Top Frequently Asked Questions

  1. People on an open-top bus

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

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

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

  2. Couple looking at maps on a Big Bus Tour

    Where can I start the tour?

    3. Where can I start the tour?

    You're welcome to join our tours from any stop. Please see our Day Tour (Red Route), Night Tour (Blue Route) route timetable pages for further details on stop locations.

  3. Passengers on a tour bus in San Francisco

    How long does the tour take?

    4. How long does the tour take?

    Day Tour (Red Route): a full circuit takes about 2 hours if you don't hop off the bus.
    Night Tour (Blue Route): a full circuit takes 1 hour. Please note that the Night Tour isn't a hop-on, hop-off tour.

  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 member of Big Bus staff, or at most hotels. 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 San Francisco

Big Bus Tours San Francisco operate flexible and exciting city sightseeing tours on open-top double-decker buses. In addition to amazing views of the city's famous landmarks and attractions, guests can enjoy entertaining commentary about the history, culture and architecture of San Francisco, delivered by pre-recorded digital commentary, offered in several languages via complimentary headphones distributed on board the bus. Guests are free to hop on and off the bus tour at any stop, or they can choose to relax and remain on board for the full tour circuit. During the day, discover the city of San Francisco on the Day Tour (Red Route). After dark, don't miss the opportunity to see the sights of the city on the Panoramic Night Tour (Blue Route).

What can I see and visit?

During your Big Bus Tour, you'll pass through famous San Francisco neighborhoods like Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, Haight Ashbury, Golden Gate Park and the Embarcadero. See landmarks like the Transamerica Pyramid, City Hall, and of course, feel the wind in your hair as you travel over the majestic Golden Gate Bridge. Simply hop on to discover, and hop off at any stop to explore further. We stop at over 20 convenient locations, each selected because it provides easy access to an attraction or place of interest. You can hop on and hop off the tour as much as you like, or choose to stay on board for the entire circuit. To read more about San Francisco's landmarks and things to do, visit our Discover San Francisco page. To begin creating your own personalized San Francisco adventure, browse our new range of attraction tickets.

On which days does the tour operate?

The Big Bus tour of San Francisco operates every day of the year.

How do I redeem my ticket?

After you complete your ticket purchase you will receive a confirmation email. Please follow the redemption instructions issued in your booking confirmation email.

How does the discount work?

Discounts are only available on tickets purchased online, in advance. Tickets purchased on-street or on the day you intend to travel will be full price. Some special ticket offers are only available for a certain period of time. Please visit our Tickets and Passes page to see discounted pricing.

Do I need to specify a date of travel?

Yes –we’ll ask you to select the date you’d like to hop on the bus. If you’re touring with us for more than one day, your ticket must be used across consecutive days, and the date you select at time of booking should be the first day of your tour. Some tours also require you to select a time of travel, to guarantee your seat. If your ticket includes extras, you may also need to book additional dates & times for all elements of your ticket after your purchase is complete. See your booking confirmation email for instructions.

Is there a discount available for groups?

For information on group discounts please contact us at [email protected].

Is it possible to hire one of the open-top buses for a private event?

Yes, buses are available for private hire. Please have a look at our Private Hire page to find out more, or contact us on [email protected] to discuss your requirements.

What time is the last bus?

The last bus departs Stop #1 - San Francisco Visitor Center at 5:00pm.

How will I know where to get off?

Our commentary will communicate upcoming stops. You can also download our free App for more information on routes and times, and what to see and do at each stop location. The App is available from the App Store or Google Play.

What is the child ticketing policy?

A child ticket is available for children aged between 3 and 12 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Children aged 2 years and under may travel free of charge. All passengers aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by an adult. Strollers and pushchairs must be folded and stowed on the lower deck.

Are accommodations available for persons with disabilities?

Are accommodations available for persons with disabilities? Yes, we operate wheelchair accessible vehicles with lifts that can accommodate a weight up to 650 pounds. Please be advised that our entire fleet in San Francisco is not wheelchair accessible. If you or your travelling partner(s) requires an ADA accessible vehicle, please contact us 48 hours prior to your planned tour commencement. We can then arrange for a suitable vehicle to be available at the time and location required. If you require a different accommodation, please also 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.

What is the policy on bringing pets?

No pets are allowed on board the bus, except ADA service animals.

What is the food and drink policy?

No food or alcohol is permitted on board the bus. Non-alcoholic drinks in screw-top bottles are permitted.

How can I find the stop nearest to me?

Easy! Just check out our Find A Bus Stop page.

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.

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.

Is luggage allowed on board the bus?

No, luggage is not permitted on board the bus at this time.

Can I change the date (and time) of my tour?

Yes - but if you want to change the date (and time) of your tour, we’ll need to know no later than 72 hours before your tour to make any changes. The speediest way to make changes to your booking is to chat with our friendly customer services team – just click the chat button in the bottom right corner of your screen, or download the Big Bus Tours app.

Contact us

For general enquiries, please get in touch using our contact form. For more specific answers please select one of the options below.