Chicago Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus
Chicago, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
See Chicago your way with flexible hop-on hop-off tickets designed to suit every sightseeing style. Explore the Windy City at your own pace, hopping off to visit top attractions such as Millennium Park, Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile, and the Chicago Riverwalk while enjoying onboard commentary that adds context to what you see. Perfect for first-time visitors or those short on time, this tour offers flexibility and ensures you don’t miss any of Chicago’s highlights. You can also upgrade your experience to enjoy extra sightseeing time and a panoramic sunset tour for unforgettable skyline views.
- Choose from 24, 48, or 72 hours of unlimited hop-on hop-off sightseeing
- Capture unobstructed views from the open-top, double-decker bus
- Enjoy free VOX self-guided walking tours with selected tickets
- Upgrade your ticket to include a panoramic sunset guided tour
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)
- Chicago South Side & Obama Presidential Center Shuttle (with 72-Hour option)
- 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
- Chicago South Side & Presidential Center Shuttle operates daily from 9:30am–2:30pm, every 30–45 minutes, connecting Downtown Chicago with the Obama Presidential Center & Jackson Park and the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry. Pick-up location: 98 E Wacker Drive (between Michigan Ave. and Wabash Ave.)
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 2,413 reviews
Sort by: Most recent
I hope you get Candace or someone who gives a live presentation! She was amazing and the tour was excellent. Very informative.
Always do this experience when traveling. It’s a great way to see the area and help decide areas you want to spend more time in.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
We're thrilled you enjoyed the experience and found it a great way to explore the city and discover places to spend more time in.
Ioan-Razvan@BigBusTours.
The guide was very knowledgeable and witty. The rest of the staff was very helpful and friendly. Architecture is absolutely gorgeous!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour. It's wonderful to know that your guide was both knowledgeable and witty, and that our team helped make your experience a positive one with their friendly and helpful service.
We're also glad you appreciated the beautiful architecture. Thank you for choosing Big Bus Tours, and we hope to welcome you aboard again soon! Raul@BigBusTours
We have done Hop On Hop Off buses in many cities. This was the worst!!! The bus would pull over at times but it seemed they were in traffic. However it was actually a stop. They didn’t announce the stop at 3 locations. We finally got off and called a cab.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your review. We're very sorry to hear that this was your experience, especially as you've used hop-on hop-off services in many cities before.
We understand how frustrating it must have been when stops were not clearly announced and it wasn't obvious whether the bus had reached a boarding location or was simply held up in traffic. We appreciate that missing multiple stops ultimately led you to abandon the tour and arrange alternative transportation.
This is not the experience we aim to provide, and your feedback regarding stop announcements and communication onboard will be shared with the local management team for review.
We apologize for the inconvenience and disappointment caused, and thank you for taking the time to let us know about your experience. Raul@BigBusTours
We enjoyed seeing the city, unfortunately the recording didn’t give us much information and the timing was off at times to where we actually were. Also the bus driver was making comments, which were helpful but at times he talked over the recording. He was using the bus microphone so the recording was playing at the same time he was talking thru the speakers. You also had to take out your air bud to hear him.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed seeing the city. However, we're sorry to learn that the audio commentary did not fully meet your expectations. We understand how frustrating it can be when the timing of the recording doesn't perfectly match your location, as traffic conditions and route variations can sometimes affect synchronization.
BigBusTours@VladL
There were absolutely no customer service and I was unable to find a contact number. I was unable to locate pick up sites, no information. Was not able to get directions/instructions and unable to use the tour, even though I paid for it. Terrible and will use again.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We're very sorry to hear about your experience. We understand how frustrating it must have been to be unable to locate the pickup points and then find that there was no easy way to get the assistance you needed at the time. We appreciate that, having paid for the tour, not being able to use it because of difficulties finding the stops and obtaining directions would be extremely disappointing. We're also sorry that you felt unsupported during the process. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. Your comments regarding stop information, directions, and customer support availability will be shared with the relevant team for review.
