New York open top bus

CitySightseing NYC vs. Big Bus New York

Comparing the differences between the two hop-on hop-off bus tours

It can be tricky to know where to start when navigating New York, so why not get a great overview with one of these open-top bus sightseeing tours? This way, you can hop off wherever you'd like to explore at your convenience. Read on for our rundown on two main bus operators.

What's the best Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour in New York City? Depends on what you're looking for. There are several tour bus companies in NYC - we've compared the two most popular hop-on hop-off bus tours to highlight the differences and help you choose the one that's right for you.

We'll tell you about the major differences between Big Bus New York vs. City Sightseeing, so you can choose one that is right for your New York trip, depending on what you want to see and do - and a few other factors.

The basics and what's included with your ticket

Big Bus New York

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  • Ranked #1 on TripAdvisor! Big Bus consistently ranks highest for customer satisfaction.
  • Live narration: Big Bus is the only New York hop-on hop-off bus tour company with live, licensed tour guides on every bus who provide an interactive tour experience and point out all of the sights along the way, making sure you don't miss a thing.
  • Languages available: All buses offer pre-recorded commentary in 10 languages.
  • Trip-planning tools: All Big Bus hop-on hop-off tours come with access to a free mobile app that includes customizable maps, bus timetables, and information about the city's top sights.
  • Ticket duration: Bus tour tickets are valid for one calendar day unless activated after 3:00 pm, in which case they would be valid for a 24-hour period.
  • Tour routes: Big Bus tours feature 3 routes with their standard tickets (Uptown, Downtown, and Midtown) with the opportunity to add the Brooklyn Tour or Night Tour at highly discounted rates.
  • WiFi: Each bus features FREE WiFi onboard.
  • Hours of operation: Buses run from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm every day.

City Sightseeing Tickets:
 

  • Languages available: All buses offer pre-recorded commentary in 12 languages.
  • Ticket duration: Standard City Sightseeing tickets are valid for 48 hours.
  • Tour routes: Standard City Sightseeing tours feature 2 routes with their standard tickets (Uptown and Downtown).
  • Extras: Each ticket includes a free 90-minute night tour on the bus, access to a 4-stop hop-on hop-off ferry tour, and a ticket to your choice of either the NYC Museum or the New York Historic Society.
  • Hours of operation: Buses run from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm every day.

New York bus route comparison

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Big Bus:

Big Bus New York ticket gets you access to 2 routes

  • Uptown: includes stops at Theater District, Columbus Circle, American Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Center Plaza, Guggenheim, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, The Frick Museum, and more.
  • Downtown: includes stops at Times Square, Fifth Avenue, Empire State Building, Flat Iron District, Greenwich Village, SoHo, Chinatown, Little Italy, Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall, Lower East Side, United Nations, Rockefeller Plaza, Central Park, Battery Park (where you can get a ferry to the Statue of Liberty), and more.

City Sightseeing:

A City Sightseeing ticket gets you access to 2 routes (+ a nighttime tour):

  • Uptown: includes stops at Hell's Kitchen, Theater District, Columbus Circle, American Museum of Natural History, Upper West Side, Guggenheim, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, and more.
  • Downtown: includes stops at Times Square, Empire State Building, Flat Iron District, Greenwich Village, SoHo, Chinatown/Little Italy, Battery Park, Lower East Side, Rockefeller Plaza, Central Park, and more.
  • Night Tour: the night tour is not a hop-on hop-off tour but a way to see the sights at night.

Let's recap our NYC bus tour comparison:

Bus tour of New York

Overview: Both New York City hop-on hop-off bus tours provide an easy and convenient way to get a feel for the city, see some of the top sights, and learn a bit about the city's important history and culture. You'll get a comprehensive overview of the city and get a feel for the city layout.

Both run on fairly frequent intervals, so hopping on or off is easy. 

Routes included: Big Bus includes a Midtown route, which covers Midtown Manhattan to the western side of the Manhattan peninsula, which City Sightseeing bus routes do not, while City Sightseeing bus routes include a route through Brooklyn, which Big Bus does not (though a Brooklyn route is available as an add-on at a significant discount for ticket holders).

Hours of operation: City Sightseeing standard tickets allow you to hop on and off for 48 hours while Big Bus standard tickets are 1 calendar day (unless you redeem your ticket after 3:00 pm, in which case it will be valid for 24 hours), but Big Bus' hours of operation are significantly longer than those of City Sightseeing's bus. 

