Hop-On Hop-Off Double Decker Tour & Arlington Cemetery Audio Tour
Washington DC, USA
- 1 hour 50 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Discover the most popular sights in Washington DC, and simplify your sightseeing, with this all-in-one package. On a hop-on hop-off bus tour, drive past many of the capital's top attractions, including the White House, the Washington Monument, the National Mall, and more. This cost-saving package also includes an Arlington National Cemetery walking tour and more.
- Explore the city at your own pace on a hop-on hop-off bus tour
- Enjoy an efficient way to see the city's most important landmarks
- Choose from three pass durations to fit your Washington DC schedule
- Benefit from access to several other tours and experiences
What's Included
- Official Tour Provider of the National Mall - a portion of every ticket goes to preservation
- 24/48/72hr Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour
- Open-top Double-decker buses with 18 convenient stops
- Professional audio-guided walking tours of Arlington Cemetery, Tidal Basin, and Georgetown
- Digital commentary aboard hop-on hop-off bus in multiple languages
- Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Operating hours
Select your preferred tour option to see hours.
Departure Point
- You may start this tour at any of the stops listed.
Itinerary
Pick between 1-, 2-, or 3-day passes to fit your schedule. The tour begins when you hop on at any of the available stops. Board one of the open-top buses and enjoy the view with recorded audio commentary detailing in-depth facts and stories. Learn about the history and happenings of the nation’s capital as the bus rolls along from one location to the next.
Take in all the places that are synonymous with the nation’s capital, including the White House, US Capitol, Air and Space Museum, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and many more.
This package also includes access to an optional Arlington National Cemetery walking tour and other experiences you can opt into.
Take in all the places that are synonymous with the nation’s capital, including the White House, US Capitol, Air and Space Museum, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and many more.
This package also includes access to an optional Arlington National Cemetery walking tour and other experiences you can opt into.
Red Loop
11 Stops
27 Points of Interest
Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes
Operating Schedule: Meeting Point - Stop #1 Washington Monument (1400 Jefferson Drive SW). Recommended alternative stop - Stop #3 National Japanese American Memorial (415 New Jersey Ave NW) As the Official Tour Provider of the National Mall, Big Bus gets you closer than anyone else to the monuments and memorials of DC. Hours of Operation - First Bus 9:00AM, Last Bus 4:30PM
1
1400 Jefferson Dr SW
2
10th Street Northwest & Constitution Avenue Northwest
3
415 New Jersey Ave NW
4
2436 Rayburn House Office Bldg
5
600 Independence Ave SW
6
700 L'Enfant Plaza SW
7
800 Maine Ave SW
8
1200 Independence Ave SW
9
266 Raoul Wallenberg Pl SW
10
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
11
121 West Basin Dr SW
Points of interest passed by on this route
The White House
Tidal Basin
Washington Monument
The National Mall
National Museum of African American History and Culture
U.S. Capitol
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Ford's Theatre
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian American Art Museum
National Museum of Asian Art
Smithsonian Garden
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Art Museum of The Americas
Department of the Interior Museum
Lincoln Memorial
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
International Spy Museum
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Black Lives Matter Plaza
Chinatown
National Museum of the American Indian
Union Station
Arlington National Cemetery
Blue Loop
8 Stops
6 Points of Interest
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Operating Schedule: Meeting Point - Stop #1 Washington Monument (1400 Jefferson Drive SW (on Jefferson Dr. SW & corner of 14th St. by Bike Racks) As the Official Tour Provider of the National Mall, Big Bus gets you closer than anyone else to the monuments and memorials of DC. Hours of Operation - First Bus 930AM, Last Bus 430PM
1
1400 Jefferson Dr SW
2
World War II Memorial
3
100 Daniel French Dr SW
4
1 Memorial Ave
5
18th Street Northwest & Constitution Avenue Northwest
6
1615 H St NW
7
610 10th St NW
8
1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Points of interest passed by on this route
Washington Monument
National Museum of American History
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
Arlington National Cemetery
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Your Dollars in Action: A portion of every ticket helps preserve the National Mall’s iconic monuments and memorials—so your Big Bus tour supports America’s history for generations to come
- Complimentary shuttle services from city hotels to Stop #1 available at select times - please view ticket voucher for exact times.
- Free Oval Office Commemorative Photo: Present your ticket at White House Gifts (701 15th ST NW) to receive a free Oval Office digital photo. One photo per ticket.
- Unlimited Biking Offer: Rent a bike for one hour and get an additional hour free. Rental includes bike, helmet, basket, lock, roadside assistance and an illustrated map featuring key routes and attractions.
- Choice of audio guide tours includes Arlington Cemetery, Tidal Basin, and Georgetown neighborhood. Guests 18 and older must provide valid photo ID to enter Arlington Cemetery.
