Big Bus Chicago: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour, 24/48/72hr Pass
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
- Live Bus Tracking & City Info (Download Free Big Bus App)
- Enclosed/Climate Controlled Lower Deck, Top Deck Open
- WiFi on board
- 4 Self-guided Digital Walking Tours to explore the city (if option selected)
- 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.
Big Loop (Red Route)
11 Stops
35 Points of Interest
Duration: 2 hours
Operating Schedule: Operates daily: First Bus 10AM, Last Bus 4PM. Red Loop lasts 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
- Redeem vouchers at Stop #1 Riverwalk (98 E Wacker), or with the driver at any Big Bus stop along the route
- Please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required
- Self-guided tour topics include Chicago Architecture, Public Art, Chicago Riverwalk, and Millennium Park
- Download the free Big Bus app for stop locations, city information and live bus tracking.
- Two ways to activate tickets: 1. Download and open the Big Bus app. Tap "Add Booking" and enter your booking reference. On the day of travel, open your ticket and press "Activate" then show your activated ticket to the driver at any stop along the route. Plus, use the app for route information and live bus tracking. 2. Redeem voucher and activate with Big Bus staff at Stop #1 - Chicago Riverwalk - 98 E. Wacker Drive (on the corner of Michigan and Wacker), or with any driver at any stop along the route.
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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 2,207 reviews
Robert_J, Mar 2026
Terrible, the code did not work and I am trying to get either rescheduled or refunded sadly the code or ticket did not work
Paula_G, Mar 2026
Hello,
We booked a tour on 3/28. We started at Millennium Park, took photos at the Planetarium and got off at Navy Pier. The driver was great. We got back on around 2:45, and were disappointed in the tour from there. The driver didn't say anything about what we were seeing, or where they left us off. We did know there was a protest as we were told when we first boarded. But, when we were asked to leave the bus, we weren't told where we were, or how or when we could resume the tour. It abruptly ended without any further instruction. I feel that the company. should have offered some sort of discount or partial refund. If we hadn't picked up the bus at 2:45, we would have been at Navy Pier just waiting for another bus. The company knew of the protest in the morning, but didn't appear to plan for it. It was a disappointment.
Joanna_B, Mar 2026
KUDOS to CANDACE! She was fabulous! No need to get the earphones if you’re on her bus! She will energetically give you “fun facts”about Chicago along with humor.She goes above and beyond to make sure your experience is memorable. She even offered to take pictures of her guests at a scenic location overlooking Lake Michigan. She is THE reason I gave 5 stars. We had 2 other bus drivers, who were just that, bus drivers. While on their buses, we did use the earphones for about 20 seconds, but got bored and would rather just take in the views. The location of the stops were convenient to visit ALOT of Chicago’s “must dos”. All for all, it was worth the money, and I would recommend “the bus” to see the sights without the worry of driving and parking. Thank you Candace for making our trip to Chicago wonderful and memorable!!!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hi Joanna_B. We wish to thank you for your feedback. We are glad to hear that your experience in Chicago was amazing, thanks to Candace, who enhanced your time spent with us thanks to the fun facts provided. We are delighted that our staff made their best to ensure your experience is only perfect. We hope to have you back soon. Best, Vlad from Big Bus Tours.
Glenn_B, Mar 2026
Was not a good experience for the first 45 min. Then we transferred buses and it got much better. First bus there was no narration
Barbara_R, Mar 2026
We began our tour in Chicago at the Water Tower. Upon hopping onto the bus the driver was rude when we asked him a question about the sights. His response was “he wasn’t a tour guide” which we already knew. If he or his assistant would have offered the headphones we probably would not have asked anything. When we arrived at the starting point (Trump Tower) we got off the bus and hopped onto a different bus. What a difference this bus driver was, he offered the headphones and asked how our day was going, he was amazing, he made commentary, he answered questions, he took pictures he even offered to stop so we could buy some glitzes (hotdogs). Unfortunately we did not get his name. But a shout out to this amazing man who made our route memorable.
Sandy_R, Mar 2026
This worked out really well for our family.
Allows you to get to the main sightseeing places and track the busses via the app for realtime updates to catch the bus when you were done at the various locations. Friendly drivers and a good way to learn a little history.
Tj_B, Mar 2026
I have done these bus tours in lots of cities and always found them very informative. This one played music and very little talking about the city and what we were seeing. So disappointing. It was also very confusing and contradictory as to what times the pick up was. It was not consistent. The pickup stops were not clearly marked. When I pressed show me the stop the picture had a sandwich board with a sign that said big bus stop but there was no such sign and the bus passed us because we were over by the kiosk with big bus on the next corner. This tour needs a lot of upgrades and the signage needs to be consistent. Had I known that busses would have an 45 to an hour pickup between buses I probably would not have taken this tour. I will definitely be finding out more information before I take another one of these.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hello TJ! We truly appreciate your review. We're sorry to learn that your experience in Chicago wasn't up to par. Please reach out to us through email or chat, and our team will gladly assist you. Your feedback is valuable to us, and we will do our utmost to improve ourselves. Wishing you a wonderful day! Ana from Big Bus Tours.
