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 2 353 reviews
Sort by: Most recent
Astrid_B, Aug 2026
We loved it. It threatened to rail the whole time, but didn't. The driver was funny and super friendly. The seats up top were a bit hard to sit for 2 hours. Bring a cushion if you can.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi!
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re so pleased to hear that you had a great time despite the threatening weather and that our driver’s humour and friendliness helped make the tour even more enjoyable. We also appreciate your comments about the upper-deck seating comfort, and we’ll be sure to share this feedback with the team.
Best regards,
Denis@BigBusToursTeam
Kelly_M, Aug 2026
Great way to see all the major spots!! Great views for pictures too. We loved our bus driver who gave is a REAL CHICAGO EXPERIENCE
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi!
Thank you for your fantastic feedback! We’re so glad you enjoyed seeing Chicago’s major sights and capturing some great photos along the way. It’s wonderful to hear that your bus driver gave you a true Chicago experience — we’ll be sure to share your kind words with the team!
Best regards,
Denis@BigBusToursTeam
Nathan_T, Aug 2026
Loved all the facts provided by the audio tour! Loved all the facts provided by the audio tour! Loved all the facts provided by the audio tour!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that you loved all the facts and commentary provided by the audio tour. It's great to know that the stories and insights helped make your sightseeing experience even more enjoyable. We hope to welcome you aboard again for another memorable adventure soon!
Ciprian@Big Bus Tours
Steve_K, Aug 2026
It wasn’t great. We have been on tours through Viator in New Orleans, Washington DC, and Nashville, and they were all better. The drivers were the ones speaking, you could ask questions, it was more interactive. This set up where you have headphones and a pre-recorded explanation of what’s going on is not good. Plus, it started to rain, and the people from the top of the bus came down to the inside portion of the bus and stood there and you couldn’t see anything. We got off the bus early.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations, especially in comparison with other hop-on hop-off experiences you’ve enjoyed. We understand that the pre-recorded commentary may not have felt as engaging as a live, interactive guide, and we regret that the rainy weather and overcrowding on the lower deck affected your ability to enjoy the views comfortably. Your comments are appreciated and will be shared with the local team as we continue working to improve the experience for our guests. Denis @BigBusTours!
Adam_H, Jul 2026
Sit on the upper deck for the full experience. Watch out for tree branches. The commentary is informative. Stops 9 & 10 near the water tower & Hancock building are easy to miss & not clearly labeled.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your feedback and for sharing these helpful tips!
We're glad to hear you enjoyed the upper deck experience and found the commentary informative. We also appreciate the advice about the tree branches and understand how easy it can be to miss certain stops, especially if signage isn't as visible as it could be.
Your comments regarding Stops 9 and 10 have been noted and shared with the team, as clear stop identification is an important part of the guest experience.
Thank you for riding with us, and we hope to welcome you on board again soon! 😊🚌Alex@BigBusTours
Ronald_C, Jul 2026
Great way to see the highlights of Chicago! Employees at the bus stops were very friendly and helpful with information.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi and thank you for your review!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found it to be a great way to see the highlights of Chicago. It's especially wonderful to know that our team members at the bus stops were friendly and helpful throughout your experience.
We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Calin@BigBusTours
Tatiana_P, Jul 2026
I bought the ticket at 4 pm and got to ride from 4:15 to 17:00, the driver was driving like crazy. Was very rude and unprofessional. Then he told us to leave asap because its 5 o’clock screaming at us. The next day we tried to ride again and thank god the driver allowed us to enter but he was also unprofessional.
I would not recommend and will never go again.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re very sorry to hear about your experience and that the service you received from our drivers did not meet the standards we aim to provide. Your comments regarding the driving, communication, and overall professionalism have been taken seriously and will be shared with the local management team for review. We appreciate your feedback and regret that your visit left you with such a negative impression. Denis @BigBusTours!
