The 6 Open-Top Bus Tours in New York City That Earn the Fare

1.Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 5,863 reviews · 3 hours · from $44Our pick

Use Big Bus New York to get your bearings without driving or navigating subway transfers. Ride the Downtown and Uptown loops, listen to commentary in six languages, and hop off near the Empire State Building, Museum Mile, Battery Park, Wall Street, and the 9/11 Memorial. The app tracks buses in real time, while 48- and 72-hour tickets add digital walking tours.

“Good way to see the sights whilst having an audio commentary about what you are looking at”

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2.Big Bus NYC: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 4,762 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $44

See Manhattan from an open-top double-decker bus, with Downtown and Uptown loops linking Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, SoHo, Wall Street, and the World Trade Center. Choose 24, 48, or 72 hours, listen to recorded commentary, and hop off to explore. The 72-hour ticket adds Brooklyn tours and self-guided walks.

“Great way to see the city!! You could definitely use a second day to see everything at all the stops. Staff is great and buses come fairly quickly”

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

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

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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4.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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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 $49

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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