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Big Bus Tours Washington, DC

Top Reasons to Take a Big Bus Tour in Washington, DC

Discover why a hop-on, hop-off bus tour is a great way to experience the nation’s capital..

When it comes to sightseeing in Washington, DC, there’s a lot to see and do and often not enough time. One of the most efficient ways to cover all of your bases, while also offering an opportunity to explore museums, monuments and other points of interest, is to take an open-top sightseeing bus tour. With all new cleaning protocols and safety measures,  Big Bus Tours offers customers a stress-free ride in a clean and safe environment above street and sidewalks. With a new departure point at L’Enfant Plaza, and recently added stops at Black Lives Matter Plaza, Senate Park and others, Big Bus also offers the official National Mall tour ( Red Loop ), and a Night Tour which includes the National Mall, Pentagon, Arlington, Va. and Georgetown.

Here’s why you should take advantage of a Big Bus Tour next time you’re in the nation’s capital:

Get an exclusive discount and save big on your next Big Bus Tour . Just enter the promotional code VISITDC for the best available deal and start exploring the nation's capital.

Catch the monuments and the memorials from a unique vantage point

Big Bus Tours Washington, DC

The Red Route is the official National Mall tour, and it goes past the major monuments, memorials and museums in DC.  The Big Bus Tours app will give you the exact location and stop times for the day you travel. With frequent and varied stops throughout the tour, you can always step off for further exploration. And if you want to capture the scene from a unique vantage point, nothing beats the photo-ops from the rooftop.

Get more sightseeing done in two hours than most do in two days

Visitors on a Big Bus sightseeing tour taking photos of the U.S. Capitol - Open-top bus tours in Washington, DC

If you want to pack in as much as you can, we recommend staying on the bus. A full route on the Red Loop lasts an hour and thirty minutes apiece.

The night tour on the Mall is a must

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If you haven’t seen the DC skyline set against a night sky, you’re missing out. One of the best ways to experience the beauty of the nation’s capital is during a night tour. You’ll encounter fewer crowds and the monuments and memorials take on an even more awe-inspiring feeling when lit up at dusk. Note: This tour is not a hop-on, hop-off, however the tour provides photo stops at the Lincoln Memorial and the Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington, Va.

There’s a Big Bus Tour stop near you

Big Bus Tour in downtown Washington, DC - Sightseeing options in DC

Convenience is key when visiting any city, and as the official tour of the National Mall, Big Bus has its advantages. With varied stops strategically placed at major locations throughout the Mall, downtown, and near hotels, you can easily find a stop near you and begin your adventures in no time.

You can never get lost

Big Bus Tours

With added features like Real Time Bus Tracking and an Interactive Route Map, you can experience the Big Bus Tour without the hassle of getting lost or confused. Keep it simple. Download the Big Bus Tours app and choose Washington, DC. Someone will always be available via chat to answer questions and point you in the right direction.

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Which Washington DC Bus Tours Are Best?

Big bus hop on hop off and more.

This post compares the various Washington, DC bus tour options available to you.

We included hop-on-hop-off tours, more premium shuttle bus services, and even a free, self-guided option. Let's get rolling! 

• Hop-On-Hop-Off
• Guided Sightseeing Bus Tours
• Arlington Cemetery Trolley
• Night Bus Tours
• Mt. Vernon, Gettysburg, and Other Day Trips

Self-Guided Bus Tour

• Pros and Cons of Bus Tours

Disclosure:  While we think you should take our  free walking tours , we understand they may not be best for everyone. Therefore, we have compared available DC bus Tours.

While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the  full text .

HOP-ON-HOP-OFF DC BUS TOURS

There are a lot of great services in Washington DC which offer commentary and transportation to all of the most popular and historic sites in the area.

These bus tours allow you to jump off at any stop and get a closer look at any landmark you want to see.

These services typically provide both reliable transportation and either live or pre-recorded commentary (in up to 11 languages).

Prices start at about $40-$50 for an adult ticket and $25-35 for children.

Each ticket is available for either 1 or 2 days, and the 2-day tickets often include additional attractions or activities.

Old Town Trolley

These open-air but covered historic trolley cars take you around the city with a driver/guide narrating the entire way.

