Discover the most popular sights in Washington, DC on this relaxing hop-on hop-off bus tour. Drive past many of the top attractions in the nation’s capital — including the White House, the Washington Monument, the National Mall, historic Georgetown, and Arlington National Cemetery, and choose where you want to get off and explore in more detail. Select a 1- or 2-day pass, then hop on at any of the stops on two different routes and get to know the city with an audio commentary. The 2-day Deluxe option includes a Night Tour.

Explore the city at your own pace with a Big Bus Washington DC hop-on hop-off bus tour
Hop on and off at any of the 9 city-wide stops, and tour four different routes
Choose a 1-day pass or opt for a 2-day pass

Why Travellers Choose This Tour

Included Madame Tussauds entry makes this tour a budget-friendly way to visit the popular attraction.

What's Included

Recorded commentary on board
One, Two, or Three Day Unlimited Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Ticket
Unlimited Hop-on, Hop-on Service
ARTECHOUSE DC Bonus Offer

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting And Pickup

Start time

Opening hours

Select your preferred tour option to see hours.

View tour option

What To Expect

The tour begins with a hop on at any of the 9 stops on two separate routes. Board one of the open-top buses and enjoy the view with recorded audio detailing interesting 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.

Hop-off at any of the attractions for a closer look, then, hop back on when it’s convenient. See the sites on the Red Route (Official National Mall Tour), authorized by the National Park Service and National Mall and Memorial Parks. Take in all the places that are synonymous with the nation’s Capital; The White House, U.S. Capitol, Air and Space Museum, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial are just some of the iconic landmarks.

Travel the Blue Loop (American Heroes Shuttle), to experience the sites and memorials honoring American heroes. You'll travel over the Potomac River leaving Washington, DC behind and visiting Virginia. You can expect to see Arlington National Cemetery and Pentagon City.

The Deluxe 2-day option including the Panoramic Night Tour let you explore the city under the evening sky, visiting its iconic monuments when they're lit up for a different vantage point.

Red Route

10 Stops

23 Points of Interest

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Operating Schedule: First Departure at 9:30 am from 700 L’Enfant Plaza – NW Crosswalk in Front of Spy Museum (Near Capital Bikeshare) Last departure at 4:30 pm. Buses depart every 15-20 minutes. Customers are advised to visit the Big Bus website or to download the app to find out more about our new health and safety measures and for the most update service information to include routes, route times and real live bus tracking.

Capital Bikeshare: 10th St & L'Enfant Plaza SW

Stop 1 - L’Enfant Plaza, Corner Crosswalk in Front of Spy Museum

2 15th St NW

Stop 2 - Washington Monument West (between Jefferson Dr. and Independence Ave)

121 West Basin Dr SW

Stop 3 - FDR and MLK Memorials (Closed until 20th April 2022)

100 Daniel French Dr SW

Stop 4 - Lincoln Memorial South & Korean War Memorial (Closed until 20th April 2022)

VWJP+MC Arlington

Stop 5 - Arlington Cemetery

10th Street Northwest & Constitution Avenue Northwest

Stop 6 - Natural History Museum

Big Bus Tours Washington DC

Stop 7 - City Center & Ford Theater

1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Stop 8 - The White House & Willard Hotel (Outside the Willard Hotel)

600 Independence Ave SW

Stop 9 - Air & Space Museum

800 Maine Ave SW

Stop 10 - Wharf & Potomac Boat Cruise (NE Corner of Maine)

Points of interest passed by on this route

White House

Tidal Basin

Washington Monument

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

Smithsonian 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

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Infants must sit on laps
Recorded commentary is available in the following languages: English, Spanish, German, Italian, French, Mandarin, Japanese, and Brazilian Portuguese
Operation times are subject to change without notice
Classic 1-day ticket will be valid for same day use. Tickets claimed after 2pm will be valid for additional day from time of redemption

Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Show Bus ticket at the entrance to ARTECHOUSE DC to receive $5 off Anytime tickets
Most travellers can participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

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Q:How often does a bus arrive at each stop during the Big Bus Washington DC Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Tour?

A:A bus arrives approximately every hour on both the Red Loop (Official Tour of the National Mall) and the Blue Loop (American Heroes Shuttle.)

Mar. 2021

Q:Do I have to go to a central location to redeem my ticket for the Big Bus Washington DC Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Tour?

A:You may redeem your printed or electronic ticket at any of the listed bus stops.

Mar. 2021

Q:How long is a full circle ride on the Big Bus Washington DC Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Tour without getting off?

A:The full circuit lasts approximately 1 hour for both the Red Loop (Official Tour of the National Mall) and the Blue Loop (American Heroes Shuttle.)

Mar. 2021

Q:How will I know which stop(s) to use during the Big Bus Washington DC Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Tour?

A:Our live guides and pre-recorded commentary will communicate upcoming stops. You can also download our free App for more information on routes and times, and what to see and do at each stop location.

Mar. 2021

Q:Is the Big Bus Washington DC Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Tour wheelchair accessible?

A:Yes, we operate wheelchair-accessible vehicles with lifts that can accommodate up to 650 pounds. If you require an accessible vehicle, please let us know in the "Special Requirements" box at checkout.

