Two towers, one ticket, and a lot of city. This Big Bus NYC combo is built for people who want quick orientation plus big-ticket icons in just 2 days, with open-top bus rides and the Empire State view at the top of the list. I love how the Empire State Building stop turns a long sightseeing day into one real payoff moment, with sweeping Manhattan views you can plan around.

I also like the freedom of the 48-hour hop-on hop-off format, especially since you can mix stops like Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Empire State area without rushing. The main catch: the Statue of Liberty monument entry isn’t included, and slots can be unavailable, while the ferry runs only during a tight window (9:00 AM–3:00 PM).

Key Things That Make This Package Worth a Look

• Empire State timed entry: you must pre-book your time and date before boarding the bus.
• Two hop-on hop-off routes (Downtown and Uptown) for covering more ground with less guesswork.
• Ferry to Liberty + Ellis Islands (when selected) from Battery Park, with operating hours 9:00 AM–3:00 PM.
• You control the pace: 48 hours from first activation, and you hop off as long as you like at stops.
• App + live tracking + digital audio in multiple languages, with souvenir earbuds provided.

What the $135 2-Day Combo Really Buys You

At $135 per person for 2 days, this package is trying to solve a classic NYC problem: you want the headline sights, but you also don’t want to spend your trip wrestling with timing and routes all day. The value lands best if you’ll actually use the bus for both planning and movement, and if you’re flexible enough to fit the ferry and Empire State Building around real-world time slots.

Here’s what’s included that matters most:

• A 48-hour Big Bus hop-on hop-off pass covering the Downtown and Uptown loops
• Empire State Building entry ticket
• Statue of Liberty / Ellis Island ferry ticket if you selected that option
• Digital commentary in English plus other languages (and yes, you get souvenir earbuds provided)
• Big Bus app features, including city info and live bus tracking

And what to notice early:

• Statue of Liberty monument entry is not included. You’re typically getting the ferry and access to the islands experience, but you may still need separate entry for the monument itself.

This combo works best when you treat it as a “sightseeing skeleton” and then fill in details on your own. If you only want one or two stops, you’ll likely feel the cost more than the benefit.

Empire State Building Entry: Timing Is the Main Event

The Empire State Building part sounds straightforward: ride the bus, hop off, then go up. The reality is that the ticket is part of the system, not just a souvenir. Before you board the bus, you have to pre-book a time and date using the Big Bus Booking Management link on your voucher or by asking staff at the departure location.

Why that matters:

• If you arrive on instinct without your booked slot, you can lose the whole advantage of “included” entry.
• The pre-booking step also means you should think about when you’ll be near the Empire State area and ready to go up—especially if you plan to take the ferry in the same day.

My practical advice is simple: pick your Empire State time first, then build the bus schedule around it. The views are the payoff, so don’t let a late start or another stop steal your chance.

Riding the Big Bus: Downtown and Uptown Loops That Cover the Hits

You get two distinct hop-on hop-off routes—Downtown and Uptown. That’s more useful than it sounds, because NYC is all about direction. A single loop can leave you constantly crossing the city by taxi or subway. These two routes are designed to keep you moving where you need to be.

The good news: the bus stops are set up so you can hop off at major anchors like:

• Times Square
• Brooklyn Bridge
• the Empire State area

What you’ll likely use the most:

• Morning bus ride for quick orientation and photos
• Midday hop-off for a neighborhood walk or quick landmark stop
• Late afternoon hop-on to avoid spending your last hours in transit

One reality check from how these routes work in New York: buses move with traffic. On slower streets, the ride can feel longer than the map suggests. If you’re someone who hates waiting in line for “time to pass,” build in buffer time and pick fewer stops per day.

Statue of Liberty + Ellis Island Ferry: Fit It Before the Day Slips Away

The ferry schedule is one of the hardest constraints in this package. The Statue of Liberty / Ellis Island ferry operates 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and it runs from Stop 9 – Battery Park.

That window changes how you plan the day:

• If you aim for a late-morning or midday ferry, you need to be near Battery Park and ready to board by then.
• If you get delayed by the bus ride, crowds at stops, or Empire State timing, the ferry can become stressful fast.

Also, you should know exactly what’s included and what isn’t:

• You’ll have a round-trip ferry with the combo option selected.
• Entry to the Statue of Liberty monument is not included. And the monument portion can be limited, including situations where available slots run out.

I’d treat the ferry day as the “schedule-driven” part of your itinerary. Choose your Empire State time so it doesn’t collide with Battery Park timing, then plan your bus hops accordingly.

App, Audio, and Earbuds: Use the Tech to Cut Confusion

Big Bus leans on the phone. You can activate your ticket and get info through the Big Bus app, including real-time bus tracking. That’s genuinely helpful in a city where stops can feel like a dozen different corners.

You also get digital commentary in multiple languages, and the company provides souvenir earbuds. A good day on this tour is when you actually use the app to ride intentionally—hop off only when you have a plan, then hop back on to keep moving.