BigBusTours@VladL
The experience was awesome. Drivers were safe and courteous. Some of them were funny. The times were a little off but okay.✅
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your review! We're delighted to hear that you had an awesome experience. It's great to know that our drivers were safe, courteous, and even added some fun to the journey. We appreciate your feedback regarding the timing and are pleased that it didn't detract too much from your overall enjoyment. We hope to welcome you aboard again soon! Raul@BigBusTours
It took us awhile to find the exact location for the start of the tour. There are no signs until the bus shows up. But the tour is worth it we learned a lot and the hop off stops are convenient.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your review! We're sorry to hear that it took some time to locate the starting point and appreciate your feedback regarding the signage. We're delighted that you enjoyed the tour, found the hop-off stops convenient, and learned a lot along the way. We hope to welcome you aboard again on a future visit! Raul@BigBusTours
If it’s going to rain, take a pass. Views from the first level (covered) are poor at best. It started raining 10 minutes after we boarded so everyone went down to the lower level. Crowded and uncomfortable. We got off and did not get back on because the rain never stopped.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Hi James,
We are sorry to hear that the rain affected your experience and made the bus feel crowded and uncomfortable.
We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, as feedback like yours helps us understand how weather conditions can impact the overall enjoyment of the tour. If you would like to provide us with any further details about your experience, please feel free to contact us directly. Alexandra@BigBusTours
Great drivers, very friendly. Good info on the city and perfect places for bus stops. Cheap way to tour the city! Super fun to sit on top of bus to really take in the views.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Hi,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the friendly service, informative commentary, and convenient stops. We are especially glad you enjoyed taking in the city views from the top deck.
We hope to welcome you again soon! Alexandra@BigBusTours
Good way to get some history as you view the city. Travelers should know all the busi stops and time schedules.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Hi Wanda_W, thank you for the great review. We are happy that you had a positive experience and we look forward to having you on board again soon! Best, Denisa from Big Bus Tours.
There was little to no dialogue from the driver . No points of interest were pointed out and the driver was very hard to understand
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We're sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. Our tours are designed to help guests discover the city's key landmarks and points of interest, so we understand how disappointing it must have been to feel that there was limited commentary during your journey.
We also regret that you had difficulty understanding the driver. Clear communication and engaging information are important parts of the experience, and your comments will be shared with the relevant team for review as we continue working to improve our service.
We appreciate your feedback and thank you for bringing these concerns to our attention.
Flavius@BigBusTours
The headphones only played music no information about Chicago shared just driver yelling and no clear understanding of what we were viewing.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We sincerely apologize for the issues you experienced with the audio commentary and for the poor communication from your driver during the tour. Providing clear, informative narration is a key part of our experience, and we regret that we fell short during your visit
The bus to the Presidential center is on a highway and is not a smooth ride. I would not recommend sitting on the to level. Hold on tight, the drivers are a bit crazy.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We’re sorry to hear that the highway portion of the ride was bumpier than expected and that the driving felt uneasy from the top deck. Safety and guest comfort are our absolute top priorities, so we take comments like this very seriously. We will review your feedback with our safety and operations teams to ensure our drivers maintain smooth and steady navigation.
GREAT WAY TO SEE CHICAGO. We even had one driver (Felicia, I think) who gave extra information about the city. SHE ROCKED!!!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re happy you found our team to be so supportive during your time in Chicago, and we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to Felicia. Our team strives to deliver an excellent experience, and we are glad you found this to be the case during your visit. If you have further needs or questions, please reach out!
This is the best way to see the city. Friendly tour drivers, love the hop off hop on option. Gave is many opportunities to see different parts of the city.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your fantastic review!
We're delighted to hear that you found our tour to be one of the best ways to see the city. The hop-on, hop-off service is designed to give our guests the flexibility to explore at their own pace, so it's wonderful to know that it gave you plenty of opportunities to discover different parts of the city and make the most of your visit.
We're also pleased that our drivers helped make your experience even more enjoyable with their friendly service. Your kind feedback is greatly appreciated, and we hope to welcome you on board again for another memorable adventure.
Flavius@BigBusTours
This is a great way to see the city. Then you can pick and choose what you’d actually like to explore
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for your kind feedback!
We're delighted to hear that you found the tour to be a great way to see the city and get an overview of its highlights. One of the things we love most about the hop-on, hop-off experience is giving guests the flexibility to discover the city first and then decide which attractions and neighborhoods they would like to explore in more detail.
It's wonderful to know that the tour helped you do exactly that and make the most of your visit.
Thank you again for sharing your experience. We hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Flavius@BigBusTours
First Lady architectural river worth doing. Excellent narration by a volunteer docent, Dave.
