Exploring Nyc: Navigating The City's Bus Tour System

Bus tours in New York City are a popular way to see the sights and get to know the city. Many companies offer hop-on, hop-off tours, allowing passengers to explore the city at their own pace. These tours typically have multiple routes, covering downtown and uptown Manhattan, as well as night tours, and often include informative commentary in various languages. The buses usually have two levels, with the upper level providing panoramic views of the city. Tickets can be purchased online or from the bus company, and prices vary depending on the duration of the tour and the number of routes included. Some companies also offer discounts for online bookings and group bookings.

Tickets and boarding

Big Bus Tours New York offers exciting sightseeing tours of New York City on open-top double-decker buses, allowing you to discover the city's famous landmarks in comfort. Their tours are highly flexible, allowing you to hop on and off the bus at various stops to explore the landmarks and attractions that interest you.

Tickets for the Big Bus Tours can be purchased online, on the bus itself, from trusted retailers such as your hotel concierge, or from on-street staff members. It is recommended to pay with a card to avoid handling cash. The regular price of an adult ticket is $60.00, but discounts are often available, and online purchases can save you up to 10%.

The tour offers three options: 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day tickets. The clock starts when your ticket is scanned as you board the bus for the first time, and the ticket is valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours. For example, if you have a 1-day ticket and board at 11:00 AM on Monday, you can use it until 11:00 AM on Tuesday. The 2-day and 3-day tickets also offer discounted bike rentals.

The buses run approximately every 20 minutes, with some variation between the routes. The first stop for the Red Route (Downtown) is at M&M's World on 7th Ave & W 48th St, while the Blue Route (Uptown) starts at the Hope Sculpture on 7th Ave & W 53rd St. You can hop on at any Big Bus stop, and your ticket is valid for both the red and blue routes.

To board, simply show your ticket (printed or on a device) to a staff member at one of the stops or aboard the bus. They will issue you a receipt that allows you to hop on and off the bus throughout the validity period of your ticket.

Big Bus Tours New York operates daily, except on Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve (31st December). On rare occasions, they may suspend service due to severe weather or unplanned city events.

Tour routes

Bus tours in New York City typically offer two main routes: a Downtown Loop (Red Route) and an Uptown Loop (Blue Route). These routes cover different areas of Manhattan, with the Downtown Loop exploring lower Manhattan and the Uptown Loop taking you through upper Manhattan. Here is a detailed look at the tour routes:

Downtown Loop (Red Route)

The Downtown Loop operates from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and provides an efficient way to see the iconic sites of lower Manhattan. The first bus starts at 9:00 am from Stop #1, which is usually located near M&M's World or the Majestic Deli in Times Square. The last full circuit tour and the last bus depart from the same stop at 4:00 pm. The frequency of the buses is approximately every 20 minutes, and the full circuit time is around 90 minutes.

• M&M's World – 7th Ave & W 48th St (Outside M&M World & Majestic Deli)
• Times Square East – W 42nd St & Broadway (at Knickerbocker Hotel)
• Empire State Building / Korea Town – 5th Ave & W 32nd St (at CVS Pharmacy)
• Flatiron District – 5th Ave & W 23rd St (at Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop)
• SoHo – Broadway and Spring Street (at Nike Store)
• Chinatown / Little Italy – 100 Lafayette Street (near the corner at Walker St)
• Brooklyn Bridge – Park Row & Beekman St (across from 33 Park Row)
• Wall Street / Charging Bull – Broadway & Wall St (Southwest corner near Rector St)
• Statue of Liberty / Battery Park – State St and Bridge St (at Subway Entrance)
• Circle Line Sightseeing – 12th Ave & 40th St (opposite Pier 81)
• Times Square North – 7th Ave & W 50th St (at Majestic Deli)

Uptown Loop (Blue Route)

The Uptown Loop operates from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and covers upper Manhattan, including popular destinations such as Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The first bus starts at 10:00 am from Stop #13, located near the Hope Sculpture on 7th Ave & W 53rd St. The last bus and the last full circuit tour both depart from the same stop at 4:00 pm. The frequency of the buses is approximately every 30 minutes, and the full circuit time is approximately 75 minutes.

