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Hop-on Hop-off Washington DC Bus Tours
Routes
Timeline
Map
1
Union Station
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Union Station
Columbus Circle and Fountain
7 min walk
2
US Capitol at Garfield Circle
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
US Capitol at Garfield Circle
Library of Congress
5 min walk
Supreme Court of the United States
5 min walk
3
Air & Space Museum
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
4 min walk
National Museum of the American Indian
3 min walk
4
L’Enfant Plaza & International Spy Museum
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Smithsonian Castle
3 min walk
5
The Wharf & Potomac Boat Cruise
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
The Wharf
Potomac River
11 min walk
East Potomac Park
10 min walk
6
Washington Monument West
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Washington Monument West
Tidal Basin
5 min walk
7
Bureau of Engraving & Holocaust Musuem
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
9 min walk
Smithsonian American History Museum
7 min walk
8
Jefferson Memorial
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Jefferson Memorial
George Mason Memorial
1 min walk
9
FDR and MLK Memorial
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
11 min walk
Japanese Pagoda
10
Lincoln Memorial & Korean War Memorial
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Lincoln Memorial
Korean War Veterans Memorial
5 min walk
11
Lincoln Memorial North & Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Lincoln Memorial
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
1 min walk
Constitution Gardens
2 min walk
12
Arlington Cemetery
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Arlington Cemetery
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Arlington House
3 min walk
13
World War II Memorial
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
World War II Memorial
D.C. War Memorial
1 min walk
Floral Library
2 min walk
14
Washington Monument East
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Washington Monument East
National Museum of African American History and Culture
2 min walk
15
Natural History Museum
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Natural History Museum
National Archives Museum
2 min walk
Ford’s Theatre
6 min walk
17
The White House & Willard Hotel
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
The White House
3 min walk
Willard InterContinental Hotel
3 min walk
Eisenhower Executive Office Building
6 min walk
Explore DC's iconic sights at your own pace & see the capital transform as the sun sets.
- Zip through landmarks or linger at leisure, the 24/48/72-hour Washington DC hop-on hop-off bus tour fits your style – the capital's yours to conquer.
- Hop on and off as you please along the 17 stops on the Red Loop as buses run every 15 to 20 mins.
- Opt for a 48-hour pass to go on a 2-hour Sunset Tour, take a free self-guided walking tour of Arlington Cemetery, and get great offers!
- Hop on a double-decker bus, grab those headphones, and let the city's history unfold in 5 languages. Sightseeing just got exciting, right?
- As an Authorized National Park Service concessioner get an up-close view of top spots like the White House, Korean War Memorial, and Washington Monument.
Explore DC's iconic sights at your own pace & see the capital transform as the sun sets.
- Zip through landmarks or linger at leisure, the 24/48/72-hour Washington DC hop-on hop-off bus tour fits your style – the capital's yours to conquer.
- Hop on and off as you please along the 17 stops on the Red Loop as buses run every 15 to 20 mins.
- Opt for a 48-hour pass to go on a 2-hour Sunset Tour, take a free self-guided walking tour of Arlington Cemetery, and get great offers!
- Hop on a double-decker bus, grab those headphones, and let the city's history unfold in 5 languages. Sightseeing just got exciting, right?
- As an Authorized National Park Service concessioner get an up-close view of top spots like the White House, Korean War Memorial, and Washington Monument.
Inclusions
- 24/48/72-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off tour
- Access to Red Loop
- Self-guided walking tour of Arlington Cemetery
- Bike rental offer (book 1 hour, get 1 free)
- 2-hour sunset tour with 25% off (based on option selected)
- Morning shuttle transfers from Mayflower, Hilton & Marriott to stop #1 Union Station (based on option selected)
- Discounts at I Love DC Gifts, Artechouse, International Spy Museum Store & Unlimited Biking (based on option selected)
- Free commemorative Oval Office photo from White House Gifts (based on option selected)
- Pre-recorded audio commentary in English, French, German, Spanish & Brazilian Portuguese (on the bus)
- Exclusive drop-offs close to monuments
- Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking
HOHO tour
Please click here for a detailed route map and boarding points.
You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Red Loop
- First bus: 9:30am from stop #1 (Union Station)
- Last bus: 5:30pm from stop #1 (Union Station)
- Frequency: Every 15 to 20 mins
- Popular stops: Natural History Museum, The White House & Willard Hotel, Air & Space Museum
2-hour Sunset tour
Until Sep 2, 2025
- Departure: 7pm from Stop 1 (Union Station)
From Sep 3, 2025
- Departure: 6:30pm from Stop 1 (Union Station)
Hottel shuttle transfer
- Departure: 9:20am from Mayflower Hotel, 9:30am from Washington Hilton & 9:45am from Georgetown Marriott
- The buses are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- Your safety comes first so visitors with mobility issues are restricted on the upper decks.