Chicago is a great city to visit and the weather was perfect!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the First Lady Architecture River Tour and found it to be worthwhile. It's wonderful to know that Dave's narration helped make the experience even more memorable. We are also glad that you had the chance to enjoy Chicago in perfect weather, which certainly makes exploring this beautiful city even more special.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you on another Big Bus Tours experience in the future.
Best regards,
Flavius@BigBusTours
Great tour. Very informative
about history and architecture.
Comfortable upper deck with great views.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Hello! Thank you for your great review!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found it very informative, especially the insights into the city's history and architecture. It's also wonderful to know that you were able to relax on the upper deck and take in the fantastic views along the route.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you on board again for another memorable sightseeing experience soon! Daiana@BigBusTours
Always fun to start travel out with the Big bus hop on and off to get a feel for your area and what you want to explore. They usually have a prerecorded tour you can listen to. This one had Candice. She was amazing and did a live tour. She was informative, entertaining and funny. Thank you
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Hello! Thank you for your fantastic review!
We're delighted to hear that Big Bus Tours is your go-to way to explore a new city. It's especially wonderful to know that Candice made your experience so enjoyable with her informative and entertaining live commentary.
We'll be sure to pass on your kind words to her. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you on board again soon! Daiana@BigBusTours
Do the 2 hour trip first and then decide what stops you want to go back to. Get there early so you can sit on top.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi! Thank you so much for sharing your helpful tip! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the 2-hour tour and found it useful to take the full trip first before deciding which stops you wanted to revisit. Arriving early to secure a seat on the top deck is definitely a great way to enjoy the sights and make the most of your experience! We really appreciate you taking the time to share your recommendation with other visitors, and we hope to see you again on board for your next adventure. Best regards, Denis @ BigBusToursTeam
They made us get off at stop one after we had gotten on at stop 4. Then they said oh you can stay but we won’t leave for thirty minutes. We got on another bus about to depart. It was great. Unfortunately traffic was horrendous for bts concert don’t stops were ended at 3:00. Not really their fault but the recording talking about places you pass, kept going. It should have been paused somehow. When everything was going well, tour was great. Driver even took pictures by the lakefront.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi! Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the tour once you were on the second bus and appreciated our driver taking photos by the lakefront. We’re sorry for the confusion with the bus change and the disruption caused by the heavy traffic and BTS concert. We also appreciate your feedback regarding the recorded commentary continuing during the route changes and will share this with our team. Best regards, Denis @ BigBusToursTeam
Clean buses. All the drivers we encountered hopping on and off the buses were nice and friendly. The information they share with you on the route helps you get familiar with the city. One driver in particular was very helpful to us. She heard me say my phone battery was dying and I needed a paper ticket to show. Felicia climbed to the top of the bus to offer me her power bank and charger to charge my phone. That is service above and beyond her duty. We will remember her also for adding a personal touch to her narrative along the route. Nice to see someone proud of showing off the city you live in.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi Glenda_L. We wish to thank you for your feedback. We are happy to learn that you enjoyed the tour, and that Felicia was able to help you charge your phone, so you could continue the tour, and explore Chicago with no interruptions. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again soon. Best regards, Vlad @BigBusTours
Satisfactory for easy travel between attractions. Don't expect explanations or narration about what you're seeing. Drivers only told which stop we were reaching. If headphones did function and if they were understandable, they mostly played music, with a minute or two describing attractions near each stop. Workers were polite and some were knowledgeable. Schedules regular but don't depend on exact timing. A good way to get around without as much walking, just not for a tourist- helpful description of the city. Online ticketing worked fine.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi Glen_D, thank you for taking time to let us a review. We really appreciate your honest feedback and are glad that you had a positive experience overall. We are constantly working to improve our audio guide, and service and your review is really helpful. We hope to have you on board again one day soon! Best, Denisa from Big Bus Tours
Stopped at some iconic Chicago points of interest. Audio tour guide was sometimes talked over by the drivers narration. A bit confusing. A great way to get to know Chicago.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi Steve,
Thank you for your feedback! We are glad to hear that our tour was a great way for you to get to know Chicago and visit its iconic landmarks.
We appreciate your honest note regarding the overlap between the audio commentary and the driver's live narration. We understand how that could be confusing, and we have shared this with our local team in Chicago so we can better synchronize our onboard commentary.
