Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus
Chicago, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Skip the hassle of planning your Chicago itinerary with this convenient hop-on hop-off tour, covering the city's must-see sights. With multiple strategically located stops, explore the Windy City at your own pace, hopping off to visit top attractions like the iconic Art Institute and famous skyscrapers. Enjoy insightful audio commentary as you cruise through the city, learning about its rich history and vibrant culture. Perfect for first-time visitors or those short on time, this tour offers flexibility and ease, ensuring you don’t miss any of Chicago’s highlights. Book your ticket today and experience the best of Chicago hassle-free!
- See top attractions such as Millennium Park, the Magnificent Mile, and Grant Park
- Capture unobstructed views from the open-top, double-decker bus
- Learn about Chicago’s sights and history from the onboard audio commentary
- Choose a 24-, 48-, 0r 72hour tour ticket to suit your schedule
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
A full circuit introduces you to the city’s top attractions, with none of the logistical headaches.
What's Included
- Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus
- Professional digital commentary in multiple languages
- Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation)
- Enclosed/Climate Controlled Lower Deck, Top Deck Open
- 4 Self-guided Digital Walking Tours to explore the city (if option selected)
- Panoramic Sunset Live Guided Tour (Included with 72-Hour Ticket)
- Free Vox Self-Guided Walking Tour app download (included with 48-Hour and 72-Hour tickets)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Admission to attractions
Meeting and Pickup
Departure Point
- You may start this tour at any of the stops listed.
Itinerary
Purchase a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour Big Bus pass, download the app for timetable information, and head to one of the designated stops to begin your hop-on, hop-off tour of Chicago. The first bus departs at 10am and the last at 5pm, so you can choose a time and route to fit your schedule.
Completing the sightseeing route in one go takes about two hours but many travelers like to make full use of the pass, which allows you to get on and off whenever you like at the designated stops. The Big Bus sightseeing route includes many Chicago must-visits, such as the Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
Listen to the audio guide along the way to learn more about the so-called Windy City. Buses depart every hour from each of 11 stops, so you’ll never have to wait long for your next pickup.
Completing the sightseeing route in one go takes about two hours but many travelers like to make full use of the pass, which allows you to get on and off whenever you like at the designated stops. The Big Bus sightseeing route includes many Chicago must-visits, such as the Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
Listen to the audio guide along the way to learn more about the so-called Windy City. Buses depart every hour from each of 11 stops, so you’ll never have to wait long for your next pickup.
Red Loop
11 Stops
35 Points of Interest
Duration: 2 hours
Operating Schedule: Operates daily: First Bus 10AM, Last Bus 4PM. Loop duration: 2 hours. Download the free Big Bus app for stop locations, city information and live bus tracking.
1
Chicago Riverwalk
2
Skydeck Chicago
3
Millennium Park
4
Grant Park
5
Adler Planetarium
6
Field Museum
7
Chicago Architecture Center
8
Navy Pier
9
Magnificent Mile
10
360 CHICAGO
11
Mc Donald’s
Points of interest passed by on this route
Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower
The Art Institute of Chicago
The Chicago Theatre
Field Museum
Adler Planetarium
360 Chicago Observation Deck
Grant Ulysses Park
Navy Pier
Millennium Park
Water Tower Place
BigBus Chicago
Clarence F. Buckingham Fountain
Cloud Gate
Financial District
Maggie Daley Park
The Magnificent Mile
Tribune Tower
Holy Name Cathedral
Chicago River
Chicago Riverwalk
Soldier Field
The Rookery Building
Centennial Wheel
Chicago Cultural Center
Wrigley Building
American Writers Museum
The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
Northerly Island
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Symphony Center - Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Monadnock Building
Chicago Fed's Money Museum
The Art Institute of Chicago
The Field Museum Store
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Choice of audio tours: Chicago Architecture, Public Art, Chicago Riverwalk, and Millennium Park
- Download the Big Bus Tours app to access and activate your ticket, track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.
- Redeem tickets via Big Bus app or in person
- Please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required
- The Sunset Tour is a non-stop panoramic tour and is guided in English only.
Supplied by
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q:How often does a bus arrive at each stop during the Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Tour?
A:A bus arrives approximately every 30-45 minutes.
Mar 2022
The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
3.9
based on 2,285 reviews
Helen_P, Jun 2026
Learn about some historical and interesting landmarks in the City. Easy to get off to explore and get back on.