They provide plastic window coverings for less-than-ideal weather, and some of the newer trolleys are raised so you’re sitting above the cars.

From this vantage point, it’s a lot easier to see all of the notable sites around Washington, DC!  

Hotel Shuttle Service is provided at select hotels and times.

Tours are only in English however, they offer a foreign language app where visitors can listen to narration in Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, and Japanese.

While the main tour will take you around the National Mall to see all the memorials and downtown DC, they also offer a tour that is essentially a shuttle providing transport to and from Arlington National Cemetery.

If you opt for their gold pass this includes the tour of Arlington National Cemetery, whereas the silver pass is their standard DC tour.

For more on how to visit Arlington National Cemetery once you’re there, check our Guide to ANC .

They also offer a 2.5-hour Memorials by Moonlight tour that begins at Union Station.

1-Day Ticket Prices

$49/Adults | $33/Children (note prices are more expensive if you book last minute!)

• Includes 24-hour access to the blue loop.

Purchase tickets or learn more .

2-Day Ticket Prices

As of Summer 2023, Old Town Trolley is not offering 2 Day Passes.

1-Day Ticket + Arlington National Cemetery

$60/Adults | $40/Children

• Includes Arlington National Cemetery tour.

You can also upgrade to include the tram tour of Arlington National Cemetery and can also add on a cruise during the summer months.

• 9 am - 5 pm from Thursday - Sunday
• Buses run every 30 minutes
• 9 am - 4 pm (Oct-Mar)
• 9 am - 6 pm (Apr-Sept)

This tour company has earned a 4 ½ out of 5 stars rating on TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide. ( read the reviews )

Thousands of passengers have had an excellent trip while on the Old Town Trolley, and that’s definitely a good sign.

Although some guests have left negative feedback, a few of their complaints indicate a common problem that anyone should be concerned about.

A majority of reviewers have said that their guides provided a wealth of valuable information and made the journey very enjoyable.

Big Bus Tours

Big Bus, which operates double-decker, open-top brown buses, is a company you may have seen in other cities throughout the world.

This tour has three different loops around the city depending on which areas you want to see.

There are many connection points that will allow you to hop on and hop off any of the lines!

The red loop is their official tour of the National Mall, including stops at all the major Smithsonian museums, monuments, and memorials. 

This loop features pre-recorded commentary in 9 different languages.

The black loop is an evening tour, featuring the monuments illuminated at night.

The yellow loop goes to Georgetown and even further Northwest to the National Zoo and National Cathedral. (this route is currently suspended, but we offer Georgetown walking tours ! )

Commentary is only available in English. Click on the map for a larger view

There are a few different ticket options for the Big Bus Tours.

Passes come in 1, 2, or 3 days versions. All passes include discounts on ARTECHOUSE tickets and bike rentals.

Ticket Prices

Discover Tour: $54/Adults | $45/Children

• 1-day hop-on-hop-off bus tour.
• 50% off 2-Hour Bike Rental.
• Included in Go DC tourist discount pass.
• Free for kids 4 and under with a parental figure.

Essential Tour: $63/Adults | $54/Children

• 2-day hop-on-hop-off bus tour.
• $5 off ARTECHOUSE tickets.

Explore Tour: $72/Adults | $63/Children

• 3-day hop-on-hop-off bus tour.

Night Tour: $58/Adults | $50/Children (Fri-Sun in Summer Only)

• 9 am - 5 pm daily
• Buses run every 1 hour.

With a 3 ½ out of 5 stars rating on TripAdvisor, it’s fair to say that Big Bus Tours is a bit of a mixed bag for most customers. 

This rating, while lower than the previously mentioned competitor, is aligned with what most hop-on-hop-off tours receive worldwide.

GUIDED SIGHTSEEING BUS TOURS OF DC

Hop-on-hop-off bus tours are not for everyone, especially if you don't like waiting for buses or you only have a short amount of time in DC.  

This section compares the various tours available in DC, from a small group (less than 11 passengers) to bus shuttle tours (up to 25-33 passengers) and coach buses (up to 55 passengers).  

Sometimes, the tours are what is referred to as driver-guide, where your driver doubles as your tour guide, which means that you will explore each attraction on your own while the driver remains with the bus.

