Big Bus Tours is a leading sightseeing operator that provides hop-on, hop-off tours in major cities around the world. It’s a popular way to explore the top attractions of a city and learn about its history and culture. We have used Big Bus Tours in literally every city we’ve been to that has afforded it (which includes nearly all the major and secondary cities we’ve visited), and we always end up saying “the hop-on hop-off was awesome!” Hop-on Hop-off busses are, in fact, synonymous with Big Bus Tours.
History of Big Bus Tours
The origin of the hop-on, hop-off tour can be traced back to the early 20th century when the first tour buses began to appear in major cities. These buses were typically chartered by small groups of tourists who wanted to see the sights without having to navigate the city on their own. However, the tours were often inflexible, and visitors were stuck with a fixed itinerary that may not have suited their interests or schedules.
In the 1960s, a new kind of sightseeing tour emerged in London that would revolutionize the industry. The concept of a hop-on, hop-off tour was introduced by a company called London Transport. The company started operating open-top buses on a circular route around the city, allowing visitors to hop on and off at any stop along the way. This gave tourists the flexibility to explore the city at their own pace, and it proved to be a huge success. The idea quickly caught on, and similar tours began to appear in other cities around the world. In 1974, Big Bus Tours was founded in London, with the aim of providing a more immersive and flexible sightseeing experience. The company’s open-top buses were equipped with audio guides that provided commentary in multiple languages, giving visitors a deeper understanding of the city’s history and culture.
Over the years, Big Bus Tours has expanded to become one of the largest sightseeing operators in the world, with operations in more than 20 cities across four continents. The company’s success can be attributed to its commitment to providing a high-quality, immersive sightseeing experience that meets the needs of modern travelers.
One of the key features of Big Bus Tours is its hop-on, hop-off system, which allows visitors to explore the city at their own pace. The company’s buses typically operate on a circular route, with multiple stops at popular attractions and landmarks. Passengers can hop on and off the bus as many times as they like during the validity of their ticket, giving them the freedom to explore the city on their own terms.
Big Bus Tours are everywhere in London!
In addition to its hop-on, hop-off tours, Big Bus Tours also offers a range of other sightseeing experiences, including night tours, river cruises, and walking tours. These tours provide visitors with a different perspective on the city, and they are a great way to discover hidden gems and local secrets. Big Bus Tours has also embraced technology to enhance the sightseeing experience. The company’s audio guides have evolved to become more interactive, with visitors able to choose from multiple languages and listen to additional information about specific landmarks and attractions. The buses are also equipped with free Wi-Fi, allowing visitors to share their experiences on social media and stay connected with friends and family back home.
In recent years, Big Bus Tours has also made a commitment to sustainability. The company has introduced hybrid and electric buses to its fleet, and it has implemented a range of initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. These efforts have earned Big Bus Tours several awards for its commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism. The history of Big Bus Tours is closely tied to the evolution of the sightseeing industry over the past century. The company’s innovative hop-on, hop-off system has revolutionized the way people explore cities around the world, providing a flexible and immersive experience that meets the needs of modern travelers. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability, Big Bus Tours is sure to continue leading the way in the sightseeing industry for years to come.
Big Bus Tours Options and Offerings
Tourists while enjoying the ride from a double decker bus of Big Bus Tours in San Francisco California USA.
Big Bus Tours is a global sightseeing company that offers hop-on, hop-off tours in some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. With its distinctive open-top buses and multilingual commentary, Big Bus Tours provides a fun, flexible, and informative way to explore cities, giving tourists the chance to see the sights from a unique perspective. In this article, we will explore the offerings of Big Bus Tours in more detail.
Hop-on, Hop-off Tours
One of the most popular offerings of Big Bus Tours is its hop-on, hop-off tours. These tours provide a flexible way to explore cities, allowing tourists to get off the bus and explore different areas at their own pace. With multiple stops throughout each city, tourists can choose which sights they want to see and how long they want to spend at each location. This allows for a personalized experience, as tourists can tailor their itinerary to their interests and schedule.
Live and Recorded Commentary
Another key feature of Big Bus Tours is its live and recorded commentary. Tourists can listen to multilingual commentary that provides historical, cultural, and other interesting information about the sights they are passing by. This commentary is available in several languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and many more. In some cities, Big Bus Tours also offers live commentary, where a tour guide provides a more personalized and interactive experience.