• Times Square East – W 42nd St & Broadway (at Knickerbocker Hotel)
• Times Square North – 7th Ave & W 50th St (at Majestic Deli)
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art – 5th Ave & E 83rd St (near 83rd St)
• Central Park Zoo – 5th Ave & E 66th St (opposite 845 5th Ave)
• Columbus Circle – Central Park & Columbus Circle (SW corner of Central Park)

Night Tour

In addition to the daytime loops, some bus tour companies offer a night tour that provides a different perspective of the city. The night tour usually follows a panoramic, non-stop route and departs at 6:00 pm from Stop #1 (M&M's World). The tour duration is approximately 2 hours.

Languages available

Many bus tour companies in New York City offer audio guides in a variety of languages. TopView, for example, offers audio narration in 11 languages, while Big Bus Tours offers commentary in 6 languages.

If you are looking for a tour guide who speaks a specific language, TripAdvisor offers reviews of bus tours in New York City and allows you to filter by language. You can find tours in Traditional and Simplified Chinese, as well as an Indian tour in Hindi or English.

In addition to language options, bus tours in New York City offer a variety of routes, flexible ticketing, and additional perks such as bike rentals and cruise tickets.

Tour duration

The duration of your bus tour in New York City depends on the type of ticket you purchase and the route you take.

Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tours

The most common type of bus tour in NYC is the hop-on, hop-off option, which allows you to explore the city at your own pace. These tours typically offer 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day tickets, with the clock starting when your ticket is scanned for the first time. For example, if you have a 1-day ticket and board the bus at 11:00 AM on Monday, you can use it until 11:00 AM on Tuesday.

The duration of the full circuit also varies depending on the route. The Downtown Loop (Red Route) takes approximately 90 minutes, while the Uptown Loop (Blue Route) takes approximately 75 minutes. The Night Tour, which is a panoramic non-stop tour, lasts for about 2 hours.

Multi-Day Passes

Some companies offer multi-day passes that include bus tours as one of the attractions. For example, the Discover Pass from TopView® includes a 48-hour hop-on, hop-off bus tour along with other attractions. The Attraction Pass from the same company offers a 1-day hop-on, hop-off bus tour and several other attractions.

Guided Bus Tours

Guided bus tours in NYC usually last for a specific duration, with set start and end times. For example, the NYC Guided Bus Tour from City Sightseeing New York offers a 2-day ticket, which likely includes a set schedule for the bus tour and other attractions.

It's important to note that tour durations can also fluctuate according to the season, and severe weather or special events may affect the service. Always check the latest service information before planning your tour.

What to bring

When preparing for a bus tour in NYC, it is important to bring the right items to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Here is a list of essential items to bring along:

Clothing and Comfort:

• Dress appropriately for the weather: Check the forecast and wear clothes that will keep you comfortable throughout the tour. Consider bringing layers for changing conditions.
• Comfortable footwear: You may be doing a lot of walking, so ensure your shoes are comfortable and suitable for strolling through the city.
• Sun protection: Don't forget to pack sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun's rays, especially during summer tours.

Essentials:

• Water bottle: Stay hydrated throughout the tour by bringing a reusable water bottle.
• Snacks: Some tours may not provide meals, so pack some light snacks to keep your energy up.
• Portable charger: Keep your phone charged to capture all the memorable moments.
• Money: Bring some cash or a credit card for any purchases along the way, such as souvenirs or additional refreshments.

Enhancing Your Experience:

• Camera: Capture stunning photos of iconic landmarks to cherish your memories forever.
• Binoculars: Bring a pair of compact binoculars to get a closer look at the city's architecture and distant sights.
• Guidebook: If you're interested in learning more about the city, bring a guidebook to enhance your understanding of NYC's history and culture.

Remember to check the specific recommendations and restrictions of your chosen tour operator, as there may be variations in what you can bring onboard.

Frequently asked questions