"The ticket cost seemed too high for the service received. Delayed buses, overcrowding, and limited flexibility made the tour disappointing compared to other transportation options."
Big Bus Tours: Washington D.C. Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
Best Seller
Overview
Experience Washington D.C. through a hop-on hop-off tour of the capital. Visit iconic sites such as the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, and the Washington Monument, among others. Additionally, take a walking tour of Arlington National Cemetery. Our meticulously crafted sightseeing tours bring you closest to the renowned landmarks of Washington D.C. Immerse yourself in the neo-classical beauty of the capital city with Big Bus. We will guide you to all the notable sites, including The White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, National Cathedral, and many others. Sit back, unwind, and enjoy the views from our open-top double-decker buses, or disembark to discover and visit the city's celebrated attractions.
About the activity
Free Cancellation
Mobile Voucher
Wheelchair Access
Wi-Fi Onboard
Family Friendly
Instant Confirmation
Audio Guide
English
French
German
Spanish
Brazilian
Highlights
- Enjoy panoramic views of DC from an open-top bus while learning the city's history.
- Hop off and on at any stop along the National Mall to explore notable landmarks.
- Explore the Lincoln Memorial and get close and personal with Honest Abe.
- Admire the Martin Luther King Jr. and FDR memorials near the Tidal Basin.
- Discover more with an interactive walking tour of Arlington National Cemetery.
- Mobile Voucher Accepted on board! No need to print.
Itinerary
Discover Washington DC with Big Bus – The Official National Park Service Tour Partner. Explore the nation’s capital in style aboard our open-top, double-decker sightseeing buses. As the official tour partner of the National Park Service, Big Bus gets you closer to the city’s most iconic and historic landmarks than anyone else.
Relax and enjoy engaging audio commentary as you journey through DC’s rich history, vibrant neighborhoods, and inspiring stories. With our Washington D.C. Hop-On Hop-Off Tours, you have the freedom to create your own perfect day—stay on board for a full loop to see it all, or hop off at any stop to explore at your own pace.
Stand where history was made:
- Snap a photo with Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial.
- Look out over the Reflecting Pool at the Washington Monument, just as (Dr) Martin Luther King (Jr) did during his "I Have a Dream" speech.
- Stroll the beautiful Tidal Basin, home to the MLK and FDR Memorials.
Our buses run regularly throughout the day, giving you the flexibility to visit treasured landmarks such as the White House, US Capitol Building, Capitol Hill, the Korean War Memorial, and the WWII Memorial—all at your own pace.
Extend your journey with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery on a self-guided digital walking tour. Uncover the stories behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Kennedy gravesites, and the resting places of American heroes, while learning about the cemetery’s origins, traditions, and symbols. This deeply moving experience honors the legacy of service and sacrifice that defines our nation.
Big Bus also gives you the closest access to the world-famous museums of the National Mall—including the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Museum of Natural History, African American History Museum, Holocaust Memorial, National Museum of the American Indian, National Portrait Gallery, and many more—all free to enter.
Your DC adventure starts here—Big Bus is your front-row seat to history.
What's Included
What's Included
- 24/ 48/ 72 Hours Washington DC Hop On Hop Off Pass
- Access to Red Loop Loop
- Authorized National Park Service Concessioner
- Free Bike Rental Offer
- Hotel Shuttle (only in morning)
- Free Self-Guided Walking Tour of Arlington Cemetery (VOX Walking Tour)
- Great Extras - discounts for attractions and shopping! (Essential and Explore Ticket Only)
- Free Oval Office Commemorative Photo (Essential and Explore Ticket Only)
Schedule
Red Loop:
- First Bus: 09:00am, Last Bus: 04:30pm | Frequency: Every 30-45 minutes
- Full Loop: 110 Minutes
- First Stop: Washington Monument | 1400 Jefferson Dr. SW (on Jefferson Dr. SW, corner of 14th St. by Bike Racks)
Blue Loop:
- First Bus: 09:00am, Last Bus: 04:30pm | Frequency: Every 30-45 minutes
- Full Loop: 75 Minutes
- First Stop: Washington Monument | 1400 Jefferson Dr. SW (on Jefferson Dr. SW, corner of 14th St. by Bike Racks)
Redemption Info
- Passengers can board at any stop.
