One ticket, three big NYC classics. This combo pairs the 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus with Empire State Building observation-deck entry and a round-trip ferry to Liberty and Ellis Island, so you can switch plans without racing the clock. I like that you get bus flexibility on two loops, plus major paid sights that cover Midtown and Lower Manhattan fast. The catch: you’re on an open-top bus with no A/C, and the timed Empire State and ferry voucher steps need you to show up prepared.

You’ll ride past recognizable landmarks like M&M’s World, Times Square, the Flatiron District, SoHo, Chinatown/Little Italy, the Brooklyn Bridge area, and on the other loop, Rockefeller Center, the Met area, Central Park Zoo, and Columbus Circle. It’s a smart way to get your bearings in a city that doesn’t do small blocks. The ride also gives you optional “pause points,” so you can linger when a neighborhood clicks for you and skip what doesn’t.

At $135 per person, this only makes sense if you’ll actually use all the inclusions. If you’re the type who wants the crown/pedestal or museum inside Liberty, you’ll feel the limits—this package does ferry rides, not interior entry. And if you’re expecting the bus to solve everything, don’t. You still have to line up your Empire State time and redeem vouchers correctly to avoid disappointment.

Key things to know before you ride

• Three major sights, one ticket mindset: bus hops plus Empire State observation deck plus Liberty/Ellis ferry.
• Two loops, two different day vibes: Midtown/Central Park energy on one side, Flatiron/SoHo/Lower Manhattan on the other.
• You must manage timed steps: Empire State needs a pre-booked time; the ferry needs voucher redemption.
• Open-top means weather matters: hot days can feel brutal without A/C, and sound/visibility can change in the wind.
• Stop-finding is on you: announcements may be limited, so use the app to avoid missing stops.

What you’re really buying: value in a tight NYC schedule

This ticket bundles three items that would otherwise eat up your planning time and your day: a hop-on hop-off bus, Empire State observation deck admission, and Liberty/Ellis ferry transportation. The value comes from the pairing. The bus gives you the structure to reach multiple neighborhoods without figuring out subway routes between each “must see.”

You also get audio support. There’s a digital audio commentary for the bus, and there’s an audio tour specifically for Liberty and Ellis Islands. That matters more than it sounds, because both areas move fast once you’re there—audio helps you slow down mentally even if the line and crowd pace don’t.

The pricing only feels fair if you treat it as a plan, not a buffet. If you miss your Empire State time, or if you don’t redeem your ferry voucher at the right moment, you can end up paying extra for what you thought was bundled. This is a great “big highlights” package, but it isn’t automatic.

Empire State time slots and Liberty/Ellis ferry steps (don’t wing it)

Empire State Building entry is included as admission to the observation deck, but you must pre-book a time and date. You can do it via the Big Bus booking management link on your voucher, or by getting help from staff at Stop 1. I’d treat that as the #1 task after you book: pick a time that matches how you’ll move around the city.

Two practical tips:

• Don’t wait until the end of the day to sort Empire State if you can help it. Once you’re running late, the “find a representative, print the thing” process can turn stressful.
• Have the timing plan in one place. If you’re hopping on/off, build slack. NYC traffic and crowds can easily break a tight schedule.

For Liberty and Ellis Island, the package includes round-trip ferry tickets to both islands, plus an audio tour. What it does not include is interior monument or museum access. So you can absolutely enjoy the islands and views, but you shouldn’t assume you’re entering the Statue of Liberty monument itself or touring the museum inside.

You also need to redeem your voucher with Big Bus Tours staff before you head to Battery Park. This is the step people most often underestimate. Redeem early, read your voucher details, then go to the terminal with enough time to handle security and boarding.

Riding Big Bus like a pro: frequency, loops, and stop-finding

The bus runs on Downtown and Uptown loops for 48 hours, with buses arriving about every hour on both routes. A full loop is roughly 90 minutes if you keep riding without getting off. That means you can choose a simple strategy: ride once to learn the geography, then get off later at the stops you care about.

A key detail: this is a hop-on hop-off model, not a guided walking tour. You’ll be tempted to do “just one more stop,” and suddenly your afternoon becomes a marathon. I recommend picking one “anchor” attraction for your morning and one for your afternoon, then using the bus to connect the neighborhoods.

