old town trolley tours of st. augustine

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Old Town Trolley Tours

Hosting a narrated tour of St. Augustine with 22 stops throughout the historic district.

At the Old Jail. 167 San Marco Avenue St. Augustine, FL 32084

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Old Town Trolley Tours offers visitors a fully narrated tour of St. Augustine and a convenient way to get around downtown, with 22 stops along the way.

The Old Town Trolley Tour route encompasses seven miles of fascinating history as recounted by one of Old Town Trolley's highly-trained and certified tour guides/conductors. The tour provides an excellent overview of St. Augustine, and free parking available at the Old Town Trolley Welcome Centers makes it easy to get around town without the hassle of searching for parking.

One full loop takes about an hour and a half to complete. Trolleys depart every 20 minutes, so it's easy to hop off at a stop and hop back on without a long wait.

Discounted attraction packages to other St. Augustine attractions can be purchased at the Old Jail and all the other Old Town Trolley ticket depots throughout town. Free parking is available at the Old Jail at 167 San Marco Ave.

The trolley tickets are good for one day of sightseeing, and a ticket for a second consecutive day is available for a nominal fee.

The trolley ticket includes free admission to the St. Augustine History Museum, complimentary shuttle service to most local hotels, and Beach Bus service to St. Augustine Beach.

The last trolley tour of the day goes out at 4:30 p.m.

Old Town Trolleys welcome service animals, those trained to provide specific tasks. No other pets are allowed on the trolleys.

For more information about their accessibility services, click here. 

Specialty Tours

Ghosts & gravestones tour.

Departing nightly at 8 p.m. from 27 San Marco Avenue, the Ghosts & Gravestones Frightseeing Tours invite guests on a spooky adventure to experience St. Augustine's darker side. A "Ghost Host" will chauffeur attendees to some of St. Augustine's most famous haunted spots, entertaining them with tales of the strange, creepy, and tragic sides of the city's history.

This special tour is also the only ghost tour in town that offers guests access to the Old Jail and The Chamber of Horrors at Potter's Wax Museum. This tour is rated PG13 and may be scary for younger kids, so parental discretion is advised. For more information, and to purchase tickets, please click here.

Ghost Town Trolley Tour

A haunting journey around the spookiest locations in St. Augustine, the Ghost Town Trolley Tour travels through the Ancient City for an hour. The hosts may or may not be ghosts and do provide lively tales about the people who lived here and those who may have never left. 

The stories include historical facts, descriptions of paranormal experiences, and personal accounts. The open-air trolley passes by the City Gate, Huguenot Cemetery, and the Old Jail  — one of the most haunted buildings in St. Augustine.   For more information, and to purchase tickets please click here.

Old Jail After Dark

Old Town Trolleys now offers a special 10-person tour of the Old Jail after sunset. Visitors can use the latest equipment to participate in paranormal investigations. The Old Jail is recognized as one of the more haunted places in St. Augustine, and the stories of these ghosts are not usually happy ones. This tour is limited to ten, allowing guests a more intimate experience and the opportunity to hear the stories and use the equipment to seek spirits and communicate with them. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Wedding Trolley

Old Town Trolley Tours also offers charters on its special wedding trolley. For information about a private charter, please go here .

Restaurants nearby

Dunkin' Donuts — Uptown

Alms + Fare

Subway: Historic

Cortesse's Bistro

Places to Stay nearby

Hilton Garden Inn -- Historic District

Holiday Inn St. Augustine

Best Western Historical Inn

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Old Town Trolley Tours St Augustine

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Old Town Trolley Tours St Augustine - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Old Town Trolley Tours St. Augustine

Old Town Trolley Tours St. Augustine 167 San Marco Ave. St. Augustine, Florida 32084

With nearly 500 years of history, including rule by Spain, Britain, and the U.S., St. Augustine is full of sights and attractions that entertain and educate. For over 30 years, Old Town Trolley has provided award-winning sightseeing tours highlighting the best of the city. Enjoy one hundred points of interest and 22 stops, including free admission to the St. Augustine History Museum, complimentary hotel shuttle service, and use of the Beach Bus to St. Augustine Beach. "See the best first" aboard a green and orange trolley! Park for free and board at the Old Town complex located at 167 San Marco Ave. Discount attraction tickets and tour packages also available.

