Where to Ride: The 7 Best Night Bus Tours in New York City

1.New York Night Tour: Open Top Bus Tour by TopView®

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,783 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $59Our pick

Board at 712 7th Ave for a 90-minute evening ride through Times Square, Fifth Avenue, Greenwich Village, Chinatown, Little Italy, and across the Brooklyn Bridge. You get skyline views, a live guide or audio commentary, and a fast first look at New York after dark. Bring headphones, arrive early, and dress warmly.

“To see unobstructed views of NYC at night is AMAZING!!! Highly recommend. There’s a Starbucks right beside the lineup area to get hot chocolate for the chilly ride. Do it! You won’t regret it!!!!”

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2.NYC: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights & Skyline View Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,192 reviews · 4 hours · from $69

Ride from Midtown to Dyker Heights with a live English or German guide, then walk among Brooklyn’s extravagant Christmas displays. The four-hour tour includes a sunset stop in Battery Park City, a Brooklyn Bridge Park skyline view, and a finish near Bryant Park Winter Village. Guides such as Stefan and Glen are known for lively city stories.

“We loved the tour, really nice way to see another part of NYC. Beautiful houses and decorations, lots of fun! We would do this tour again.”

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3.Big Bus New York: Sightseeing Night Tour by Open-top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 277 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $67

Ride a two-hour open-top double-decker through New York after dark, leaving from M&M’S World on Broadway. A live English guide, with recorded commentary in six languages, points out Times Square, the skyline, bridges, and neighborhoods. Seats are first-come, first-served, so arrive early and dress for the wind.

“Shelly was an awesome tour guide! Very knowledgeable and she even hopped off of the bus to retrieve a dropped cell phone! The tour covered a lot of ground and great recommendations were given if you have time to do more independent exploring. We had a great time!”

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4.From Manhattan: 4-Hour Christmas Lights Luxury Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 222 reviews · 4 hours · from $95

Ride a heated bus from Herald Square through Manhattan and Brooklyn, then walk Dyker Heights with a licensed NYC guide. Expect giant inflatables, decorated mansions, and about 45 to 60 minutes on foot. Guides such as Fred, Ray, and Dave are known for lively city stories. The tour also stops at Brooklyn Bridge Park and Rockefeller Center.

“Tom, Dave and Richie the driver were absolute stars. Tom your knowledge and one liners had us in stitches. You're a brilliant tour guide! Thanks to all of you for looking after my mother-in-law too, really appreciated! see you again when we're in New York!”

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5.NYC: Sightseeing Night Tour by Open-Top Bus with Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 216 reviews · 2 hours · from $67

Meet at M&M’S World at 6:30pm for a 7:00pm departure on Big Bus Tours’ two-hour open-top night ride. A live English-speaking guide leads you past Times Square, Broadway, the Empire State Building, Little Italy, Manhattan Bridge, Macy’s, and Radio City Music Hall. You also receive one beer or wine at Planet Hollywood.

“This was a fun tour with lots of information! Our guide Shelley was fun and very attentive to everyone!”

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6.NYC: Skyline Night Tour on Double-Decker Bus

★★★★★★★★★★3.2 · 35 reviews · 1h 30m · from $49Best value

Start in Times Square and ride through New York at night on a double-decker bus. Your English-speaking live guide points out the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, and Statue of Liberty, while an audio guide is available in 11 languages. Bring a phone for tickets and a camera for the illuminated skyline.

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7.New York Christmas Lights Tour by BUS

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 5 reviews · from $49

Ride from Midtown Manhattan to Brooklyn with an English or Spanish speaking guide, then walk through Dyker Heights, where decorated homes glow with lights, figures, and illuminated lawns. The four-hour tour also stops in Dumbo and near the Brooklyn Bridge for skyline photos before returning to Times Square. Jorge has guided some departures.

“We had Jorge who made the trip what it was. Be prepared...it's incredibly busy! But we did it on Christmas eve and despite it being so busy it was amazing. highly recommend. Get to the bus early to sit together with your family. we got there on time but were last to arrive so had to sit separately on the bus but Jorge was so informed on everything around whilst we travelled and about the Dyker Heights neighbourhood. Brilliant tour to do with kids for Xmas. Loved the stop off in Dumbo too. Got some incredible pics. we got lucky with the snow and clear skyline.Read more”

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