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Big Bus Washington DC

Review Highlights

“ I would recommend that they add on the night tour to pass the MLK memorial, it's beautiful at night!! ” in 80 reviews

“ We chose the red loop , and the tour was very good, but we were not warned of a 12-minute stop outside of spy museum. ” in 12 reviews

“ We purchased a day pass , my wife and I didn't make it before the last bus left at 4pm. ” in 19 reviews

Location & Hours

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Located in:

Union Station

50 Massachusettes Ave NE

Washington, DC 20001

Serving Washington, DC Area

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About the Business

Business owner information

Big Bus Tours is the leading operator of open-top, hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours in the Washington DC. As the official concessioner of the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior, Big Bus Tours provides you with the official sightseeing tour of the National Mall and Memorial Parks. We are committed to providing the perfect introduction to great cities through our excellence in service and innovation. …

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Overall rating

632 reviews

Joe, our last driver of the day, was the BEST!! He was so kind, funny, and just overall incredible!!

We took a big group on the Big Bus red loop on Monday April 1. The beginning of the tour was nice, but when we got off the bus at the Washington Monument and tried to get back on, we got incorrect directions from the bus driver as where to go to get down to the Tidal Basin. They told us to cross the street, and that bus ended up taking us the wrong direction, and it was explained to us that we had to find the temporary pink loop. So we decided to walk a mile back to the monument and try again. We waited and waited for the bus, and it finally came. That driver then said that the bus immediately behind him would pick us up and take us to the tidal basin for sure. The bus finally came and the driver said that he was off of work, and to wait for another bus. The following bus came, and he said he wasn't doing the pink line as it was only certain times. All in all, we ended up walking with 4 children way more than anticipated, and barely got time on the bus because of the confusing directions from drivers and the app was confusing as well. It doesn't seem worth the price for upwards of $60 per person.

WORST TOUR EVER We signed up for the NIGHT TOUR of the monuments and memorials. The website and the tickets gave different meeting places to start the tour. Once we called and figured out where to meet the bus, we got on and were given headphones. No tour guide told us what we were passing. Which was a problem since the recording on the headphones DID NOT MATCH the places where we were. A passenger on the bus was telling her friend the names of the memorials so we just listened to her. The driver stopped at the Lincoln Memorial and told us we could get cabs there to hotels or WALK TO GEORGETOWN... IN 5 MINUTES. Not possible. Besides the fact it was freezing cold, it would be at least 30 minutes to walk to Georgetown, according to the maps. Needless to say we did not offer a tip. Yes, WORST EVER!

We wasted half of our day waiting for this bus... we bought a ticket, rode to the wash memorial: although the bus was dirty, and the canned tour bits being played didn't correlate with the actual location, It was no big deal. Then after a lot of walking we went to a stop near the MLK memorial and waited. And waited. And waited. We downloaded the app and watched the bus detour around our stop and skip us! So we walked all the way back to the wash monument and waited. And waited. And waited. Finally got a bus to Chinatown area. Then when we tried to catch the bus again the bus kept dying at stoplights, the narration would stop, and the bus crawled across the city at 5 mph. By the time we finally got to the museum, it was no longer selling tickets.. what a waste of time and money! Don't do it.

This is not really a hop on and off tour bus as you would expected. The service is sporadic. It's a Saturday in April and I had to wait for more than 30 minutes for the next bus. When I tracked on the bus on company's app, I saw the buses stood still at the stops most of the time. After a while the buses moved to the next stop, and then waited for a long time before moving again. Finally I gave up! Also the route is split into pink loop and red loop, so don't expect to see the entire area in one ride. If you focus on seeing the destinations around National Mall, I would recommend you take DC Circulator bus. Each ride costs $1 and buses come in every 10 minutes. Find more info @ dccirculator.com and download its app for bus tracking. DC is really a small area. Most of the destinations locate right next to each other. You can walk a short distance between them and take $1 Circulator bus only when necessary. You are essentially more time efficient then using this $65 Big Bus Tour.

I was really looking forward to using the hop on and hop off bus. However, I was left dissatisfied and disappointed. The wait times were not as advertised. My average wait time at a bus stop was over 45 minutes. It seems no one is actively monitoring and managing the drivers. Pretty much wasted a day of sightseeing. 2 thumbs down. Wished I was on the old town trolley instead.

We took our friend, who'd never been to DC, on the Big Bus tour. It takes about 2 hours to do the entire loop, seeing the most prominent attractions along the way. I do miss the live tour guides of the past. Sadly, it's prerecorded and earphones now. All and all, a good day meandering through our nationa capitol.