Thank you again for riding with us, and we hope to welcome you back on board in the future!
Madalina@BigBusTours
The driver was great and give good information along the route. He did an excellent job. He instructed you when to watch out for the branches on the road.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi Jeanne,
Thank you for leaving such a wonderful 5-star review! We are thrilled to hear that your driver did an excellent job keeping the tour both informative and safe along the route. It is great to know his helpful safety reminders about the tree branches made for a smooth ride.
We will be sure to share your kind words with our Chicago team. We hope to welcome you back on board again soon!
Madalina@BigBusTours
We parked across the street at a parking garage that was near where we boarded the bus. I love hop on hop off tours because you can see everything without fighting the traffic yourself. We saw all of the major attractions other than Wrigley Field but was a wonderful day. We spent a lot of time at Navy Pier and the Butterfly House.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback!
We're delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable day exploring Chicago with us. Hop-on hop-off tours are a fantastic way to see the city's highlights without the stress of navigating traffic, and we're glad you found the experience convenient and relaxing.
It’s great to know that you were able to visit many of Chicago's major attractions and spend time enjoying locations such as Navy Pier and the Butterfly House. It sounds like you made the most of your day and created some great memories along the way.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience. We hope to welcome you on board again the next time you're in Chicago!
Flavius@BigBusTours
The bus ride was wonderful, informative and right on time. Totally recommend and would do this tour again!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found it both informative and reliable. It's great to know that the bus arrived on time and that the commentary helped enhance your experience while exploring the city.
Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we're especially pleased to hear that you would choose to take the tour again in the future.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience. We look forward to welcoming you on board again soon!
Flavius@BigBusTours
This 2 hour bus ride stops at a decent amount of places of interest, especially when it leaves the downtown. It goes over to Navy Pier as well as the Field Museum and Stadler Aquarium.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found it to be a good way to see many of the city's key attractions. It's great to know that the route covered a variety of points of interest, including destinations such as Navy Pier, the Field Museum, and Shedd Aquarium, helping you experience both the downtown area and some of Chicago's most iconic sights.
We're also pleased that you found the number of stops convenient for exploring the city at your own pace while still enjoying a comprehensive tour.
Thank you again for sharing your experience. We hope to welcome you on board again the next time you're in Chicago!
Flavius@BigBusTours
We were actually disappointed that this tour was given using headphones and not with a live guide. The information was sparse and often times we received it before or after we had passed the destination of topic. There was way to “elevator” music in between. And when the driver was talking the music was playing on the headphones and you had to remove the headphones in order to hear the directions. Often times missing information. It also ended up raining. After it stopped the upper deck was too wet to sit and there were no accommodations to wipe off the seats. We had to get off the bus and go get napkins from a restaurant ourselves. Not good customer service in my opinion. I have been on Hop on Hop Off buses before that were run much better.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review!
We're sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations.
We understand your disappointment regarding the pre-recorded commentary. Traffic conditions can sometimes affect the synchronization of the audio with the landmarks being passed, and we appreciate that this impacted your experience. We're also sorry to hear that the balance between commentary and music was not to your liking and that hearing the driver's announcements proved difficult while using the headphones.
BigBusTours@VladL
Member Pricing
From
$46.55
per personWas $49.00(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Member Pricing
Chicago Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus
2,413
2 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$49.00
$46.55
5% savings
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Chicago, USA
- Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower (Sears Tower) Tours & Tickets
- Frederick C. Robie House Tours & Tickets
- Field Museum Tours & Tickets
- House of Blues Tours & Tickets
- University of Chicago Tours & Tickets
- Northerly Island Tours & Tickets
- 360 Chicago Observation Deck (Formerly John Hancock Observatory) Tours & Tickets
- Medieval Times Chicago Tours & Tickets
- Chicago Board of Trade Building Tours & Tickets
- Chicago Loop Tours & Tickets
- Chicago Theatre Tours & Tickets
- Prairie Avenue Historic District Tours & Tickets
- Lincoln Park Conservatory Tours & Tickets
- Lake Michigan Tours & Tickets
- Chicago Pedway Tours & Tickets
- Rookery Building Tours & Tickets
- Wrigley Field Tours & Tickets
- Water Tower Place Tours & Tickets