Customer preference: Big Bus is the #1 ranked bus tour on both Viator and TripAdvisor. 

Ways to save on New York bus tour tickets: 

Both Big Bus and City Sightseeing New York bus tours are available attraction choices on New York sightseeing passes.

Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour tickets are available on:

City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tour tickets are available on:

  • New York City Sightseeing Pass: an all-inclusive pass that includes tickets to the City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus tour and admission to other local attractions.

See how you can save up to 50% on New York attractions

Discover our full line-up of New York attractions including The Empire State Building, Top of the Rock Observatory, the Statue of Liberty, and more.  

🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.    

😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option. 

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

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Best time to visit New York City

New York City is a fun and exciting place to visit any time of year. This sprawling city of more than eight million residents offers world-class shopping, sporting events, restaurants, and museums. It's also home to some of the most iconic American landmarks and attractions including the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. However, some seasons in New York are better suited to different interests than others. Below are just a few suggestions on when you should visit based on what New York events and attractions you plan on experiencing during your visit. The best time of year to visit New York City for sightseeing New York weather can be fickle and sometimes make it difficult to navigate the city streets to see in the sights. That's why it's important to choose a seasonable time in order to make your sightseeing more enjoyable. The temperate New York weather in April, May, September, and October is perfect for walking tours of the city and taking in such sights as the 9/11 Tribute Museum, Top of the Rock, and the Empire State Building. Best time to visit New York for foodies Food festivals abound in New York City during the summer. The annual Taste of Times Square food festival takes over the theater district for a week every June. June also brings the annual Big Apple BBQ Block Party to the Madison Square neighborhood. Early July brings French Restaurant Week to the city, and, at Coney Island, you can witness the annual Nathan's hot dog eating contest on July 4th. In addition, farmers' markets set up all over the city from May through September. Best time to visit New York for shopping While there is really no bad time to visit New York City for shopping, some times of year are a little better than others. The holiday season, which begins in the city around the middle of November, brings a variety of gift items and seasonal merchandise. After Thanksgiving, the department store windows add a festive air to Fifth Avenue, Third Avenue, and Herald Square. For bargain hunters, January and February is sale season in New York, with white sales and discounts on holiday merchandise. Best time to visit New York for shows For ticket availability, visiting New York City in January/February or September/October is desirable. The city is less crowded during these times of the year and you're more likely to be able to get tickets to top shows. For ticket bargains, check out Broadway week, held in both January and September. You can get 2-for-1 tickets to more than 20 shows during these weeks. Best time to visit New York City for museum hopping While New York's hundreds of museums are fascinating to explore any time of year, they are less crowded during winter, when there are fewer tourists and locals are more inclined to stay home where it's warm. Escape the winter weather by spending a day at The Met - you still won't see all this wonderful and extensive museum has to offer. Or, museum hop along Fifth Avenue's Museum Mile, with stops at the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of the City of New York, the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum, and The Frick Collection. About the pass One of the best ways to get the most out of your trip to New York City is to purchase a pass for New York by Go City that allows you to experience a variety of attractions for a single price. We make it easy. You choose the pass that best matches your interests, load it to your mobile device or print a hard copy at home and show it for admission to more than 90 NYC attractions. Plus, you'll avoid waiting in line at the ticket counters. Get your pass for New York today and start making huge savings on sightseeing.
Andrew Martineau
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Fun Things to Do in New York - The Ultimate Tourist Guide for Your Trip

