Top New York City Bus Tours

There are several 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 many tours focus on specific themes, so you only have to see what interests you.

NYC bus tours range in price from around US$59 to US$149 per person. The price depends on how long the tour is, where it goes, what kind of theme it has, and whether add-ons like drinks or snacks are included.

NYC bus tours can be as long or as short as you want. Tours that remain in just one borough or stick to a super-specific theme can take just one hour, while tours that go through multiple boroughts can longer. If you have the entire day free, book a bus tour that tacks on a boat ride—those can last up to six hours.

A general bus tour will take you to NYC highlights such as 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 a hip-hop–themed tour may take you to locations such as the Apollo Theater. Other tours focus on certain neighborhoods, like Harlem or the West Village.

It depends. 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, with larger groups, stopping to pick everyone up can take a long time, 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. The latter can help you get oriented so you know where to return to later.

Small-group bus tours allow you to connect with your guide and receive personalized attention, so ask questions. Bring snacks for full-day bus tours, especially if you’re traveling with kids, as you may not stop as often as you want to. Even if it’s warm outside, bring a sweater for if the bus air conditioning feels too cold and a sun hat for any stops.

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.