- Due to restrictions on the bus, pets (except ADA service animals)are not allowed onboard.
- The tour remains closed on Independence Day (Jul 4), Oct 29 & Christmas (Dec 25).
- The Sunset Tour is a non-stop bus tour, and not a hop-on hop-off service.
- Specific details related to the add-ons in your tickets like walking tours will be shared post-booking.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.0
407 ratings
160
167
25
24
31
Guests from United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil and over 24 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Kimberly
Jun 2025Verified booking
The drivers and sidewalk staff were amazing!
Therese
Jun 2025Verified booking
It was extremely hot and there was no air conditioning on any of the buses that I boarded. I actually think it was dangerously hot on the lower deck but there were no seats on the top available. I frequently had to get off at spots that I wasn't planning to because the heat was suffocating.
William
Jun 2025Verified booking
Seeing so much in a limited amount of time. Drivers pleasant and very competent. You might suggest they delay one more minute before driving off after stops. Several times people who went upstairs were not seated when the bus jerked into action. Thank you
Anne
Jun 2025Verified booking
The buses did not run on schedule. At one point we had to give up and call for an Uber. It was probably due to Memorial Day road closures. I would not have paid full price for the tickets if I had known service would be so disrupted.
nadine
May 2025Verified booking
Very well organized tour of Washington. The Big Bus tour takes in all the major monuments. It's great to be able to get off at every stop, as everyone can visit at their own pace. Thanks to the organizers
View original review in French
Joan
May 2025Verified booking
Stops were good. We got to see the highlights of Washington in a relatively short period of time and understood what we were viewing due to good audio.
Spencer
May 2025Verified booking
The tour and guide were excellent. But, PLEASE, make it CLEAR, IF you start the tour at Arlington Cemetery, as to exactly WHERE you pick up the trolley ( and WHAT company you are). Also, WHERE you pick up the HOP ON/OFF bus and WHAT the company's name is. Much confussion from people. This did NOT alter the fact that the tour ( and guides) were brilliant.
Janis
Apr 2025Verified booking
In general very good. Hit all the major monuments. All personel were very nice and helpful. Buses in general ran on time and often. Negatives - every bus did not stop at every stop -skipped some and we were not informed of this. Tours were over sold and buses sometimes had only standing room which was very difficult for me since I am older. Standing on the buses packed in was dangerous. Drivers should limit when seats are filled.
Sara
Apr 2025Verified booking
We needed to see all of the mall with a family member with walking issues. This bus was the perfect solution to see all of the monuments in the DC Mall area.
Leanne
Apr 2025Verified booking
The Hop on Hop Off service was very informative with good audio descriptions, and very nice drivers. The sites were well covered to visit. The 3 day ticket was supposedly covering a sunset tour, but according to staff at Union Station it wasn't, so we virtually wasted / paid for an extra day as we didn't get to go on it when the weather was better : (
Irene
Apr 2025Verified booking
Loved everything about it except the waiting for the bus! This is my second survey but we enjoyed the experience so much we didn't mind doing it again.
Irene
Apr 2025Verified booking
The opportunity to be upfront and clearly visible places in the city that we may not have accessed if we were driving. Amazing!
Delilah
Mar 2025Verified booking
It was convenient and easy. The drivers and people at the stops were great. The bus was clean and in condition. The sound tracks could use some updating with more information and less music. There is so much to say about Washington DC to fill the gaps. I liked hearing about the basin having been a swamp and tieing it into the phrase "draining the swamp". Never knew that. It's a learning experience for a lot of kids (and adults) so pack it full of "Who knew?" moments and less music.
Susan
Mar 2025Verified booking
I understand that traffic happens and that the busses in Washington DC stop at 4:30 pm. However, at the Lincoln Memorial, the bus schedule indicates the bus comes through about every 20 minutes. When I got to the pickup area, the app indicated a 45 - 55 minute wait, so more than double. Consequently by the time I got back to the Washington monument to switch from Pink to Red the last bus had already departed leaving me to walk back to my starting point. Avoiding a 20 minute walk was one of the main reasons I purchased the ticket. The person at the Washington Monument offered me no other solutions & had an "oh well, too bad" attitude. 3/28 was part of peak Cherry Blossom time, so there was traffic. Perhaps schedule extra busses, pre-position some busses to avoid double the wait time, or extend the schedule when such serious traffic delays occur to get people back to their starting point.
Tracy
Jun 2025Verified booking
Was greeted by a lovely lady at Union Station, each driver was very helpful, and the commentary really informative.
Elizabeth
May 2025Verified booking
All very easy to do. Good route and drivers very helpful
Lucia
May 2025Verified booking
the sound in headphones was not always clear. The rest was quite good.
VLADIMIR
May 2025Verified booking
Excellent. Very warm people always ready to help.