Shena_H, Jul 2026
This was a great way to see the sites of Chicago. We started and ended at the first location. It was also nice to hear and learn a little history about each stop.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your great review!
We're delighted to hear that the tour was a wonderful way to see Chicago's top sights. It's great to know you enjoyed the flexibility of starting and ending at the same location, and that the commentary helped bring the city's history and landmarks to life along the way.
Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back on board the next time you're in Chicago! 🏙️🚌😊 Alex@BigBusTours
Ashley_B, Jul 2026
Highly recommend. Great for families. Recommend riding whole loop first and then start getting off on stops. Great way to get a feel for the city and see highlights.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello!
Thank you so much for the fantastic 5-star review! We're thrilled to hear that your family had a great time and that riding the full loop first was helpful for your sightseeing. Thank you for recommending us, and we hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Melisa@BigBusTours
bernice_c, Jul 2026
The transition from 1 location to another takes a little while due to the traffic and changing of drivers. Overall, the experience was good. The driver was very friendly and resourceful.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello!
Thank you for sharing your experience on our Chicago tour!
We’re delighted to hear that you had a good overall time and that your driver made such a great impression with their friendliness and knowledge.
We appreciate your understanding regarding the transit times. Navigating Chicago traffic and handling necessary shift changes can sometimes slow things down, so we truly appreciate your patience.
Thank you again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Maria@BigBusToursCustomerCare
Latifah_M, Jul 2026
Not very customer service friendly. Still waiting on a follow-up email! However, Viator is my 1st stop for excursions.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello!
Thank you for sharing your feedback.
We are sincerely sorry to hear about your experience with our customer service and that you have been waiting on a follow-up email regarding your Chicago tour.
This is certainly not the standard of service we strive to deliver. We hope that your inquiry is being looked into and that it will be resolved in a favorable manner for you very soon.
We truly appreciate your continued trust and loyalty.
Maria@BigBusToursCustomerCare
Joanne_H, Jul 2026
The first driver we had was excellent. She provided great commentary and it was a smooth ride. The bus ran on time. The second driver we had was unfriendly, provided no commentary, so we used the headphones. The bus jerked frequently and the driver was braking hard, which made the ride unpleasant. The bus was late by 20 minutes to most stops. The recorded commentary didn't work well on the 2nd or 3rd bus. Audio cut in and out. On the 3rd bus, the commentary was a full two stops behind the actual bus location. The 3rd driver was impatient and again there was a lot of hard braking and jerking. It was a busy Saturday, and the busses were all full. The 3rd bus had to turn away people because there were not enough seats up top or down below, and the driver told them they would have to wait at least another 40 minutes for the next bus. I felt that the customer service needed improvement and that the drivers needed to be gentle with the vehicle. This is the only Hop-on-Hop-Off service in Chicago that I could find, so there's no competition that would improve the service. I felt for the money it was just an ok experience.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi,
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback with us. We are sorry to hear that your experience did not consistently meet your expectations.
We appreciate you highlighting both the positive aspects of your first journey and the areas where you felt improvements were needed. We always aim to provide a comfortable, enjoyable, and informative experience for our guests.
If you would like to provide any further details regarding your experience, please feel free to contact us directly. Alexandra@BigBusTours
Cynthia_R, Jul 2026
Candice was amazing!! Great tour of the city and all the sights of Chicago. Would highly recommend.!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Cynthia,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback with us. We are delighted to hear that you had a great tour of Chicago and enjoyed exploring the city’s sights with Candice.
We are pleased to know that she helped make your experience memorable. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back again soon for another Big Bus Tours adventure. Alexandra@BigBusTours
sandi_s, Jul 2026
CANDACE is the best driver and LIVE tour announcer. Her personality is infectious. Great history of city
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Sandi,
Thank you for your fantastic feedback. We are thrilled to hear that you had such an enjoyable tour with Candace. It is wonderful to know that her personality, knowledge, and engaging commentary helped make your experience memorable.
