Top Washington DC Bus Tours

There are plenty of high-quality bus tours in Washington DC. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• DC Monuments and Memorials Night Tour
• Washington DC Monuments by Moonlight Tour by Trolley
• Night Tour with Optional Air & Space or Washington Monument Entry
• Washington DC in One Day: Guided Sightseeing Tour
• Best of DC Plus US Capitol and National Archives Reserved Entry

Bus tours in Washington DC start at around US$50, but you should expect to pay much more for private all-day tours. Still, most travelers consider taking a tour to be well worth it. Options abound, from guided night tours offering views of illuminated memorials and monuments, showcasing why Washington DC is known as one of the most beautiful cities at night, to daytime tours that include priority entrances to some of DC's top attractions.

There’s a lot to see in Washington DC, so most tours run at least four hours, with many full-day tours also available. With a full-day sightseeing tour, you’ll visit the city’s historic and most iconic landmarks and monuments, but you may still feel like you've only scratched the surface of all that DC has to offer.

Yes, Washington DC has hop-on and hop-off bus tours so that you can explore the nation’s capital at your own pace. The route passes by the city’s top attractions, including the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and more. Just hop off at any stop when you want to explore and then hop back on to continue around the city. Plus, on some tours, you even have an option for a one, two, or three-day pass.

On a Washington DC bus tour, you can expect to see iconic landmarks such as the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Plus, you may pass by the National Mall, the Smithsonian museums, the National Archives, and other significant sites.

Tipping practices vary, and while it's never mandatory to tip a tour bus driver in Washington DC, it is generally appreciated as a gesture of gratitude for their service. The amount is up to you, but it's common practice to tip a few dollars per person for a full-day tour.

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

• Night Tours

• Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

• Trolley Tours

• Segway Tours

• Museum Tickets & Passes

Washington DC 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:

• DC Monuments & Memorials Guided Minibus City Tour

• Mini Grand Tour of Washington DC

• Big Bus DC: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour With 17 Stops

• Best of DC Combo: Hop-on Hop-off Tour & Night Tour (Save 40%)

• Big Bus DC: Monuments & Memorials Sunset Tour by Open-Top Bus

Many Washington DC bus tours offer introductory itineraries that pass the city’s top sights, or stop briefly, but don’t spend extensive time there. Bus tours typically don't include museum admission, nor is there time to visit museums or exhibits. Bus tours are a great way to get your orientation within the city, so you know where to come back later for longer, if you wish. Large-group bus tours are usually cheaper, but book a small-group tour if you want personalized attention from your guide and the chance to ask questions.

Some bus tours have an open-air top deck, which is a great place to sit for unobstructed views of Washington DC—if the weather’s fine. If you’re traveling with kids, a hop-on hop-off bus tour might be a good option, as you don’t have to sit still on a vehicle for too long. Plus, you can skip places that don’t interest your family, and spend longer at places that do.

Spring is an especially good time to visit Washington DC, as it hosts the National Cherry Blossom Festival in March and April. Spring is a great time to take a sightseeing bus tour of the city. Fall (September–November) is also a good time to visit for pleasant weather and fewer crowds than during the hot summer. However, bus tours can be enjoyed at any time of year, as the vehicle shelters you from any uncomfortable weather.