We went on the night monument tour last night. It was a waste of money. Horrible narration, limited view of the monuments and when we reached the Lincoln memorial were told it would be cheaper for us to Uber home from there rather than go back to Union Station. Overall, not a good experience - would not recommend!

This is the second trip we used the Big Bus as our mode to get around DC. So this review reflects both experiences. This company is horrible! Save your money. Use the other hop on hop off company. Here are my issues: The buses are supposed to come by the stops every 15 minutes, they don't. We waited upwards of 30 minutes between buses. The buses are supposed to start at 9:30am however they only start at stop one. So if you're at stop 12, as we were, the first bus didn't get there until 10:45am. They should start a bus at each stop at 9:30am The buses don't always stop at designated stops. We had been waiting at a stop with other people and the bus passed right on by without stopping Their system is so antiquated. You buy your ticket on the app but then they scam your purchase code and print you out a receipt that you're required to keep. You have to show it every time you board. If you lose that receipt paper, there's no way to retrieve your purchase. We never lost ours but we ran into people who did. The first trip we had friendly drivers, the second trip, not so much. The recordings of the tour are just that, recorded. You get the same boring speech over and over and they are not properly synced with where the driver is. No personality whatsoever. You can't ask questions. The headsets are crap. The things you plug the headsets into are old and don't always work right. DC has another trolly hop on and off bus. I suggest using them. We saw 2 to 3 of their buses stop in between waiting for the Big Bus to finally get to a stop.

Expensive = Slightly overpriced. Staff = Indifferent not really engaging. Just going thru motions. Had one driver that clearly was having a bad day. He was slightly rude to us. But luckily you are on/off so usually won't see same person again. App = Neat idea. But we were there over memorial weekend. So they understandably had to make route edits. But they don't give you a way to know the new route. Even their sign and QR code for route changes didn't tell us much. The staff would quickly say which stops were not included but offer no info on what the route would be. It made it difficult to plan. It worked out as we fortunately had time and just rode it without any idea or confirmation of when we would hit stops. A huge recommendation for them would be to have a digital sign on the bus telling the next 2/3 stops and est of time. Likewise a set of next bus arriving to your location would be a nice add to the app. Lastly, I dropped a full star for them killing the bus at the spy museum. This whole concept is a rolling hop on/off bus. Stopping at spy museum for 10 minutes is ridiculous. We were caught up in it at least three times.

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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

@abpanphoto

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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Explore all the iconic sights that Washington D.C has to offer with Big Bus Tours. The tour is an ideal way to sightsee while allowing you to explore Washington D.C. at your convenience through hop-on and hop-off locations. Make the most of our flexible tours by hopping on and off to visit legendary landmarks at your leisure, including the White House, Capitol Hill, Jefferson Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial. Download the Big Bus app for real-time tracking to get the most out of Hop-On, Hop-Off. 1 or more people

Good To Know

• You can use your ticket on any date. If you purchase a 1, 2, day ticket you must travel on consecutive days.
• Suitable for all ages.
• Hop off and hop on at your leisure. Your driver will announce hop-off stops as the bus arrives at each location.
• You can download the Big Bus app for real-time bus stop locations and timing.
• Buses run every 30-45 minutes.
• Experience amazing views from an open-top double-decker bus.
• See all the top landmarks.
• Pre-recorded commentary.

Description

• L'Enfant Plaza & International Spy Museum
• Washington Monument West
• Jefferson Memorial
• FDR and MLK Memorial
• Lincoln Memorial & Korean War Memorial
• Arlington Cemetery
• Natural History Museum
• City Center & Chinatown
• The White House & Willard Hotel
• US Capitol at Garfield Circle
• Air & Space Museum
• The Wharf & Potomac Boat Cruise

Big Bus Tours Washington D.C. Reviews

Big Bus Tours Washington D.C. is located at Big Bus Tours • 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle NW • Washington , DC 20002

Nearby Things to Do

• Arlington National Cemetery: Private Half-Day Walking Tour
• The Best of Washington DC: Private Full-Day Walking Tour
• Two Smithsonian Museums: American & Natural History Private Tour
• The National Mall at Dusk: Washington DC Private Evening Tour
• Arlington National Cemetery Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

Nearby Hotels & Lodging

• Club Quarters Hotel, Washington DC, White House
• DoubleTree by Hilton Washington DC - Crystal City
• Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Washington, DC/Downtown
• Cambria Hotel Washington D.C. Capitol Riverfront
• Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC/US Capitol

Frequently Asked Questions about Big Bus Tours Washington D.C.

Where is the tour located.

Stop #1 for the Red Loop Tour is at the L’Enfant Plaza & International Spy Museum - 700 L'Enfant Plaza SW (at crosswalk on NW corner of Spy Museum). You can hop on and off the tour at any stop. The first stop for the Blue Tour is at the Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Stop #5.