- Your booking voucher will expire after you exchange it for a ticket.
- The company or bus operator will not provide a refund if a voucher or ticket is misplaced.
Introducing Digital Tickets
We’ve made boarding even easier with digital tickets, available in the Big Bus Tours app. Your ticket will no longer be emailed to you - instead, you’ll manage everything directly in the app. It’s the fastest way to access your ticket, track buses in real time, and plan your day.
How it works:
- Download the Big Bus Tours app: Before your tour, download our free app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Add your booking: Open the app, tap ‘Add Booking’, and enter your booking reference number.
- Activate on the day: On the day of your tour, tap ‘Activate’ in the app to start your ticket. Your ticket will then be valid to show the driver and board the bus. Activation can only happen on your booked travel date.
Important Notes: Each group ticket must travel together using one device. If you want to travel separately, please print individual tickets before activating or contact us to split the booking. Keep your phone charged – your active ticket must be shown to board, and it works offline once activated.
Bike Rental: On arrival please present your ticket (issued by BBT staff member), your passport or ID card, and a credit card. Bike rental is $10 an hour per person to be paid directly.
Free Commemorative Photo: Simply present your Ticket at White House Gifts: 701 15th ST NW, Washington DC 2005 and receive a free Oval Office digital photo. Please note it's one photo per ticket.
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.
- Multiday tickets may only be used on consecutive days.
- Complimentary ear phones are provided, or you may use your own wired earbuds with a jack plug.
- 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.
Extras:
- I ❤️ DC Gifts: Show your Big Bus ticket at the I ❤️ DC Gifts store by Big Bus Stop #11 (City Center & Chinatown) to receive a free souvenir!
- ARTECHOUSE: Show your Big Bus ticket at ARTECHOUSE for $5 off an Anytime Ticket! ARTECHOUSE is located at 1238 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC, 20024, and is open daily from 10:00am–10:00pm
- International Spy Museum Store: Show your Big Bus ticket at the Spy Museum Gift Shop to receive 10% off your purchase. The International Spy Museum Store is located at 700 L Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington DC, 20024, and is open daily between 9:00am–6:00pm
- Unlimited Biking: Show your Big Bus ticket at Unlimited Biking to receive $5 off per person for a Segway tour. Unlimited Biking is locatred at 998 Maine Avenue SW, Washington DC 20024.
Authorized National Park Service Concessioner: Big Bus Washington DC is the authorized interpretive transportation services concessioner of the National Park Service and National Mall & Memorial Parks. As the official sightseeing tour of the National Mall & Memorial Parks, Big Bus Tours gets you closer to meaningful monuments and memorials.
Bike Rental Offer:
- Rent Bike for 1 Hour and get additional 1 Hour Free
- Rental includes bike, helmet, basket, lock, roadside assistance and an illustrated map
- Bikes are to be collected and dropped off at Unlimited Biking Washington DC (801 D Street NW, Washington DC 20004)
- Please note: all guests must be able to ride their own bike. No guest under the age of 18 will be supplied with a bike without the consent of an accompanying adult (18+).
- Note: Please arrive in good time to secure your seat. The Sunset Tour operates on a loop, and is not a hop-on, hop-off tour. Tour times are subject to traffic, weather and other events, so please contact us or check with a member of staff for the most up-to-date Sunset Tour scheduling information.
- 25% off on Sunset Tour with Essential Ticket only: This ticket entitles you to a 25% discount on our Sunset Tour. Simply see a Big Bus Tours staff member to book your discounted Sunset Tour.
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
4.5
based on 2,096 reviews
Rating Distribution
"As first-time visitors, this tour was exactly what we needed. It provided an excellent overview of the city while making every destination easy and enjoyable to explore."
"The buses appeared worn, and some advertised stops were missed without explanation. Poor communication and unreliable service made the overall sightseeing experience frustrating rather than enjoyable."
"The bus simplified our entire trip. Clear routes, frequent departures, and comfortable seating helped us visit famous attractions without worrying about maps or complicated public transportation."
"Riding on the upper deck was the highlight of our vacation. Stunning city views, fresh air, and entertaining commentary made every mile enjoyable and memorable."
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