• Bus/Motorcoach Parking
• Family-Friendly
• Group Rates Available
• Group-Friendly
• Guided Tours
• Open Year-Round
• Picnic Area

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Old Town Trolley Tours St Augustine

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St. Augustine Combo Package

Old Town Trolley Tours: With nearly 500 years of history, including rule by Spain, Britain, and the U.S., St. Augustine is full of sights and attractions that entertain and educate. For over 30 years, Old Town Trolley has provided tours highlighting the best of the city.

Hop aboard one of our trolleys and you’ll experience Transportainment ® , a delightful combination of transportation and entertainment.

Visit St. Augustine’s best Museums: The Old Jail, Oldest Store Museum Experience and St. Augustine History Museum.

The Old Jail: Built by Henry Flagler in 1891 and placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1987, the Jail was operational for more than 60 years and housed 72 prisoners at a time.

Oldest Store Museum Experience: Our local actors and storytellers make this tour with the items and inventions from the turn-of-the-century come to life!

St. Augustine History Museum: A combination of historical displays and private collections bring over 400 years of Florida history to life.

Your St. Augustine Combo Package Includes:

• 1 day of free unlimited re-boarding
• Hop On & Off at 22 Old Town Trolley Stops
• You may start your tour at any of our convenient stops
• Voted Best Guided Tour by 'Best in St. Augustine 2023'
• Open air sightseeing perfect for taking pictures
• Fully Narrated Tour of St. Augustine
• FREE Beach Shuttle to Alligator Farm and the Beach
• Complimentary hotel shuttle service
• 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
• Admission to The Old Jail
• Admission to Oldest Store Museum Experience
• Admission to St. Augustine History Museum
• Attraction tickets do not have to be used on the same day

St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tours

Relive the story of the first settlement in North America as you visit Castillo de San Marcos, the Spanish fort built in the 17th century. Visit the world famous spring that Ponce de Leon deemed the Fountain of Youth , where you can actually sample the water. Explore the site of the first Mass in America at the Mission of Nombre de Dios. Experience early St. Augustine as you tour old St. Augustine Village, featuring houses from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Old Town Trolley Tours makes many stops including the Old Jail, St. Augustine History Museum, Potter’s Wax Museum, the Spanish Military Hospital, and the Ximenez-Fatio House. You’ll also see the Gonzalez-Alvarez House, the oldest documented colonial house in Florida, lived in by British, Spanish and American colonists. Visit the San Sebastian Winery; Explore Flagler College, built by Henry Morrison Flagler, an industrialist, railroad pioneer and oil magnate, who originally used the building as a hotel then known as Ponce de Leon hotel.

There’s no better way to see all the St. Augustine attractions than with Old Town Trolley Tours Look for the orange and green trolleys for the best sightseeing tour in town!

The Old Jail

Take a guided tour led by the “jailers” for a compelling look at the cells where imprisoned men and women once lived, the maximum security area reserved for the most nefarious criminals and a collection of weapons.

Visitors can also take a look at the cell blocks, gallows and sheriff’s quarters. See where the sheriff, his wife and children lived, right upstairs from the prisoners, and how they used their own kitchen to prepare meals for the inmates. A tour through this attraction will show visitors what life was like as an inmate and how the Old Jail helped shape St. Augustine’s history.

Oldest Store Museum Experience

Watch in amazement as our friendly clerks, butcher and snake oil salesman demonstrate the very latest inventions for turn-of-the-century living. Meet the proprietor, Mr. C.F. Hamblen. Step back in time and discover the latest and best time saving miracles from 1900!

St. Augustine History Museum

Henry Flagler was a powerhouse and catalyst for change in the real estate and transportation industries. His contributions to Florida are documented and displayed throughout the St. Augustine History Museum. As you tour through, you’ll also see authentic artifacts, unpublished photographs and learn about the evolution of St. Augustine and Florida under Spanish and British rule. More than 400 years of history is on display including toys and dolls from the early 19th and 20th centuries, a replica of a Spanish galleon and real gold, silver and jewelry found in lost treasures off the Florida coast. Housed on the Old Jail, the museum offers another level of insight into Florida’s past.