Other tours offer both a driver and a guide , where the guide will get off the bus with you at each stop and conduct a guided walking tour. 

Many of the options here include hotel pick-up and you will have the same bus and the same driver (and maybe tour guide) for the entire tour.

One of the biggest advantages of these types of tours is that they are usually more in-depth than traditional hop-on-hop-off tours.

They could be of great value if you are short on time, as it will take you much longer to see the same number of sights with the hop-on-hop-off buses.

This may not be the best option for those who do like to take their time at an attraction.

DC by Foot's Private Guided Bus Tour

We can combine our highly rated tour guides with a vehicle size of your choosing to create a custom private tour.

Family of 4 in a luxury SUV to a corporate group of 50 on a coach, we work with great drivers and bus companies to offer hotel pick up and drop off and develop a custom itinerary for you.

You'll get a driver to stay with the vehicle and your items and a guide who will hop off with you at locations.

Since its a private tour, you can choose what to see and how long to spend at each sites.

EMAIL US TO BOOK

Rates start at $700 for a small vehicle, driver and guide.

USA GUIDED TOURS

This company provides a variety of high-quality bus tours that will take you around Washington, D.C. in shuttle buses (up to 33 passengers).

All of their tours include both a driver as well as a tour guide, and your tour guide will get off the bus and give you walking tours of each stop, while your bus and driver wait for you.

In a sense, these are premium tours. Having both a driver and a tour guide means more cost to the company, and this is reflected in their prices.  

For some, this enhancement is well worth the premium paid, especially considering the reviews.  

With the exception of their night tour, most of their tours are 5 hours or longer.

TIP: They also offer tours in New York City  and you are entitled to a discount if you book tours in both cities.  

Reviews of USA Guided Tours DC

When we said these tours were high quality, we weren’t lying: this company has a 4 ½ out of 5 stars rating on TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide. 

Having the tour guide to guide you through the memorials is by far the biggest hit.

DC Highlights Tour

This is their base tour. It begins at 10 am daily and lasts for 4 hours.  

This part-bus, part-walking tour includes guided stops at the U.S. Capitol Building, the White House, Washington Monument as well as the Lincoln and MLK Memorials and the Vietnam War and Korean War Veterans Memorials.  

They also offer a combination of this tour with a tour of Arlington National Cemetery for an additional $25/adult.

• $59 - Adult | $49 - Child (3-12)
• Members of the Military receive $10 off.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
• Click here for the night-time version .
• Click here for their Arlington Cemetery Tour add-on .
• Find out how to get 20% off this combo tour .

Discover DC

If you want to explore pretty much every notable monument and landmark in D.C. and take a 1-hour cruise on the Potomac River, then consider the Discover DC Tour.

This 6-hour tour will take you to all locations listed on their Highlights Tour plus: the World War II Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.  

There is a lunch break included on the tour as you are cruising on the Potomac, this is only offered March - September.

• $89 - Adult | $79 - Child (3-12)
• More info and to book .

Skyview Convertible Bus Tour

On this convertible minibus - think open-top minivan - you get to experience a guided tour with panoramic views without the glare of a window in the photos!

A 6-hour guided bus tour takes you through the highlights of Washington DC including Georgetown, Embassy Row, and some of Northern Virginia.

• $99 - Adults & Children | $89 - Students & Seniors
• Time: 10 am - 4 pm
• Starting / Ending Location: Navy Memorial, Pennsylvania Ave NW
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
• Purchase your Skyview Convertible Bus Tickets .

SIGNATURE TOURS

Similar to USA Guided Tours, this well-reviewed tour company offers a shuttle bus with both a driver and a tour guide.   

With good reviews come higher prices. This company offers a 3-hour as well as a 6-hour version of a highlight tour.

They also offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before your tour.

3 Hour Morning Tour (daily at 10:30 am)

• $66 per person
• More info or to purchase

6-Hour Day Tour

• $84/youth (3-11)
• More info or to purchase .

Reviews of Signature Tours

The tickets are one of the more expensive for this type of tour, but Signature Tours has one of the highest ratings of all the services on this list.

With 4.7 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide ( read some of the reviews ), you can feel fairly secure about a ticket purchase from this tour company.

