"The service made our sightseeing day much easier. We enjoyed comfortable seats, excellent city views, and convenient stops that allowed us to explore attractions without unnecessary travel."
Big Bus Tours: Madrid Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour




Overview
Discover Madrid your way with flexible hop-on, hop-off bus tours designed for effortless sightseeing. Explore the city’s top attractions at your own pace—hop off at any stop, then rejoin the tour whenever you’re ready within your ticket’s validity period. For multi-day passes, enjoy seamless travel across consecutive days. Ride in comfort aboard open-top, double-decker buses and take in uninterrupted views of Madrid’s iconic landmarks from the upper deck. Enjoy a relaxed, open-air experience that lets you soak up the city’s energy while avoiding crowded streets and blocked views. On warmer days, a retractable sunshade ensures a comfortable journey as you explore the best of Madrid.
Highlights
- Take advantage of our open-air buses to travel throughout central Madrid and beyond. Go to whatever you want, whenever you want.
- Enjoy expansive views of Madrid's majestic boulevards, landmarks, and bustling streets from the open-top deck.
- Neptune Fountain, Cibeles, Retiro Park, Gran Vía, Plaza de España, Templo de Debod, and Santiago Bernabéu Stadium are among the must-see sites.
- Experience Madrid's history, well-known streets, and main sights by taking the Historic, Modern, and Actual routes.
- Pre-recorded commentary in ten languages will accompany you on the ride, bringing the city's sights and tales to life.
Itinerary
Experience the best of Madrid with a flexible hop-on, hop-off bus tour designed for convenient and personalized sightseeing. Explore the city at your own pace—step off to discover your favorite attractions and hop back on whenever you’re ready, all within your ticket’s validity. Multi-day passes allow seamless travel across consecutive days, giving you more time to uncover Madrid’s highlights.
Travel in comfort aboard open-top, double-decker buses and enjoy panoramic views of the city’s iconic landmarks. The upper deck offers a relaxed, open-air experience, perfect for soaking in Madrid’s vibrant atmosphere without the hassle of crowds. On warmer days, a retractable sunshade ensures a comfortable journey, while onboard audio commentary provides fascinating insights into the city’s rich history and culture.
Purple Route – Historic Madrid
Step into the past as you explore Madrid’s historic heart. Pass through the lively Plaza de España, visit the ancient Temple of Debod, and admire the grandeur of the Royal Palace of Madrid.
Orange Route – Actual Madrid
Discover must-see attractions and cultural hotspots across the city. Wander through the lush El Retiro Park, experience the energy of Gran Vía, and explore the iconic Las Ventas Bullring.
Blue Route – Modern & Vibrant Madrid
Uncover Madrid’s contemporary side and dynamic neighborhoods. Visit the legendary Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, explore the National Museum of Natural Sciences, and admire the striking Plaza de Cibeles.
See Madrid’s Top Landmarks
This comprehensive tour showcases the city’s most iconic sights, including Palacio de Cibeles, Estación de Atocha, Edificio Metrópolis, and Catedral de la Almudena. Art lovers will pass the renowned “Golden Triangle of Art”: Prado Museum, Reina Sofía Museum, and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.
Travel through vibrant neighborhoods like Lavapiés, Chueca, and Malasaña, and enjoy scenic green spaces such as Real Jardín Botánico and Parque de Atenas.
Multilingual Audio Commentary
Enhance your journey with engaging pre-recorded commentary available in 10 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic. Learn captivating stories about Madrid’s history, landmarks, and famous figures as you explore, with complimentary headphones provided onboard.
Book your Big Bus Madrid Hop-on Hop-off ticket and enjoy your memorable journey from top of the bus.
What's Included
- 24 or 48 hours Hop-on, Hop-off ticket
- Pre-recorded commentary in 10 languages
- Access to 3 routes: Historic, Modern, and Actual
Schedule
Historic Route (Purple Route):
- First Departure: 9:30 AM, Last Departure: 06:30 PM
- Frequency: Buses every 30 minutes
- Full Loop: 85 Minutes
- First Stop: Stop 1, Neptune, Plaza Cánovas del Castillo (near Paseo del Prado)
Actual Route (Orange Route):
- First Departure: 10:50 AM, Last Departure: 6:50 PM
- Frequency: Buses every 60 minutes
- Full Loop: 75 Minutes
- First Stop: Stop 10, Gran Vía, 25 (Opposite the McDonald's on Gran Via, near the metro exit)
Modern Route (Blue Route):
- First Departure: 10:00 AM, Last Departure: 6:10 PM
- Frequency: Buses every 30 minutes
- Full Loop: 90 Minutes
- First Stop: Stop 1, Neptune, Plaza Cánovas del Castillo (near Paseo del Prado)
Redemption Info
- You can board the buses from any designated bus stop.
- At our bus stops, provide the staff member with your printed or mobile ticket, and they will give you a receipt that you may use to board the Big Bus.
- Throughout the time that your ticket is valid, this receipt is required.
- When the bus is being boarded, a Big Bus Tours employee will verify the code on the ticket.
- The company or bus operator will not provide a refund if a voucher or ticket is misplaced.