Old Town Trolley Stops in St. Augustine

Hop on and off at any of our 22 convenient stops.

• 1 stop Old Jail
• 2 stop Visitor Information Center
• 3 stop Potter’s Wax Museum
• 4 stop City Gates
• 5 stop Colonial Quarter
• 6 stop Best Western/Bay Views
• 7 stop St. George Street
• 8 stop Churches
• 9 stop Villa Zorayda Museum
• 10 stop Lightner Museum
• 11 stop Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center
• 12 stop St. Augustine Distillery
• 13 stop San Sebastian Winery
• 14 stop Plaza de la Constitucion
• 15 stop Oldest House
• 16 stop St. Augustine Marina
• 17 stop Castillo de San Marcos
• 18 stop Ripleys Believe It Or Not
• 19 stop Old Town Trolley Welcome Center
• 20 stop Mission of Nombre de Dios
• 21 stop Old Senator Tree & Howard Johnson Hotel
• 22 stop Fountain of Youth

Booth Locations

Stop 1 The Old Jail – Free Parking

Stop 2 Visitor Information Center

Stop 3 Potter’s Wax Museum – Discount Parking

Stop 4 The City Gates

Stop 7 Hypolita & St. George Street

Stop 14 Plaza de la Constitucion – Beach Bus Stop

Stop 19 Old Town Trolley Welcome Center – San Marco – Discount Parking

Old Town Trolley Tours

Daily. Tours depart continuously every 15 minutes. 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

July 4:  Last tour is at 3pm. Thanksgiving:  Last tour is at 3pm. December 24:  Last tour is at 3pm. December 25:  Closed.

Reservations are NOT needed or accepted.

Hours of operation may be extended during holiday weekends and during peak season. Please call (904) 829-3800 for details.

First Tour of the Day:

Stop #1: The Old Jail: 9:00 am Stop #2: Visitors Information Center: 9:07 am Stop #3: Potter’s Wax Museum: 9:11 am Stop #4: City Gates: 9:15 am Stop #5: Colonial Quarter: 9:16 am Stop #6: Best Western/Bay Views: 9:18 am Stop #7: St.  George Street:  9:22 am Stop #8: Churches: 9:25 am Stop #9: Villa Zorayda Museum: 9:30 am Stop #10: Lightner Museum: 9:35 am Stop #11: Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center: 9:50 am Stop #12: St.  Augustine Distillery : 9:40 am Stop #13: San Sebastian Winery: 9:42 am Stop #14: Plaza de la Constitucion: 9:50 am Stop #15: Oldest House: 10:00 am Stop #16: St. Augustine Municipal Marina: 10:04 am Stop #17: Castillo de San Marcos: 10:06 am Stop #18: Ripleys Believe It Or Not: 10:08 am Stop #19: Old Town Trolley Welcome Center: 10:10 am Stop #20: Mission of Nombre de Dios: 10:15 am Stop #21: Old Senator Tree: 10:19 am Stop #22: Fountain of Youth: 10:22 am

Last Full Tour of the Day: Please note that guests taking this tour will not be able to use the on/off feature.

Stop #1: The Old Jail: 4:30 pm Stop #2: Visitors Information Center: 4:37 pm Stop #3: Potter’s Wax Museum: 4:41 pm Stop #4: City Gates: 4:45 pm Stop #5: Colonial Quarter: 4:46 pm Stop #6: Best Western/Bay Views: 4:48 pm Stop #7: St. George Street: 4:52 pm Stop #8: Churches: 4:55 pm Stop #9: Villa Zorayda Museum: 5:00 pm Stop #10: Lightner Museum: 5:05 pm Stop #11: Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center: 5:20 pm Stop #12: St. Augustine Distillery: 5:10 pm Stop #13: San Sebastian Winery: 5:12 pm Stop #14: Plaza de la Constitucion: 5:20 pm Stop #15: Oldest House: 5:30 pm Stop #16: St. Augustine Municipal Marina: 5:34 pm Stop #17: Castillo de San Marcos: 5:36 pm Stop #18: Ripleys Believe It Or Not: 5:38 pm Stop #19: Old Town Trolley Welcome Center: 5:40 pm Stop #20: Mission of Nombre de Dios: 4:45 pm (Entry gates close at 5pm; 4pm on Sunday) Stop #21: Old Senator Tree: 5:49 pm Stop #22: Fountain of Youth: 5:52 pm

Tours depart continuously every 20 minutes. 9:00 am with the last tour departing at 4:30 PM.