Cecil
May 2025Verified booking
Excellent customer care and service
Rachael
May 2025Verified booking
The drivers were all fantastic.
Patricia
Apr 2025Verified booking
All good! Thank you! It was cooler on top! The buses were easy to get on and off of! Friendly drivers!!
Rick
Apr 2025Verified booking
Easy on and off. Hit hot spots. Friendly staff!
Kristin
Apr 2025Verified booking
Super easy and super fun bus. Drivers were very helpful and extremely kind!
Elizabeth
Apr 2025Verified booking
The tour recording, the ease of hopping on and off it was really a good tour
Terry
Apr 2025Verified booking
Ease of on/off. Commentary was really good - except for some of the lame jokes.
Experience Washington D.C.'s iconic memorials sparkle under the twilight.
- As day yawns into the night, Washington DC transforms! Join the 2-hour sunset bus tour to uncover the city's captivating evening energy.
- The Black Loop route takes you on a non-stop ride along the city's most iconic landmarks revealing DC's softer side in the golden glow of dusk.
- Get the best of both worlds: live guides on weekends and digital commentary on weekdays, making every tour a fun-filled history dive.
- Step into history as you pass popular spots like the Lincoln Memorial, where MLK Jr delivered his iconic speech, or the White House.
Experience Washington D.C.'s iconic memorials sparkle under the twilight.
- As day yawns into the night, Washington DC transforms! Join the 2-hour sunset bus tour to uncover the city's captivating evening energy.
- The Black Loop route takes you on a non-stop ride along the city's most iconic landmarks revealing DC's softer side in the golden glow of dusk.
- Get the best of both worlds: live guides on weekends and digital commentary on weekdays, making every tour a fun-filled history dive.
- Step into history as you pass popular spots like the Lincoln Memorial, where MLK Jr delivered his iconic speech, or the White House.
Inclusions
- 2-hour sunset tour of Washington DC
- English-speaking guide (from Fri to Sun until Sep 2)
- Pre-recorded commentary in English, French, German, Spanish & Brazilian Portuguese
- Complimentary headphones
- Authorized National Park Service Concessioner
- Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking
- Free child (aged 2 and under) tickets
Exclusions
- Hop-on hop-off service
Please click here for a detailed route map and boarding points.
Black Loop
- Departure: 7pm from stop #1 (Union Station)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Frequency: Once every evening
- The buses are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- Your safety comes first so visitors with mobility issues are restricted on the upper decks.
- Due to restrictions on the bus, pets (except ADA service animals)are not allowed onboard.
- The tour remains closed on Independence Day (Jul 4), Oct 29 & Christmas (Dec 25).
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Routes
Timeline
Map
1
Union Station
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Union Station
Columbus Circle and Fountain
7 min walk
2
National Japanese American Memorial
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
National Japanese American Memorial
National Building Museum
6 min walk
Senate Fountain
3 min walk
3
U.S. Capitol
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
U.S. Capitol
Library of Congress
5 min walk
Supreme Court of the United States
5 min walk
4
Smithsonian Air & Space Museum
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
4 min walk
National Museum of the American Indian
3 min walk
5
The Wharf - Boarding for Water Taxi Boat Cruise
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
The Wharf
Potomac River
11 min walk
East Potomac Park
10 min walk
7
Washington Monument
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Washington Monument
Tidal Basin
5 min walk
8
Jefferson Memorial
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Jefferson Memorial
George Mason Memorial
1 min walk
9
FDR Memorial/ MLK Jr. Memorial
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
11 min walk
Japanese Pagoda
10
Lincoln Memorial
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Lincoln Memorial
Korean War Veterans Memorial
5 min walk
11
National Museum of American History
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Constitution Gardens
4 min walk
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
4 min walk
12
National Portrait Gallery/African Art Museum
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
National Portrait Gallery
Chinatown DC
3 min walk
Renwick Gallery
10 min walk
13
Washington Welcome Center
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Museum of the Bible
10 min walk
14
The White House
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
The White House
3 min walk
Willard InterContinental Hotel
3 min walk
Eisenhower Executive Office Building
6 min walk
15
National Archives
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
National Archives
Old Post Office Pavilion
6 min walk
Your 30-year legacy tour of DC, featuring Transportainment® bringing 100+ landmarks to life.
- Everything you get: Enjoy a 1-day unlimited pass on the iconic Trolley tour passing by the White House & Jefferson Memorial, with an English-speaking guide. Stay connected with free Wi-Fi, learn more from on-board history monitors, and dive deeper with free self-guided walking tours.
- Why choose this**:** Jump on the longest-running tour, where friendly experts show you 100+ incredible spots! Skip expensive city parking and explore from comfy trolleys.
Your 30-year legacy tour of DC, featuring Transportainment® bringing 100+ landmarks to life.
