The 5 Best NYC Bus Tours

As one of the largest cities in the world, New York City has so much to see and do. That’s why many visitors start their trip off with a bus tour to see iconic sights and neighborhoods and get the lay of the land. To help you find the tour that’s best for you, U.S. News reviewed traveler sentiment and expert input to determine the top New York bus tours. Read our suggestions below for some of the best bus tours you can book for your next trip to the City That Never Sleeps.

Price: Adults from $80; kids from $70
Duration: 75 to 90 minutes

Big Bus New York offers a hop-on, hop-off tour that features 18 stops at major attractions like Bryant Park, Broadway and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, with prerecorded commentary provided along the way. Double-decker buses frequent stops every 10 to 15 minutes on the Red Line (which runs through downtown) and every 30 minutes on uptown’s Blue Line. The Essential Ticket, which is valid for one day, grants you access to the 90-minute downtown and 75-minute uptown routes and lets you add on extras like tickets for Madame Tussauds, the Empire State Building or a harbor cruise. Big Bus New York is a hit with travelers who appreciate the ability to tailor tours to their interests. Others bemoaned the overcrowded buses and long wait times.

One-day passes cost about $80 per adult and $70 per child. You can also book a Discover Ticket, which explores famous landmarks downtown, or an Explore Ticket, which is a two-day hop-on, hop-off bus tour experience. Big Bus Tours also operates a seasonal night tour.

Price: Adults from $95; kids from $85
Duration: 4.5 hours

Brooklyn has so much to see and do – and eat! The Original Brooklyn Pizza Tour, which reviewers describe as a great experience with even better pizza, lasts 4.5 hours and takes travelers throughout the borough to sample delicious slices from places like Grimaldi’s and L&B Spumoni Gardens. You’ll also see filming locations for movies like “Saturday Night Fever” and “Goodfellas.”

Tickets, which cover lunch, cost approximately $95 for adults and $85 for children ages 12 and younger. Tours are available Friday through Monday and Wednesday at 11 a.m. A Slice of Brooklyn also leads a seasonal tour exploring Dyker Heights’ Christmas lights, among other options.

Price: From $66
Duration: 3 hours

Fans of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda can relive all their favorite “Sex and the City” moments during this New York bus tour, which features more than 40 popular locations from the show and movies. During the 3-hour tour, you’ll view iconic filming locations, walk past Carrie Bradshaw’s brownstone apartment, sample cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery, drink a cosmopolitan (if you wish) and shop in Greenwich Village. Plus, you’ll visit stops from the reboot “And Just Like That,” including Bergdorf Goodman and Chelsea Market. Reviewers peg this tour as fun and fabulous.

Tickets for the tour start at $66, but you can pay another $10 for priority seating. Participants must be 18 or older. Tours generally depart Thursday to Sunday at 2 p.m., though additional days may be available during the summer months. On Location Tours operates other filming locations tours for shows and movies, including “Gossip Girl,” “The Sopranos” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” among others.

Price: Adults from $99; kids from $89
Duration: 6 hours

On this six-hour tour, you’ll drive through some of the city’s most famous neighborhoods and most-visited areas. You’ll have your choice of a traditional bus or a bus with either a glass top or a convertible top. Regardless of the vehicle, enjoy the expert commentary and a history lesson from your tour guide as you cruise past Times Square, Madison Square Park, Central Park, Rockefeller Center and more. A 15-minute stroll through each of the main stops is included, as is a boat cruise that takes you to see the famous NYC skyline. Many travelers call this full-day tour fantastic and a must-do in New York.

Tours depart at 9 and 10 a.m. daily. Tickets start at $99 for adults and $89 for kids for a regular bus. Open-top and glass-top buses cost $129 per person. USA Guided Tours also offers a night tour of the Big Apple.

Price: Adults from $79.99; kids from $58
Duration: 3 hours

Travelers routinely praise the Birthplace of Hip Hop tour not only for its cultural lessons about Harlem, but also for the informative guides who explain the history of hip-hop music. During the three-hour tour, you’ll see famous clubs, murals dedicated to artists and the Apollo Theater. Plus, you’ll get to witness a dance session and show off your own moves.

Tours cost $79.99 for adults and $58 for seniors (65 and older) and kids 6 to 18. Children 5 and younger tour for free. Outings run Wednesdays at 11 a.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Hush Hip Hop Tours also operates walking tours of Harlem and Brooklyn, among others.

Note: An earlier version of this article included The RIDE, which permanently ceased operations in October 2022.