December 24: Last tour is at 3pm. December 25: Closed.

Hours of operation are extended during holiday periods. Please call (904) 829-3800 for details.

Daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

December 24: Last tour is at 3pm.

December 25: Closed.

Self guided tours daily from 8:30 till 4:30 pm.

*Attraction tickets do not have to be used on the same day.

The 10 Best Things To See In St. Augustine, FL

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We recently got another chance to visit St. Augustine, one of the oldest cities in the US. I’ve been fascinated with this Florida city for a long time because it has so much history and was home to some of the central figures in the development of Florida. So, today, I want to talk about some of the best things to see in St. Augustine, FL!  

St. Augustine is old, really old, and is a place where lots of historical “firsts” happened. It’s a city full of interesting landmarks, beautiful beaches, good food, and sunny weather.  

The St. Augustine area merges old-world American history, Spanish charm, and modern amenities to create a fantastic vacation destination for the entire family. The heart of the city is very walkable. You can visit almost all the major attractions by taking a hop-on, hop-off trolley that stops at the popular locations.  

In this post, I’ll cover the best things to see in St. Augustine, FL, and give you some tips on how to make the most of your visit!

The Best Things To See In St. Augustine, FL

Visiting  St. Augustine  is always a lot of fun for our family. You know that walkability is very important to us when we travel. Therefore, it’s no surprise that St. Augustine’s walkability and tourist-friendly layout add much to our experience. 

The town is relatively compact, with most major attractions located downtown or nearby. St. George Street is a pedestrian-only street that runs through the old city center. It’s packed with shops, restaurants, and fun attractions.  

St. Augustine can get very busy, especially during holidays and weekends, when the city swells with visitors. The streets will get filled with people, and the pace of activity is fast, especially around St. George Street. When you travel, bring good shoes, water, sunscreen, and an adventurous spirit! 

The Old Town Trolley Tour in St. Augustine

Before diving into my list, I want to quickly discuss the  Old Town Trolley Tour . Throughout the post, I will mention that there is a trolley tour stop near various places. Therefore, it is an excellent activity for first-time visitors who want to get a feel for the area! The trolley tour stops at or passes by many of the best things to see in St. Augustine, FL.

The Old Town Trolley Tour is a  hop-on, hop-off trolley  that stops frequently at critical locations throughout the city. It comes around often and drops riders off at 21 different stops. You can get on and off an unlimited number of times all day long.  

Purchasing an  Old Town Trolley Tours ticket  also gives you some discounts on local attractions. We used the trolley and enjoyed it. It gave us flexibility and the ability to cover more ground.  

In the heat of the summer Florida sun, it’s also a welcome reprieve from walking. The trolleys are not air-conditioned, but they are open-sided. Most stops will probably be busy with people waiting during peak travel times. You may need to wait for the next train. I want to manage expectations and ensure you give yourself plenty of time. However, on our visit, we waited 5-15 minutes, at most, at any stop before boarding. 

My best trip would be to take the trolley first thing in the morning. Likewise, you can always buy a two-day ticket ! 

List Of The Best Things To See In St. Augustine, FL

So, let’s get started and look at some of the best things to see in St. Augustine, FL!

There are a lot of  things to do in St. Augustine . St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the contiguous US. Many attractions tell the story of the original Spanish people who founded the city in 1565.  

This list includes some of the most popular things to see in St. Augustine. I’ve focused on locations that are noteworthy as historical landmarks rather than on purely tourist-oriented attractions. If you are using the Old Town Trolley, be sure to research ahead of time to plan where you will get on and off the trolley. Batching your sightseeing by trolley stop will make things easier and quicker and prevent back-tracking later. 

#1 Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

The  Castillo de San Marcos  is the oldest masonry fort in the continental US. This massive fort looks out over the city’s bay. It is fascinating to explore and provides a fun way to engage with the area’s history.  

Tickets are required to enter the fort. The interior is filled with intriguing nooks and crannies where you can learn more about a soldier’s life in the fort. The rooftop has many types of cannons and a fantastic view of the harbor.

