New York · NYC BUS TOURS
39 reviewed
Done right, a bus pass is the cheapest way to cover a lot of New York; done wrong, it is an afternoon stuck in traffic. Below are the best New York bus tours ranked: hop-on hop-off loops, night tours and the day-trip coaches, with route maps, pass lengths, and which are worth the fare.
Ride an open-top Big Bus through Lower Manhattan and Museum Mile. Hop off for Liberty, 9/11, the Met, and Empire State.
“Easy and straightforward booking plus transferring to BB app. Straightforward activation and use. Only thing that could be improved is a better map - more detailed and maybe a bus announcement for stops. Some people dont / cant use the headphones.”
A flexible hop-on hop-off loop around NYC with onboard audio, big-street views, and enough stops to plan your own day.
“Definitely saved us from walking miles. Some of the drivers don’t announce the stops so you have to use the headphones to listen to the commentary if it works on the bus you’re on. Some buses didn’t have working audio.”
Guided bus tour across Harlem, the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn with street art, Apollo-area sights, Unisphere views, and empanadas for $84.
“So informative. You get a Birds Eye view of the four Boroughs. Keven was interesting, funny, and did a good job of answering questions”
See Times Square, 5th Avenue, Greenwich Village, Chinatown, Little Italy, and Brooklyn Bridge at night on an open-top TopView bus.
“The tour started 30 minutes late. The “live” entertainment person did not have a microphone so he could not be heard.”
Dyker Heights holiday lights with a guide, a DUMBO skyline stop, and an easy bus ride from Manhattan to Brooklyn.
“We did the Dyker Heights lights tour a couple nights before Christmas and it was amazing. Our tour guide was great and very knowledgeable and the tour is well organised. The houses and decorations are just beautiful and our group of 4 all enjoyed this experience. Highly recommend this tour.”
A warm, climate-controlled bus tour that hits NYC’s top sights in 4 hours, with guide stories and multiple photo stops.
“We had a wonderful time on this tour. All three of the staff were amazing. Tom, our tour guide was phenomenal. He was so knowledgeable, funny, kind and helpful. We were able to learn more about the city and see some of the top sights while staying warm on an extremely cold day. I’d highly recommend booking this tour if you want to see more of the city without figuring it out on your own. There’s no time to purchase food so if you’re someone who gets a little hungry, I’d suggest bring a snack to eat at one of the stops.”
A 5-hour guided Manhattan highlights bus tour from Times Square, with Central Park, Fifth Ave, Chinatown, Wall Street, and Statue of Liberty views.
“It was fantastic! We were enthralled with how the sites we saw and how the tour guide brought us through the full history of various aspects of the city. We had a great time and highly recommend.”
Ride NYC in comfort and visit Sex and the City filming spots, from Carrie’s West Village brownstone to the Scout bar and wedding rehearsal dinner.
“Lara was absolutely fabulous , a real Carrie Bradshaw of tour guides! She brought the world of Sex and the City to life with sparkle, humour, and insider stories that made us feel like part of the show. Even with the delays caused by the city carnival, she kept everyone laughing and having fun. We learned so much, took tons of photos, and felt totally “cosmopolitan”! Huge thanks to Lara for turning a rainy city day into our very own Sex and the City adventure!”
Coach tour of NYC TV and movie filming spots with a local actor guide. See Friends and Ghostbusters sites with photo stops.
“Benji our tour guide was very knowledgable and nothing was too much trouble. Would highly recommend this tour.”
Dyker Heights Christmas lights by bus plus sunset skyline views of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and Bryant Park’s Winter Village.
“Stephen was the best tour guide and made the bus ride so entertaining with all the jokes and facts about the city! Adele was an excellent driver and got us through the city with ease! 10/10 recommend. One of my favorite parts of the trip and would definitely do it again!”
THE RIDE Experience turns Midtown into a moving Broadway show with interactive hosts, stadium seating, and street performers on a 75-min tour.
“Wonderful hosts and fab experience from beginning to end. Loved the random interaction from pavement - very special”
NYC Sex and the City Hotspots bus tour stops at iconic filming spots, guided by actor fans, with a cupcake included and adult-oriented locations.
“Great! Lou was energetic and knowledgeable. It was a lot of fun!”
A 6-hour bus ride through Harlem, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, plus DUMBO, Chinatown, and Little Italy, with photo stops and local flavor.
“Wonderful tour with an excellent guide with a great sense of humor. The tour lasts 6 hours but they will fly by in no time.”
3-hour luxury bus tour of NYC’s brightest landmarks at night, with live guide stories and photo stops for Manhattan skyline views.
“very impressive tour, guide was knowledgeable and good fun too with his one liners”
2-hour bus tour of Gossip Girl filming sites on Manhattan’s elite Upper East Side, led by a local actress with photo stops and sweet treats.
“I enjoyed the tour a lot! It was great to see all the film locations and get some special insights! Katie was the perfect tour guide! Thank you so much for making my last day in NY so special!!!”