Night Tours
In addition to its hop-on, hop-off tours, Big Bus Tours also offers night tours in some cities. These tours provide a unique perspective of the city at night, with the lights and landmarks illuminated in a different way. Tourists can enjoy the city’s nightlife and see famous landmarks in a new light, making for a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Walking Tours
Big Bus Tours also offers walking tours in some cities, providing a more intimate and immersive way to explore. These tours are led by experienced and knowledgeable tour guides who provide insight and information about the city’s history, culture, and architecture. Walking tours are a great way to explore areas that are not accessible by bus, allowing tourists to discover hidden gems and lesser-known sights.
Premium and Deluxe Tickets
For tourists who want to enhance their experience, Big Bus Tours offers premium and deluxe tickets. These tickets provide access to additional features and benefits, such as fast-track entry to popular attractions, river cruises, and more. Premium and deluxe tickets also include perks such as free refreshments and Wi-Fi, making for a more comfortable and enjoyable experience.
Big Bus Tours offers a range of sightseeing options for tourists, providing a flexible and informative way to explore some of the world’s most popular destinations. With hop-on, hop-off tours, live and recorded commentary, night tours, walking tours, and premium and deluxe tickets, tourists can tailor their experience to their interests and preferences. Big Bus Tours is a great choice for anyone looking to see the sights in a fun and unique way.
Overall Online Reviews of Big Bus Tours
Overall, the online reviews of Big Bus Tours are largely positive. From our experience, it’s been exclusively positive, other than one experience overseas. Most often, the “poor reviews” are in cities that are perhaps not the safest, and can be more of a reflection on the city than on Big Bus Tours. Many customers appreciate the convenience of being able to see the sights of a new city without having to worry about navigating unfamiliar streets. The hop-on, hop-off format of the tours allows tourists to see the city at their own pace, getting off the bus at any stop that catches their eye and then hopping back on when they are ready to move on. This format is particularly appealing to those who are short on time or who want to see as much of the city as possible in a limited amount of time.
One of the things that customers often praise about Big Bus Tours is the quality of the tour guides. Many of the guides are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the city they are showing tourists, and they often provide interesting historical and cultural context for the sights that passengers see along the way. Some reviews even go so far as to say that the tour guides were the highlight of their trip.
Another aspect of Big Bus Tours that customers appreciate is the flexibility of the tickets. Many of the tours offer a choice of 1-day or 2-day tickets, and some even offer 3-day tickets. This allows tourists to tailor their experience to their own schedule, and it also means that they can get a better value for their money if they plan to spend several days in the city. Additionally, many tours offer a free walking tour or a boat tour as part of the ticket price, which further adds value to the experience.
Of course, not all of the reviews of Big Bus Tours are positive. Some customers have complained about long wait times at the stops, particularly during peak tourist season. Others have criticized the cost of the tickets, which can be quite high in some cities. Some customers have also reported that the buses can be overcrowded, making it difficult to find a seat or get a good view of the city.
Despite these negative reviews, however, the overall impression of Big Bus Tours online is that they are a reputable and reliable provider of city tours. Many customers have praised the company for providing an easy and convenient way to see the sights of a new city, and for offering a high-quality experience that is worth the price. While there are certainly some downsides to using Big Bus Tours, most customers seem to feel that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
In terms of specific locations, some cities have garnered more positive reviews than others. For example, the Big Bus Tours in London, England has generally received very positive reviews, with many customers praising the knowledgeable and friendly tour guides and the variety of routes available. The New York City tour has also received generally positive reviews, with many customers commenting on the stunning views of the city skyline and the helpfulness of the tour guides.
On the other hand, some locations have received more mixed reviews. The Big Bus Tour in Paris, France, for example, has received some negative reviews from customers who felt that the tour guides were not as knowledgeable as they could have been, or that the buses were too crowded. If you’ve ever been to Paris, you know everything is crowded, so why would a tour bus be any different? Similarly, the tour in Rome, Italy has received some criticism for being too expensive and for not including enough information about the city’s history and culture. We’ve specifically used Big Bus Tours in Rome three different times, and can tell you our experiences were near-perfect, and we would gladly book again.