- Everything you get: Enjoy a 1-day unlimited pass on the iconic Trolley tour passing by the White House & Jefferson Memorial, with an English-speaking guide. Stay connected with free Wi-Fi, learn more from on-board history monitors, and dive deeper with free self-guided walking tours.
- Why choose this**:** Jump on the longest-running tour, where friendly experts show you 100+ incredible spots! Skip expensive city parking and explore from comfy trolleys.
Inclusions
- 1-day unlimited hop-on hop-off tour
- Access to the Trolley tour
- Live English-speaking guide
- Free self-guided walking tours
- State-of-the-art stadium trolleys
- Free Wi-Fi
- On-board history monitors
Trolley tour
The Washington D.C. trolley tour typically follows a single comprehensive route, focusing on the National Mall, its iconic monuments and memorials, and key downtown attractions.
Popular stops: Union Station, Capitol building, Smithsonian, Lincoln Memorial
- The tour does not operate on Independence Day (July 4), the Army Ten-Miler race (Oct 12), Thanksgiving, & Christmas.
- Children under 4 years old can travel for free.
- Specific details related to the add-ons in your tickets, like walking tours, will be shared post-booking.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Why choose Hop-on Hop-off Washington DC bus tours
- Extensive coverage of major landmarks: The Red Loop covers important landmarks like the White House, U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, the Smithsonian Museums, and the National Mall, making hop-on hop-off tours one of the most comprehensive ways of exploring the city.
- Enjoy a stress-free sightseeing experience: Driving in D.C. can be challenging, with heavy traffic, complex one-way streets, and very limited parking near major sites. With hop-on hop-off tours you don’t have to worry about any navigation or logistics issues.
- Learn as you explore: The multilingual pre-recorded live commentary feature available in 5 languages on these hop-on hop-off buses ensures you don’t just see the landmarks, but also understand their stories. With historical insights, fun facts, and lesser-known stories, you get to combine education and entertainment all in one place, even on the DC night bus tour.
- Essential add-ons to your bus tour: The Potomac River Cruise offers a completely different vantage point and unobstructed panoramic views of important landmarks. On the sunset tour, see the Capital bathed in golden light and witness the gradual shift from day to night.
Hop-on Hop-off buses are the perfect choice for
First-time visitors
For travelers visiting a city for the first time, hop-on hop-off buses eliminate all the stress by providing a structured, yet flexible, sightseeing experience.
Families
With a mix of flexibility and comfort, hop-on hop-off buses are designed for families, big groups, and elderly visitors, further aided by wheelchair accessibility.
Solo travelers
Hop-on Hop-off tours provide a safe, easy, and customizable way to explore for solo travelers in any new city.
Photography enthusiasts
For photographers, hop-on hop-off buses provide the perfect elevated platform for capturing DC’s cityscapes, landmarks, and candid street scenes. The Washington DC night bus tour also offers ample unique photo ops.
Budget-conscious travelers
Hop-on hop-off tours offer a cost-effective alternative to buying multiple transportation tickets. With unlimited stops and exclusive deals, you can enjoy sightseeing without breaking the bank.
How to book tickets
Step 1: Choose your route
Each tour follows a unique route. Review the routes and stops and pick the tour that covers your must-see attractions.
Step 2: Book your tickets
Purchase your Hop-on Hop-off tickets easily using PayPal or a credit/debit card.
Step 3: Check your email
Receive your ticket voucher instantly in your inbox. If you don’t see it, check your spam or junk folder.
Step 4: Download the operator’s app
Track the bus in real-time, plan your journey, and explore routes with an interactive map.
Step 5: Hop-on & explore!
Head to any designated stop, show your mobile voucher to the driver or staff, and start your adventure!
Top Washington DC landmarks on your Hop-on Hop-off tour
The White House
The world’s most famous residence and seat of U.S. leadership, offering a historic glimpse into American politics and power.
Frequently Asked Questions about Washington DC's Hop-on Hop-off bus tours
What is the frequency of hop-on hop-off buses in Washington DC?
Hop-on hop-off buses in DC arrive every 30 minutes. An entire circuit loop takes approximately 2 hours.
What sets Big Bus apart as an operator?
As an Authorized National Park Service Concessioner, Big Bus Tours gets you closer to meaningful monuments and memorials.
What’s special about the Sunset Bus Tour?
Unlike the standard hop-on hop-off service, this non-stop guided tour allows you to experience iconic Washington DC landmarks bathed in warm, golden light and experience the surreal transformation from day to night.
Are Hop-on Hop-off tours in Washington child-friendly?
Yes, make sure to purchase tickets for children 3 years and above.
Are the Hop-on Hop-off Washington buses accessible for people with mobility issues?
Yes, all Hop-on Hop-off buses are wheelchair-accessible.
Do these tours operate throughout the year?
The hop-on hop-off tours in DC operate daily except on Christmas (25 Dec).