The 5 Best Open-Top Bus Tours in Washington DC

1.Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus with 18 Stops

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 3,848 reviews · 1 hour 50 minutes (approx.) · from $49Our pick

Use a 1-, 2-, or 3-day pass to tour Washington DC by open-top double-decker bus. Hear recorded commentary while stopping near the White House, Capitol, memorials, museums, Arlington Cemetery, Georgetown, and the Wharf. The app tracks buses, and optional audio tours add Arlington, the Tidal Basin, and Georgetown.

“The hop on hop off was great in theory except for when the bus driver stopped at a stop spot and bitched and complained about stuff for 15 to 20 minutes while we were waiting to get to the next stop before it closed. Then the bus driver told us that we had to be back on the bus by 4:15 or we wouldn’t have a way back to our original Location and we saw buses picking up people at 6:00 so we had to pay $118 for the tour and then we had to pay an additional $40 for an Uber to get back when the bus could’ve taken…”

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2.Washington DC Hop-On Hop-off Trolley Tour with 15 Stops

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2,599 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48Best value

Ride a narrated Washington DC trolley past the Capitol, monuments, museums, White House, and National Archives. Hop off at 15 stops, then continue when the next trolley arrives. English narration is provided, with an app in seven languages. Guides such as Joe Moe, Rooster, Birdie, and Everett add personality.

“Very easy to locate! Learned alot about our nations capital! You are able to chose which locations you would like to hop off and visit! highly recommended”

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3.Big Bus DC: Monuments & Memorials Night Tour by Open-top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,174 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $49

Ride an open-top double-decker bus through Washington DC for about two hours, stopping at the Lincoln Memorial and viewing the White House, Jefferson Memorial, Vietnam and Korean War memorials, Washington Monument, and Iwo Jima Memorial. Commentary may be recorded or live, depending on the day.

“Don’t do it. There were streets blocked off and we didn’t see all of the monuments as promised in the advertisement. When I reached out to the company about a potential refund, I was told that there was nothing wrong with the tour. People were getting off the bus early because they couldn’t see the monuments. Even the bus driver was apologetic and told me to reach out to the company. Never again.”

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4.Washington, DC: Hop-On Hop-Off Old Town Trolley City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 647 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $48

Ride Old Town Trolley through Washington’s major sights with live English narration, open-window stadium seating, and unlimited boarding for one or two days. Add the Arlington Cemetery tram for JFK’s gravesite, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington House, and Iwo Jima.

“The guides were friendly & knowledgeable, very enjoyable experience. Excellent way to see DC”

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5.DC: Open-top Monuments and Memorials Sightseeing Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 443 reviews · 2 hours · from $49

Spend two hours seeing Washington DC by open-top double-decker, from the White House and Capitol to the tidal basin and Arlington Cemetery. You get a 15-minute Lincoln Memorial photo stop, digital commentary in five languages, and optional 24-hour hop-on hop-off access with 17 stops.

“The view was perfect from every angle. Not enough time to view the monuments or the Memorials.”

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