Top Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Woman listening to commentary

    Is the commentary available in my language?

    2. Is the commentary available in my language?

    All buses feature an entertaining and informative pre-recorded commentary in English only.

  2. Woman on night bus tour in New York

    What time do tours start and how often do the buses run?

    3. What time do tours start and how often do the buses run?

    Please visit our Service Information page for up-to-date information on tour start times and frequency.

  3. Couple looking at a map on Big Bus

    Where can I start the tour?

    4. Where can I start the tour?

    You can hop on at any Big Bus stop. To find the stop closest to you, please click here. If you require further information prior to starting the tour, please feel welcome to visit one of our Welcome Centers.

  4. Lady in a coffee shop checking her phone

    When will the next bus arrive?

    5. When will the next bus arrive?

    Download the free Big Bus Tours mobile app and never miss a bus with live arrival times. Spend a little longer sipping that latte, browsing the museum or taking that all-important selfie, then simply arrive 5 minutes early at the bus stop. Save memory-making minutes on your city adventure.

More Questions & Answers

Where can I buy a ticket for the tour?

You can purchase tickets either on this website, on the bus, from a trusted retailer such as your hotel concierge, or at one of our Big Bus Information Centers. Please note that for hygiene reasons we encourage you to pay with card when possible so that all parties can avoid the handling of cash.

Tell me about Big Bus Tours New York

Welcome to Big Bus Tours New York! We're proud to offer exciting sightseeing tours of the Big Apple on our open-top double-decker buses, giving you the opportunity to discover all the city's famous landmarks with ease and comfort. During our tours, you'll be entertained by our expert live guides, who'll share fascinating facts and stories about New York. Alternatively, you can choose to tune in to our pre-recorded on-board commentary, available in 10 languages via complimentary headphones. Feel free to hop on and hop off the bus from any of our 35+ stops to visit the landmarks and attractions that capture your interest, or get comfortable and stay on board for the entire tour - the choice is yours! There are five tour routes available: the Explore Uptown (Blue Route) and Explore Downtown (Red Route) tours are included with all tickets, and Premium and Deluxe ticketholders can choose to Explore Brooklyn (Purple Route), Explore Harlem (Green Route) and Discover NYC by Night (Yellow Route).

What can I see and visit?

Our tours pass Manhattan's must-see landmarks, travel through its most exciting neighborhoods, and stop at its most popular sightseeing destinations. While on board with Big Bus Tours, you'll see iconic buildings like the Empire State, Chrysler Building and One World Observatory, enjoy top-deck views of the hustle and bustle of Times Square, Wall Street and Broadway, and soak up the uptown ambience of exclusive 5th Avenue and leafy Central Park. And that's just scratching the surface. Start planning your adventure with our new Attraction Tickets page, and for further inspiration on what to see and do while you're in New York, please visit our Discover New York page.

Which days do the tours operate?

Big Bus New York runs every day of the year, except for New Year’s Eve. Occasionally severe weather and special event days could affect service. Please see our service information for up-to-date details.

How long does the tour take?

Tour duration can fluctuate according to the season. Please visit our Service Information page for up-to-date information on full circuit times* for each loop.

*Note: please allow yourself more time if you plan to hop off the bus and explore.

Do I need to specify a date of travel?

No, you can use your ticket on any date except for New Year's Eve (31st December). If you purchase a 2-day or 3-day ticket you must travel on consecutive days.

You are welcome to buy your ticket on the day if that is your preference, but please note that discounts online are not available on same-day purchases.

How does the website discount work?

We regularly provide special offers on tickets that are available to purchase online. Take a look at our current ticket offers.

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 or to receive a quote, please submit an inquiry using our private hires and charters page.

What time are the first and last buses?

Please visit our Service Information page for up-to-date information on the first and last bus times.

What is the child ticketing policy?

Passengers aged between 3 and 12 years must travel on a child ticket. All passengers under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a passenger over the age of 15. Children aged 2 years and under may travel free of charge. Strollers must be folded and stowed on the lower deck.

How will I know where to get off?

The tour guide or 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.

Are accommodations available for persons with disabilities?

Yes, 100% of our New York fleet is wheelchair accessible. The wheelchair lifts on our vehicles have a maximum capacity of 650 pounds. If you require a different accommodation, please contact us 48 hours prior to your planned tour commencement so we can make arrangements for an accommodation. Please note that messages left on the office general voicemail do not constitute confirmed arrangements. Please also note that passengers with mobility impairments may not be able to access the upper deck on our buses. We cannot guarantee the accessibility of the various attractions along the tour.

Is luggage allowed on board the bus?

No, luggage is not permitted on board the bus at this time. If you are looking for luggage storage near Madame Tussauds 234 West 42nd, please visit (lughero.com/bb42). Use the discount code BIGBUS1 to get the first hour of luggage storage free, when you book ahead and pay online!

There are no buses running due to weather conditions, what do I do?

Firstly, check the validity of your ticket. If you bought your ticket online and have yet to have this scanned by one our of our on-street representatives, it will still be valid for use for up to 6 months after the date of purchase.
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. Please check out our Terms & Conditions for full details.

How can I find the stop nearest to me?

Easy! Just check out our Find A Bus Stop page.
You can also download the FREE Big Bus Tours app - this will show you the nearest stops, and it offers real-time bus tracking! Don’t forget you’ll need to enable location services and data on your mobile device to use these features of the app (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.

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.

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.

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.

Private Hires & Charters
 
Contact us
 
Group Bookings
 
Affiliates
 
Press Enquiries
 
Refund Request