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY TROLLEY

Arlington Cemetery Tours (operated by Historic Tours of America) is the only company permitted to offer vehicle tours of the cemetery.

They offer both open-air trams and enclosed vehicles for varying weather conditions.

Several tour companies listed above also offer combination tickets that include an ANC tour. 

If you choose a bus tour ticket that doesn't include the cemetery, then consider taking our walking tour as well as reading our GPS-enabled audio tour . 

Ticket Prices:

• $19.50 for Adults
• $10.75 for Children (4-12)
• More information or to purchase tickets .

Reviews of Arlington Cemetery Trolley

It looks like most of the guests who have taken this tour enjoyed themselves, as the company currently has a 4 out of 5 stars rating on TripAdvisor. 

Fortunately, few of the complaints had anything in common, so it’s not likely that these issues are indicative of a larger problem.  

We also offer walking tours of the cemetery that allow you to take in these hallowed grounds at a leisurely pace and understand the stories of those resting here. Our professional guides also make sure that you're in the best place at the right time for the changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - something the trolley tours do not do!

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If you're hoping to experience both Mount Vernon, this company offers a combo tour that includes travel and entrance.

Clocking in at a total of 5 hours, the trip begins with a journey to George Washington's estate and finishes off with a guided walk-through of ANC. 

Prices are a lot higher than a trolley ticket, but you'll also get a lot more bang for your buck.

• $84 for Adults
• $74 for Children (3-12)
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour
• Purchase tickets here .

USA Guided Tours currently has an overall rating of 4.5 stars on TripAdvisor. The majority of reviewers absolutely adored this trip to Mount Vernon and Arlington.

Some guests even indicated that their tour guides managed to keep younger visitors entertained throughout the excursion.

This combo package is especially popular among families and couples.

Sadly, DC Duck Tours has closed!

NIGHT BUS TOURS OF DC

There is something truly beautiful about seeing the famous monuments and historic locations in Washington, DC all lit up at night. 

We think our walking tours of DC are the best way to experience the National Mall and other neighborhoods, but sometimes you just want to sit.

Thankfully, there are a lot of night bus tours offered by the services listed above. For those that we have listed above, we won't repeat the company overviews.  

Tours range from large group double-deck open-top buses to smaller, more intimate (and more expensive) shuttle buses.  

USA Guided Tours is one of the better-reviewed bus tour companies in DC.

The DC at Dusk Tour has both a driver and a tour guide and your tour guide will join you for guided strolls through each stop, which is helpful as sometimes the sights cannot be fully experienced from the road. 

This is a premium service with a maximum of 30 guests per tour and is thus reflected in the prices.  

The tour stops at and includes guided walking tours at the following locations:

• US Capitol Building
• White House
• World War II Memorial
• Jefferson Memorial
• Martin Luther King Memorial
• Korean War Memorial
• Lincoln Memorial
• Vietnam Memorial

You can meet your tour at the Naval Memorial conveniently located downtown on Pennsylvania Ave NW - there is a Metro station right there on the Green/Yellow lines.

• 3-hour tour departing at 7:30 pm.
• Members of the Military save $9 on tickets.
• $58 for Adults (additional fee for hotel pick up)
• $48 for Children (additional fee for hotel pick up)
• Purchase your tickets here .

BIG BUS DC NIGHT TOUR

This two-hour tour begins just after the sun goes down, allowing you to see what the nation’s capital looks like after dark.

Unlike their other offerings, the Big Bus Night Tour includes a live guide that will explain the significance of every landmark on your journey.  

The night tour is not a hop-on-hop-off tour like their day tours, rather you will see most of the sights listed on their page from the bus.

However, the tour does include  1 stop where your tour guide will accompany you to the Lincoln, Vietnam, and Korean War Memorials.  

Reviews of Big Bus's night tour are better than the company as a whole.

This is probably due to the fact that passengers are guaranteed one bus for the entire evening and will not have to wait for the next bus, as they do with the daytime hop-on, hop-off tours.

2 Hour Tour

• $59 for Adults
• Check the Big Bus website for more details .

OLD TOWN TROLLEY MONUMENTS BY MOONLIGHT TOUR

In addition to their hop-on-hop-off National Mall and their Arlington National Cemetery trolley services, Old Town Trolley also offers a night tour.

