Tour Buses In Nyc: Operating Or Not?

are tour buses operating in nyc

Tour buses are operating in New York City, with several companies offering hop-on, hop-off services. These tours typically cover major attractions in Manhattan, including the Empire State Building, Washington Square Park, and the Statue of Liberty. Some companies also offer night tours, boat tours, and excursions to nearby locations like Washington, D.C., and Niagara Falls. The cost of these tours varies, but they generally offer flexible ticketing and routes to cater to different interests and schedules.

Characteristics Values
Tour Operators Big Bus Tours, Tripadvisor, City Sightseeing New York, Small Bus Tours NYC
Tour Types Hop-on Hop-off, Night Tour, Boat Tour, Helicopter Tour, Walking Tour, Movie Tour, Gospel Tour, etc.
Languages English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Simplified)
Tour Duration 1 day, 2 days, 6 hours, etc.
Tour Routes Downtown Loop (Red Route), Uptown Loop (Blue Route), Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, etc.
Tour Features Live guide, audio commentary, entertainment, free date change, flexible tickets, etc.
Tour Prices Starting from US$45 for adults and US$40.5 for children

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Hop-on, hop-off bus tours

Several companies in New York City offer hop-on, hop-off bus tours, including Big Bus Tours, TopView, and City Sightseeing New York. These tours typically cover two main routes: the Downtown Loop (Red Route) and the Uptown Loop (Blue Route). The Downtown Loop takes you through iconic sites such as the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and Battery Park, while the Uptown Loop showcases landmarks like the Empire State Building, Central Park, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The frequency of buses varies, with departures from the first stop ranging from every 20 minutes to every 30 minutes. The tours usually operate daily, and you can purchase tickets online, on the bus, or from authorised sellers like your hotel concierge. Ticket prices vary depending on the duration of the pass, with options ranging from one day to multiple days. Some companies also offer additional inclusions with their tickets, such as a bike rental or a cruise.

These hop-on, hop-off bus tours provide an informative and entertaining way to discover New York City, with pre-recorded commentary available in multiple languages. You can also download the corresponding mobile apps, which provide features such as real-time bus tracking, detailed maps, and information on nearby attractions.

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Night tours

New York City is known as "the city that never sleeps", and there are plenty of night tours to choose from that showcase the Big Apple's magic after dark.

Big Bus Night Tour

Big Bus Tours offers a night tour of New York City, departing at 6 pm sharp from Stop #1 (M&Ms World @ 7th Ave. and West 48th St). The two-hour tour loops back to Stop #1, taking in the Empire State Building, Times Square, and other famous landmarks along the way. The experienced guides offer an exciting and educational commentary throughout the tour, and the company's app provides live bus arrival times, maps, route information, and more.

NYC Night Bus Tour

This tour operator provides two options for its NYC Skyline Night Tour: one with a live entertaining host and the other with audio narration available in 11 languages. The former includes trivia questions and fun facts, while the latter offers fascinating facts about NYC. Both options promise breathtaking open-top views of iconic landmarks, including the Empire State Building and Washington Square Arch. The tour duration is approximately one and a half hours, with departures every hour from 6 pm until midnight (1 am on Fridays and Saturdays).

New York City at Night Bus Tour

This guided evening tour begins with a short nighttime stroll through High Line Park before hopping on a bus to see illuminated landmarks such as Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and the neighbourhoods of SoHo and Chinatown. The tour also includes a short walk through Grand Central Terminal.

Big Bus Discover, Cruise & One World Observatory Package

Big Bus Tours offers a package that includes a night tour of New York City, a cruise, and a visit to the One World Observatory.

Big Bus Panoramic Night Tour

This tour operator also provides a panoramic night tour of New York City, although there are no further details provided.

Other Night Tour Options

In addition to bus tours, there are several other night tour options in New York City, including cruises, walking tours, and even a jazz sail.

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Private tours

If you're looking for a more personalised experience, there are several private tour options available in New York City. Small Bus Tours NYC offers a six-hour bus and boat tour with a tour guide, exploring the highlights of the city. Their buses fit 14 or 24 passengers, making the tour a more intimate and comfortable experience. The tour includes a boat ride past the Statue of Liberty, and you can cancel for free up to 48 hours in advance.

Another option is the Deluxe Private New York City VIP Tour, which offers a luxurious way to explore the city by SUV. You can select a three or five-hour tour, and it's recommended by 100% of travellers.

You could also try the Personalised New York City Sightseeing Tour, which is also recommended by 100% of travellers. This tour allows you to customise your itinerary and avoid the hassle of public transportation.

Finally, for a unique twist on the traditional bus tour, you can try THE RIDE: AN INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE, which is described as "a tour that's as exciting as New York City itself".

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Tour languages

Tripadvisor offers tours in a variety of languages, including:

  • English
  • Spanish
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Portuguese
  • Chinese (Traditional)
  • Chinese (Simplified)

TopView® offers audio narration in 11 languages, providing free earphones to passengers.

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Ticket prices

Big Bus Tours:

Big Bus Tours is a well-known operator with multiple routes across New York City. Their ticket prices are as follows:

  • Essential Ticket (1-day hop-on, hop-off with two routes): $72 for adults, $63 for children.
  • Premium Ticket (2-day hop-on, hop-off with two routes): $90 for adults, $81 for children.
  • 3-Day Hop-on, Hop-off (with two routes): $100 for adults, $90 for children.
  • Discover Ticket (1-day hop-on, hop-off Downtown route): $54 for adults, $45 for children.
  • Night Tour: $69 for adults and children.

TopView NYC:

TopView NYC offers similar services to Big Bus Tours, with the following ticket prices:

  • Same Day Downtown Pass (24-hour hop-on, hop-off Downtown Bus Tour): $45 for adults, $35 for children.
  • Same Day Downtown & Uptown Pass (24-hour hop-on, hop-off Downtown & Uptown Bus Tour): $61 for adults, $51 for children.
  • All City Pass (2-Day) (48-hour hop-on, hop-off Downtown Bus Tour, Central Park bike rental): $81 for adults, $71 for children.
  • All City Pass (3-Day) (72-hour hop-on, hop-off Downtown Bus Tour, Statue of Liberty cruise, Central Park bike rental, Museum of the City of New York): $115 for adults, $101 for children.
  • All City Pass (5-Day) (120-hour hop-on, hop-off Downtown Bus Tour, Statue of Liberty cruise, Central Park bike rental, Museum of the City of New York): $131 for adults, $115 for children.

USA Guided Tours:

USA Guided Tours offers a fully guided 5-hour NYC Day Bus Tour, including a walking tour and a boat cruise. The price is $10 off for military members.

OnBoard Tours:

OnBoard offers day and nighttime tours, with prices starting at $69.99. Their tours vary in length, from 3.5 to 8 hours.

The Ride:

The Ride is a unique, entertaining bus tour with street performers. Tickets are priced at $79 per person.

The Tour:

The Tour is a more traditional bus tour, covering a larger area than The Ride. Tickets cost $39 per person.

On Location Tours:

On Location Tours specializes in movie and TV-themed bus tours. Their tours vary in price, ranging from $30 to $70.

These are just a few examples of the ticket prices for tour buses in New York City. Prices may vary depending on the time of year, promotions, and other factors. It's always a good idea to check the official websites of these companies for the most up-to-date information.

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