Best of · SIGHTSEEING BUS TOURS IN NEW YORK CITY
The 8 best sightseeing bus tours in New York City you can book today, with the fare, how long each one runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Use Big Bus New York for a first look at Manhattan from an open-top double-decker. Choose a half-day, 24, 48, or 72-hour ticket, hear commentary in six languages, and hop off near the 9/11 Memorial, Battery Park, Broadway, Museum Mile, and more. The app tracks buses in real time.
“It was great to hear about the city as we drive through each section.”
Ride an open-top double-decker bus through Midtown, Downtown, and Uptown Manhattan with recorded commentary, live tracking, and flexible hop-on hop-off access. A 24-hour ticket covers Downtown, while 48- and 72-hour options add Uptown, Brooklyn, and self-guided walks.
“My sister and I spent the weekend in NYC, and since it was her first time visiting, we decided to try the hop‑on hop‑off bus tour. It turned out to be such a wonderful experience. We both absolutely loved it. We learned so much about the city—insights and stories we never would have discovered on our own. It truly made our trip even more memorable.”
Ride through Harlem, the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn with an English-speaking guide such as Jim, Chris, Tom, or Ray. Expect photo stops at Yankee Stadium, Flushing Meadows, Bushwick, Williamsburg, DUMBO, Chinatown, and Little Italy, plus an empanada stop and lunch break.
“We had a fantastic day!! Jim was super helpful and extremely knowledgeable about every part of the city. Brilliant day out. I would recommend to do this tour at the start of your trip as you see so many hidden gems you wouldn’t see or go to on foot.”
Spend about six hours touring New York with a native guide such as Bryant, Martin, or Frank. Ride a small luxury bus through Midtown, Greenwich Village, SoHo, Chinatown, and Central Park, then take the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty. Short walks include Brooklyn Bridge, Washington Square, Grand Central, and the 9/11 Memorial.
“Highlight of the day World Trade Center. Bryant gave a somber and thorough explanation of where we were and what it means to New Yorkers.”
Ride an open-top Big Bus from Times Square after dark, passing major New York sights while a live English-speaking guide such as Shelley, Jennifer, or Rick shares city stories and tips. Seats are first-come, first-served, and the night route is one continuous ride, not a hop-on hop-off tour.
“Jen was fantastic! Had such a fun time on the bus getting to see the city lights at night with some fun people.”
Spend four hours in a shared or private minibus with a live English or Spanish-speaking guide, seeing Manhattan’s lights from New Jersey waterfront stops. You’ll visit Liberty State Park, Hoboken, Carlo’s Bakery, the Frank Sinatra Statue, and Hamilton Park, with time for photos.
“It was a great tour with lots of highlights. Although I've been to New York several times before, I saw a lot of new places. The views were spectacular. Our tour guide, Millie, was super nice and told us lots of interesting facts. I can only recommend this tour.”
Join Big Bus Tours at 7:00pm for a two-hour English-language ride through Midtown and lower Manhattan. Your live guide may include hosts such as Ric, Diane, Craig, or Shelley, with stories, jokes, and photo stops from the open-top deck.
“Diane the guide was very knowledgeable and great with all the others on the bus. Loved the games, singing and shouting, as well as finding out all anout the places we went. Greg the driver was very good at navigating low hanging trees.”
Spend four hours in a small group of up to 13 people, riding from Midtown to New Jersey waterfront viewpoints. Guide David and other English or Spanish-speaking guides lead photo stops at Liberty State Park, Empty Sky Memorial, Carlo’s Bakery, Frank Sinatra’s statue, and Hamilton Park.
“Hi the tour was very pleasant, the experience was great, had a good time. We went to all the destinations as was described in the website, our guide David was very knowledgeable, great personality, easy to talk to and courteous with everyone in our group, I definitely recommend this tour to everyone who wants to have a 4hrs New York experience.”
A loop, an open deck, a night run or a whole day on the coach.