We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back on board again soon. Alexandra@BigBusTours
Patti_W, Jul 2026
We had a fun bus! Candace, our driver, was absolutely phenomenal. I wish everyone could experience her.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Patti,
Thank you for your fantastic feedback. We are delighted to hear that you had such a fun experience with us and that Candace helped make your tour so memorable. It is wonderful to know that her energy and personality made such a positive impression.
We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for another great tour soon. Alexandra@BigBusTours
Kathleen_L, Jul 2026
Wonderful way to see the city from atop the bus!
Our trip was made even more wonderful by our tour guide Candace! She was so knowledgeable and friendly- she made the whole trip worth it! She was definitely the highlight of the bus tour!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi,
Thank you for your lovely feedback. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed seeing the city from the top of the bus and that Candace helped make your experience even more special. It is wonderful to know that her knowledge and friendly personality made such a positive impression.
We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for another tour soon.Alexandra@BigBusTours
Donna_B, Jul 2026
Our group of 17 sorority friends from the 1980s had a tour Saturday July 24 at 10:30 am with Candace. She was AMAZING! We learned so much information about the city of Chicago. And she had a fun-loving personality and cracked jokes - she made our tour such fun! Candace is the BEST!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We are delighted to hear that you and your group had such a fantastic time exploring Chicago with Candace. It is great to know that her knowledge, humor, and engaging personality helped make your tour such a memorable experience.
We truly appreciate your kind words and are thrilled to hear that Candace helped make your visit so enjoyable. We hope to welcome you and your friends back again soon. Alexandra@BigBusTours
Michele_K, Jul 2026
The first half of tour was very interesting and informative. The second half dragged and had much less information. If you are sitting on the outside seat on the top and not sitting next to someone you know it was awkward to plug in the head phones to listen to the tour. Also we were concerned that if we got off at any of the stops we wouldn't be able to get a seat on the next bus since they all seemed so crowded.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi, Michele! Thank you for your feedback. We're glad you found the first part of the tour interesting and informative. We appreciate your comments regarding the second half of the narration, the headphone setup on the upper deck, and your concerns about bus capacity when hopping off. Your observations are valuable and will be shared with our team as we work to improve the overall experience. Thank you for choosing our Chicago tour, and we hope to welcome you aboard again in the future. Daniel@BigBusTours
Greg_M, Jul 2026
Bus driver would constantly punch gas pedal then let off injuring my back. We had to get off after 2 stops and go back k to our room.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi, Greg! We're very sorry to hear about your experience and the discomfort this caused. Please contact our team via live chat or email so we can investigate further and assist you directly. You can find our contact options here: https://www.bigbustours.com/contact-us
We appreciate you bringing this matter to our attention. Daniel@BigBusTours
Julie_D, Jul 2026
Great way to see many Chicago areas- we were there on day smoke came down from Canada so views were not as extraordinary as we wished. Liked the ability to get on and off as we wished. Especially enjoyed it as we could eat at famous hot dog place and then afterward hop on again.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Greetings!
Thank you for the fantastic review!
We are so glad that our tour provided a great way for you to explore Chicago, even with the unexpected smoke affecting the views that day.
You absolutely used the hop-on, hop-off feature the best way possible—stopping for a famous Chicago hot dog is a must-do!
We love that we could help make your day convenient and fun, and we hope to welcome you back on a clearer day in the Windy City!
Maria.S@BigBusToursCustomerTeam
Harsh_D, Jul 2026
Amazing big bus experience. Everything was well coordinated. The information shared about the Chicago downtown , magnificent mile and much more was very relevant and helpful.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Greetings!
Thank you so much for the amazing review!
We are absolutely thrilled to hear that everything was well coordinated and that you found our commentary about downtown Chicago and the Magnificent Mile so relevant and helpful.
Showing off the best of the Windy City is what we love to do most, and your kind words mean the world to our team.