We recommend setting aside 2-3 hours to visit Castillo de San Marcos, and in my opinion, this tops the list of the best things to see in St. Augustine, FL.

#2 St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum

The  St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum  is a historic lighthouse built in 1874. Climb the 219 steps to reach the observation deck, which offers an amazing view of the surrounding area. The museum also has a children’s play area and a puppet theatre.  

The new Maritime Center offers many hands-on and interactive displays regarding maritime culture, navigation, and transportation. Children must be at least 44 inches tall to climb the stairs, and tickets are required.  

#3 Lightner Museum

The  Lightner Museum  was once known as the Hotel Alcazar, a palatial hotel commissioned by Standard Oil executive Henry Flagler. Flagler was instrumental in the development of Florida in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  

Flagler Florida East Coast Railway allowed for the development of the Florida Keys, and his grand vision brought prominent visitors from all over the US to experience Florida. At the Lightner Museum, you can tour the iconic building and see the museum’s collection of art and historical pieces. The museum offers an immersive experience of art, architecture, history, and design. Tickets are required.  

If this Florida railroad history interests you, you may want to pick up one of my favorite books titled  Sunshine Paradise: The History of Florida Tourism

#4 Flagler College

Flagler College is a private liberal arts college in St. Augustine. The school itself was founded in 1968. 

Flagler College’s centerpiece building is the Ponce de Leon Hotel, which was built in 1888 by Henry Flagler. The hotel is a gorgeous example of Spanish Renaissance Revival architecture and was one of the first buildings in the world wired for electricity. Flager’s friend, Thomas Edison, provided the power with his new DC generator.  

Henry Flagler established an art colony at the hotel and built an artist’s studio building to the rear of the hotel. The Ponce de Leon Hotel is home to the most extensive collection of Luis Comfort Tiffany stained glass windows.  Visitors are frequently in awe of the incredible dining room!

Paid  historic tours  of the campus and buildings are available.  

#5 Gonzolaz-Alvarez House (The Oldest House)

The  Gonzolaz-Alvarez House  is the oldest surviving Spanish colonial house in St. Augustine. Construction began around 1723, and the house was in its final form by 1790. Evidence of St. Augustine’s diverse history of occupation by Spanish, British, and American forces can be seen at the house.  

The Oldest House Museum Complex offers guided tours, a museum, a colonial kitchen, an ornamental garden, and a museum store. Tickets are required. Guided tours are available every half hour. The St. Augustine Surf Culture and History Museum is located in the same complex, and admission is included with the Oldest House Museum admission.

#6 Fountain of Youth Archeological Park

The Fountain of Youth Archeological Park is a fun museum and park for the whole family. It plays off the famous legend of the “Fountain of Youth” – a spring of waters that would grant drinkers immortality.  

When Ponce de Leon arrived in 1513, he found a local native tribe called the Timucua. He and his men traded with the Indians before relationships became hostile. The Fountain of Youth Archeological Park showcases the fascinating lives and culture of the Timucua people. You can see the Timucua Indian exhibit, a great interactive learning experience, a planetarium with a show about maritime navigation, and explore the park.  

The park is 15 acres with venerable oak trees, an observation platform over marshes, native peacocks, and other birds.  Tickets  are required.    

#7 St. George Street

St. George Street  is the bustling main street that runs through the center of old St. Augustine. In the early days, it was the city’s main street, and today, it is the center of tourist attractions, shops, restaurants, and bars.  

This area includes a vibrant, busy, pedestrian-only street lined with attractions of every kind. It’s fun to walk down the street and see all the cute shops, galleries, and restaurants. I recommend coming here for lunch or dinner, as there are many great places to eat.  

The City Gate, Oldest House, and Cathedral Basilica are located along St. George Street. Be sure to satisfy your sweet tooth at Whetstone Chocolates, a local confectionary in business since 1967!

#8 Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine is the oldest Catholic church in the city, and the Parish of St. Augustine is the oldest Catholic parish in the country. The first Catholic mass in the continental United States took place here.  

The Cathedral’s Spanish Mission architectural style is beautiful, and the interior is adorned with exquisite murals, stained glass windows, sculptures, and artifacts. The Cathedral is open to the public, and guided tours are available.  

