NYC: Empire State Building & 48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour

The best part of this package is the contrast: you get a fixed appointment with New York’s most famous skyscraper, then 48 hours of flexible sightseeing by open-top bus. I like the high city views from the Empire State Building and the simple way the bus links far-flung areas such as Wall Street, Chinatown, Central Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

I also like the over-40-stop network, especially for a first visit when subway routes and street addresses can feel like a puzzle. The tradeoff is that buses depend on traffic, and two days can pass quickly if you spend too long at each stop. The 86th floor is included, but the 102nd floor costs extra, and the Statue of Liberty ferry is included only with the selected option.

Key points to know before you book

• The Empire State Building provides the fixed highlight: Your ticket covers the 86th-floor observation area, with views toward Central Park, the Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty, and much of Manhattan.
• Two bus loops cover the city: The ticket includes Big Bus Downtown and Uptown routes, giving you a broad first look before you choose where to return on foot.
• More than 40 stops make this useful for orientation: Stops include Times Square, Bryant Park, the New York Public Library, the Flatiron District, SoHo, Chinatown, Little Italy, Wall Street, Battery Park, and the World Trade Center.
• The bus commentary comes in six languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish are available through the digital audio guide.
• The app handles the practical details: You can activate your ticket, see routes, and track buses live.
• The price works best when you use both parts: At $105 per person, the package is most useful if you plan to visit the Empire State Building and take several bus rides rather than treating the bus as a single scenic circuit.

Start above Manhattan at the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building gives this package its strongest single moment. Your admission covers the 86th-floor observation area, where you can look across Manhattan and toward major landmarks from a high, central viewpoint.

The views are useful as well as photogenic. You can pick out Central Park to the north, the Hudson River to the west, the Statue of Liberty to the south, and the dense blocks around the World Trade Center and Lower Manhattan. Seeing these places from above helps you understand how New York fits together before you begin moving around at street level.

I would treat this visit as the anchor of your two-day plan. The bus ticket is flexible, but the skyscraper visit is the part you will want to place carefully in your schedule. Check the available starting times when you book, then use the bus before or after it according to your plans.

The package includes the 86th floor, not the 102nd-floor observatory. If the higher level matters to you, budget for that separately. The 86th floor remains the main included experience, so you do not need to add the 102nd floor to make the combination worthwhile.

Use the first bus ride to understand New York

The open-top double-decker bus is most useful at the beginning of a New York visit. Instead of trying to cover Manhattan street by street, you can ride through major districts and note the places that deserve more time.

The downtown loop brings you toward many of the city’s most familiar sights. You can use it to reach Times Square, the Flatiron District, SoHo, Chinatown, Little Italy, Wall Street, Battery Park, the World Trade Center, and the Brooklyn Bridge area.

Each stop offers a different reason to get off. Times Square is about scale and bright signs, while Bryant Park and the New York Public Library offer a calmer stop nearby. The Flatiron District gives you one of the city’s most recognizable building shapes, and SoHo is useful for wandering through lower Manhattan streets.

Chinatown and Little Italy work well as paired stops. They sit close enough to connect on foot, allowing you to make the bus ride part of a longer neighborhood outing rather than racing from one landmark to the next.

Wall Street and Battery Park show a different side of the city. Wall Street brings you into the financial district, while Battery Park gives you a southern waterfront viewpoint and a possible starting point for the Statue of Liberty ferry if that option is part of your booking.

The World Trade Center is another major downtown stop. It is a practical place to leave the bus if you want to explore the surrounding memorial and transportation area, though the ticket information does not include admission to separate attractions there.

The Uptown loop changes the pace

The Uptown route helps you reach areas that are easy to miss when you focus only on Midtown and Lower Manhattan. Central Park is the obvious draw, and the bus lets you see how the park relates to the blocks, museums, and avenues around it.

You can also use the Uptown loop as a scenic overview before deciding where to walk. That matters in New York because distances can look short on a map but take much longer once you add crossings, crowds, and stoplights.

Bryant Park and the New York Public Library sit in a convenient Midtown pocket. They are close to Times Square, so you can combine them with the city’s busiest sights without making a separate cross-town trip. I would use this section of the route for a break from the bus, then rejoin when you are ready to continue.

The main limitation is traffic. An open-top bus gives you a good view and saves some walking, but it does not move at subway speed. Use it for orientation, long connections, and sightseeing. For a tightly timed appointment, allow extra time and avoid assuming that a short distance will mean a short ride.

What the digital audio guide adds

The digital commentary is available in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. It gives structure to the ride, so you are not simply passing buildings without context.

That is particularly helpful on the first circuit. You can learn why a district matters, identify landmarks from the upper deck, and decide where to return later. The information is delivered through the tour system rather than by a live guide, so you should not expect personal recommendations or conversation.

I like audio commentary on a bus route because it lets you look outward while still learning something about the city. You can listen in your preferred language and keep the ride moving at your own pace. If you want a very personal, question-and-answer experience, this package is less suited to that style.

