You know one of the fun parts about traveling? Discovering! You get to try out new cuisines, explore the local markets, and gasp at all the city’s wonders. I love sightseeing and touring different cities. I find the best way to do this is by road.
But there’s a part of sightseeing I don’t anticipate as much. Yup, The planning. You know... where to go, the most direct route to follow, how much time to spend at each stop, and so on.
But how do you get around once you get to your destination? Trains or buses, right? Bus services like Busbud and Megabus usually come in handy to explore cities.
In this article, I’ll be reviewing Big Bus Tours, which claims to offer exceptional guided tours with insider access to the world’s top destinations. Still skeptical? That’s why I’m here to help share the important details so that you can make an informed decision!
What is Big Bus Tours?
Big Bus Tours is a world-renowned bus touring company. It offers a unique and memorable travel experience for globe-trotters seeking adventure and passion.
Big bus tours place a lot of emphasis on impeccable service, comfort, convenience, and insider access. Passengers are taken on guided tours of the world’s most fascinating destinations.
Big Bus Tours has a fascinating origin story. The company started in 2011 after 2 sightseeing businesses. One was the Big Bus Company Ltd (London-based), and the second was Les Cars Rouges (Paris-based).
These businesses merged with their 20+ years of experience to create a modern bus tour brand.
Starting with just 3 buses, Big Bus Tours, a family-run company, has hundreds of buses in its fleet that help 4 million tourists explore the world every year.
So now, whether you’re interested in exploring bustling cities, natural wonders, or historical landmarks, Big Bus Tours has something for everyone!
How Does Big Bus Tours Work?
Big Bus Tours operates a fleet of modern and luxurious open-top coaches equipped with the latest amenities to ensure a comfortable journey.
All you need to do is choose a package, book your ticket online or at their bus stops, and hop on! Knowledgeable and friendly guides lead each tour. You get brief insights into the city’s history, culture, and significant landmarks.
The company’s flexible itineraries and hop-on, hop-off policy allows passengers to customize their experience and explore at their own pace.
Which Cities Have Big Bus Tours?
Big Bus Tours operates globally. You can find them in:
- Europe: London, Vienna, Paris, Budapest, Rome, Istanbul, Dublin, Berlin, Munich
- America: New York, Chicago, LA, Miami, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington DC, Las Vegas
- Asia-Pacific: Sydney, Hong Kong, Darwin, Singapore
- Middle-East: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat
You can avail this service in some of the world’s most iconic cities and locations. The only question is, where to, first?
Does Big Bus Tours Go Both Ways?
Yes, it goes both ways. Big Bus Tours has this exciting hop-on, hop-off policy that allows you to explore the city without sticking to guided tours.
Like, in New York, you can hop on at any of the Big Bus stops if you wish to see all the exciting landmarks of New York. You can hop off any time if you want to explore more on foot.
Similarly, you’ll find that Big Bus Tours Chicago, Big Bus Tours London, and Big Bus Tours Las Vegas are also very flexible and popular among tourists and sightseers.
How Much Does a Big Bus Tour Cost?
Big Bus has a variety of packages for different destinations, and price varies based on the city, route, and stops. Still, they’re much more affordable than any private transport.
How to Book a Big Bus Tours Ticket
Booking a ticket with Big Bus Tours is a simple process. You can book your ticket online through its official website or a third-party website. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you book your ticket:
- Visit the official Big Bus Tours website or an authentic third-party website.
- Select the city you want to tour and the package that best suits your needs.
- Choose the date and time you want to start your tour.
- Enter the number of tickets you need and the names of the passengers.
- Review your booking details and make sure everything is correct.
- Choose your payment method and enter your payment details.
- Review your payment details and confirm the booking.
- You’ll receive a confirmation email with all the details of your booking.
Depending on your travel plans and budget, you can choose between Classic, Premium, Deluxe, and Night Tour Tickets.
It’s vital to book your ticket in advance to ensure it’s available, especially during peak seasons. You can also save yourself some money and a lot of hassle by booking your ticket online instead of purchasing it on the day of the tour.
When you arrive for your tour, present your confirmation email on your phone or a hard copy of your booking details to board the bus.
Can You Buy A Hop On Hop Off Ticket At The Bus?
You can get your ticket through the on-street Big Bus Tours staff members or on-spot when you board the bus. They accept cards and cash!
What I Don’t Love About Big Bus Tours
As popular as it is, the Big Bus Tour can get pretty crowded, which can be a bummer if your vacation is all about relaxing. The noise, hustle, and bustle tend to build up during peak tourist season.
Also, if you’re in London, it does tend to rain quite often. Despite using umbrellas and free ponchos, the top level of the bus gets wet and uncomfortable. Most people then move to the lower levels. As you can imagine, it gets jam-packed, and you can hardly see anything outside.
Big Bus Tours: Feature Highlights!
Big Bus Tours offers a variety of features to enhance the sightseeing experience for its customers:
Open-Top Double-Decker Buses
Big Bus Tours are open-top double-decker buses. You get to soak in the fascinating views of the city and take in every unique aroma. Did I mention the top deck provides the best photo opportunities?
Audio Commentary
Big Bus Tours provides audio commentary in multiple languages, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the city’s landmarks, history, and culture.
Hop-On, Hop-Off Service
The hop-on, hop-off service allows you to get on and get off to explore! You can get off the bus at any designated stop, allowing you to discover the city at your own pace.
Multiple Tour Routes
Big Bus Tours offers multiple tour routes in each city, covering all the major sights and attractions.
Mobile Tickets
Big Bus Tours offers mobile tickets. Everything can easily be booked and accessed on your phone.
Is the Big Bus Tours Worth it?
It’s safe to conclude that, yes, the Big Bus Tours is the ultimate city introduction tour.
There are a lot of positives to it. You get the guidance and convenience of a group trip and the flexibility and privacy of a private trip, all in one package! Buses depart frequently, and you can witness all the city’s major attractions.
Still, they’ve been a few negative reviews in cities like London and New York. Complaints of routes not matching maps or drivers giving incorrect information. Another major con is overcrowding!
There’s also the fact that Big Bus Tours doesn’t have a customer service line. Its telephone lines are unavailable, a major turn-off in most services. You can only get in touch via Live Chat, downloading the Big Bus Tours app, or using the enquiry form on the site to send your query.
Our Rating: 4.0/5
Pros:
- Convenience
- Guided tours & comprehensive commentary
- Multiple budget-plans
- Multiple tour routes
- Mobile tickets
- Hop-on, hop-off flexibility
- Plentiful circuit times
Cons:
- Crowded buses during peak season
- Limited time at each stop
- Bus schedule dependency
Time to See the City!
Big Bus Tours offers a practical yet fun way to see many different cities. You can create your personalized city itinerary with its hop-on, hop-off service. You could enjoy a guided tour of all the city’s hot tourist spots, which is much more affordable and convenient than private tours.
Before you book your ticket, you should think about planning your trip with Pilot.