#9 National Shrine Of Our Lady Of La Leche at Mission Nombre De Dios

The Shrine Of Our Lady Of La Leche was built in 1609 in honor of Our Lady of La Leche – a Marian apparition popular with early settlers. It’s considered the oldest shrine in the US. The complex consists of The Chapel of Our Lady of La Leche, the Great Cross (a really tall cross), the Rustic Alter, and a beautiful Rosary garden.  

President John F. Kennedy once called it the “Most sacred acre in America.” Admission to the National Shrine Of Our Lady Of La Leche at Mission Nombre De Dios is free, and self-guided tours are available.  

#10 Gates of St. Augustine 

The Gates of St. Augustine are located at the very north end of St. George Street. It’s a historic landmark built by St. Augustine residents in 1808 and used as a gate to defend the city. The gate is made of coquina, a locally abundant limestone sedimentary rock comprised almost entirely of sand-sized fossil debris.  

The gates are an excellent place to take pictures and memorialize your visit to  St. Augustine ! They also signify the start of St. George Street and entry into the historic district.  

RELATED POST:  My Favorite Books About Florida

So Many Things To See In St. Augustine

St. Augustine is a fantastic destination for families looking for many options in a relatively small area. There are so many things to see in  St. Augustine . The downtown is packed with things to do, and the surrounding city blocks contain numerous museums, landmarks, and interesting locals.  

This list only shares 10 of the best things to see in St. Augustine, FL. However, there is so much more to do and see while visiting this charming Florida coastal community. I recommend browsing  Trip Advisor’s Things To Do in St. Augustine  page for even more fun activities.

For us, the trip was a perfect mix of archeology, educational immersion, and fun nightlife. If you’re interested in the history of Florida or just want to have fun in the sun, it’s a required trip!  

Looking for a hotel in St. Augustine?  Check out what’s available on Booking.com !

Love Florida Travel? You May Enjoy These Related Posts

If you enjoyed any of the items on my list of the best things to see in St. Augustine, FL, you will probably enjoy some of the other Florida communities we visit. Here are a few posts that may pique your interest!

• Swimming With Manatees in Florida
• The Greek Town of Tarpon Springs
• Florida: What is 30A?
• Visiting Shell Island Near PCB
• Tastings at the St. Augustine Distillery
• The Fascinating History of Key West

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Should You Book the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour? Review + Tips

Last Updated: December 11, 2022 //  by  Ashley Smith 4 Comments

I spend a lot of time in Florida–but still never enough, am I right?–and a good chunk of my most recent trip was spent aboard the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour .

Because I visit quite often, I’m slowly working my way around this medium-sized, newsworthy state. Finally, I recently checked off an item high on my Florida bucket list: St. Augustine.

As you can imagine, there’s a lot to see in St. Augustine. It was founded in 1565 and is the oldest city in the United States. That means it has had over 450 years to rack up sights and attractions, tasty eateries and ghost stories. And I only had one day in St. Augustine to see it all.

It look a lot of planning, a bunch of checklists, and the help of a whole pride of peacocks. (You’ll see when you get there.) But I came, I saw, I conquered, I finished it off with a delicious coconut beer. Read on to see how the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour played a part in it all.

St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour

The St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour is the most popular way to see the sights in St. Augustine. You sit back and relax, feel that ocean breeze in your face, pick your hair out of your lip gloss, and learn about all of St. Augustine’s most famous landmarks while a guide makes dad jokes over a microphone.

They created these sightseeing tours to take you around town and show you what’s what. The guide narrates your tour with historical anecdotes and you’re welcome to hop off and back on at designated stops all around the city. These tours are also available in Key West, Boston , San Diego, and a handful of others around the U.S.

You can relax and enjoy the entire 80-minute tour around the city, or you can use the trolleys as your own personal transportation around St. Augustine, hopping on and off at will, like I did.

Why I booked the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour

I booked the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour because I needed to see as much of the city as possible in just one day . I didn’t want to waste a lot of time driving from attraction to attraction, sitting in traffic, finding a place to park, etc. And I also didn’t want to spend a bunch of (beer) money on parking at all the different locations. 