Overall, Big Bus Tours is a solid choice for tourists who are looking for a convenient and flexible way to see the sights of a new city.
How to Decide Which Ticket to Book, and How to Book a Big Bus Tour
If you’re planning to explore a new city and looking for a convenient and informative way to do so, Big Bus Tours might be the perfect option for you. With tours operating in cities around the world, Big Bus Tours offers hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours that allow you to see all the top attractions in a city at your own pace. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to book a tour with Big Bus Tours:
Step 1: Choose your destination First and foremost, you need to decide which city you want to explore with Big Bus Tours. They have tours in popular destinations like New York, Paris, London, Sydney, and Dubai, among others. Once you’ve decided on your destination, head over to the Big Bus Tours website and select your city. You can head straight there by clicking on the banner below!
Step 2: Select your ticket type Big Bus Tours offers a variety of ticket types to suit your needs. You can choose from classic, premium, deluxe, and night tours. Classic tickets give you access to the hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour for a specific duration, while premium and deluxe tickets come with additional perks like free walking tours, attraction tickets, and more. Night tours are also available in select cities and provide a unique perspective of the city after dark.
Step 3: Choose your travel dates Next, select the dates you want to travel on. Big Bus Tours offers flexibility in their tickets, allowing you to book for a specific date or purchase a ticket that is valid for several months, giving you the freedom to tour the city at your leisure.
Step 4: Select your pick-up location When booking your Big Bus Tour, you’ll need to select your pick-up location. This will usually be a designated stop along the route where you can board the bus. It’s important to choose a location that is convenient for you and easy to get to.
Step 5: Add any extras If you want to enhance your Big Bus Tour experience, you can add extras to your booking. These may include attraction tickets, walking tours, or even meal vouchers.
Step 6: Review and confirm your booking Before confirming your booking, take a moment to review all the details to ensure everything is correct. Check your travel dates, pick-up location, and ticket type to make sure they match your requirements. Once you’re happy with your booking, proceed to checkout and complete the payment process.
Step 7: Collect your ticket After you’ve completed your booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your ticket. Depending on the city you’re visiting, you can collect your ticket at the designated ticket office or board the bus and present your ticket to the driver.
In summary, booking a tour with Big Bus Tours is a straightforward process that can be completed online in just a few easy steps. With flexible ticket options, a range of extras, and tours in cities all around the world, Big Bus Tours is a convenient and enjoyable way to explore new destinations. So, what are you waiting for? Book your Big Bus Tour today and get ready to discover your next adventure!
Who Owns and Operates Big Bus Tours?
Big Bus Washington sightseeing tours – WASHINGTON DC – COLUMBIA
Big Bus Tours was founded in London in 1991, and since then, it has expanded to over 20 cities worldwide. The owners of Big Bus Tours are a group of investors and private equity firms.
The largest stakeholder in Big Bus Tours is Exponent Private Equity, a private equity firm based in London. Exponent acquired Big Bus Tours in 2015 from its previous owner, the private equity firm, TowerBrook Capital Partners. TowerBrook had acquired Big Bus Tours in 2011, and during their ownership, the company expanded rapidly into new cities, including Paris, New York, and Hong Kong.
Other investors in Big Bus Tours include Proventus Capital Partners, a Swedish investment firm, and York Capital Management, a global investment management firm. These investors have helped to fund the company’s expansion and growth over the years.
The current CEO of Big Bus Tours is Chris Carroll, who joined the company in 2019. Carroll has over 20 years of experience in the tourism industry and has held senior leadership roles at companies such as British Airways, TUI, and Disneyland Paris. Under Carroll’s leadership, Big Bus Tours has continued to expand its operations and develop new products and services to meet the changing needs of travelers.
The owners of Big Bus Tours have a clear vision for the company’s future. They aim to continue expanding into new cities and markets, while also improving the customer experience and investing in new technology to enhance the tour experience. They also recognize the importance of sustainability and are committed to reducing the company’s environmental impact through initiatives such as using low-emission buses and promoting sustainable tourism practices.
Our Overall Opinion
Big Bus Tours is a company we use on nearly every trip, including our most recent to the United Kingdom. They’re reliable, provide safe and clean environments, and the cost of a full day on a bus is less than a 15 minute taxi ride in most cities. Using Big Bus Tours, to us, is a must-do activity for any trip we book!
