New York Bus Tour 2025 – Best NYC Hop-on Hop-off Ride
See more of New York City the easy way. Hop between Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty ferries and more on open-top buses with live or audio commentary. Choose 24–48 hour passes, night loops, holiday lights specials, or value bundles with cruises and must-see sights.
- Downtown & Uptown loops with frequent departures
- Open-top views + multilingual audio (headsets included)
- Flexible 24/48-hour passes and combo deals
- Mobile QR tickets & free cancellation on many options
- Family-friendly routes, stroller-friendly boarding
Top NYC Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tickets & Tours (2025)
Compare best-selling NYC bus passes and combos: Downtown & Uptown loops, night city lights, holiday routes, and value bundles with cruises or observation decks.
New York: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing by Open-Top Bus
BestsellerClassic Downtown & Uptown loops with live or audio commentary. Ideal first-day overview.
NYC: 24- or 48-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Bus Pass
FlexibleUnlimited rides over 1–2 days. Plan your own pace with frequent departures and clear maps.
NYC: Night Views – Panoramic Hop-on Hop-off Tour
NightSparkling skyline run at dusk and after dark. Fewer crowds, cooler temps, epic photos.
NYC: Hop-on Hop-off Bus + Cityscape Cruise
ComboBest of land and water: open-top highlights plus a skyline cruise for Statue-side angles.
NYC: Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens Sightseeing Bus Tour
LocalGo beyond Manhattan with a guide: street art, stadiums, neighborhoods and food spots.
NYC: Guided Holiday Lights Night Tour (Open-Top)
SeasonalFestive evening run past Fifth Avenue windows, Rockefeller Center and illuminated avenues.
NYC Bundle: ESB + Big Bus + Circle Line Cruise
ValueThree NYC essentials in one: open-top highlights, an ESB visit, and a harbor cruise.
NYC: 5.5-Hour Bus Tour from Manhattan
GuidedCurated city overview with a guide, photo stops and insider context—great if time is tight.
NYC Hop-on Hop-off — How It Works & Smart Tips (2025)
Use the bus like a moving viewpoint: ride a full loop first for orientation, then hop off for neighborhoods you love. Downtown loop covers the Financial District and Brooklyn Bridge; Uptown loop hits Central Park, Museum Mile and Harlem. Night loops focus on illuminated avenues and skyline scenes.
Best First Day Plan
Ride one complete loop without getting off (about 90–120 min). Flag photo stops you’ll return to on your second loop.
Pro tip: sit upper deck front-left for skyline frames.
Book classic loop
Bundle & Save Time
Pair the bus with a harbor cruise or an observation deck to lock in skyline and Statue shots on the same day.
Great value: Bus + Cruise combos
See combo options
Go After Dark
Night loops dodge daytime traffic and heat. Expect faster loops, fewer queues, and neon-lit photo ops.
Seasonal: Holiday lights routes Nov–Jan
Book night tour
See the Boroughs
Take a guided bus into Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens for local stories, street art and food neighborhoods.
Deeper dive beyond Manhattan
Explore boroughsRoutes & Major Stops
Downtown covers the Financial District; Uptown covers parks and museums.
- Downtown: Times Square, Empire State area, SoHo, Chinatown, Wall St, Battery Park (Statue ferries).
- Uptown: Central Park South, Lincoln Center, Museum Mile, Harlem.
- Extras: Night loop for skyline & bridges; seasonal Holiday Lights routes.
How Hop-on Hop-off Works
Ride unlimited within your pass hours—scan your mobile QR each time you board.
- Pass starts at first scan; keep the QR and a paper map handy.
- Headsets provided for multilingual audio; some runs have a live guide.
- Buses are frequent; allow extra time on weekends/holidays.
Tickets & Validity
Choose 24h or 48h, plus combos if you want cruises or landmarks.
- 24/48h Passes: Best for flexible DIY sightseeing.
- Combos: Bus + Cruise, or bundles with Empire State Building.
- Policies: Many include free cancellation—confirm on the product page.
Best Seats & Times
Upper deck front is premium; mornings and nights are calmest.
- Least crowded: Weekday mornings; night loops for smoother traffic.
- Photos: Sit front-left upstairs; bring a lens cloth for wind/dust.
- Weather: Dress for wind on the open top; downstairs is warmer.
Families & Accessibility
Easy boarding, space for folded strollers, and accessible lower decks.
- Ask staff for priority boarding areas where available.
- Use lower deck in bad weather; keep kids near railings on top deck.
- Rest stops near major attractions for snacks and restrooms.
Smart Pairings & One-Day Itineraries
Max your pass: bus loop + harbor cruise or observation deck the same day.
- 1-Day: Morning Downtown loop → hop off Battery Park for Statue ferry photos → late afternoon Uptown → bus+cruise.
- 2-Day: Day-1 loops + SoHo & Brooklyn Bridge; Day-2 museums + evening night tour.
- Holiday: Book Holiday Lights early—popular dates sell out.
NYC Bus Tour Highlights at a Glance
Open-top views, flexible stops, night cityscapes and seasonal routes—made for first-timers and families.
Open-Top Views
Iconic angles of Midtown, bridges and the harbor.
Time-Saving Combos
Bundle with ESB or cruises to lock in top sights.
Seasonal Lights
Holiday windows and Rockefeller Center glow.
Local Boroughs
Guided dives into Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens.
NYC Hop-on Hop-off FAQ (2025)
Answers about routes, frequency, tickets, weather, families, best seats and time-saving combos.
Popular open-top passes start around €38–€40 for a day ticket; 48-hour passes and combos cost more. Check your chosen product page for live pricing and cancellation policy.
Downtown and Uptown loops run throughout the day with frequent departures. Expect longer waits on weekends, holidays or in bad weather.
Yes. Night loops deliver smoother traffic and neon views; Holiday Lights routes add festive windows and landmarks—book early in late Nov–Dec.
- Lower decks accommodate most accessibility needs; staff can assist boarding.
- Fold strollers on boarding; upper deck railings require supervision for kids.
- Headsets and commentary help keep kids engaged between stops.
Buses run year-round. Top deck is wind-exposed—pack layers, a hat and a lens cloth. In rain or extreme cold, sit downstairs and hop off less often.
Upper deck, front-left row for skyline and bridge angles. Brace your phone on railings and shoot short bursts to reduce shake.