Hop-On Hop-Off Busses Berlin [2024]: Best Tours Compared!

When you travel to a city you’ve never been to before, it can be overwhelming to figure out what to see, and how to see it all in the time you’re there.

Since there are so many things to do in Berlin, one way to see a lot of the “must-sees,” while also getting a feel for the city is to take a Hop On Hop Off bus tour.

Read on to find out if you might want to hop on one of these tours in Berlin!

What is a Hop On Hop Off tour?

Hop on Hop Off bus tours can be found in many major cities.

This style of bus tour allows you to see famous landmarks while using the bus as a way to conveniently get you from place to place.

Every tour operates on a route, stopping at various landmarks. You can either ride the bus through the whole circuit, get off at the sights that interest you or do a combination of both. You can then hop back on when the next bus comes through. 

Tours also frequently come with pre-recorded commentary so you can learn all about the city you’re visiting and the sights you’ll see. These will come in multiple languages so you don’t need to worry if you don’t speak the local language.

Buses frequently also have open rooftop seating so you can get the best views as you cruise through the city. 

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Big Bus Tours Berlin

The most well-known Hop On Hop Off bus operator is Big Bus Tours.

Their Berlin tour has two routes, each exploring a different side of Berlin. The red route lasts two hours, with departures every 30 minutes, while the blue route lasts 40 minutes, with departures every 60 minutes. Each route comes with a pre-recorded audio guide in eight languages.

Here are the stops on each route:

Big Bus Tour Routes:

Red Route

Frequency: Every 15-20 minutes

Tour Duration: 2 Hours

First bus departure: 10:00

Last bus Departure: 16:00

Stops include:

• Ku’damn
• KaDeWe Department Store
• Lützowplatz
• Potsdamer Platz
• Topographie des Terrors
• Checkpoint Charlie
• Gendarmenmarkt
• Alexanderplatz
• Neptune Fountain
• Museum Island
• Madame Tussauds
• Brandenburg Gate
• Reichstag
• Central Station
• Bellevue Palace
• Victory Column
  

Blue Route

Frequency: Every 60 minutes

Tour Duration: 40 minutes

First bus departure: 10:15

Last bus Departure: 16:15

Stops include:

• Alexanderplatz
• Karl-Marx Allee
• East Side Gallery
• Ostbahnhof
  

Your Hop On Hop Off ticket can be used on both routes for the duration of its validity, and you can hop on and off as many times as you like, providing there’s another bus coming.

While the bus doesn’t cover every monument or attraction in Berlin, you can get off at any of the several stops to explore the area. You can also use the bus to get you from one place to another before exploring further. Bus tickets do not include entry to any of the landmarks or attractions, though. 

There’s also a Big Bus Tours mobile app you can download so you can track in real-time when the next bus will arrive, and follow your route. This is helpful if you choose to get off at every stop so you can plan when to be back at the stop to continue your journey.

The app is available on Google Store and in the Apple app store. 

Big Bus Tours Ticket prices

If you’re interested in taking a Hop On Hop Off tour in Berlin, you’ll need to purchase tickets. Booking them online in advance will save you some money, but you can purchase them prior to boarding the bus as well.

When you book online, you can save up to 20% on tickets.

Keep in mind that the prices and availability mentioned below may fluctuate. For the most up-to-date pricing, features, and availability, make sure to click the link to Big Bus Tours' official site!

Pricing is as follows:

Classic One Day Ticket

• Adult: From €27 (€30 on street)
• Child [5-15]: From €13.50 (€15 on street)
• Family [2 Adults, 2 Children]: From €67.50 (€75 on street)

What's included:

• Red & Blue Routes
• 1 Day Hop-On Hop-Off ticket

Premium Two Day Ticket

• Adult: From €36 (€40 on street)
• Child [5-15]: From €18 (€20 on street)
• Family [2 Adults, 2 Children]: From €90 (€100 on street)

What's included:

• Red & Blue Routes
• 2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off ticket
• Original Berlin Currywurst
• Guided Walking Tour
  

Deluxe Three Day Ticket

• Adult: From €49.50 (€55 on street)
• Child [5-15]: From €27 (€30 on street)
• Family [2 Adults, 2 Children]: From €126 (€140 on street)

What's included:

• Red & Blue Routes
• 3 Day Hop-On Hop-Off ticket
• Original Berlin Currywurst
• River Cruise included
• Guided Walking Tour
  

Berlin Evening Tour

• Adult: From €20
• Child [5-15]: From €10
  

Route map

It can be hard to visualize where exactly the Hop On Hop Off bus will take you in Berlin with just a list of stops.

If you’re looking to see it on a map, and the difference between the two routes, look no further!

Other Hop On Hop Off bus tours

While Big Bus Tours are the biggest name in Hop On Hop Off tours, they are by no means the only option in Berlin. 

‍City Sightseeing also offers a Hop On Hop Off tour that offers one route with free cancellations, and an audio guide in 12 languages. Their tours operate from 9:00 to 18:00, giving you more time to take in all the sights.

The 20 stops on the tour are as follows:

• Kurfürstendamm 216 / D Tauentzien
• KaDeWe
• Lützowplatz
• Kulturforum
• A Potsdamer Platz / C Gropius Bau
• Checkpoint Charlie
• Gendarmenmarkt
• Neptunbrunnen
• Alexanderplatz
• Karl Marx Allee
• East Side Gallery
• Ostbahnhof
• DomAquarée/Berliner Dom
• Lustgarten
• Friedrichstraße / UdL
• Brandenburg Gate
• Hauptbahnhof
• Siegessäule
• Elefantentor
• Kranzler
  

Tickets come in three price brackets: Iconic (from $29.08), Essential (from $47.22), and Value (from 49.64). 

Flying to Berlin?

If you're still looking at flights for your trip to Berlin, make sure you're booking the cheapest flights available on the market with SkyScanner!

SkyScanner helps you find the cheapest flights available so that you wouldn't have to pay more for flight tickets and save that money for more things to do or food to eat!

Ready to explore Berlin?

For the first visit to Berlin, a Hop On Hop Off bus tour is a great way to familiarize yourself with the city, as well as check off some of the major sights to see.

If riding a bus isn’t your idea of a fun way to get around Berlin, though, you can also try some of Berlin's amazing walking tours! They're a great way to learn about the city.

Whether Berlin is your next trip or a dream vacation, it’s never too early to start planning! Give Pilot a try if you haven't already for that!