See Toronto’s landmarks from an open-top double-decker bus.
Quick Guide
Toronto Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
City Sightseeing runs Toronto’s hop-on-hop-off bus service with one route connecting 13 stops across the city. You’ll ride open-top double-decker buses in summer (or enclosed trolleys when it’s cold) that loop past the CN Tower, Casa Loma, the Distillery District, and major museums. The buses come every 2 hours, so you can hop off at spots that interest you and catch the next bus when you’re ready to move on.
You’ve got two ticket options: 24 or 48 hours of unlimited access. Both include an audio guide in 9 languages and a guidebook with maps.
Check ticket availability and prices ->
This tour works well for first-time visitors who want to see Toronto’s main attractions without dealing with public transit. The full loop takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes if you stay on, which gives you a good sense of the city before you decide where to spend your time. You can start at any of the 13 stops, though most people begin at Sankofa Square downtown.
Highlights
Tickets & Prices
City Sightseeing offers 24-hour and 48-hour tickets for Toronto. Both give you unlimited hop-on-hop-off access to the Red Line route with all 13 stops, plus the audio guide (or live guide in winter) and a free guidebook with maps.
Mobile vouchers can be redeemed at any stop. Paper vouchers need to be redeemed at Stop 1, Sankofa Square.
48-hour tickets offer the best value, costing only $31.25 per day (a 24-hour ticket costs $48.50).
Pricing Table
| 24 Hours | 48 Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $48.50 | $62.50 ($31.25/day) |
| Senior (65-99) | $45.50 | $60.00 ($30.00/day) |
| Student (with ID) | $45.50 | $60.00 ($30.00/day) |
| Child (3-12) | $35.50 | $43.00 ($21.50/day) |
| Infant (0-2) | Free | Free |
Prices change frequently. Click here for the latest price.
Tips for Choosing Your Ticket
The 24-hour ticket makes sense if you’re only in Toronto briefly or you like moving fast. You can hit the main attractions and get a good overview of the city in a day.
The 48-hour ticket is better if you have more time or prefer not to rush. You can take your time at attractions, revisit neighborhoods that caught your eye, or split your sightseeing between two days (major landmarks one day, neighborhoods and markets another).
Remember that buses only come every 2 hours, so plan accordingly. The 48-hour ticket gives you more flexibility to miss a bus without wrecking your day.
FAQs about Ticketing & Pricing
How much is the hop-on hop-off bus in Toronto?
City Sightseeing runs two options: 24-hour and 48-hour passes. The 48-hour ticket works out cheaper per day at $31.25, against $48.50 for the 24-hour. Both cover unlimited rides on the one route with all 13 stops, plus the audio guide and a free guidebook. Prices shift with the season, so the Tickets & Prices section above has the current rates.
Is it better to book online or buy at the booth?
Booking online is the easier route. You can check availability for your dates and skip the line, and the voucher goes to your phone so you board at any stop. You can still buy in person at the booth at Stop 1, Sankofa Square, but you risk dates being sold out and you queue. Tickets are cancellable up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the voucher stays valid for 12 months from your chosen date, so there’s no cost to booking ahead.
Is the hop-on hop-off bus worth it in Toronto?
Toronto’s sights are scattered around the city. The CN Tower, Casa Loma, the museums, and the Distillery District are well apart, and the bus links them without sorting out transit. Newcomers benefit most. The one catch is frequency: buses come every 2 hours, so it suits a relaxed pace more than a packed dash. If you’d rather not rush between stops, the 48-hour pass gives you room to miss a bus without losing the day.
Route Map & Stops
There’s one route with 13 stops covering Toronto’s main attractions and neighborhoods. The Red Line takes you past the CN Tower, Casa Loma, the Distillery District, and everything from museums to historic markets.
You’ll get a free guidebook with maps, stop details, schedules, and coupons when you board. The full loop takes 2 hours and 15 minutes if you stay on, but you can hop off anywhere and catch the next bus (every 2 hours).
Red Line Route
The Red Line connects you to 13 stops across Toronto, from the downtown core to upscale neighborhoods and cultural spots.
Stops:
- Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas Square) – The official start point at 1 Dundas St E. This is where you’ll find the City Sightseeing booth and redeem paper vouchers.
- Yonge & Wellesley – Gateway to the Church-Wellesley neighborhood.
- Yorkville – Toronto’s upscale shopping and dining area.
- Royal Ontario Museum / Park Hyatt – Stop here for the ROM, one of North America’s largest museums.
- Casa Loma – A Gothic Revival castle built in the early 20th century.
- Spadina & Bloor – Access to trendy neighborhoods and the University of Toronto area.
- Art Gallery of Ontario / Chinatown – The largest art gallery in North America, plus Chinatown where Canadian and Asian cultures mix.
- CN Tower North / MTCC – Northern approach to Toronto’s most recognizable landmark.
- CN Tower South / Ripley’s Aquarium – Main stop for the CN Tower and aquarium.
- Radisson Blu / Harbourfront – Access to Toronto’s waterfront and entertainment area.
- Meridian Hall / Hockey Hall of Fame – The museum dedicated to ice hockey’s greatest players.
- St. Lawrence Market South Building – One of the world’s best food markets.
- Distillery District – Historic pedestrian village with cobblestone streets, galleries, and restaurants.
Route Highlights
- The CN Tower and Downtown Core: You’ll pass the CN Tower several times from different angles, so you’ll get plenty of chances to take photos. The view from the top deck of the bus gives you a clear shot without other buildings in the way.