We hope to welcome you aboard again for another great experience!
Maria.S@BigBusTours
Doris_J, Jul 2026
The best way to see the highlights of a city with the opportunity to go back and see the places of most interest to you.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Greetings!
Thank you so much for the wonderful review!
You've perfectly captured exactly what we aim to provide—a great overview of the city's highlights paired with the total freedom to explore your favorite spots at your own pace.
We are thrilled that you enjoyed your experience with Big Bus Chicago, and we hope to welcome you aboard again on your next visit to the Windy City!
Maria.S@BigBusTours
Gerald_T, Jul 2026
Nice option for seeing the city. You can tie the city while dropping at different attractions. I hopped off at Navy Pier, stayed an hour, hoped back on and continued to the next stop. I recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi, Gerald! Thank you for your kind feedback. We're glad you enjoyed the flexibility of exploring the city at your own pace and appreciate your recommendation. We hope to welcome you again on a future tour. Daniel@BigBusTours
Marilyn_I, Jul 2026
My review for Chicago trip is the hop on and off bus. We learned a lot about Chicago, but we experienced a lot of traffic. It was a lot of people as it was really congested.. Felicia our driver was great and very knowledgeable of the city.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello Marilyn_I. Thank you for taking the time to provide your insights! We are pleased to know that you enjoyed our bus tour, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back on board in the future. Best regards, Razvan @BigBusTours
Lisa_B, Jul 2026
Candace was our driver and tour guide. She was enthusiastic about Chicago and seemed to love her job. She was funny and knowledgeable! We learned so much!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Lisa_B. Thank you for sharing your feedback with us! We are thrilled to learn that you had a wonderful experience on our bus tour, and we hope to see you on board again soon. Best regards, Razvan @BigBusTours
Sheila_J, Jul 2026
It was fun and informative. But the ticket says 24 hours but the service ended at 5 pm daily. The attendants were friendly and full of good information that that made the experience that much better!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Sheila,
Thank you so much for your review and for sharing your experience with us. We are happy to hear that you found the tour fun and informative, and that our friendly attendants made your trip to Chicago even better.
We appreciate you bringing up the ticket timing. Our twenty four hour tickets are valid for twenty four consecutive hours from the time you first scan your ticket on the bus, allowing you to use them across two days during our regular daily operating hours. Since our buses stop running at five PM each day, we understand how this can sometimes be confusing, and we will work on making this distinction clearer on our booking pages.
We would love to help you with any questions or further feedback. Please feel free to contact us directly through our help section so we can assist you.
Madalina@BigBusTours
Donna_R, Jul 2026
Hard to follow maps and directions for the hop on hop off. Hard to find the signage in Chicago for the hop on hop off. Tried to message the operator for hop on hop off and never replied. Viator itself was very helpful The tour itself was good and we enjoyed it if you can maneuver the maps!
John_O, Jul 2026
It's a decent way to get around the city but it's a recorded narration that is difficult to understand due to the poor quality of the headphones provided by the Big Red Bus Company. If you're interested in the North Side of Chicago, you're out-of-luck with this tour, so you have to discover places like Lincoln Park and Wrigley Field on your own. My wife and I prefer bus tours with live narration by a guide so if that's your preference, this probably isn't the tour for you.
Kimberly_C, Jul 2026
Felicia is the best! We really enjoyed her commentary and extra fun facts while she operated the tour bus. This was a great way to see some of the most popular sites in the city. I recommend doing this on day 1 of visiting the city.
Marcina_G, Jul 2026
Bumpy ride, stops on the redline weren’t interesting points for visiting. The speaker was cracking and hard to hear the commentary
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello! Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear the ride and commentary did not meet your expectations and that you found some of the Red Route stops less interesting. We appreciate your comments and will share them with the relevant team as we continue working to improve our guests' experience.
Denis @BigBusTours
From US$49,00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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