Stop-finding can be the difference between smooth and chaotic. Some riders note that stops aren’t always announced clearly, and you can miss a stop if you’re not paying attention. Your best defense is the app’s live tracking and Find a Stop feature (it can help you match your location to the correct stop). Also, if you get off, make a point of returning to the same stop area when you’re ready to re-board.

And yes, the bus is open-top. You’ll see more sky and skyline, but you’ll also feel the weather. On hot days, the lack of A/C can be a real problem—one of the biggest practical complaints in the experience set.

Downtown loop stop-by-stop: Midtown classics down to Lower Manhattan

This side of the route is where the “NYC highlights in one ribbon” idea really works. You start in Midtown, then slide into Flatiron, SoHo, Chinatown/Little Italy, and all the way toward the Statue of Liberty and the ferry area.

M&M’s World area: a bright, easy starting point

The first stop sits at 7th Ave & W 48th St, outside M&M’s New York. If you’re meeting someone or trying to get oriented, this is a helpful landmark—easy to find and very visual. It’s also a funny first stop for a serious-sightseeing day, but that’s part of the fun.

Times Square: spectacle now, strategy later

Times Square at W 42nd St & Broadway (in front of the Knickerbocker Hotel) is loud, crowded, and full of motion. You don’t need long here. Use it as a jump-off point to get back on the bus or to grab a quick snack before you head into neighborhoods where the streets feel more local.

Empire State Building / Koreatown edge: your skyline payoff

The bus stops near the Empire State Building / Koreatown, in front of a CVS Pharmacy. This is your natural pairing point with the observation deck inclusion. The big advantage is timing flexibility—if you’ve pre-booked your time, you can build your day around this area instead of fighting transit connections later.

A consideration: Empire State is popular. Even with a timed entry, you’ll want to arrive with buffer time, especially if you’re also dealing with voucher printing or confirmation checks.

Flatiron District: iconic views and quick city walking

Next up is Flatiron District at the corner near Eisenbergs Sandwich Shop. This neighborhood is short-walk friendly, and the building shapes make great “I’m really in NYC” photos. If you get off here, consider doing a simple loop on foot: a little street time, a quick coffee, then back to the bus.

SoHo and cast-iron street energy

SoHo is covered with a stop at West Broadway & Spring Street. This is where you can slow down. Think browsing, architecture, and the feeling that you’re walking through a magazine spread. The downside is that SoHo draws people like a magnet, so if you prefer quiet, keep your stop shorter.

Chinatown / Little Italy: food and street life

At 100 Lafayette St, the Chinatown/Little Italy area puts you close to two distinct street styles. If you eat as you travel, this is an efficient stop. If you’re not hungry, you can still enjoy the street bustle for a quick walk—just don’t expect easy pacing.

Brooklyn Bridge area: the view corridor

The stop at Park Row & Beekman St puts you in the Brooklyn Bridge orbit. This is one of those places where getting off for 20 minutes can pay back big. You’ll find you can either enjoy the skyline or aim for a scenic walk, depending on how much time you have.

Wall Street: glassy, tense, and very real

Wall St is another straightforward connection point. The bus stop is set right in that lower Manhattan zone, so you can hop off for photos, then move along. It’s not a “stay all day” area unless you have specific plans, but it works well as a photo-and-walk stop.

Trinity Church area: a calmer “hinge” stop

The Statue of Liberty stop area is near Trinity Church on Trinity Place and Cedar St. This is a useful transition zone. You’re not buried in the densest parts of downtown, and it’s closer to where your ferry plans start to make sense.

World Trade Center zone: big context with lots of foot traffic

Church St & Vesey St (across from the Post Office) is your World Trade Center area stop. It’s a significant place to see, and crowds can be heavy. Keep your expectations practical: quick views, then back to the bus so you don’t get stuck in long wandering loops.

Pier 57, Hudson Yards, Circle Line area: a different angle on Manhattan

The route also reaches up toward the waterfront and west side viewpoints, including Pier 57 (11th Ave between W 15th and W 16th), Hudson Yards (12th Ave & 30th St), and Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises area (12th Ave & 40th St opposite Pier 81). These stops help you turn “downtown” into “downtown plus views.” They’re also good for re-positioning when you want to head back toward Midtown.

Uptown loop: Central Park edges, Rockefeller Center, and major museum neighbors

The Uptown loop is where the skyline becomes more polished and the city feels more “postcard.” It’s a great match if you want classic Midtown landmarks plus quick access toward Central Park.

