Top Frequently Asked Questions
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Is there a commentary available in my language?
- English
- Arabic
- French
- Italian
- Russian
- German
- Spanish
- Mandarin.
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Where can I start the tour?
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How frequently do tour buses run?
Where can I buy a ticket for the tour?
You can purchase tickets either on this website, at Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Mall, at most Abu Dhabi hotels or on the bus at any hop-on hop-off point.
Is there a commentary available in my language?
The Big Bus Abu Dhabi sightseeing tour offers a recorded commentary in your choice of either:
Where can I start the tour?
You may start your tour at any of our stops.
The most popular starting point for the sightseeing tour is outside the entrance to Marina Mall on the Abu Dhabi break water or at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Please refer to our route information for specific locations.
How frequently do tour buses run?
City Tour - Red Route: every 30 minutes.
Yas Island Drive - Green Route: every 90 minutes.
Timings are subject to change, so please check with a Big Bus Tours staff member or contact us for further information.
More Questions & Answers
Tell me about the Big Bus Tour of Abu Dhabi
Big Bus Tours offers sightseeing tours of Abu Dhabi on an open-top double-decker bus. Commentary is provided in a choice of languages. You may hop on and off at any of our stops to visit attractions and places of interest. The Tour also features additional inclusions such as a free Yas Island Drive and entrance to the Sheikh Zayed Centre.
What can I see and visit?
Bus stops are conveniently located near popular landmarks and attractions, so you are able to hop-on and hop-off as you please. Visit our top landmarks information to discover what you can see and visit on our tour.
You can hop on and off as many times as you wish, and are of course welcome to stay on board for the entire route. Please see our tour information to discover more.
You can hop on and off as many times as you wish, and are of course welcome to stay on board for the entire route. Please see our tour information to discover more.
Which days do the tours operate?
The Big Bus Tour runs every day of the year runs every day of the year, even throughout the summer - all of our buses have custom-designed air-conditioning systems to keep you cool even in the heat of the midday sun.
What time does the tour start and how long does it take?
City Tour - Red Route:
First Bus: 09:00 from Stop #1: Marina Mall.
b>Last Full-Circuit Tour: 17:00 from Stop #1: Marina Mall.
Last Bus: 17:00 from Stop #1: Marina Mall. .
Full Circuit Time: 2 hours, 35 minutes(approx.)
Bus Frequency: every 30 minutes.
Yas Island Drive - Green Route:
First Bus: 10:00 from Stop #17: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Last Full-Circuit Tour: 17:30 from Stop #17: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Last Bus: 17:30 at Stop #17: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Full Circuit Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes (approx.)
Bus Frequency: every 90 minutes.
First Bus: 09:00 from Stop #1: Marina Mall.
b>Last Full-Circuit Tour: 17:00 from Stop #1: Marina Mall.
Last Bus: 17:00 from Stop #1: Marina Mall. .
Full Circuit Time: 2 hours, 35 minutes(approx.)
Bus Frequency: every 30 minutes.
Yas Island Drive - Green Route:
First Bus: 10:00 from Stop #17: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Last Full-Circuit Tour: 17:30 from Stop #17: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Last Bus: 17:30 at Stop #17: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Full Circuit Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes (approx.)
Bus Frequency: every 90 minutes.
Do I need to specify a date of travel?
All the tour tickets we sell on our website are open dated, meaning you can travel on any day within 6 months of purchase.
If you purchase a ticket that offers validity for more than 24 hours, you must travel on consecutive days.
If you purchase a ticket that offers validity for more than 24 hours, you must travel on consecutive days.
How much does the tour cost?
Ticket prices will vary depending on the validity or the type of tour you choose. Please visit the tickets & passes page for more information
I have a few hours stopover between my flights and would like to take a tour. Where is the nearest start point to the airport?
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (Stop 5) is the nearest stop to Abu Dhabi International airport.
Is there a discount available for groups?
Yes, discounts are available for groups of 20 or more. To find out more, submit an enquiry using our group booking information page.