Which days does the tour operate?

Big Bus Tours Washington DC operates every day of the year. Occasionally, service may be affected by roadworks, city events, poor weather and other unpredictable circumstances.

What time do tours start and and how often do buses run?

Day Tour - Red Loop - Official Tour of the National Mall: First Bus: 10:00am from Stop #1: L’Enfant Plaza Last Full-Circuit Tour: 5:00pm from Stop #1: L’Enfant Plaza Last Bus: 5:00pm from Stop #1: L’Enfant Plaza Full Circuit Time: 90 minutes (approx.). Bus Frequency: every 20-30 minutes. Day Tour - Blue Loop - American Heroes Shuttle: First Bus: 10:21am from Stop #5: Lincoln Memorial & Vietnam Veterans Memorial Last Full-Circuit Tour: 5:21pm from Stop #5: Lincoln Memorial & Vietnam Veterans Memorial Full Circuit Time: 30 minutes (approx.). Bus Frequency: every 20-30 minutes. Please note: Arlington Cemetery closes at 5:00pm.

What can I see and visit during the tour?

Red Loop Tour: Stop #1: L’Enfant Plaza & International Spy Museum - 700 L'Enfant Plaza SW (at crosswalk on NW corner of Spy Museum) Stop #2: Washington Monument West - 215th St NW (On Raoul Wallenburg Place, between Jefferson & Independence Aves.) Stop #3: Jefferson Memorial - East Basin Dr SW at Jefferson Memorial (bus stop along from refreshment kiosk) Stop #4: FDR and MLK Memorial - 121 West Basin Dr. SW (between the MLK and FDR Memorials) Stop #5: Lincoln Memorial & Korean War Memorial - 100 Daniel French Drive SW (next to Korean War Memorial) Stop #6: Arlington Cemetery - 1 Memorial Avenue (in the bus parking zone) Stop #7: Natural History Museum - Corner of 10th St NW & Constitution Ave (in front of the Natural History Museum) Stop #8: City Center & Chinatown - 610 10th Street NW (opposite St. Patrick's Church) Stop #9: The White House & Willard Hotel - 1401 Pennsylvannia Avenue NW (outside Willard Hotel, near corner with 15th St. NW) Stop #10: US Capitol at Garfield Circle - 2436 Rayburn House Office Bldg (East Side of Garfield Circle) Stop #11: Air & Space Museum - 600 Independence Ave SW (outside Air & Space Museum main entrance) Stop #12: The Wharf & Potomac Boat Cruise - 800 Maine Ave SW (north-east corner of Maine Ave SW & 9th St) Blue Loop Tour: Hop on our American Heroes Shuttle to cross the Potomac River and explore Arlington National Cemetery.

Do I need to specify a date of travel?

Yes – they'll ask you to select the date you’d like to hop on the bus. If you’re touring with them for more than one day, your ticket must be used across consecutive days, and the date you select at time of booking should be the first day of your tour. Some tours also require you to select a time of travel, to guarantee your seat.

How will I know where to get off?

The live guides and pre-recorded commentary will communicate upcoming stops.

What is the child ticketing policy?

Child tickets are available for children aged between 3 and 12 years. Children aged 2 years and under may travel free of charge. Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by an adult. Strollers and pushchairs must be folded and stowed on the lower deck.

Are accommodations available for persons with disabilities?

Yes, they operate wheelchair accessible vehicles with lifts that can accommodate a weight up to 650 pounds. Please be advised that their entire fleet in Washington DC is not wheelchair accessible. If you or your travelling partner(s) requires an ADA accessible vehicle, please contact the number on your e-ticket 48 hours prior to your planned tour commencement. They can then arrange for a suitable vehicle to be available at the time and location required. If you require a different accommodation, please also contact the number on your e-ticket 48 hours prior to your planned tour commencement so they can make arrangements for an accommodation. Please also note that passengers with mobility impairments may not be able to access the upper deck on their buses. They cannot guarantee the accessibility of the various attractions along the tour.

I am waiting at a stop and can’t see any buses, what do I do?

Hang in there! BIG cities like to throw all sorts of challenges at their drivers, who are doing their best to get to you as quickly (but safely) as possible.

Can I bring food and drink on the tour?

No food or alcohol is permitted on board the bus. Please feel welcome to bring non-alcoholic drinks in screw-top bottles.

What is the policy on bringing pets?

No pets are allowed on board the bus, except ADA service animals.

Is luggage allowed on board the bus?

No, luggage is not permitted on board the bus at this time.

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1-800-590-8125.

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