- Download the Big Bus Tours app to access and activate your ticket, track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.
Supplied by
Frequently Asked Questions (9)
Q:How often does a bus arrive at each stop during the Big Bus Washington DC Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Tour?
A:Buses arrive every 30-45 minutes for both the Red and Blue Loops
Apr 2026
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
3.5
based on 3,936 reviews
Lesko_J, Jun 2026
We never received information as to where to meet the first bus. We tried looking it up and finally asked our concierge for help. She told us to park at Union Station that this was one of their stops, she was wrong. Trolley Tour people were and they helped us find a nearby stop to walk to and meet a bus. Didn’t care for the audio portion, several things get repeated throughout the tour and the information is stale and the jokes are lame. With a historic city like DC they should be able to talk constantly but too often music is playing. Sadly, IWould not recommend!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi, Lesko!
Our goal is to provide a fun and informative introduction to Washington DC, and we're sorry to hear that the audio experience was not as engaging as you had hoped. Feedback such as yours is incredibly valuable as it helps us identify areas where we can improve the experience for future guests. If there is anything we can do to assist further, please don't hesitate to contact us directly. We'd be happy to help!
Madalina@BigBusTours
Michael_P, Jun 2026
The bus we rode in the morning covered both red and blue routes. When we got back on the bus in the afternoon they said the bus was only for the red route. A bit confusing.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hello Michael! Thank you for your great feedback! We are very glad to hear that you have had an amazing experience with our tour services. We are looking forward to welcoming you back! Razvan@BigBusTours
Jessica_G, Jun 2026
This is a really nice tour where you can jump on an off at your discretion. Only thing that I will say is that you do need to start early as they do stop at 5 to 530pm. Make the most of the opportunities and plan ahead.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the flexibility of the hop-on hop-off tour. Your advice about starting early and planning ahead is very helpful for making the most of the experience, especially with operating hours in mind.
Florin @ BigBusTours
Nancy_K, Jun 2026
We did not get a paper map which would have helped understand where all the stops were. It seemed like we had a wait for buses so we did not get everywhere as I had done before- maybe there were more buses then?
William_C, May 2026
We bought Blue and Red loop tickets for DC. Before we got on, we had a really enjoyable conversation with Devaughn outside the Willard Hotel stop. He was friendly, funny, courteous and knowledgeable. A great ambassador for your brand. After that, Blue loop driver was excellent. But Red Loopdrover not good. He started on the wrong loop (Blue) and then said he was told to do Red. We’d all gotten on the Red loop, so not sure what happened but it was a slow painful grind after that and so bad that We gave up and got off. But Devaughn is a star!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your feedback! We’re delighted to hear that Devaughn made such a great impression and provided a friendly and engaging experience. It’s also great to know you enjoyed the Blue Loop journey. We’re sorry to hear about the confusion and delay on the Red Loop, and we understand how this impacted your experience. We kindly invite you to contact us at info@bigbustours.com so we can review this in more detail with you. Adrian @BigBusTours
Kavita_S, May 2026
This was a good experience to get a tour of D.C. This gives you a general idea of the land and the flexibility to hop on-off and visit the various monuments
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your feedback! 😊
We’re glad you enjoyed the flexibility and found it a great way to get an overview of Washington, D.C. and its landmarks.
We hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Raul@BigBusTours
Pearl_H, May 2026
I had a terrible experience and will not recommend. Bad business. They allow the big bus extort money from customers and they the do nothing
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback, and we’re very sorry to hear about your experience.
This is certainly not the standard we aim to provide. We take concerns like this seriously and would appreciate the opportunity to look into what happened and make things right.
Raul@BigBusTours
Richard_L, May 2026
It was very boring. Hated the earbuds. Points of interest along the way were not pointed out. Would not do this again.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations and that you found the audio experience and commentary disappointing. We appreciate your comments regarding the earbuds and the information provided along the route, as this helps us identify areas where we can improve. Thank you again for your feedback, and we will share it with the relevant team for review.
Denis @Big Bus Tours
Edith_S, May 2026
Great way to see DC without all the walking especially on a rainy day. The tour lacked some historical facts like information about Benjamin Banneker
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad to hear the tour was a convenient way to explore Washington DC, especially in rainy weather and with less walking.
We also appreciate your suggestion regarding additional historical details, such as information about Benjamin Banneker, as we know how valuable deeper insights can be to the experience. Your comments have been shared with our team. We hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Ciprian @ Big Bus Tours
Margaret_P, May 2026
I have to say the fellas at the start of the bus were informative & helpful.
