Bus & Coach · SIGHTSEEING BUS TOURS IN THE USA

Sightseeing by Bus in the USA: Our 15 Favourites

45 tours  ·  from $34 a head

American sightseeing buses cover distances that would be a full day on foot. These 15 compare routes in New York, New Orleans, Las Vegas and Miami on stop count, pass length and what the commentary is worth.

New York: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus - The Downtown Loop: Wall Street, Battery Park, and the West Side
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New York: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

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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New Orleans City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour - Basin Street and Canal Street connect old and new New Orleans
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New Orleans City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

2.New Orleans City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,943 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $51

See New Orleans from a double-decker bus with live English commentary and a one-day hop-on hop-off pass. The 90-minute route links Jackson Square, the French Market, Marigny, Tremé, the Garden District, museums, Magazine Street, Mardi Gras World, and the riverfront. Guides such as Logan, Steve, and Elroy are known for lively local stories.

“Logan and Gary made a great team as driver and tour guide. Got off and got on another bus and was not as much fun. Logan recommended a bunch of different places to go and things to try to where the other bus didn't.”

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Big Bus NYC: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus - Downtown route: skyscrapers, neighborhoods, and Lower Manhattan
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Big Bus NYC: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

3.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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Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus with 18 Stops - The Wharf, Tidal Basin, and the memorials
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Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus with 18 Stops

4.Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus with 18 Stops

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 3,848 reviews · 1 hour 50 minutes (approx.) · from $49

Use a 1-, 2-, or 3-day Big Bus pass to reach Washington DC landmarks from the Washington Monument to Arlington Cemetery. Ride an open-top double-decker with recorded commentary, track buses in the app, and add audio walking tours of Arlington, the Tidal Basin, and Georgetown. Plan for weather and possible waits between buses.

“It was absolutely amazing. It made our trip to Washington DC memorable. There are many stops and all very important , the bus is very punctual and the audio tour is nice and complete.”

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Big Bus Las Vegas: Sightseeing Night Tour by Open-Top Bus - Finding the bus at the High Roller loading zone
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Big Bus Las Vegas: Sightseeing Night Tour by Open-Top Bus

5.Big Bus Las Vegas: Sightseeing Night Tour by Open-Top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3,612 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $58

Ride through Downtown Las Vegas and the Strip after dark on a 2 to 3 hour open-top Big Bus tour. Choose the 8 PM adults-only option with a welcome drink, or the 10:15 PM late tour with a photo stop at the Las Vegas sign. The bus returns to the High Roller loading zone, and commentary is offered in English and Spanish.

“A great way to see all the highlights of Vegas and then some! Well worth your time if you are planning a trip.”

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San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour with 17 Stops - Starting at Jefferson Street and Fisherman’s Wharf
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San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour with 17 Stops

6.Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour with 17 Stops

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,600 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $56

Use a 24 or 48-hour Big Bus pass to tour San Francisco by open-top double-decker, with stops near Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Alamo Square, Haight-Ashbury, Golden Gate Park, the bridge, and Lombard Street. Digital commentary comes in several languages, and selected tickets add a sunset ride, Aquarium of the Bay, Chinatown walk, or Napa Valley tour.

“I was a little confused at first but booked and was satisfied in the end. Coming from NY for a 5 day dream vacation of SF and Alcatraz this was a great first day introduction to the city.. especially being right outside of our hotel.. Zephyr. We were there first in line and got great seats and photos from the open top front and was even more surprised that we went over the Golden Gate.. I was not expecting that.. we got off on the other side, took a break, pictures and rode back to our starting place outside the hotel.. a little pricey at $120+ for two of us…”

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City Half Day Tour of Miami by Bus with Sightseeing Cruise - South Beach, downtown, and the first city loop
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City Half Day Tour of Miami by Bus with Sightseeing Cruise

7.City Half Day Tour of Miami by Bus with Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 2,747 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $34Best value

Start at Lincoln Road for a five-and-a-half-hour Miami overview by open-top bus and boat. See South Beach, downtown, Little Havana, Wynwood, Coconut Grove, and Coral Gables, then cruise Biscayne Bay past Star Island and Millionaire's Row. The route covers a lot for $34, but timing, sound quality, and return transport can be uneven.

“An interesting tour with entertaining and enthusiastic guide. Saw some good sights. For us stopping at a cigar shop and being left in the vicinity for lunch in an area where we needed to get an Uber to get somewhere more central was not ideal. That was to us, a waste of time. The tour…recommended.”

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Best of Nashville City Sightseeing Tour on Double Decker Bus - From Lower Broadway to Nashville’s music landmarks
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Best of Nashville City Sightseeing Tour on Double Decker Bus

8.Best of Nashville City Sightseeing Tour on Double Decker Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,601 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $34

Spend one hour touring Nashville from a Gray Line double-decker bus. Choose an open-air upper-deck seat or a sheltered place behind panoramic windows while a driver-guide points out the Ryman, Broadway, the Parthenon, Vanderbilt, Nissan Stadium, and more. Guides such as JT, Mike, and Jolene have led recent departures.

“The tour guide was knowledgeable plus hilarious! She kept our attention the whole time plus lots of laughs!”

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Philadelphia Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour - Old City begins at Independence Visitor Center
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Philadelphia Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour

9.Philadelphia Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2,347 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Ride Philadelphia’s open-top double-decker bus past Independence Hall, Reading Terminal Market, City Hall, the Rocky Steps, South Street, and Penn’s Landing. Live English-speaking guides, including guides such as Harris, Keith, Nick, and Naomi, add local stories. Ride the full loop first, then hop off where you want to explore.

