes
- Operating Hours: First bus around 10:00, last full loop around 16:00
- Main Starting Point: Stop #27, 50th Street & 7th Avenue
| Stop & Address | First Bus (estimated) | Last Bus (estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| Stop 15: Theater District — 8th Ave between 46th St & 47th St | 10:00 | 16:00 |
| Stop 16: Dakota Building — Central Park West between 72nd St & 73rd St | 10:12 | 16:12 |
| Stop 17: American Museum of Natural History — CPW & 79th St (across from main entrance) | 10:20 | 16:20 |
| Stop 18: Museum of the City of New York — 1220 5th Ave btwn 103rd & 104th | 10:35 | 16:35 |
| Stop 19: Guggenheim Museum — 5th Ave btwn 89th & 90th | 10:45 | 16:45 |
| Stop 20: Metropolitan Museum of Art — 5th Ave btwn 83rd & 84th | 10:52 | 16:52 |
| Stop 21: Central Park Zoo — 5th Ave btwn E 65th & 66th | 11:00 | 17:00 |
| Stop 22: Carnegie Hall — 7th Ave between 56th St & 57th St | 11:10 | 17:10 |
| Stop 23: Radio City — 7th Ave btwn 50th St & 51st St | 11:20 | 17:20 |
Which Operator Has the Best Routes?
Big Bus is ideal for first-timers. Its two main loops cover Midtown, Downtown, and Uptown, with simple routing and major landmarks. The Uptown loop runs along Museum Mile with stops near The Met and Central Park, so it’s the ideal choice for museum lovers.
If you’re staying longer or want to see more than Manhattan, TopView might be a better fit. Some passes include access to Brooklyn and the Bronx, plus extras like harbor cruises or bike rentals.
What to See & Do
Hop Off for the City’s Best Rooftop Views
Some of New York’s most jaw-dropping views aren’t from the bus — they’re from above.
There are three standout observation decks worth hopping off for. Top of the Rock offers clear views of Central Park and the Empire State Building from its open-air terrace at Rockefeller Center.
Just down the road, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt blends art and altitude with mirrored floors and glass skyboxes overlooking Midtown. And over in Hudson Yards, The Edge lets you step out onto a platform 100 stories high, complete with glass floors and angled windows. These spots give you a whole new perspective on the city and they’re all easy to reach with a little planning.
Hop Off to Explore Neighborhoods and Museums
Every neighborhood in New York has its own vibe, and the bus gives you the perfect way to sample them all.
If you hop off downtown you can walk through Wall Street’s canyons or grab a ferry near Battery Park for a close-up with the Statue of Liberty. In Chinatown and Little Italy, the streets are tight, the signs are in three languages, and you can smell the dumplings and espresso before you even step off.
Uptown is an entirely different world. There you can stroll Museum Mile, visit The Met or the Guggenheim, or just people-watch along Central Park. And if you’re up for something real and full of soul, hop off in Harlem. You can check out The Apollo Theater, old jazz clubs and West African restaurants, it’s a neighborhood with history in every block.
FAQs
When do tours start?
Most buses begin service around 09:00 and run until 17:00, depending on the route. Be sure to download your operator’s app for full scheduling transparency.
Where can I start the tour?
Anywhere along the loop. Just find a designated stop.
What if the bus is full?
Wait for the next one. They come frequently on main loops, so just wait patiently for the next one.
What if it rains?
Buses run in light rain. For heavy weather, check the app or your operator’s website for updates.
Is the bus accessible?
Yes, lower decks are wheelchair friendly, though upper decks may not be.