Making the 48-hour ticket work hard

The ticket is valid for 48 hours after first use during operating hours. That gives you two calendar days of bus access, but it does not mean every attraction or route will fit neatly into those hours.

I would use the first day for a full loop or two partial loops. Stay aboard long enough to get your bearings, then hop off in one or two districts that appeal to you. This prevents the common mistake of spending half the ticket period waiting for the perfect stop without ever seeing the wider city.

On the second day, use the bus as transportation between areas you already chose. For example, you might combine the Empire State Building with Bryant Park and Times Square, then use the downtown route for Chinatown, Little Italy, and the World Trade Center.

The Big Bus app makes this plan easier. Add your booking reference, open the ticket, and activate it on the day you begin. The app also provides route information and live bus tracking, which is important when you are deciding whether to keep waiting or walk to another stop.

You can also show the activated ticket to a driver at any stop along the route. If you prefer help in person, redeem the voucher and activate it with Big Bus staff at 7th Avenue and West 48th Street, outside M&M’s World.

The Statue of Liberty option needs careful checking

The Statue of Liberty ferry is included only if you select that option when booking. The main package information does not make the ferry universal, so check your exact choice before assuming it is part of your ticket.

Even when the ferry is included, entry into the Statue of Liberty Monument is not included. The ferry option therefore works best if you want the ride and views around the harbor, not if you expect full monument admission.

Battery Park is the relevant downtown stop for this part of the plan. It also makes sense as a separate stop even if you do not take the ferry, since it gives you a waterfront pause after the financial district and lower Manhattan sights.

Price, savings, and the real value

The listed price is $105 per person. The package is promoted as saving 25 percent compared with buying the experiences separately, and the included details also describe savings of up to 30 percent. Since the exact saving depends on the retail prices and selected option, compare the current standalone prices before booking.

The value is strongest for a first visit. If you already intend to go up the Empire State Building, the bus adds a broad city tour without requiring you to plan every subway connection. The package also gives you two days to spread out the sightseeing instead of trying to force everything into one long circuit.

The value is weaker if you prefer to explore only on foot or by subway. You may pay for bus access you barely use, especially if your hotel and main plans are concentrated in one small area.

I would also avoid judging the price by the number of stops alone. A long stop list sounds impressive, but the benefit comes from using the routes strategically. Get off for districts you want to explore, stay aboard when the bus saves you a long connection, and use the app to avoid unnecessary waits.

A verified booking rating of 4.3 from 60 reviews gives the package a solid, though not perfect, record. The clearest praise is practical: one five-star review described it as a great way to see the city. That matches the package’s strongest use, giving you a broad first look without demanding a detailed transit plan.

Who will get the most from this combination

This package suits a first-time New York visitor who wants famous views and an easy overview. Families may appreciate the hop-on, hop-off format because you can break up long walks, though children still need close adult supervision.

It also suits anyone staying for two days and trying to cover several districts. The 48-hour validity gives you room to split sightseeing between Midtown, Uptown, and downtown rather than choosing only one area.

The package is less ideal for a visitor who wants a quiet, local-feeling tour. The route focuses on major sights, and the bus can be affected by traffic. It is also not a good fit if you need large bags, since luggage is not allowed, or if you are traveling with an unaccompanied minor. Smoking is not permitted.

The tour is wheelchair accessible. Children under three may ride free, but each child must be accompanied by a dedicated adult, with one adult for one child, and the child cannot take a seat intended for a paying passenger.

Wear clothing suited to the weather. The open-top upper deck can feel very different from street level, and you will want to be comfortable during both the bus rides and the time spent around the Empire State Building.

Should you book this New York combo?

Book it if you want the Empire State Building and a broad city overview in the same purchase. The package is especially practical for a first visit, a short stay, or anyone who likes having a simple route plan with the freedom to get off and continue on foot.

Skip it if you plan to use the subway for nearly everything or if you want a small-group guide with live conversation. Also check the Statue of Liberty option and the Empire State Building floor included before paying, since the ferry and 102nd floor are not automatic additions.

At $105, this is a useful sightseeing tool rather than a bargain for every type of visitor. Use the bus on both days, make at least a few deliberate stops, and pair the skyscraper visit with nearby Midtown sights. Do that, and the package gives you a clear introduction to New York without turning your first days into a map-reading exercise.

FAQ

How long is the hop-on, hop-off ticket valid?

The Big Bus ticket is valid for 48 hours after you first activate and use it, during operating hours.

Which Empire State Building level is included?

Admission to the 86th-floor observation area is included. The 102nd floor is not included.

Is the Statue of Liberty ferry included?

The ferry is included only if you select the ferry option when booking. Entry into the Statue of Liberty Monument is not included.

How many stops are on the bus tour?

The tour includes more than 40 stops across the Downtown and Uptown loops.

Which languages are available for the audio guide?

Digital audio commentary is available in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

How do I activate the ticket?

You can add the booking to the Big Bus app, activate it on the day of use, and show it to a driver at any stop. You can also redeem the voucher with Big Bus staff at 7th Avenue and West 48th Street, outside M&M’s World.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is wheelchair accessible. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and smoking is prohibited.