Brenda_S, Jun 2026
My husband and I started the tour at the Navy Pier. We got to stop 2 and the bus experienced mechanical issues. Another bus came so we were told to get on the bus behind us. That bus literally took us to the next stop and the driver told us that we had to exit the bus at that stop but the next bus wouldn’t arrive for another 20 minutes. We ended up walking and didn’t get to complete the tour. We paid a lot of money for only 2 stops and were very disappointed.
Carrie_L, Jun 2026
It was terrible! I purchased tickets as I was walking to the stop to be picked up from the hop on hop off bus. The representative at the stop printed out our tickets. We waited over an hour and no one came to pick us up. We could see on the app that the buses were not coming toward us. The app said the buses would be there in 30 minutes, but that time did not change while we waited. The representative kept saying it wasn’t accurate and that a bus would be there in 5 to 10 minutes so we kept waiting. She then said there was a mechanical issue with a bus that was causing delays. Then we finally gave up and decided to take an Uber to see the sites because we had very limited time in the city. I requested a refund from Viator as well as the hop on hop off company. Both have declined my request. The service was not provided yet they refused to refund my money. That is absolutely theft! I will not give my business to either of these companies in the future.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I am very sorry to hear how long you waited at the stop and how unclear the updates were during that time. You should always feel confident that the information you receive at the stop and in the app reflects what is happening on the route, and I regret that this was not the case for you.
Your feedback about the delay, the conflicting information and the impact it had on your visit is extremely important to us. We are reviewing this with our operations team to improve how we communicate during unexpected disruptions and how we support guests in real time.
If you would like us to look into the details of your visit more closely, please reach out via email support or live chat. Alexandra@BigBusTours
THOMAS_R, Jun 2026
Good way to get familiar with the Loop. Took two different buses and both were clean. Sat on the top. One bus had more comfortable seats than the other. Disposable headphones that they give you made it easy to hear the narrative of the tour. Headphones also help in case you get a chatterbox near you, and of course there is road noise and wind noise that the headphones overcome. You can choose to listen to the narrative in English or Spanish. There were company employees at every bus stop to answer questions. Once we had to move from one stop to another (I don't know why) but our group was led by a tour company employee so it wasn't a problem. This activity was a good value for the money and I recommend it.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi THOMAS_R, thank you so much for your great review. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us. Thank you for recommending us. We look forward to welcoming you on board again soon! Best, Denisa from Big Bus Tours
Donell_M, Jun 2026
Don’t stand up while bus is traveling enjoy the ride and know what stops you want to get off plan ahead
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi Donell_M, thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We appreciate your review. We hope to see you again soon! Best, Denisa from Big Bus Tours
kevin_R, Jun 2026
It is very noisy and hard to hear the bus driver and the audio. The timing of the audio is also off. You hear comments after you've passed the landmark.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your feedback, and we’re sorry to hear about the issues you experienced. We understand how important clear and well-timed audio is, and we appreciate you bringing this to our attention as we work to improve the experience for our guests.
Raul@BigBusTours
Rhonda_J, Jun 2026
I thought the tour guide was going to give us a talking tour but he didnt i was not happy with this tour no one spoke it was boring i,ll never do this again and dont recommend this.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your feedback, and we’re sorry to hear the tour didn’t meet your expectations. Our tours typically use audio commentary rather than a live guide, but we understand this may not be what you were hoping for. We appreciate you sharing your experience.
Raul@BigBusTours
Joanne_G, Jun 2026
Headphones don’t work very well if at all. Our driver ran at least three red lights and loved to honk his horn in traffic.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your feedback! We’re sorry for the confusion regarding the operating time ending earlier than expected, and we understand how inconvenient that must have been. We’re glad to hear you still enjoyed seeing Sydney and had a great overall experience—your comments help us improve.
Raul@BigBusTours
Judi_D, Jun 2026
Sounds does not sync with locations. There was a lot of traffic, bus driver should have been able to pause it!! Too much music in between drops with not enough info on scenery. The bottom level, out of hot sun, had strong odor of either exhaust or bug spray.
Bus driver kept reminding guests that tips were appreciated.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your detailed feedback. We’re sorry to hear about the issues with the audio sync, onboard comfort, and overall experience, as this is not the standard we aim to deliver. Your comments are very important to us and will be shared with the team to help improve both the tour quality and communication going forward.
Raul@BigBusTours
Gaye_B, Jun 2026
We were rained out and couldn’t enjoy the outdoor activities we had planned . We had to sit on the bus as it completed the full route. Chicago weather is fickle.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi Gaye!