Hope Sculpture / Chase Bank stop: a modern marker

At 7th Ave & W 53rd St in front of Chase Bank, the Hope Sculpture stop gives you a clean, well-defined entry point. It’s useful for getting into the Midtown corridor without playing guessing games.

Times Square again: the connector stop

You’ll see Times Square again at 42nd and Broadway. Think of it as a hub. If you’re moving between Central Park area and Midtown, this helps keep your transfer simpler.

Rockefeller Center: the Midtown anchor

Stop at W 49th St & 5th Ave (in front of Michael Kors). Rockefeller Center is one of those areas where there’s always something to look at. Even if you don’t have a timed ticket for a specific venue, it’s an easy place to take a short break, then hop back on.

The Met area: museum energy without committing to hours

The bus stops outside the Met near 83rd St. This is perfect if you want museum access later but don’t want to plan the whole day around it. If you get off, keep your timing in mind; it’s easy to spend more time than you meant to, especially if you love art.

Central Park Zoo: family-friendly and scenic

Central Park Zoo at the stop opposite 845 5th Ave is a logical connection point for families or anyone who wants Central Park’s edges without going fully deep. It’s also a good option when you want green breaks from the city grid.

Columbus Circle: a practical gateway to the park

At Central Park & Columbus Circle (southwest corner by the Main Monument), you’re positioned at a major boundary. You can walk toward the park’s interior, or just use the area to orient yourself before taking the bus again.

Carnegie Hall: iconic curb appeal

Finally, Carnegie Hall at 7th Ave & W 57th St (in front of Trattoria Dell’Arte). This is a quick “look up and see the grandeur” moment. If you’re a music person, you’ll appreciate the spot; if not, it still delivers that NYC signature feel.

Audio, app tracking, and what to expect from the commentary

The bus provides digital audio commentary in multiple languages. That’s genuinely helpful because you’ll be moving quickly between neighborhoods, and it’s easy to miss context when you’re just looking out the window.

But set expectations. Some people find that the audio leans more on music and jokes than solid facts, and others point out that stop announcements aren’t always clear. Your smart move is to rely on the app’s live tracking and stop photos rather than waiting for perfect narration.

If you want the most out of the ride, use a two-pass approach:

1) Ride once without getting off to learn where everything sits.

2) On the next loop, get off at your top two areas and spend real time there.

And remember: open-top means you’ll sometimes lose clarity from wind, and you’ll get more tree-branch interference in certain spots. Plan sunglasses and water. This part of NYC can be bright and intense.

So, should you book this Big Bus combo?

I’d book this if you want a fast, structured way to hit Empire State and the Liberty/Ellis ferry without stitching together multiple tickets and routes. It’s also a good fit for first-timers who need help connecting neighborhoods, and for anyone who likes the idea of flexible hopping rather than a single rigid tour.

I’d skip it or adjust expectations if your top priority is interior access at the Statue of Liberty (pedestal/crown/museum). This package doesn’t include that. It’s also not ideal if you hate timed coordination—Empire State requires a pre-booked time, and the ferry requires voucher redemption with staff.

If you do book, your success formula is simple: lock your Empire State time early, redeem your ferry voucher on the day, and use the app to avoid missed stops. Get that right, and you’ll feel like you made NYC behave for a day.

FAQ

Do I have to pre-book a time to visit the Empire State Building?

Yes. You need to pre-book a time and date for your Empire State visit either through the online booking portal link on your voucher or with Big Bus staff at Stop 1.

Does the ferry include entry into the Statue of Liberty monument or museum?

No. The round-trip ferry takes you to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, but admission to the Statue of Liberty pedestal/crown/museum is not included.

What times does the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry operate?

The ferry schedule is listed as running from 9:00am to 3:00pm with regular departures from Battery Park. (Some materials also list an 8:30am to 4:00pm schedule—confirm your exact times on your voucher.)

How often does the hop-on hop-off bus arrive?

Buses arrive approximately every hour on both the Downtown (Red) and Uptown (Blue) routes.

How long does a full loop take if I stay on the bus?

A full rotation on each route is approximately 90 minutes, depending on the season.

Can I get a full refund if I cancel?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience start time, the amount paid is not refunded.