Big Bus in New York
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Big Bus in New York is a popular provider of hop-on hop-off bus tours. It is the ideal way to explore New York in a short time. You will pass famous sights such as Times Square, Central Park and the Empire State Building. Get off at a stop to visit an attraction, or stay seated and relax while listening to the audio guide and enjoying the view from the bus.
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Eric's Index
- 1 My tips for the Big Bus in New York:
- 2 Hop-on Hop-off Bus New York Routes
- 3 Tickets for Big Bus in New York
- 4 FAQ
- 4.1 How much do Big Bus Hop on Hop off tickets cost?
- 4.2 How long does the New York Big Bus tour take?
- 4.3 Is the Big Bus tour in NYC worth it?
- 4.4 What is the best place to board the Big Bus in New York?
- 4.5 Does the Big Bus run in New York when it rains?
- 4.6 When is the best time to take the Big Bus in New York?
- 4.7 Which Big Bus route in New York is the best?
My tips for the Big Bus in New York:
- Hop on at the starting point in Times Square to secure a spot on the bus.
- Do the Downtown Tour first; it’s the route with the most sightseeing.
- Sit at the top on the right side for the best views.
- Take the Hop-on Hop-off bus on your first day in New York and early in the morning (around 9) to avoid the crowds.
- Use the bus for sightseeing, not as a means of transport. They simply drive too slowly for that.
Hop-on Hop-off Bus New York Routes
Big Bus currently offers the following routes in New York:
- Downtown Tour
- Uptown Tour
- Evening Tour
- Brooklyn Tour
Downtown Tour (around 2 hours)
Discover many of New York’s famous sights on the Downtown route. You will pass through various neighbourhoods, such as SoHo, Chinatown and Little Italy. Along the way, you will see the Empire State Building, the Flatiron Building and Hudson Yards, among other things.
I would recommend getting on at the starting point, Times Square, and staying on for the entire route. That way, you’ll see a lot of sights right away. You can pick up free earbuds to listen to an audio guide.
You can also get off in Downtown Manhattan to visit the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Museum or One World Observatory.


Uptown Tour (around 2 hours)
During the Uptown route, you will see the streets of Midtown Manhattan and the Upper East Side. You will see Rockefeller Centre, Central Park and the Chrysler Building, among other things.
This route shows you a different side of New York than the Downtown Tour. A good option for your second day in New York, if possible. You can also pick up free earbuds and listen to the audio guide on this route.
Evening Tour (around 2 hours)
New York changes completely when the sun goes down! You’ll get a good impression of this during the evening tour. From the bus, you’ll have a great view of the lively streets and see world-famous sights such as the Flatiron Building, Times Square and the Empire State Building. The bus crosses the Manhattan Bridge to Brooklyn, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the illuminated Manhattan skyline.
Unlike the other routes, this evening tour is not a hop-on hop-off tour. You will remain on the bus for the entire ride while a guide tells you about what you see along the way.
Book your tickets for the Big Bus Evening Tour here
Brooklyn Tour (around 3 hours)
Discover Brooklyn on this bus tour. This is the most densely populated borough in New York City, making it a fun place to explore. You will visit the DUMBO neighbourhood, known for its art galleries, coffee shops and cobbled streets.
A highlight of the tour is a visit to Jacques Torres Chocolate for a chocolate tasting. Here you will also have the opportunity to take photos. Along the way, the tour offers beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline.
Book your tickets for the Big Bus Brooklyn Tour here
Tickets for Big Bus in New York
Big Bus offers various types of tickets depending on your needs:
- 24-hour Downtown Loop: Full-day access to the Downtown Tour only
- 48-hour Ticket: 2 days of full access to both the Downtown and Uptown Tour + other perks
- 72-hour Ticket: 3 days of full access to the Downtown and Uptown Tour + other perks
All tickets come with free headphones to listen to the audio guide. The guide tells you interesting facts about all the sights as you pass them by and about the history of New York.
If you plan to purchase a discount pass, such as the New York Pass or Explorer Pass, you will receive a ticket for the Big Bus, which allows you to take the Uptown and Downtown Tour.
Practical Information
After booking your Big Bus tickets, you will receive a voucher by email containing all the necessary information. You can show this voucher – either printed or on your phone – to a Big Bus employee at one of the boarding stops. You can then board the bus and the tour can begin
- Starting Point: Both routes depart regularly from Times Square.
- Departure Times:
- Downtown Route: daily between 9:00 and 16:00
- Uptown Route: daily between 10:00 and 16:00
- The buses don’t operate on Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve
- Children under 3 are free of charge
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