- Casa Loma: The bus takes you right past this castle perched on a hill. It looks completely out of place in Toronto (in a good way), like someone dropped a European castle into the middle of the city. Hop off at Stop 5 to explore inside.
- Museums: The route includes the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario. The ROM has everything from dinosaur fossils to ancient artifacts. The AGO is the largest art gallery in North America, with a collection that spans centuries.
- Chinatown: Stop 7 puts you right in Chinatown. It’s loud, busy, and packed with life. You’ll see the mix of Canadian and Asian culture in the shops, restaurants, and street life. Bakeries, restaurants, and markets sell everything from live seafood to exotic produce.
- Historic Areas: The Distillery District (Stop 13) is Toronto’s best-preserved Victorian industrial architecture. Cobblestone streets, red brick warehouses, and no cars make it one of the city’s most pleasant areas to walk around. You’ll find galleries, shops, and cafes inside the old buildings.
- Neighborhoods: From bohemian Kensington Market to affluent Yorkville, you’ll see how different Toronto’s neighborhoods are from each other. Each one has its own vibe and attracts different crowds.
- Sports and Markets: The Hockey Hall of Fame (Stop 11) gives you insight into Canada’s obsession with hockey. St. Lawrence Market (Stop 12) has been feeding Torontonians since 1803 and is still going strong.
Timetable
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Route Start Point | Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas Square), 1 Dundas St E, Toronto, ON M5B 2R8 |
| First Departure | 10:00 (from Stop 1) |
| Last Departure | 16:00 (from Stop 1) |
| Full Loop Duration | 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes) |
| Bus Frequency | Every 2 hours |
| Closed | January 1, December 25 |
Note: Summer tours run on open-top double-decker buses. During late fall and winter, or in cold/wet weather, you’ll get comfortable trolleys with wide windows instead. Winter buses typically have live English-speaking guides only.
What to See & Do
Listen to the Commentary
Grab the audio guide headphones and pick your language (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, or Brazilian Portuguese). The commentary tells you stories about Toronto you wouldn’t find out otherwise. In winter, you’ll get a live English-speaking guide instead who can answer questions.
See the CN Tower
You’ll pass the CN Tower from both north and south, giving you different angles on this 553-meter tower that defines Toronto’s skyline. From the top deck of the bus, you get clear views for photos. Hop off at Stop 8 or 9 if you want to go up or visit Ripley’s Aquarium next door.
Visit Casa Loma
This Gothic Revival castle sits on a hill above the city. Built in the early 1900s, it looks like something from medieval Europe. Hop off at Stop 5 to walk through the grand rooms, find the secret passages, and see the gardens. The museum inside explains how this castle ended up in Toronto.
Explore the Museums
The Royal Ontario Museum (Stop 4) has dinosaur fossils, ancient Egyptian artifacts, and much more. The Art Gallery of Ontario (Stop 7) is North America’s largest art gallery, with everything from Renaissance paintings to contemporary Canadian art. Both need at least an hour or two to see properly.
Walk Through Chinatown
Chinatown (Stop 7) is loud, busy, and full of life. You can shop for ingredients you’ve never seen before, grab dim sum, or just walk around and watch how Canadian and Asian cultures blend here. The area’s packed with restaurants, bakeries, and shops.
Wander the Distillery District
Hop off at Stop 13 to walk through Toronto’s best-preserved Victorian industrial buildings. The cobblestone streets and red brick warehouses are pedestrian-only. Art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and cafes fill the old buildings.
Check Out the Hockey Hall of Fame
Canada loves hockey, and this museum (Stop 11) shows you why. You can see the Stanley Cup, try interactive exhibits, and learn about the sport’s legends. Even non-hockey fans will get why Canadians care so much about this game.
Eat at St. Lawrence Market
This market (Stop 12) has been around since 1803. Browse stalls selling fresh produce, artisan cheeses, baked goods, and prepared foods from around the world. Grab a peameal bacon sandwich (a Toronto specialty) or buy snacks to take with you.
FAQs
Does Toronto have a hop-on hop-off bus, and is it the “hip hop bus”?
Yes. City Sightseeing runs Toronto’s hop-on hop-off service, the same tour many locals call the “hip hop bus.” It’s one route with 13 stops, on open-top double-decker buses in summer and enclosed trolleys with wide windows when it turns cold. You ride past the CN Tower, Casa Loma, the Distillery District, and the major museums, hopping off wherever you like and catching a later bus to move on. You can check availability and prices here.
How long does the Toronto hop-on hop-off tour take?
The full loop runs about 2 hours and 15 minutes if you stay on the whole way. Few ride it end to end in one go. Most people get off at a stop that interests them and board a later one. Keep the every-2-hours schedule in mind when you plan how long to linger at each spot.
What are the stops on the Toronto hop-on hop-off bus?
The Red Line connects 13 stops from the downtown core out to the upscale neighborhoods and cultural areas. It hits Sankofa Square (the start point), Yorkville, the Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma, the Art Gallery of Ontario and Chinatown, both CN Tower stops, Harbourfront, the Hockey Hall of Fame, St. Lawrence Market, and the Distillery District. Mobile vouchers let you board at any of them. The Route Map & Stops section above lists the full set with what’s near each one.
Where can I find the route map?
The Route Map & Stops section on this page lays out the Red Line and every stop along it. You also get a free guidebook with maps, stop details, and schedules when you board, so you have a printed reference for the day. Plan your route around the 2-hour bus gap and you won’t get caught waiting.