Exploring Chicago: Big Bus Tour Duration And Attractions

Chicago's Big Bus Tour is a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing adventure that takes you through the city's most famous landmarks. The tour offers incredible photo opportunities and entertaining commentary on Chicago's history and culture. The Big Loop, or Red Route, takes approximately 2 hours to complete a full circuit without hopping off at any stops. However, with the hop-on, hop-off feature, you can explore the city at your own pace and rejoin the tour as many times as you like within your ticket's validity period. The tour includes 11-12 stops near popular landmarks, such as the John Hancock Center, Adler Planetarium, Navy Pier, and the Magnificent Mile.

Tour duration

The Big Bus Tour of Chicago offers a flexible hop-on, hop-off service, allowing you to explore the city at your own pace. You can choose to stay on board for the full duration of the route or disembark at any of the designated stops to explore further. The bus passes by all of Chicago's must-see landmarks and attractions, providing an entertaining and informative commentary along the way.

The main route, known as 'The Big Loop' or the 'Red Route', takes approximately two hours to complete a full circuit without getting off the bus. This route operates from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, with buses arriving at each stop approximately once every hour. The specific times of the first and last buses can be found on the Big Bus Tours Chicago Service Information page.

The hop-on, hop-off service allows you to explore Chicago in a flexible manner. You can board and disembark the bus at any of the designated stops as many times as you wish within your ticket's validity period. The ticket options include 24-hour and 48-hour passes, providing flexibility in planning your itinerary.

The 24-hour and 48-hour tickets also include a panoramic sunset live tour, offering a different perspective of the city's skyline. This tour is a great way to end your day of exploration and capture memorable photos of Chicago at dusk.

In addition to the main route, there are also essential tickets that include a shoreline architecture cruise departing from Michigan Avenue. This 75-minute cruise adds a different dimension to your tour, allowing you to admire Chicago's architecture and cityscape from the water.

The Big Bus Tour of Chicago provides a comprehensive and flexible way to discover the city, allowing you to customise your itinerary based on your interests and preferences. The combination of the bus route, panoramic sunset tour, and architecture cruise ensures that you'll have ample opportunities to capture unforgettable memories of Chicago.

Ticket options

Big Bus Tours offers a range of ticket options for their Chicago hop-on, hop-off bus tours. The most popular option is the Essential Ticket, which includes a 24-hour or 48-hour hop-on, hop-off bus tour ticket, a panoramic sunset live tour, and a fully flexible bus ticket with a free date change. This option allows you to explore Chicago at your own pace, hopping off at any of the designated stops near landmarks and attractions.

The 24-hour Essential Ticket also includes a fully flexible bus ticket, allowing you to change your tour date without any charge. This ticket is perfect for those who want a full day of sightseeing in Chicago.

For those looking for a more comprehensive experience, the 48-hour Essential Ticket includes everything in the 24-hour option, plus an additional day of exploration. This ticket is ideal for those who want to take their time and fully immerse themselves in the city.

Additionally, Big Bus Tours offers an Essential Ticket package that includes a Shoreline Architecture Cruise departing from Michigan Ave. This 75-minute cruise provides a unique perspective of Chicago's iconic architecture and is a great addition to the bus tour.

All tickets offer incredible photo opportunities of iconic landmarks from the top deck of the bus. The virtual guides provide entertaining and informative commentary, sharing fascinating facts and stories about Chicago's history and culture.

Ticket prices vary, with adult tickets starting at US$54.00 for the 24-hour option and US$64.00 for the 48-hour option. Child tickets are also available at discounted rates. You can purchase tickets directly from the Big Bus Tours website or from their street sales team.

Tour routes

Big Bus Tours Chicago offers two distinct routes, with stops near all of Chicago's top landmarks and attractions. The routes are:

• The Big Loop - Red Route: This route features 11 stops and takes approximately 2 hours to complete a full circuit. It operates from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, with buses arriving every 60 minutes. The Red Route takes you to some of Chicago's most fascinating areas, including:
• Grant Park and Millennium Park
• The Museum Campus
• Navy Pier
• The Magnificent Mile
• Michigan Avenue Bridge
• Essential Ticket + Shoreline Architecture Cruise (Departs Michigan Ave): This route includes a 75-minute architecture cruise along with the hop-on, hop-off bus tour.

The Big Bus Tours Chicago app provides real-time bus tracking, detailed maps, and information on landmarks, attractions, shopping, and dining options.

Tour frequency

Big Bus Tours Chicago operates most days of the year, with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The tour company also does not operate during severe weather and special event days. Tour start times and frequency can be found on the Service Information page of the Big Bus Tours website.

The Big Loop, or Red Route, operates from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Buses arrive at each stop every 60 minutes. A full circuit of this route takes approximately two hours. However, if you plan to hop on and off at different stops, you should allow for more time.

In the winter, buses only come by each stop once an hour.

Tour commentary

Welcome aboard! My name is [name], and I'll be your virtual guide today as you embark on a journey through Chicago's rich history and culture. Our tour will take approximately two hours to complete a full circuit, but you are free to hop off at any of our conveniently located stops to explore the city at your own pace.

As we depart, look to your left, and you'll see the iconic [landmark name]. This landmark holds a significant place in Chicago's history, known for its impressive architecture and the stories it holds. As we continue our journey, you'll notice the ever-changing architectural styles that define this dynamic city.

Our first stop is at the famous John Hancock Center, where you can snap breathtaking photos and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere. Feel free to hop off and explore the surrounding area, including [nearby attractions]. Back on the bus, we'll continue our journey towards [landmark name], a testament to Chicago's architectural prowess. As we drive along the Magnificent Mile, you'll be treated to a visual feast of historical buildings and modern innovations.

At our next stop, you'll have the opportunity to experience Grant Park up close. This iconic destination is a favourite among tourists and locals alike, offering a glimpse into [history/cultural significance]. As we move along the route, keep an eye out for Soldier Field, which boasts a fascinating story of its own. Our tour will provide you with ample photo opportunities and a deeper understanding of Chicago's cultural fabric.

Our final stop is at Navy Pier, where you can capture memorable moments with a stunning backdrop. Throughout the tour, you'll be entertained and informed by our engaging virtual guides, sharing fun facts and anecdotes about Chicago. Remember, you can always hop off to explore and then rejoin the tour within your ticket's validity period.

Thank you for choosing Big Bus Chicago. We hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in this remarkable city and continue to create unforgettable memories.

Frequently asked questions