“We loved the tour. We chose to ride all the way around one time, then do stops. It worked out best for us. The narration was slightly different each time and they were all great!”

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Las Vegas: Sightseeing Night Tour by Open-top Bus - The Strip after dark, from MGM Grand to Bellagio
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Las Vegas: Sightseeing Night Tour by Open-top Bus

10.Sightseeing Night Tour by Open-top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,304 reviews · 2 hours · from $58

Ride an open-top double-decker bus through Las Vegas after dark, passing the Bellagio Fountains, Paris Las Vegas, Stratosphere, Fremont Street, and the famous welcome sign. Digital commentary covers the city’s past and present. Some departures also feature lively guides such as Dez, Reuben, Alvina, or Bruce.

“Very good very informative, and a good and happy driver.”

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Big Bus Chicago: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour, 24/48/72hr Pass - Stop 2: Willis Tower and Skydeck Chicago
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Big Bus Chicago: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour, 24/48/72hr Pass

11.Big Bus Chicago: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour, 24/48/72hr Pass

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2,191 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $45

See Chicago from an open-top double-decker bus, passing Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Grant Park, the Museum Campus, and the Magnificent Mile. A full loop takes about two hours, but 24-, 48-, and 72-hour passes let you hop off at 11 stops. Use the Big Bus app for live tracking, stop maps, and four self-guided walks.

“I loved the ability to be outside on the top level and not be cold because the first half is covered with a glass dome/ roof with sides”

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Big Bus Las Vegas: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour - High Roller and the central Strip
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Big Bus Las Vegas: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour

12.Big Bus Las Vegas: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2,147 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $57

Ride a double-decker open-top bus past MGM Grand, the High Roller, the Arts District, Mob Museum, STRAT, Resorts World, Treasure Island, Excalibur, and the Las Vegas sign. Use the Big Bus app for live tracking, listen to digital commentary, and hop off when you want. Choose a 24 or 48-hour pass, with a 7 PM night tour available on selected options.

“This is a great to see parts of Vegas you wouldn't see other wise. You can also hop off an back on, so you can see other attractions without using a taxi.”

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Miami: Open-top Bus Sightseeing Night Tour with Live Guide - Bayside Marketplace: an easy idea with one small snag
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Miami: Open-top Bus Sightseeing Night Tour with Live Guide

13.Open-top Bus Sightseeing Night Tour with Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,902 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $36

Join Big Bus Tours at 8pm by Bayside Marketplace for a 75 to 90-minute Miami night ride. Sit upstairs in the open air or below in comfort as a live English guide points out South Beach, Brickell, the Port of Miami, Bayfront Park, and more. Guides such as Joel and Julio have earned praise for their humor and city stories.

“The night tour was great. Joel was awesome! This the best tour I’ve ever been on! A must do if you are looking n Miami!”

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New Orleans: Sightseeing Bus Tour - Marigny, Tremé, and the Lower Ninth Ward
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New Orleans: Sightseeing Bus Tour

14.Sightseeing Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,565 reviews · 2h 30m · from $47

Ride a comfortable, air-conditioned bus through New Orleans with guides such as Cynthia, Sean, John, or DJ. You’ll pass Frenchmen Street, Marigny, the Lower Ninth Ward, Musicians’ Village, Tremé, City Park, Lake Pontchartrain, Tulane, and the Garden District, with a cemetery visit and time for beignets.

“Guide Sean was very informative and great fun. Driver ( sorry didn’t catch his name) was good to. Great way to see and hear about the history of the city . Well worth doing”

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Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour - The guide is the heart of the ride
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Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour

15.Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,422 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) Top rated

Spend 90 minutes touring Charleston in a small, air-conditioned minibus limited to 14 people. A local guide such as Neal, Nick, Benjamin, or Sean may lead the drive, sharing stories about architecture, food, the Civil War, civil rights, and daily life. You pass Rainbow Row, the Battery, White Point Gardens, and several historic churches and homes.

“Great local storytelling from Neal. The bus had very comfortable seats and air conditioning. For parents -- we took our 10-month-old and were given the option of bringing a car seat or carrying her in our lap. Neal was also able to stow away our stroller, which was very helpful.”

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New in Sightseeing Bus Tours in the USA

★ 3.5Miami Combo: Open-top Bus Tour and Sightseeing Bay CruiseFrom $4675 reviews
★ 3.0City Sightseeing Seattle HOHO Bus Tour + Bookable Extras40 reviews
★ 4.7Seattle: 3-Hour City Tour by BusFrom $86321 reviews
★ 3.9Seattle: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus TourFrom $65421 reviews
★ 4.8Salt Lake City: Ultimate Guided Sightseeing Tour by BusFrom $59132 reviews
★ 4.2Philadelphia: Double-Decker Sightseeing Bus TourFrom $39332 reviews
★ 4.0Big Bus San Francisco: Sightseeing Sunset Tour by Open-Top BusFrom $45339 reviews
★ 4.4Sightseeing Sunset Tour by Open-Top BusFrom $45105 reviews
★ 4.3Open-top Bus Sightseeing Night Tour with Live GuideFrom $36528 reviews
★ 4.0Big Bus New York: Sightseeing Night Tour by Open-top BusFrom $67277 reviews
★ 5.0New York City Sightseeing Bus Tour and Boat RideFrom $197349 reviews
★ 3.5Big Bus Los Angeles: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing TourFrom $53545 reviews
★ 4.9Small-Group City Tour by Vintage VW BusFrom $85549 reviews
★ 4.0Double Decker Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Philadelphia (1, 2, or 3-Day)562 reviews
★ 4.6NYC: Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens Sightseeing Bus TourFrom $84555 reviews

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