Greatest city in the world? You decide. From a skyline populated with more skyscrapers than we can count to the expansive green that is Central Park, there’s one thing that can’t be argued: New York City has something for everybody. Whether you’re traveling with kids, planning a romantic getaway, meeting up with friends, or just going solo, our travel guides have all the information you need to plan the perfect trip and make sure you see it all (and then some). What are some popular attractions to visit? Hop On Hop Off New York Bus Tour - A must do for first-time visitors, this sightseeing tour is not only the perfect introduction to New York, but you can hop on and hop off to visit other attractions included in your Pass. Empire State Building - Spend some time at one of the most iconic and world famous landmarks. Top of the Rock Observatory - From high atop Rockefeller Center, this is one of the best places for unmatched views of the city. Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Immigration Museum - Visit the grounds of Liberty Island for unbeatable views of Lady Liberty and downtown Manhattan. 9/11 Memorial & Museum - located at the World Trade Center site, bears solemn witness to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993. American Museum of Natural History- One of the largest museums in the world, with collections of more than 32 million specimens and artifacts. The Museum of Modern Art - Its extraordinary exhibitions and collections are dedicated to helping you understand and enjoy the art of our time. These are just a few. Want more fun ideas for things to do in New York? Head over here for more New York attractions to see during your trip. How long are you visiting? Whether you're visiting New York City for 24-hours or a whole week, we've put together sample itineraries that include a ton of the most popular things to do in the city. From top-rated tours to iconic landmarks, these itineraries give you the best New York City experience based on the time you have. One Day in NYC - sample itinerary 2 Days in New York City - sample itinerary 3 Days in New York - sample itinerary A Week in New York - sample itinerary New York staycation ideas for a fun weekend near home Who are you visiting with? No matter who you're traveling with, there are a ton of things to do in New York City for everyone. We've put together a list of top attractions and activities tailored to every type of traveler, from young kids to couples and even nerds. Things to Do in NYC with Kids Things to Do in NYC with Teens Things to Do in NYC for Couples Things to Do in NYC for College Students What type of activities interest you? Whether you're envisioning yourself checking off all of the city's top museums or you just really want to be part of a live audience, our New York City local experts put together a few 'best of' lists to help you streamline your itinerary. Top Museums in New York City How to Get Saturday Night Live Tickets Best Places to Take Pictures in NYC Visiting New York on a budget more coming soon! What parts of New York City are you visiting? We highlighted a handful of the top attractions and places to see by neighborhood so you can maximize your time in each location. NYC Neighborhoods Guide Things to Do in Times Square Things to Do in Lower Manhattan Things to Do in and around Central Park Things to Do in Midtown Manhattan When are you visiting? New York City offers a different experience with each season, weather, and holiday. Check out our lists of things to do in New York City throughout the year to make the most of your itinerary and experience unique, calendar-based events. Things to Do in New York in the Spring Things to Do in NYC in the Summer Things to Do in New York in the Fall Things to Do in New York City in the Winter Things to Do in NYC When it Rains Things to Do in New York When It’s Hot Out What's the best way to get around? NYC is easy to navigate and there are lots of options for transportation, including public transportation, taxis, and shared ride services. Hop-on, hop-off tours: A hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus tour, like Big Bus New York, is a great way to get acquainted with the city and visit popular attractions. Tours follow a specific route and time schedule, so plan accordingly if you have timed tickets or reservations. Public transportation: the MTA subway and bus system is the most popular way to get around the city. You can purchase a reusable MetroCard from vending machines at most subway stations. The subway is often faster than relying on cabs due to traffic. Tip: get the free moovit app for point-to-point trip planning and real-time updates for both subway and bus routes. Taxis: taxis are available and easy to hail down. Looking for more info? Check out our post on getting around New York for tourists. Where should you stay? There are plenty of great places to stay in the area. Below are a handful of hotel suggestions located near popular tourist attractions and fun things to do. The Gotham Hotel Langham Place, New York, Fifth Avenue The Plaza Hotel Hilton Garden Inn New York-Times Square Central Hudson New York, Central Park Where should you shop? In between sightseeing, try and find some time to pick up some souvenirs. Here are a few popular areas to get some of the best shopping in New York. Woodbury Common Premium Outlets Bloomingdales Macy's Herald Square SoHo Upper East Side Make sure to check out all of the extra discounts and savings available on the New York City Explorer Pass. Where to Eat? Go on a tour of New York City’ foodie scene with our top picks for family-friendly places to eat in New York City. We’ve included top picks for every appetite and even made note of nearby attractions so you can sightsee while you taste your way through New York City’s culinary destinations. No judgment. Fun Info from a Local Despite what you may hear, literally, honking is illegal in NYC. Approximately 1 out of every 21 New Yorkers is a millionaire. New York City is the most linguistically diverse city in the world. Almost half of its residents speak a language other than English at home. The MTA subway system consists of 722 miles of track. New York City was the original capital of the United States. Share your adventure with us! Tag us when you upload photos from your trip to Instagram: @GoCity or #GoCityCard.
Casey Makovich

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