Is it possible to hire one of the open-top buses for a private event?
Yes, buses are available for private hires and charters. For more information please or to receive a quote, submit an enquiry using our private hires and charters page.
What is the child policy?
A child ticket is available for children between the ages of 5 - 15. Children under 5 may travel free of charge. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
How will I know where to get off?
The pre-recorded commentary on the bus will announce each stop by number and location as the bus approaches. Please refer to our routes & maps information to plan which stops you would like to hop off at.
How do I redeem my ticket?
Show your printed ticket to a member of staff at one of our stops or aboard the bus. They'll issue you a receipt that you'll be able to use to hop on the bus throughout the validity of your ticket.
If you requested to have your tickets sent via SMS, remember that there is no need to print your tickets. Just bring your phone with you with the ticket page open to show it to one of our on street staff who will issue you your ticket.
If you requested to have your tickets sent via SMS, remember that there is no need to print your tickets. Just bring your phone with you with the ticket page open to show it to one of our on street staff who will issue you your ticket.
Are the buses wheelchair accessible?
Yes, most of our buses are wheelchair accessible. Please contact us for further information.
There are no buses running due to weather conditions, what do I do?
Firstly, check the validity of your ticket. If you have bought your ticket online and have yet to have this scanned by our of our on-street representatives – it will still be valid for use for up to 6 months from the point you have purchased. If your ticket was bought on-street or has already been scanned by one of our on-street advisors, and we have cancelled our services due to weather conditions, you will be able to apply for a refund. Check out Term & Conditions for full details.
How can I find the stop nearest to me?
Download the Big Bus Tours app and you’ll be able find your nearest stop and better still, check to see if a bus is heading your way thanks to real-time bus tracking. Don’t forget you’ll need to enable location services and data on your mobile device (please speak with your mobile / cell provider regarding data roaming costs).
I bought the ticket but it’s for someone else. It has my name on it, is this ok?
You're all set! Simply show your voucher(s) to any member of on-street staff who will scan the QR code and hand over your yellow Big Bus Tour tickets. Don't lose them, they're like gold (cash) and cannot be replaced.
Can I buy tickets on the bus?
The easiest place to buy our bus tickets are in advance by booking online or from the Big Bus Tours app. If you want to buy when you’re in city and in person, Big Bus representatives are located at the majority of our stops. They will be able to sell you a ticket before you hop-on to the bus.
Where does the tour end?
You can hop-on and off at any of our stops (unless it’s a panoramic ‘non-stop’ tour). Download the Big Bus Tours app to discover all of our routes, stops and nearby landmarks & attractions.
Does one ticket cover all routes?
For the majority of our tickets, that’s a BIG YES. Look out for this when you’re booking your ticket online or buying in person. Each ticket will state how many routes are included. Typical exclusions are one-loop tours such as Night Tours which are usually panoramic ‘non-stop’ tours.
I bought my ticket but now can’t make that date, can I use it on another day?
Bus tour tickets purchased online or via the app are typically valid for six months up until the point of the ticket being scanned (redeemed) – then the clock starts ticking and you’ll need to enjoy your tour within the time purchased. This is usually, one, two or three days.
Can I use a two or three-day pass on different days?
You’ll need to enjoy your pass across consecutive days, so a two-day pass redeemed on Monday means your pass is valid Monday and Tuesday.
How do I know when the next bus is coming?
Download the Big Bus Tours app and you’ll be able find your nearest stop and better still, check to see if a bus is heading your way thanks to real-time bus tracking. Don’t forget you’ll need to enable location services and data on your mobile device (please speak with your mobile / cell provider regarding data roaming costs).
I am waiting at a stop and can’t see any buses, what do I do?
Hang in there! BIG cities like to throw all sorts of challenges at our drivers, who are doing their best to get to you as quickly (but safely) as possible. If you haven’t already, download the Big Bus Tours app to see if a bus is heading your way thanks to real-time bus tracking.
Contact us
For general enquiries, please get in touch using our contact form. For more specific answers please select one of the options below.