The bus was a great way for us to see & experience the city.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re delighted to hear our team at the starting point were informative and helpful, and that the tour was a great way for you to explore and experience the city. It’s wonderful to know you had a positive time with us, and we hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Ciprian @ Big Bus Tours
Candace_A, May 2026
Overall, Big Bus Tours was a good way to get around Washington DC, especially for seeing a lot of sites without worrying about transportation. The staff and drivers were all very friendly and helpful. That said, the logistics were pretty rough during our trip. Traffic was horrendous, there were lots of road closures and rerouting, and the buses ran quite late. Our original pickup time was supposed to be 9:56 AM, but we didn’t actually get on a bus until around 10:20.
Things got more frustrating when we were told to switch bus colors at the next stop and move to another bus. About halfway through the ride, that bus developed a very strong ammonia smell. The driver initially told people to just sit upstairs, but the smell became overwhelming and people were getting sick. Eventually, everyone had to evacuate the bus at Arlington National Cemetery because the odor was so intense.
Despite all of that, it’s still a convenient way to get around DC if you’re patient and flexible with delays and unexpected changes.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your detailed feedback.
We’re glad to hear you found the tour a convenient way to explore Washington DC and that our team made a positive impression. At the same time, we sincerely apologize for the delays, disruptions, and the situation you experienced with the bus condition. This is certainly not the standard we strive to provide.
Florin @ Big Bus Tours
Your comments have been noted and will be shared with our local team to help us improve both operations and overall guest experience.
Tobi_S, May 2026
There were some issues that seemed out of their control, road closures, traffic. I would think they would know about the closures and adjust. They did decide to go back to starting point and allow us to change routes. We were also in one bus that had a nauseating ammonia smell coming from the vents. We had to get off. I informed the driver.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that traffic and road closures affected your experience, as we understand how frustrating this can be while trying to enjoy the tour. We appreciate your understanding that some situations can be outside of our control, and we’re glad our team was able to assist by returning to the starting point and offering an alternative route.
We’re also very sorry to hear about the issue with the unpleasant smell on board and appreciate you notifying the driver. This is certainly not the experience we aim to provide, and your comments have been shared with our team for follow up. Thank you for taking the time to let us know.
Ciprian @ Big Bus Tours
Stacie_D, May 2026
So far not great. Waiting for bus at Jefferson memorial, when bus came it did not stop but did have seats available. Can’t reach anyone to get info.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re very sorry to hear about your experience at the Jefferson Memorial stop and understand how frustrating it must have been to see the bus pass without stopping, especially when seats were available.
This is not the level of service we aim to provide, and your comments have been shared with our team so we can look into this and improve communication and service reliability. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Ciprian @ Big Bus Tours
Michelle_B, May 2026
I traveled with my 81yr old father and he has a walker. Everyone was extremely helpful and answered any questions we had. I would do the tours again and again!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re truly delighted to hear that you and your father had such a positive experience with us. It means a lot to know our team was helpful and attentive, especially in ensuring comfort and support throughout the tour. We’re so glad you enjoyed it together and that you would choose to join us again. We hope to welcome you both on board for another great experience soon!
Ciprian @ Big Bus Tours
Judy_S, May 2026
Need to let people know where to pick up bus from Union Station in Washington DC! We had to walk 4 blocks to catch a bus!!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your feedback.
We’re really sorry to hear that it was difficult to find the pickup point near Union Station — we understand how frustrating that must have been, especially after arriving in the area.
Your comments are really valuable, and we’ll make sure to pass them on to our team so we can improve the clarity of our pickup information and signage for future customers.
We hope you were still able to enjoy your tour, and we’d love to welcome you on board again. Vlad@BigBusTours
Paula_D, May 2026
There is limited info from them, I expected more history and direction. They would help if you thought to ask, but not much in the way of info to give perspective
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. We appreciate your honest feedback and understand your wish for more historical context and clearer direction during the tour. While our team is always happy to help when asked, we recognise how important it is for the commentary and information provided to offer strong perspective throughout the journey. Your comments have been shared with our team as we continue working to enhance the depth and clarity of the experience. Thank you for riding with us and helping us improve for future guests.
Ciprian @ Big Bus Tours
Gyorgy_T, Apr 2026
Title: Disorganized Tour & Major Waste of Time
I’ve used hop-on hop-off bus services around the world through platforms like Viator, and this was by far the worst experience I’ve had.
The operation was extremely disorganized. The automated guide was mostly playing random content like U.S. Army music and commercials, with very little actual tourist information. Compared to other cities where the audio guides are engaging and informative, this was a huge disappointment.
The route system (red and blue lines) was also poorly managed. We started on the red line, got off to explore, and then had to wait nearly an hour for the next bus. After that, multiple buses showed up within a short 15-minute window—completely inconsistent timing.
The biggest issue was with the blue line. We specifically confirmed with the driver that we were boarding the correct (blue line) bus. Once the tour started, it suddenly switched to the red line, and the driver claimed it was a “last-minute change.” No announcement was made to passengers, which is unacceptable.
We only had 24 hours in Washington, DC, and this ended up wasting a significant portion of our limited time.
Overall, a very frustrating and poorly managed experience. I would not recommend this service.
Fred_n, Apr 2026
Tour and the fact that you can hop on and off again was great. Your staff was not very friendly to the point of being rude. Would not do it again.
nigel_f, Apr 2026
Just terrible company. We brought tickets for the red route and we somehow got on or allowed on the blue route and when they changed buses half way around the blue route we were not allowed back on .it was pouring with rain and we had to find our own way back.
I have requested a refund but they do not have the courtesy to reply
Kimberley_M, Apr 2026
They never showed up. We waited for over 30 minutes, Viator customer service couldn’t really help. It was super disappointing, it looked fun but we never got the experience because the bus never showed
LaZann_Y, Apr 2026
This is one of those tours you have to make. Our tour guide was so knowledgeble, a very unique tour.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi LaZann_Y. We wish to thank you for your feedback. We are happy to learn that the tour was great, and that the guide enhanced your experience with us in Washington DC. We hope to have you back soon. Best, Vlad from Big Bus Tours.
Danika_B, Apr 2026
I was hesitant about this tour since there was some negative feedback. However, we are so glad we did this tour. Everyone was super kind and friendly. That tour was very informative and made it easy to get off and look at attractions without having to walk around the entire city.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello Danika_B! Thank you so much for your feedback. We're thrilled to hear that you had a great time with us and that your experience exceeded your expectations. It's wonderful to know that our team conveyed our cheerful and welcoming atmosphere, and that you found the tour informative. We look forward to welcoming you back soon. Best wishes, Vlad from Big Bus Tours.
Santosh_M, Apr 2026
Never book for Big bus at Washington DC, very slow not on schedule very untidy. It took and hour to arrive one stop. Have use uber for all other stops. Using Uber is cheaper and convenient for sight seeing rather than Big bus.
Renee_S, Apr 2026
Disappointed with the tour. Took a longer Hop on Hoop off tour during Cherry Blossom Festival a few years ago with your company and I raved about experience to a friend that took the tour with me this time (she wants as refund). The air conditioning did not work on any of the three buses we went on and the temperature went up to 87 degrees and the buses were packed. No signage indicating lack or air. Make shift fans didn’t work. Drivers were subjected to the complaints of tourists due to lack of air and were rude. Due to poor working conditions I can understand. The quality of the tour recordings has diminished. I had trouble hearing the points of interest. A lot of sound ports were broken. The tour bus only lanes by the water basin are gone - traffic was terrible. Can you lobby for return of these lanes with the city? On top of it all there were few cherry blossoms to see. Not your fault - just noting. I’ve been on great tours with you company in New York and Toronto. You can do better.
Tom_D, Apr 2026
Convenient way to see a lot in DC - but because of traffic sometimes it seems you could almost walk just as fast. Some drivers make a lot of announcements- some almost none at all.
Kunal_P, Apr 2026
Buses are old and Lower deck Ac are broken or not working. Upper deck was too hot. Not good for kids.Other companies buses are more better. No instruction about stop or notify when stop comes.
Lesley_C, Apr 2026
I booked two excursions and received my tickets for one but not the other. I could not get anyone to release the 2nd set of tickets so we missed Day two and your company refused to refund We didn’t get to tour and didnt get our money back. The first day, it was so crowded only 2 stops for 2 memorials. Very disappointed. I would not recommend
Jayne_G, Apr 2026
If you hop off you may have to wait a trolley or two get back
On or you can walk to the next stop.easy access to great stops
Maureen_D, Apr 2026
Rode both red loop and blue loop.
Enjoyed both. Nice day
Great way to see D.C. and all it has to offer
April_N, Apr 2026
It’s a great way to see the sites and decide where to spend more time and do a more in depth tour. You get the overview and can get off to do tours if you want easily.
From $45.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Hop-On Hop-Off Double Decker Tour & Arlington Cemetery Audio Tour
3,936
1 hour 50 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$45.00
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Washington DC, USA
- National Mall Tours & Tickets
- National Museum of Natural History Tours & Tickets
- U.S. Capitol Tours & Tickets
- Air Force Memorial Tours & Tickets
- Capitol Hill Tours & Tickets
- International Spy Museum Tours & Tickets
- Freedom Plaza Tours & Tickets
- Korean War Veterans Memorial Tours & Tickets
- US Marine Corps War Memorial Tours & Tickets
- Phillips Collection Tours & Tickets
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Tours & Tickets
- George Washington Masonic National Memorial Tours & Tickets
- National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Tours & Tickets
- Shriver House Museum Tours & Tickets
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial Tours & Tickets
- National Museum of African American History and Culture Tours & Tickets