I chose to book the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour because I figured it:

• would save me money on parking all over the city
• save me time commuting between the attractions
• while learning a lot about America’s oldest city at the same time

Am I glad I booked the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour?

So now that my trip’s over, am I glad I booked the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour? Overall, yes. I had a pleasant-enough experience. Can you label me a 100% satisfied customer? No.

I wasn’t completely satisfied with my Old Town Trolley tour experience, but I wasn’t entirely dissatisfied either. Let’s examine some things that makes this tour great, and some things that might turn you off.

St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour: Pros

I’m officially categorizing my St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour as “pleasant-enough.” There are definitely some good reasons to book your spot on the trolley, and some of them may be of more importance to some over others. For instance…

Sometimes it’s nice to just sit back and have someone drive you around town. The weather is beautiful in St. Augustine (even in January when I visited) and riding around town on an open-air trolley is sometimes just what your vacation ordered.

Free parking

When you book a St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour, you get to park for free (for the whole day) at the origin location. Then, you get chauffeured about town, never having to move your car or pay for parking anywhere else.

Great route

The St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour makes 22 stops around downtown St. Augustine at all the popular spots. Because of this, a trolley stop is never far away when you need one.

Also, they have enough vehicles in their fleet that you never have to wait long until the next one comes around. It’s pretty damn convenient actually.

Friendly service

Everyone I encountered, from the people at the ticket windows to the trolley drivers, was nothing but friendly.

Free beach shuttle

Though it makes a lot of stops, the Old Town Trolley doesn’t go everywhere you need it to go. For instance, if you wanted to visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse (which you do).

For that, the beach, and a few other sites, Old Town Trolley cooperates with a free shuttle bus to those sites from the center of downtown.

Hop on/Hop off service

The St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour doubles as your very own hop on/hop off transportation service. When you book a tour, you have full day access to come and go as you please, using the trolleys as much or as little as you want.

St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour: Cons

My St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour was “pleasant-enough,” but there were still a few things I could’ve done without or changes I would’ve made. For instance…

The commentary

I did like that the tours were 100% live-narrated and not pre-recorded commentary. But it wasn’t really what I was expecting. I mean, I did expect it to be a little corny, but I caught myself rolling my eyes more than anticipated.

I wanted it to be more about the history of the city and about specific sites, and less about the guide’s personal opinions on the things we drove past. (Like his utter distaste for Chinese art. And how, after telling us he thought these statues were so ugly said, “Leave it to the Chinese.” I don’t know what he meant by that, but I could’ve done without it.)

I also didn’t leave the tour with the feeling that the information we were told was totally accurate. There were many times I thought to myself, “Yeah, I better double check that.” I realize this is just a lighthearted sightseeing tour and not an intellectual seminar, but I still want my facts straight!

I think some of the things they said were just to get a few oohs , ahhhs , and giggles from the cheap seats in the back.

Not enough time

The last tour of the day is 4:30 PM and that is way too early. I booked the tour with the hopes that I wouldn’t have to drive the whole day, but I ended up having to drive to the last stop so as to not get stranded.

If you’re just using the trolley tour as a sightseeing tour, that won’t be an issue. But if you’re using it as a hop on/hop off service like they advertise, I think we can all agree 4:30 PM is entirely too early to end your day.

I wanted the Old Town Trolley to be a one-stop shop (ok, 22 stops) for all my St. Augustine sightseeing needs, but that it was not.

And though they do offer a free shuttle to the Lighthouse, it too stops running at 4:30. Not to mention, the Beach Bus, as it’s known, only runs once per hour . I waited a good 20 minutes for it at one point then gave up because I have a schedule to keep, people ! 

More Florida tours ─ Want to take some more cool tours while you’re in Florida? Head down to Tampa and check out my post on 7 terrific tours to take in Tampa before you do! It’s got big cats, beers, buccaneers, and beyond!

It’s pretty slow

Part of the reason I booked the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour was to save time walking from attraction to attraction. But there were many times I thought to myself, “I could’ve walked there faster than this.”

It’s not just that it moves slow, but it makes a lot of circles and backtracks a lot where, if you were walking, you could just walk across one park (or block or sidewalk) and already be there.