We're really sorry to hear that the weather in Chicago didn't cooperate, and you couldn't enjoy the activities you had in mind. Just a heads up, we operate in all safe weather conditions, rain or shine. We hope to see you again soon, hopefully when the weather is nicer!
Alexandra I. @ Big Bus Tours
Kathleen_W, Jun 2026
Good overview of the city. Audio needs to be better synced with the travel. We had already passed some landmarks when audio reviewed them.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi Kathleen! Thank you for your review. We're sorry that the audio system wasn't working on one of our buses, and understand the impact this can have on your tour. We've made efforts to upgrade our tech across our global fleets, and we'd love the chance to welcome you aboard and share a new city with you one day soon! Ana from Big Bus Tours.
Wendy_E, Jun 2026
The driver continually requested tips. He gave some information but mostly relied on the recorded information through ear buds.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're sorry to hear that aspects of your experience did not meet expectations. We appreciate your comments regarding the driver and onboard experience, as this is not the standard of service we aim to provide. Your feedback will be shared with the relevant team for review, and we thank you for taking the time to bring this to our attention.
Denis @Big Bus Tours
Joyce_W, Jun 2026
It was fun but one of the riders in our group got smacked in the face with tree branches!! Watch out for low level tree branches!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your review! We're delighted to hear that you had fun on the tour, although we're sorry to learn that one member of your group was struck by tree branches during the journey. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and will share your comments with the relevant team. We hope to welcome you back on board again for another enjoyable sightseeing experience.
Denis @Big Bus Tours
Staci_B, Jun 2026
This was a great way to see so many parts of Chicago and get our bearings. We hopped on and off several times. The audio presentation was interesting. We really liked it. I will say that some drivers are better than others with friendliness and speaking about landmarks, announcing stops, etc.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi, Staci!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring Chicago with us and found the audio commentary interesting. It's great to know the Hop-On, Hop-Off experience helped you discover the city and get your bearings.
We also appreciate your feedback regarding stop announcements and onboard communication, and we'll be sure to share it with the local team.
We hope to welcome you on board again for another city adventure soon!
Madalina@BigBusTours
michael_a, Jun 2026
This hop on hop off is one of the better ones in the world yes the world very easy to identify, people very nice, went out of there way to please customers, it went everywhere in the city,
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi, Michael!
We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your Hop-On, Hop-Off experience and that it ranks among the best you've experienced. It's especially rewarding to know that our team helped make your city adventure memorable through their friendliness, helpfulness, and dedication to our guests.
We're also delighted that you found the route easy to navigate and appreciated the opportunity to explore so many of the city's highlights.
Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you on board again for another wonderful city adventure in the future!
Madalina@BigBusTours
Dave_S, Jun 2026
A great way to cover a lot of ground. Bus stops are convenient to many "must see" attractions. I recommend the 48 hr pass if you like to spend a lot of time at each of the attractions. Well worth the money.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi, Dave!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the flexibility of the Hop-On, Hop-Off experience and found the stops convenient for exploring the city's must-see attractions.
It's great to know that the 48-hour pass helped you make the most of your visit and that you found it to be excellent value.
Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you on board again for another memorable city adventure in the future!
Angelia_H, Jun 2026
Very good experience highly recommend
Quality of sound system needs improvement
They deserve a raise
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re delighted to hear you had a very good experience and truly appreciate your recommendation. We also value your note about the sound system and will share it with our team for improvement.
Florin @ BigBusTours
Crystal_H, Jun 2026
My tickets never worked was unable to do this attraction Viator blamed Big bus, Big bus blamed Viator big poop show out $200
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.
We’re very sorry to hear about the difficulties you encountered with your tickets and the frustration caused by not being able to use the service. We understand how disappointing it must have been to be caught between different points of contact without a clear resolution.
Providing a smooth and straightforward experience from booking to boarding is extremely important to us, and we regret that this was not the case for you. Your feedback regarding the miscommunication between providers is particularly valuable and will be shared with our team as we work to improve coordination and ensure clearer guidance for customers.
Thank you again for bringing this to our attention.
Flavius@BigBusTours
Michael_C, Jun 2026
We have done a couple of Bog Bus tours in various cities. It is an amazing way to see a city at your own pace without feeling like your are lost or missing something
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re delighted to hear you’ve enjoyed our tours in multiple cities and found them a great way to explore at your own pace without missing out. That’s exactly the experience we aim to provide!