TJ_D, Mar 2026
We purchased the Big Bus tour expecting an informative overview of Chicago; however, our experience was disappointing. The audio on the bus was very difficult to hear, and the commentary itself was brief and not particularly informative.
We decided to hop off at one of the stops with the intention of getting back on later, but we were unable to locate the designated pickup area. There was no visible signage indicating where to re-board, and the directions in the app were not specific enough to guide us to the correct location.
As a result, we ended up walking for the remainder of the day because buses were running very infrequently. The app indicated that only three buses were operating at the time, with wait times of up to an hour for the next bus. Had there been clear signage, we would have been able to wait at the correct pickup location. We actually saw the bus pass by but could not reach the corner in time before it left.
This experience was very disappointing, especially since we have previously used Big Bus tours in other cities with great success. Our experiences in New York and Boston were both enjoyable and well organized, which is why this visit was such a surprise.
Given these issues, we would appreciate your review of this situation and consideration of an appropriate resolution.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hey TJ! Thank you for your review. We're sorry to hear that you had some trouble with the audio and our app, which made your experience less enjoyable. Big Bus Tours is proud of our high-quality audio experiences, which we have recently upgraded and rolled out to most of our cities, with the last few to come soon. We are confident that you will appreciate the audio guide on your next trip, so be sure to take another Big Bus Tour the next time you travel. You can always get in touch with us via email or chat, and our team will be more than happy to help you. Have a lovely day! Cheers, Ana from Big Bus Tours.
Deb_J, Feb 2026
Probably not the best hop on/off we’ve done however it does give you a basic introduction to Chicago. We would have liked a bit more commentary about the area. Winter time seems to also be challenging with less buses available. We didn’t catch his name but the male bus driver was quite good some more anecdotes to the recorded commentary.
Robert_S, Feb 2026
Great overview of the city. Driver and check in staff were professional and courteous. I would highly recommend.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hi Robert_S, thank you for the great review. We are happy that you had an amazing experience with our staff. Thank you for recommendation. We hope to have you on board again one day soon! Best, Denisa from Big Bus Tours
Aida_d, Feb 2026
Awful did not get on it since it close early. It was close at 4 pm. Which we wanted to get on at four
Laura_F, Feb 2026
My husband and I enjoyed the big bus tour. It was very convenient in the winter with the snow. The bus was covered so you were protected from the cold and wind. Also they provided headphones so you could listen to the audio tour.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your awesome review, Laura! I'm glad to hear that you have enjoyed the tour during the winter in spite of the cold. We hope to see you again soon, perhaps in a different city! Eugen, Big Bus Tours
nikk3377, Jan 2026
There was no working heat on our second bus upstairs. We froze waiting for the bus to arrive since they were only running each hour and times were way off. No one would communicate back with me on when they would arrive or how far away anyone was for our pick up location. They sign times and the app times were completely different also. We had a group of 6 and all were unhappy with the communication. On a good note both bus drivers were wonderful and the recorded information was great. I totally understand that this was an extreme cold day but any heat would have been nice and communication is key. In warmer weather this Big Bus Tour would be a great experience and has great locations for drop off and pickup.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hi there, thank you so much for your honest feedback! We're sorry that the wait times impacted your trip; as we tend to operate in big cities, occasionally traffic can let us down. We recommend using the Live Tracking feature on our app to help plan your route on the day.
On the other hand we are happy to see that you have enjoyed the tours and that our staff made their best to accommodate your needs. We hope to see you on a Big Bus Tour again soon! Anca from Big Bus
Beth_M, Jan 2026
I bought a 48 hour pass and when I arrived they told me that they were closed the following day. I was not offered a refund
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hi Beth_M! We're sorry to hear that your experience has been affected by these events. Please send us a message through a Viator platform and we will gladly assist further. Eugen, Big Bus Tours
Olive_P, Jan 2026
It was really interesting and a great tiur..
The only reason I didn't give a 5 is because the bus was cold inside..No heat on a cold day
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hello Olive_P. We truly appreciate your honest feedback! It makes us happy to hear that you enjoyed the bus tour! Thank you for sharing your insights, as we are always looking to improve and offer our customers the best service possible. We hope to welcome you back in the future! Warm wishes. Razvan @ Big Bus Tours
Myanca_R, Jan 2026
Bus drivers were friendly, on time and helpful - knew the best local restaurants and Chicago specialties. The bus also takes you to the 'must-see' sights and attractions of Chicago, even during a winter trip! It felt safe for a female solo traveller and would be fun in groups as well - highly recommend.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hi Myanca_R. Thank you for your review! It makes us happy to hear that you had a wonderful experience with us. We can't wait to welcome you back soon! Razvan from Big Bus Tours.