Sometimes it was so frustratingly slow I wish I’d just walked or taken my car. But I paid almost $30 so I just kicked back and enjoyed the breeze. 

Not 100% handicap accessible

Which I’m about to talk more about. Keep reading.

Things to Know Before you Book a St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour

The main thing you should know before booking a St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour is that it’s not entirely handicap accessible.

Is the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour handicap accessible?

Of the 22 trolley stops on the tour, the driver is only allowed to operate the lift at 5 of them. Stuff about level surfaces and sharing the road, etc.

At one of the stops, our trolley had to leave a man in a wheelchair behind because the driver wasn’t allowed to operate the lift at that stop. Needless to say, the man and his lady friend were pissed . The reasons are understandable enough, but these are two people who were clearly not told about those rules upfront.

They have only two accessible trolleys in their fleet and they ask for 24 hours notice of your arrival so they can make sure their handicap trolley is operating.

If this applies to you or one of your travel companions, you won’t be able to take advantage of the 22 stops the Old Town Trolley brags about.

In the case of the man we left behind, he had to backtrack a couple of stops and then wait again for another trolley to come by. Also, this was pretty damn close to 4:30 so that man and his lady could very easily have been stranded.

For more on their accessibility availability, head here . And it’s not just them, Florida actually has a pretty bad accessibility infrastructure . Yes, Florida, the state that I’m willing to bet has the most wheelchair users in the country. 

The last tour is at 4:30

And again, know that the last tour starts at 4:30. This will almost definitely affect your planning for your day in St. Augustine.

And just FYI, should you get stuck somewhere without a trolley back to your car, St. Augustine does not offer Uber . 

St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour or Ripley’s Red Train?

You should know, the Old Town Trolley is not the only sightseeing tour available in St. Augustine—the other is the Ripley’s Red Train tour . As in, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Ripley’s Entertainment, etc. Here are a few insights that may help you choose one over the other.

Little disclaimer here: I have not personally taken the Ripley’s train. I’m only sharing with you the research I did before I chose the Old Town Trolley.

Embarrassment level

First of all, the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley tour is definitely the less ridiculous-looking of the two . The Old Town Trolley is a typical tram-style, orange and green vehicle. The Ripley’s Red Train is little more than an oversized bright red choo-choo you can see a mile away, chugging into St. Augustine from Toon Town.

If you think you’ll feel awkward toot-tooting about town on what looks like a child’s ride you’d find on the sidewalk outside Costco, take the Old Town Trolley. Ripley’s Red Train = the little engine that could (make you look like a fool). 

Stops, times, and costs

The Ripley’s Red Train tour also has 22 stops and from what I can tell they’re exactly the same as the Old Town Trolley. However, Ripley’s last tour starts at 5:00 PM instead of 4:30. It’s not much, but there you go. Both tours are 80 minutes long, start to finish, with the option of hop on/hop off.

Costs for either tour are basically the same so that shouldn’t be a determining factor. Plus, Ripley’s also offers free parking at 5 of their stops.

Even though I didn’t ride the Ripley’s Red Train myself, I can still vouch for how annoying their drivers are. I could hear the shrill shouting of the Ripley’s tour guide/driver down the street, clear as day. And I wasn’t even on her train! Had I been on that tour, I most definitely would’ve hopped off for good. Probably while the thing was still in motion.

The Old Town Trolley drivers may have been cheesy and make questionable comments about other nationalities, but they didn’t make me want to shove Cuban sandwiches into my ear holes.

A bad reputation?

The good thing about Old Town Trolley is that it’s American owned and operated by a company called Historic Tours of America. Ripley’s Entertainment is part of a Canadian-based international conglomerate called The Jim Pattison Group.

Ripley’s bills themselves as “St. Augustine’s ORIGINAL sightseeing train tour!” But really, all they did was buy out St. Augustine Trains Inc. (who’d been operating train tours in the city since 1953) in 2004. Buy whoever you want to buy, just don’t lie to me.

Ripley’s vowed to keep all 46 of the St. Augustine Trains Inc. employees after the buyout but failed to discuss terms. However, there’s talk amid some online forums that when Ripley’s came in, the first things they cut were the health benefits for the employees, and turned their full-time employees to part-time ones. Just something to consider.

Add some beach ─ Heading south for some sun and sand? