Hop on hop off buses: see a city from the top deck
The open-top bus is still the easiest way to see a big city in a day. Here's how to pick the right company, the right ticket and the right route.
Hop on hop off ParisAll 37 cities
- Independent guide, not a coach company
- Routes and options checked
- Updated October 2026
Photo: Nicolas22g, CC BY-SA 4.0
A hop on hop off bus loops past a city’s main landmarks, with stops where you can get off and back on as often as you like. It’s ideal for a short first visit, with children, or when you don’t want to walk all day.
Our top pick: Paris: Tootbus Hop-On Hop-Off with Optional River Cruise
Pick your city
Also: Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Dubai, plus Nice, Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux. Leaving Paris for the day? See our coach day trips from Paris.
Paris: Tootbus Hop-On Hop-Off with Optional River Cruise
4.4/5 from nearly 18,000 reviews.
Why book online
- Free cancellation on most tickets, usually up to 24 hours before
- Reserved time slot: no queue at the ticket desk
- Mobile ticket on your phone
- Reviews from verified travelers
Smart move: ride the bus on the morning of day one to get your bearings, then use it as transport between visits.
Frequently asked questions
How does a hop on hop off bus work?
You buy a ticket valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours, then get on and off freely at the stops along the route, with audio commentary on board.
Does LocationAutocar rent coaches?
No. LocationAutocar is an independent guide to sightseeing buses. We don't rent coaches or take bookings; tickets are sold by our partners.
Pick your city
All cities
Our hop on hop off bus guides: Paris, Nice, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, London, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Dubai, New York, San Francisco and more.
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Day trips from Paris
The best coach day trips from Paris: Versailles, Giverny, the Loire Valley castles, Mont Saint-Michel and Bruges. Distance, total time and which to choose.
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Paris
Hop on hop off Paris: Tootbus or Big Bus, routes and stops (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame), 24–72 hour tickets and the optional Seine river cruise.
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London
Hop on hop off London: Big Bus, City Sightseeing or a guided vintage bus. Stops at Westminster and the Tower of London, tickets and the optional Thames cruise.
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New York
Hop on hop off New York: open-top double-deckers around Manhattan, a luxury highlights tour and a 3-hour night tour. Tickets, reviews and tips.
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Istanbul
Hop on hop off Istanbul: routes from Sultanahmet to Taksim and along the Bosphorus, two-route tickets, a cruise combo and tips for visiting the mosques.
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Dubai
Hop on hop off Dubai: Big Bus, City Sightseeing with aquarium entry, a sunset and night tour, stops at Dubai Mall, the Marina and Old Dubai.
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How to choose
How to choose a hop on hop off sightseeing bus: ticket length, frequency, cruise add-ons, audio guide vs live guide, reviews and the best time of day.
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