Mar. 2021

Q:Can I bring a pet with me on the Big Bus Washington DC Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Tour?

A:No pets are allowed onboard the bus, except ADA service animals.

Mar. 2021

Q:Can I bring food or drink with me on the Big Bus Washington DC Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Tour?

A:No food or alcohol is permitted onboard the bus. Non-alcoholic drinks in screw-top bottles are permitted.

Mar. 2021

Q:Can I bring luggage on the Big Bus Washington DC Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Tour?

A:No, luggage is not permitted onboard the bus at this time.

Mar. 2021

Q:Is the upper level of the bus climate controlled?

A:The upper level of the bus is open-top, so it is not climate controlled.

Jun. 2021

Traveller Photos

Traveller Tips

Not enough buses so you can hop off and do a quick visit.

If the buses would stop at each memorial/monument for 20 minutes for people to wander to the monument or shop at the gift store, that would have been nice.

Customer service ok but could have been better Busses stop going to early in the evening.

Reviews

3.5

2,493 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 2,493 reviews

Was a hot day. No a/c on...

Gary_J, Mar 2023

Was a hot day. No a/c on the bus. When I notified the driver, he couldn’t have cared less. Bus was VERY hot. Wife’s jack for her headphone was intermittent. Was not an enjoyable experience.

Great tour

Cara_B, Mar 2023

Great sight seeing if your on the top . Great driver and help at pick up site by White House . I love ability to get off and on .

Big Bus DC is the way to go!

Emily_T, Mar 2023

Amazing, easy, fun way to see all of DC! Staff were friendly and helpful as well as the user friendly app.

1. Warn us about delays...

Peter_D, Mar 2023

1. Warn us about delays during rush hour. 2. Stop right at Jefferson Memorial during cherry blossom season. 3. Improve audio system. 4. Rename you service The Big Bust.

Awesome Experience

Aiza_C, Mar 2023

The accessibility of the bus, the hop on hop off feature. Very informative! We had an amazing time!we recommend this to anyone who will visit the city.

Good tour

C_J, Mar 2023

Great experience - lots to see and experience. I would recommend to anyone wanting family excursion.

Washington DC

Carol_D, Mar 2023

Loved seeing many of the major sights and sites of our nation’s capital especially now that the cherry blossoms are out..

Convenient!

Bill_P, Mar 2023

Big Bus was a convenient way to get to the major monuments and sites we wanted to visit in the Washington DC area.

Great day in Washington DC

Carlos_R, Mar 2023

It was not easy finding the actual place where to get on the bus at first You give no information about how to get on the bus to begin your tour. Actual address would be great

Candy in D.C. for first time

Candace_R, Feb 2023

This was my first time in DC . The Big Bus hop on hop off was the best way to see all the monuments in One day

Difficult to find where...

Diane_D, Feb 2023

Difficult to find where and when the pick ups would be. Drivers were polite and information good on tour.

The Perfect Adventure!!!

Janet_B, Feb 2023

The driver was very courteous and helpful. Careful driver. Very informative and interesting information alone the way. The bus was clean and comfortable.

Little disappointed. The...

Heide_V, Feb 2023

Little disappointed. The first 4 headphone jacks didn't work. At the transfer at the Spy Museum, we were told to get on another bus, then left there in that cold bus for 22 minutes. Thirdly, when I was buying the tickets it was not clear that we would not be going to the Pentagon, the cathedral, or Georgetown. We did learn a lot, but with only 8 stops I didn't think it was worth the money.

I enjoyed the Tour

Godfon_O, Feb 2023

I looked around DC and discovered all that I didn’t know before now. The bus was organized and programmed.

Wintering Washington DC

Luanne_H, Feb 2023

It was a great trip. It was very cold in Washington DC this weekend. The Big Bus hop on hop off tour made it easy to see all the sights and get away from the cold for a bit while riding in the bus.

Cheaper than Uber or a cab

Jimmy_S, Jan 2023

Great to see everything and be able to hop on and off. It's cheaper the more days you get. I got two days for two people for $128. So only like $20 more to add a second day.

Whole big bag of fine

Nancy_B, Jan 2023

I'm accustomed to using a competitor bus and I did not feel this tour held up to the other ones in it's class. I did like that there were indoor and outdoor seating but it felt like the drop on/drop off locations were too far away to be as helpful in navigating the city. It wasn't terrible, just wasn't the best one I've been on.

A very educational and interesting tour on the most significant sites in the nation’s capital.

Larrie_B, Nov 2022

The most memorable part of the tour was probably getting a close look at the Washington Monument when driving by or learning the interesting facts of the federal capital city (especially hearing about the comparisons of Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy).

Washington DC tour

MaryAnne_E, Nov 2022

Visit by Italian Friends for whom it was a 1st time visit to Wash. DC. Visitor bus tour provided the perfect guide in their own language.

Technical issues/some drivers lazy

Leila_H, Nov 2022

German narration on earphones kept stopping mid sentence, often switched to English by itself. Also, not loud enough when sitting upstairs, as the bus vibrates all the time. Some Staff was nice, others not so much. My elderly auntie with a cane needed the bus entry to be lowered. Only one nice driver did this. Other drivers had to be asked.

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