Florin @ BigBusTours
Sherrie_S, Jun 2026
You can see the entire city and enjoy the ride. The views from the top of the bus are amazing, and you can use this service to reach the city's highlights.
irose, Jun 2026
bus driver was courteous. it was nice to have the earbuds to learn about the city. did not have to miss any of the information since it was all recorded.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your lovely review! We're delighted to hear that you found our driver courteous and enjoyed using the audio guide to learn more about the city. It’s great to know the recorded commentary helped you enjoy all the information without missing a moment along the way. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back on board again soon for another great experience!
Denis @Big Bus Tours
Amber_A, Jun 2026
No live commentary other than announcing stops. Audio is off compared to location. All you get is ear buds and audio from plug in
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your feedback! We’re sorry to hear that the audio commentary did not align with your location and that the experience did not meet your expectations. We understand your disappointment regarding the lack of live commentary and appreciate you taking the time to share this feedback. Please feel free to contact us at info@bigbustours.com so we can review this situation further for you. Adrian @BigBusTours
Amy_O, May 2026
First driver didn't narrate. Got left at a stop since driver didn't stop and had to wait 45 minutes for next bus
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your feedback! We’re sorry to hear that the first driver did not provide narration and that the bus did not stop for you, leading to a longer wait time. We understand how frustrating this must have been and appreciate you bringing it to our attention. We kindly invite you to contact us at info@bigbustours.com so we can review this in more detail with you. Adrian @BigBusTours
Duane_L, May 2026
Just be patient and allow yourself plenty of time and just enjoy the experience; it's well worth it.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your advice! 😊
We’re glad you enjoyed the experience and appreciate your tip about taking your time—it really makes a difference.
We hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Raul@BigBusTours
BethCarol_B, May 2026
This is a good experience if you are trying to see a lot in a short amount of time. And you can get on and off where and when you want. The audio was a little out of sync with the actual sights. However, I was on the bus with a great driver named Felicia. She pointed out all the stops and added her own personal narrative. She should narrate the audio.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your feedback! 😊
We’re glad you enjoyed the flexibility and had a great experience with Felicia—she sounds fantastic!
We’re sorry about the audio timing and will share your comments with our team to improve it.
We hope to see you on board again soon!
Raul@BigBusTours
Tiffany_E, May 2026
Nice experience to see most of Chicago. Best seats are at the top for great photos. The stops are at great locations to hop off and see Chicago; the walking is doable
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed seeing Chicago and found the tour a great way to take in the highlights. It’s great to know you made the most of the top deck for photos and appreciated the well‑located stops for exploring on foot.
We’re so glad you had a positive experience and hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Ciprian @ Big Bus Tours
Shameeka_W, May 2026
It was a good experience. Only thing that was confusing was where to start! There was no clear directions on where to go. The big bus app did not recognize my reference number and customer service for viator was no help. We eventually wandered upon stop one! Once we got on everything else went smooth sailing
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad to hear you had a good experience overall once on board. We’re very sorry for the confusion around the starting point and the difficulty with the app recognizing your booking. We understand how frustrating that can be at the beginning of your journey.
Your comments have been shared with our team as we work to improve directions and app functionality. We’re pleased everything went smoothly after you got started and hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Ciprian @ Big Bus Tours
Peter_M, May 2026
Great way to see Chicago and stop at key points to further take in the experiences of your choosing. Buses are pretty frequent so enjoy your time in Chicago.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your great feedback! We’re delighted to hear you found the tour a convenient and enjoyable way to explore Chicago, with the flexibility to stop and discover key attractions at your own pace. It’s also great to know the bus frequency helped make your experience smooth. We’re glad you had a wonderful time and hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Ciprian @ Big Bus Tours
DAVID_H, May 2026
Always do a hop on hop off tour , this wasn’t the best! Not many stops , and pre recorded commentary. No input from the driver.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that the tour did not fully meet your expectations, particularly regarding the number of stops and the pre recorded commentary. We understand that some guests prefer more live interaction from the driver, and your comments are very helpful in guiding our improvements.
We’re glad you chose to explore the city with us and appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.
Ciprian @ Big Bus Tours
Mashella_D, May 2026
Very informative. You have the option of sitting on the top deck where it's open or sitting inside. I like the fact that ear buds are provided, but they're not wireless.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad to hear you found the tour informative and appreciated having the choice between the open top and indoor seating. It’s great to know the earphones added to your experience as well.
We appreciate your note regarding the earbud style, and your feedback has been shared with our team. We hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Ciprian @ Big Bus Tours
From $49.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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