One caution: audio quality and crowd levels can vary. If it’s loud outside or the headphones don’t land right, you might not catch much narration while the bus is moving and people are talking. If you care about the stories, consider listening during quieter stretches and saving major listening for times when you’re seated and the ride slows.

Ticket Activation at the Right Spot: Avoid the “Wrong Dates” Trap

How you activate matters because the tour is tied to an “activated” start time. You can activate in two ways:

1) App activation

Download the app, tap Add Booking, enter your booking reference, then press Activate on the travel day. You show your activated ticket to the driver at any stop along the route.

2) Redeem voucher in person

Meet Big Bus staff at 7th Ave & W 48th St (outside M&Ms World) or redeem with a driver at any stop along the route.

Here’s the practical takeaway: when your ticket or voucher is printed or displayed, double-check the dates and details. There have been situations where date mismatches led to trouble and even extra payment to fix the problem. A 30-second check now can save hours later.

Crowds, Noise, and the Real-World NYC Day

This is where expectations should be realistic. In heavy traffic and busy areas, hop-on hop-off buses can become:

• loud
• crowded
• slower than you’d hoped

There’s also the knock-on effect: when buses are full, boarding can take longer and you may end up waiting for the next one. At every stop, the bus may pause for a short time—so if your timing is tight, you’ll want to be ready to move fast once you’re off.

The ferry experience can also get packed. If you’re sensitive to lines and crowded spaces, treat Liberty and Ellis Island as a “plan ahead” day: arrive early in the ferry window, know where you’re going next, and don’t schedule back-to-back tight commitments afterward.

The good side of this package is that the staff and drivers are often kind and helpful, even when the logistics are messy. In practice, that human support can turn a frustrating day into a manageable one.

A Sensible 2-Day Plan You Can Actually Use

You can pick the order with this combo package, and that’s smart because it lets you work around your personal preferences. Here’s a practical approach that matches the time constraints you have:

Day 1: Orientation + Empire State (timed)

• Use the hop-on hop-off bus to get your bearings.
• Plan your route so you can reach the Empire State Building at your booked entry time.
• Hop off near Times Square or the central stops for short walks and quick photos afterward.

Day 2: Ferry day (Battery Park timing first)

• Save the 9:00 AM–3:00 PM ferry window as the anchor.
• Get to Stop 9 – Battery Park with extra time cushion.
• After the ferry, use the bus again to cover any stops you missed (like Brooklyn Bridge viewpoints or Midtown landmarks).

If you don’t have the flexibility for a full second day, you can also take the tours on separate days—the package supports that. Just remember: your bus pass lasts 48 hours from first activation, so spreading things out means you should choose your activation moment carefully.

Who This Package Fits Best (and Who Might Hate It)

This combo is a good fit if you:

• want big icons without complex planning
• like the freedom of hopping on and off instead of committing to one guided route
• can handle crowds and timing constraints without spiraling

It’s not the best fit if you:

• expect the monument entry to be guaranteed (it isn’t included, and access can be limited)
• hate waiting in lines or boarding delays
• want a quiet, relaxed city experience where you can hear narration clearly most of the time

If you’re a first-time NYC visitor who needs structure but still wants control, this package can give you that. If you’re returning and already know the basics, you might prefer building your own day around a timed Empire State slot and a separate ferry plan.

Should You Book This Big Bus Liberty and Empire Package?

I’d book it if you can say yes to three things:

1) You’ll use the bus routes across 2 days rather than treating the pass like a backup plan.

2) You’re ready to plan around the ferry operating hours (9:00 AM–3:00 PM) and Battery Park.

3) You understand that Statue of Liberty monument entry isn’t included, so you should plan for that possibility.

If that sounds like you, the mix of Empire State Building access plus the hop-on hop-off convenience is a strong value. If you’re counting on the monument itself as the top priority, I’d be extra careful and treat that part as the risk in the plan.

FAQ

How long is the hop-on hop-off ticket valid?

It’s valid for 48 hours from your first activation, during operating hours.

Where can I activate or redeem my ticket?

You can activate in the Big Bus app using your booking reference, or redeem your voucher with staff at 7th Ave & W 48th St (outside M&Ms World). You can also redeem with a driver at any stop along the route.

Do I need to pre-book my Empire State Building entry time?

Yes. Before boarding the bus, you must pre-book a time and date using the Big Bus Booking Management link on your voucher or with staff at the departure location.

What are the ferry hours to Liberty Island and Ellis Island?

The ferry operates from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM from Stop 9 – Battery Park.

Is entry to the Statue of Liberty monument included?

No. Monument entry is not included in this package.

What bus routes are included?

You get two distinct hop-on hop-off routes: the Downtown and Uptown routes.

Is digital audio commentary included?

Yes. Digital commentary is included in multiple languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian), and souvenir earbuds are provided.

Can I take the tours on separate days?

Yes. The tours may be taken on separate days.

What’s the cancellation window?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.