Top 10 Hop-On Hop-Off New York City Bus Tours: Prices, Maps & FAQs
By Of course! 🗽🚌 New York City is one of the best cities in the world for Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO) bus tours — perfect for sightseeing everything from Times Square to Central Park, Wall Street, Brooklyn Bridge, and beyond. Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning visitor, a HOHO bus saves time, energy, and gives you amazing city views along the way!
Here’s Top 10 Hop-On Hop-Off New York City Bus Tours, with prices, maps, and FAQs:
🗽 Top 10 Hop-On Hop-Off NYC Bus Tours
1. Big Bus New York – Official Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
- Price:
- ~$54 USD (1-Day Classic)
- ~$74 USD (2-Day Premium + Brooklyn route)
- Routes:
- Downtown Loop
- Uptown Loop
- Optional Night Tour (non-hop-off)
- Map: 📍 Big Bus NYC Route Map
- Highlights: Empire State Building, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square
- Extras: Walking tours and 1-hour Statue of Liberty Cruise (on select passes)
- Best For: First-time visitors
2. TopView Sightseeing New York City
- Price:
- ~$49 USD (24h Bus Only)
- ~$69–99 USD (Bus + Cruise + Bike Rental + Attractions)
- Routes:
- Downtown
- Uptown
- Brooklyn
- Bronx (select passes)
- Map: 📍 TopView NYC Map
- Extras: Free bike rentals, Liberty Cruises
- Best For: Budget travelers and combo deal hunters
3. CitySightseeing New York (Gray Line Partner)
- Price: ~$55 USD (24h)
- Routes:
- Downtown Loop
- Uptown Loop
- Brooklyn Loop (select passes)
- Map: 📍 CitySightseeing NYC Map
- Best For: Classic, flexible NYC sightseeing
4. Big Bus + One World Observatory Combo
- Price: ~$89 USD
- Includes: HOHO bus + skip-the-line ticket for One World Observatory (amazing skyline views!)
- Best For: Combining top attractions + transit
5. TopView Bus + Statue of Liberty Cruise
- Price: ~$79 USD
- Includes: HOHO bus + Statue of Liberty ferry cruise
- Best For: First-timers wanting close-up Statue views 🚢
6. Big Bus Night Tour (Panoramic Only)
- Price: ~$39 USD
- Route: Midtown, Downtown, Brooklyn Bridge night skyline
- Duration: ~90 minutes
- Best For: City lights and skyline photographers ✨
7. TopView Night Bus Tour
- Price: ~$39 USD
- Route: Times Square → Brooklyn Bridge → Lower Manhattan lit up
- Best For: Budget panoramic night sightseeing
8. Big Bus + Museum Pass (e.g., MoMA, Natural History Museum)
- Price: ~$99–120 USD
- Includes: HOHO pass + attraction entries
- Best For: Culture lovers and museum explorers 🎨
9. Downtown HOHO Only (TopView 1-Day Downtown Loop)
- Price: ~$29 USD
- Route: Only Lower Manhattan (Statue Ferry, 9/11 Memorial, Battery Park)
- Best For: Travelers with limited time (half-day touring)
10. Private Small Group HOHO-Style Bus Tour
- Price: ~$500+ USD (for 2–6 people, half-day)
- Includes: Personal guide, custom route in open-top bus or minivan
- Best For: VIP travelers or families
🗺️ Most Popular Hop-On Hop-Off Stops in NYC
| Stop | Nearby Attractions |
|---|---|
| Times Square | Broadway shows, neon lights, shopping |
| Empire State Building | Observatory deck, Fifth Avenue shopping |
| Statue of Liberty Ferry | Battery Park, ferry to Liberty & Ellis Islands |
| Central Park South | Park entrances, horse carriages, The Plaza Hotel |
| Rockefeller Center | Top of the Rock, Radio City Music Hall |
| Brooklyn Bridge | Bridge walk, DUMBO photos, skyline views |
| Wall Street / 9/11 Memorial | Financial District, One World Trade Center |
| Museum Mile (Uptown) | Met Museum, Guggenheim, Central Park East Side |
❓FAQs – Hop-On Hop-Off New York City Bus Tours
✅ Is a HOHO bus worth it in NYC?
Yes!
Especially for first-time visitors or short trips. It’s an easy way to cover a lot of ground with sightseeing built-in.
🕒 How long is the full loop?
- Downtown loop: ~90 minutes (without hopping off)
- Uptown loop: ~75–90 minutes
- Night tour: ~90 minutes
📍 Where do most buses start?
- Times Square (42nd Street/7th Avenue) is the most common starting point.
- You can also hop on at any official stop!
🗣️ Are there live guides?
- Big Bus: Pre-recorded multilingual audio guides
- TopView: Mostly pre-recorded, some live guides at special times (especially night tours)
📱 Are mobile tickets accepted?
Yes!
All major operators (Big Bus, TopView, CitySightseeing) accept mobile QR codes.
🕘 What are the operating hours?
- Buses typically run from 9:00 AM to 5:00–6:00 PM daily
- Night tours start between 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM
♿ Are buses wheelchair accessible?
Yes — most HOHO buses are ADA compliant, but always double-check at booking.
Would you like me to build you a perfect NYC HOHO day plan, with timed museum stops, lunch ideas near stops, and the best places to catch sunset views? 🗽🌇
Or I can create a Google Map with all the stops and insider tips — just say the word! 🚍✨