Casey_B, Dec 2025
Fun tour guide. Weather was def a bummer but the partly covered top deck was helpful! Seats were SO cold but that’s no one’s fault, Appreciated the hop on/off convenience. Cleaner windows would be helpful.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hello Casey_B, we truly appreciate your honest feedback, and we're delighted to know that you had a wonderful time on the tour despite the weather and that you liked the hop on hop off feature! We look forward to welcoming you again in the future!-Best wishes, Mara from Big Bus
Laarni_O, Dec 2025
Convenient to take the BigBus esp with2 kids during the winter season. We were able to discover more about chicago
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hello Laarni_O, we are thrilled to learn that you and your kids had a wonderful time on your tour in Chicago and that you found it convenient. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!-Best wishes, Mara from Big Bus
Tanya_V, Dec 2025
I take these tours in every city. This was the worst by far. Workers were rude. They didn’t have enough headphones.
Jody_R, Dec 2025
I wish I could remember our drivers name on 12/22/25 at 5pm, but she was so sweet and made a “courtesy stop” for us so that we didn’t have to walk as far. Everyone is so polite.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Hi Jody_R, thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We’re thrilled to hear that our driver made your experience even more enjoyable with a courtesy stop and that you found everyone polite. We’ll be sharing your kind words with our Chicago team. You made our day better! We look forward to welcoming you on board again soon. Cheers! Gabriel - Big Bus Tours
Kendall_A, Dec 2025
Nice ride around the city. Beautiful views riding at sunset. Highly recommended. Driver also stopped for us get some pictures. She was awesome
Mary_J, Dec 2025
We loved it. Only thing was that it canceled for Dec 13th we planned on riding it another day for are 24 hrs pass. Candice was bad driver she was a 10 put of a 10
Robert_S, Nov 2025
You are able to see a good overview of Chicago and then decide where you want to spend your time thereafter.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hello Robert_S! Thank you for your kind review, we're happy to hear that you have enjoyed visiting Chicago with us. We're looking forward to your next visit! Eugen, Big Bus Tours
Dana_P, Nov 2025
Candace was exceptional. She was very knowledgeable and spoke clearly. Her playful personality made the tour very enjoyable.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hi Dana_P. We wish to thank you for your feedback. We are glad to hear that you had a great time with us in Chicago, and that Candace made the tour even better. We hope to have you back soon. Best, Vlad from Big Bus Tours.
Myesha_C, Nov 2025
When I booked the tour there should’ve been some kind of notice that the street were gonna been shut down and the bus operations services were ending two to three hours early due to the miracle mile light festival parade.We couldn’t get the full experience of hopping on and off because there wasn’t enough time to explore. The last stop was 3.5 miles from where we started and we had to pay for an Uber
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hi Myesha! Thank you for your review. We're sorry that the diversions impacted your trip; as we tend to operate in big cities, occasionally impromptu protests or road closures can lead to us having to adapt our usual routes. We update information on temporary detours or stop closures on our Service Information page, available on our website and app, or alternatively you can talk to our helpful Live Chat team, available 24/7, to help best plan your day. We hope to see you on a Big Bus Tour again soon! Ana from Big Bus Tours.
Kevin, Nov 2025
Easy way to get around and see the city. The app gives you a general idea where the buses are so you can time your stops and reboarding.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hi Kevin, thank you for the great review. We are happy to hear you had a positive experience with us and find our app helpful as well. We look forward for your next visit with us! Best, Denisa from Big Bus Tours
Geshia_D, Nov 2025
It's was very informative staff wasn't friendly at all. They came off rude to some passengers that spoke differently. I didn't like how they treat them. When asking questions thet were kind of rude, kinda what you want now situation.This experience from beginning to end should have been a memorable experience to tell people it was ok to me.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hi Geshia_D,
Thank you for taking your time to write your feedback! We are very sorry to hear about this situation, as this is not the way we want to treat our guests! If you ever have a complaint in regard to one of our staff members, please feel free to contact us directly via chat, so we can address the issue with them and take the necessary actions. Our team is available 24/7 to assist you! We hope that you will consider riding with us again in the future! Best wishes. Cristian T, Big Bus Tours
Bryan_C, Nov 2025
The viator app and email was troublesome and cumbersome, but when we got it figured it out, it was smooth sailing! Had a great time to learn some stuff about Chicago.
Richard_B, Nov 2025
The operator canceled the days trip and never notified us or any one else. It was difficult to contact the operator via phone or emails
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hello Richard! We appreciate your feedback. We're sorry that the bad weather closures affected your trip. Since we primarily operate in large cities, unexpected protests or road closures can sometimes require us to change our usual routes. We keep our Service Information page updated with details on temporary detours or stop closures, which you can find on our website and app. Alternatively, our friendly Live Chat team is available 24/7 to assist you in planning your day. We look forward to welcoming you back on a Big Bus Tour soon! Best, Ana from Big Bus Tours.
Debbie_B, Nov 2025
It’s a great way to get around town see other sites and learn some history about Chicago. Our favorite drivers were the ones that gave extra information in addition to the recording. We especially enjoyed Donnie the driver we had a few times.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hello Debbie, thank you for your fantastic review! We are thrilled to know that you enjoyed our Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off tour. It brings us great joy to hear that our drivers provided you with additional insights during the ride. We will certainly relay your compliments to Donnie regarding the information he shared. Thank you, Alice w/Big Bus Tours
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