Top New York City Bus Tours

There are a range of NYC bus tours to choose from. According to customer reviews and ratings, these are the tours available right now: 

• NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Contrasts, Color and Character
• Sex and the City Hotspots Bus Tour
• Famous TV and Film Locations Guided Tour
• The Original Best of Brooklyn Half-Day Food and Culture Tour
• New York City at Night Bus Tour

Yes, going on a bus tour in NYC is worth it. A guided city tour by bus is a great way to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time, and travel in comfort along the way. As many tours also focus on specific themes or topics, you can choose one that matches your interests.

NYC bus tours typically range in price from around US$45 up to US$400 or more per person. The price depends on how long the tour lasts, whether it sticks to the Big Apple or visits destinations beyond city limits, and whether add-ons such as drinks or snacks are included.

NYC bus tours can range from as little as 90 minutes up to a full day. Tours that remain in one neighborhood or borough, or which follow a tight theme, tend to be shorter, while multi-borough itineraries—or day trips that venture beyond city limits—can last a full day. Pick whichever option maps onto your sightseeing schedule and interests.

On a general bus tour of the Big Apple, you can look forward to spotting highlights including the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, Rockefeller Center, and Central Park. Themed tours may take you to sights featured on certain TV shows or movies, while some tours focus on specific neighborhoods, such as Harlem or the West Village.

It depends on the specific vehicle that’s being used. Some NYC bus tours are wheelchair-accessible, but others are not—be sure to check the details carefully before booking. It’s also a good idea to reach out to your tour operator beforehand if you have any special requests.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in New York City aside from bus tours. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Helicopter Tours
• Walking Tours
• Night Cruises
• Hop-On Hop-Off Buses
• Sunset Cruises

New York City bus tour prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now:

• Big Bus NYC: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-Top Bus
• Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights
• Boroughs of NYC: Harlem, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, & Coney Island
• New York Night Tour: Open-Top Bus Tour by TopView®
• Washington DC Highlights, 1-Day Tour From NYC

Some New York City bus tours offer hotel pickup. While this can be helpful, as you won’t need to find a meeting point, it can mean delays while everyone is picked up along the route, so factor this into your tour selection. Consider whether you want to get off the bus and explore various attractions or stay on the bus for a drive-by introduction to New York City. And finally, be sure to bring a sweater (in case of chilly air-conditioning or breezes) as well as a sun hat (if you plan to sit on the top deck).

New York City is a year-round destination, but spring and fall (the shoulder seasons) are ideal times of year to book bus tours. In these seasons, you can experience the city when it’s most pleasant, without the chilling winter cold or the heat and crowds of summer. You might also be able to snag a discount on a shoulder-season bus tour.

Yes, traveling by hop-on hop-off bus is a great way to conveniently experience many of New York City’s top attractions in a single itinerary. Routes typically cover dozens of stops near major sights, and are ideal if you want flexibility to explore attractions at your own pace. If you prefer a guided, structured overview, however, a traditional sightseeing coach tour may suit you better.

Hop-on hop-off bus tours in New York City typically operate from 9am–4:30pm daily, with buses running every 30 minutes or so. If you want an evening experience, a number of nighttime city lights tours are available (though don’t usually offer hop-on hop-off flexibility). Guided sightseeing coaches and themed tours run at various departure times throughout the day.

Boarding points vary by operator. Hop-on hop-off routes have dozens of designated stops near major attractions, so you can board at whichever one is most convenient. Guided and themed tours use specific meeting points that are listed in each tour’s details; many depart from convenient locations in Midtown Manhattan, or other popular areas.

Manhattan-focused bus tours are a great way to explore New York City’s most popular borough. Many routes stop in Uptown, Midtown, and Downtown, and feature highlights from the Empire State Building and Times Square to Chinatown and Rockefeller Center. Boroughs tours (which cover outer boroughs such as Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx) offer a broader sightseeing experience and deeper introduction to the city.

Yes, you can take a bus tour to a number of popular day-trip destinations from New York City, including Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia, and even as far as Niagara Falls (though you should prepare for an overnight journey in the latter case). These are typically full-day excursions, so be sure to check the duration and departure details and make sure you’ve got time set aside in your sightseeing schedule.