Professional guides will lead you around the city and provide a plethora of information about the history of our nation.

This is not a hop-on-hop-off tour, rather you will make 3 stops with your tour guide, as opposed to Big Bus's 1 stop, including a stop at the Iwo Jima Memorial.  

Like Big Bus, Old Town Trolley's night tour gets good overall reviews. Complaints seem to be the chaotic boarding processes and plastic windows, but the vast majority rate this tour from very good to excellent.

2 ½ Hour Tour

• $58 for Adults (can be more expensive if you book last minute)
• $38 for Children
• Children under 4 ride for free

BI-PARTISAN TOURS

Epic Evening Bus Tour

NOTE: This tour has currently halted operations and they are not offering bus tours as of August 2023.

Discover all of the most significant locations in DC during the evening!  There are a few good points for this tour.

• First, it's a small group (up to 11 people) tour.
• Second, Bi-Partisan Tours is one of the highest-rated tour companies.
• Third, this night tour visits the Air Force Memorial, which most other companies don't do, and this stop is a real treat at night.

However, this is a driver-guide-only tour, so there is no tour guide to accompany you through the memorials which can be a negative if you have any questions while at the sites since many sites cannot be seen from the coach.

With that said, none of the reviewers seem to have any issues with this aspect and the guided bus portion seems to make up for it.

They do offer hotel pick-up and drop-off.

As the tour is a small group, they do allow flexibility with the itinerary and are sometimes are able to incorporate a specific request like Embassy Row or the Kennedy Center.

BUS TOURS TO MOUNT VERNON AND OTHER DAY TRIPS

Several DC bus tour operators offer bus tours to Mount Vernon Estate, the home of George Washington, which lies 16 miles (25 km) south of the District of Columbia.  

Other tours will visit Thomas Jefferson's Monticello as well as Gettysburg Battlefield Park .

Additional popular day trips from DC include Yorktown, Colonial Williamsburg, Harper's Ferry, NYC, and vineyard and winery tours.

Bus Tours to Mount Vernon Estate

There are a few bus companies with regularly scheduled tours from Washington, D.C. to Mount Vernon.  

Expect the tour to last 5 - 6 hours round trip, unless the tour includes a stop in Arlington National Cemetery, which will add 2 hours to the trip.  

Most tours pass through Old Town Alexandria for a quick view.  

Be sure to read our guide to Mount Vernon Estate before you go.  

It is also possible to take mass transit to the estate as well as a boat cruise.

NOTE: Entry to Mount Vernon is included for free with the purchase of the Explorer Pass, a tourist attraction discount pass.  

USA Guided Tours

There is still one option for a private luxury bus or minivan half-day tour that includes Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria.

This tour includes transportation to and from Washington DC with stops in Old Town Alexandria and Mount Vernon.

You'll have a live guide and an entrance ticket to tour inside the mansion at Mount Vernon.

It has great reviews about the cleanliness of the bus, the professionalism and knowledge of the guide, and the quality of the tour stops.

Purchase your tickets here.

Use our  Guide to the Circulator's National Mall  route as a self-guided bus tour of the memorials and museums.

Are Bus Tours a Good Way to Travel?

Washington, DC is a very walkable city if you're looking to explore the main sites, but some guests prefer to look into bus tours.

If you're looking to explore some of the further afield sites like the Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial (which is accessible by Metro and walkable from our Arlington Cemetery tour) or the US Air Force Memorial, a bus tour is a great idea.

Something to note is that on the National Mall , having a bus doesn't actually save you any walking!

Due to the location of WWII, Vietnam, Korean, and Lincoln Memorials and their designated pick up/drop off locations for buses, you'll still need to walk around the memorials just as much as you would on a walking tour of the National Mall.

Some of the DC Bus tours do offer double-decker buses and there is hop on hop off options.

These can be a great way to get around the city between tourist attractions.

PROS OF A BUS TOUR

You can get to locations that are further away.

Climate controlled vehicles.

A hop-on hop-off bus tour can save you time and money on transportation costs.

CONS OF A BUS TOUR

Pre-recorded commentary (unless you get a guided bus tour!)