Know Before You Go
Voucher Validity:
- Remember that your vouchers will remain valid for the 6 months from the date of purchase.
Important Info:
- There may be disruptions due to weather, traffic, and events. Refunds due to weather will not be issued unless the service is suspended due to weather.
- Infants will continue to travel free of charge and without a ticket while placed on the lap of a paying adult (up to two infants per adult). If the infant needs a separate individual seat, a kid category ticket must be ordered.
- Eating and drinking is not permitted on the bus.
- Pets are permitted on the bus as long as they do not occupy a seat to the exclusion of other guests. Pets must be kept on a leash or in a basket, and muzzled where necessary.
- Big size lagguage not permitted. Only hand-baggages are allowed
- Smoking or vaping of any substance is not permitted on the bus
- The bus fleet is wheelchair accessible. Guests are advised to contact the operator for further details.
- Mobile App: Download "Big Bus Tours" mobile app to find the nearest bus stops, interactive route map, daily operational updates and city monuments.
- Road closures and heavy traffic can result in delays, reduced trips, and route modifications. We'll make every effort to deliver a seamless and regular service! Under these circumstances, there will be no refund.
Cancellation Policy
- To get the full refund, you must cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the activity/tour start time.
- If you cancel your booking less than 24 hours before the activity/ tour start time, you will not get any refund.
- Modifications/ changes are allowed at least 24 hours before the activity/ tour start time.
- You must contact us through email. The activity/tour's local start time determines the cut-off times.
Disclaimer
- There may be unexpected changes in the route or timetable due to traffic, public holidays, weather conditions, cruise ship arrivals, or other unanticipated situations. During major events, summer vacations, and weekends, the city will be quite busy. We will do everything we can to provide a smooth and consistent service! In such cases, no reimbursement is allowed.
- Tours run regardless of the weather. Weather-related refunds will not be issued unless the service is discontinued due to inclement weather.
- The service provider preserves the right to amend or cancel the itinerary due to city events or force majeure.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can easily book tours and activities through our website. Simply browse our destinations, select your preferred tour, choose your date and number of participants, and complete the secure online payment process. You'll receive a confirmation email with your booking voucher immediately after purchase.
After booking, you'll receive a voucher via email. For hop-on-hop-off tours, exchange your voucher with the bus driver or staff at any designated stop to receive your physical ticket. For other activities, present your voucher (digital or printed) at the meeting point specified in your booking confirmation. Keep your ticket safe throughout the tour validity period.
We accept all major credit/debit cards. You can pay with a VISA debit or credit card, a MasterCard debit or credit card, Maestro, Visa Electron or American Express card.
Please note: We are based in the United Kingdom. Depending on your bank, an international transaction fee may apply. For more details about potential charges, please contact your card provider directly.
Yes. Your payment is absolutely safe with us. All transactions are protected with SSL encryption and processed securely. With our secure online payment system, your information is encrypted and protected against fraud. We use industry-standard SSL (Secure Socket Layer) protocols to safeguard data transfer, and all personal information is stored in secure environments not accessible to the public.
You will receive a confirmation email with your booking voucher immediately after purchase. If you do not receive it within a few minutes, please check your spam/junk folder.If any activity requires manual confirmation from the supplier/ tour operator, your booking will be confirmed within 24 hours.
Still haven’t received it? Contact us at booking@activity-crest.com and our team will be happy to assist you.
Your reference number will be displayed on the confirmation page after you complete your booking and in the confirmation email you receive once your tour is confirmed. All booking reference numbers begin with “ACTXXXX”.
If you don't receive your confirmation email within 30 minutes of booking, please check your spam/junk folder first. If it's not there, contact our customer support at booking@activity-crest.com with your payment details and booking information. We'll resend your confirmation and voucher immediately.
Yes. You can modify your booking after purchase. Modifications depend on the specific tour's terms and conditions. Some bookings allow date changes up to 24-48 hours before the tour, while others may have stricter policies. Contact us at booking@activity-crest.com as soon as possible if you need to modify your booking. Please note that changes may be subject to availability and additional fees.
Please bring a printed copy of your ticket voucher. Some local suppliers also accept vouchers shown on a mobile device (check the activity page for details). A valid photo ID is required for the traveler named on the ticket. For certain activities, a valid ID for each participant may be required – this will be clearly stated on your ticket.
Our cancellation policy varies by tours. Most tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. For specific cancellation terms and refund conditions, please check the individual tour page before booking. To cancel your booking, contact us at booking@activity-crest.com with your booking reference number.
Customer Reviews
"The entire tour was enjoyable from beginning to end. Beautiful views, helpful commentary, and convenient stops made it easy to experience the city without feeling rushed."
"We loved seeing the city from the upper deck. The route covered many interesting areas, and the freedom to hop off whenever we wanted was extremely useful."
"This tour was a convenient way to explore popular attractions. We enjoyed informative commentary, comfortable transportation, and the flexibility to spend extra time at places we liked."
"The hop on hop off service made exploring the city straightforward. We saw several landmarks, enjoyed great views, and appreciated being able to continue our journey whenever convenient."
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