Not able to ask questions easily about what you're seeing.

Long waits between buses (unless you get a guided bus tour!)

And much, much more

About the author.

Canden Arciniega

North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

• United States
• Washington, D.C.

Hop on Hop off Washington DC Bus Tours vs Trolley Tours – Which one is best?

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Discover the heart and soul of the American capital with hop on hop off Washington DC bus tours ! Covering everything from the White House and Capitol Hill, to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Smithsonian Castle and beyond, these bus and trolley tours are your gateway to the best things to do in Washington DC and offer a flexible way to explore iconic landmarks and city center at your own pace.

So whether you’re drawn to the historic allure of the National Mall or the serene beauty of the Potomac River, there’s no better way to curate your adventure than to book now a hop on hop off Washington DC tour . To find the right sightseeing bus or trolley tour for you, we have explored the best companies around.

So get ready for a journey into American heritage that promises both enlightenment and excitement at every turn!

Hop on hop off Washington DC bus tours comparison

When it comes to hop on hop off Washington DC tours, there are two companies offering bus and trolley tours – Big Bus Tours and Old Town Trolley Tours. While both companies offer similar daytime and evening tours of the US capital, they have different types of tickets and perks. To help you pick the best tour in Washington DC, we’ll look into each company’s details, including hop-on hop-off routes and all ticket options.

1 – Big Bus Tours

With a fleet of open-top buses, Big Bus Tours offers an unparalleled vantage point from which to soak in the sights of Washington, DC. With services running every 15–20 minutes, daytime and evening tours with complimentary audio commentary, and a wide range of ticket options and perks, Big Bus Tours provides one of the best hop on hop off Washington DC bus tours.

The Red Loop has 15 stops that cover many iconic government buildings, including the White House, Union Station, and the US Capitol, along with national monuments and memorials, as well as museums, such as the International Spy Museum and the Natural History Museum . The entire loop takes just under two hours to complete.

The Black Loop operates in the evening and offers a unique experience as you pass by many important landmarks and monuments at the National Mall and Arlington Cemetery. The average duration of this sightseeing bus journey through Washington DC in the evening is almost two hours.

There are five different types of Big Bus Washington DC tickets and passes. All tickets include access to pre-recorded commentary in 5 languages (English, French, German, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese) and complimentary headphones. Children aged 3 to 12 are entitled to reduced ticket prices.

The Discover Ticket offers access to the Red Loop for an entire day and is the most affordable option, costing US$54 for adults and US$45 for children. This ticket also includes a special discount rate for bike rental if you want to explore the capital on two wheels.

The 2-day Essential Ticket, priced at US$63 for adults and US$54 for children, covers the Red Loop. On top of a special bike rental rate and discounts to many shops and attractions, this Big Bus ticket is flexible and includes a free date change.

For a longer stay in the US capital, the 3-day Explorer Ticket offers great value at US$72 per adult and US$63 per child, allowing you to leave no stone unturned. Beyond accessing the Red Loop, cheaper bike rental, discounts and a free date change, this ticket includes a 45-minute one-way boat cruise along the Potomac River.

The panoramic Night Tour ticket includes a 2-hour drive through the Black Loop in the evening on board a Big Bus, with audio commentary in English. Tickets for this evening tour cost US$58.50 for adults and US$49.50 for children.

To get a comprehensive view of the city, the Best of DC Tour includes a single panoramic tour on the Red Loop during the day, followed by a ride on the Black Loop in the evening. This pass, priced at US$70 for adults and US$60 for children, also includes discounted bike rental for further exploration of the capital.

• bus tours in Washington DC

2 – Old Town Trolley Tours

Old Town Trolley Tours brings a unique charm to city exploration, thanks to the live commentary provided by its friendly and knowledgeable guides. The company offers two routes: a 15-stop sightseeing tour in Washington, DC, and a 10-stop tour of Arlington National Cemetery.

The main hop on hop off route passes by many key D.C. landmarks, including the White House and US Capitol, as well as memorials and monuments dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Martin Luther King and George Washington. The loop also includes designated stops at several Smithsonian museums and typically lasts one hour and 45 minutes.

The 45-minute tour at the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery is unique to the Old Town Trolley Tours company and makes 6 stops on weekdays and 9 on weekends. Stops include the President John F. Kennedy Gravesite, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington House, and the US Marine Corps War Memorial Iwo Jima.

There are five different Old Town Trolley Tour tickets available, with prices varying depending on the day you wish to book. Children aged 4 to 12 are entitled to a reduced price, and additional discounts are often available for online bookings. All trolleys include free Wi-Fi.

The 1-Day Old Town Trolley Tour tickets start at US$58.95 for adults and US$32.95 for children and include a pre-recorded audio tour to enjoy on the 15-stop ride through Washington, DC.

On the Monuments by Moonlight Tour, ticket prices start from US$69.95 for adults and US$38.95 for children. This evening tour gives you the option of starting and finishing at Union Station or The Washington Welcome Center.

The Old Town Trolley Tour & Arlington National Cemetery Tour package includes a 1-day pass for the Old Town trolley and a ticket for the Arlington National Cemetery Tour. Keep in mind that the trolley tour and cemetery tour do not need to be booked for the same day. Prices for adults start at US$59.70 and US$39.33 for children.

Similarly, the Monuments by Moonlight & Arlington National Cemetery Tour package includes an evening trolley tour of the city and a ticket for the Arlington National Cemetery, which can be booked on a separate day. Prices for adults start at US$84.70, while child tickets start at US$45.32.

General admission tickets for the Arlington National Cemetery Tours are priced at US$19.50 for adults, US$15 for seniors (65+), and US$10.75 for children. Members of the military, veterans and their families are entitled to special tour rates, with adults paying US$8.70 and children US$5.25, while uniformed members of the military join for free.

• trolley tours in Washington DC

Both Hop on Hop off sightseeing companies offer tours with similar daytime and evening itineraries; however, they each have distinct differences.

What I really like about Big Bus Tours is that they offer two- and three-day passes, which are ideal for longer stays in Washington, DC. When coupled with perks such as the discounted bike rental, these packages offer great value and allow you to get a real feel of the city.

As for Old Town Trolley Tours, I really appreciate the live commentary, as it adds a unique flair to the experience, as well as the dedicated tour of the Arlington National Cemetery. The ability to book tours on separate days also gives greater flexibility in covering the city at your own pace.

How do you find discounted Hop on Hop off Washington DC tours tickets?

Finding discounted tickets for hop on hop off Washington DC bus tours is easier than you might think. The first option is to browse through reputable travel websites, where you will often find exclusive deals and discounts.

Alternatively, consider buying a city attractions pass for Washington DC. Not only does it offer access to famous landmarks and tourist attractions in Washington DC , including hop on hop off tours, but it also provides significant savings compared to buying individual tickets.

In any case, both options are excellent for maximizing your experience and staying budget-friendly when planning your sightseeing in the US capital.

1 – Check out discounted tickets on travel websites

Searching on travel websites such as Viator and Getyourguide for discounted tickets is a game-changer, but you might notice that they have slightly different prices for the same tickets. Search engines, like TourScanner, allow you to compare prices across different providers, ensuring you snag the best deal.

Using a price comparison platform simplifies your planning process and makes it easier to budget for your sightseeing adventure in DC, while guaranteeing you don’t miss out on the lowest prices.

• hop on and hop off bus tours in Washington DC

2 – Book a city attractions pass

Another way to save money on a hop-on hop-off bus or trolley tour in Washington DC, is to buy a city attraction pass. These passes tend to offer great value for travelers with a sense of adventure and exploration by providing discounts on many major attractions and museums in Washington DC .

The Washington DC Sightseeing Pass

The Washington DC Sightseeing Pass is one of the best ways of touring the US capital on your own terms and pace. There are two main options available:

The Day Pass, lasting 1, 2 or 3 days, offers unlimited sightseeing and use of the Big Bus hop-on, hop-off bus tours. These are ideal for first-time visitors, families and groups of friends who want to see as much as possible.

The Flex Pass allows you to get on the Big Bus hop-on, hop-off bus tours for 1 day and allows entry to 1, 2 or 4 attractions over a period of 60 days. This flexibility makes it ideal for locals and travelers who have visited Washington DC before or want to focus on specific attractions.

• Washington DC Sightseeing Pass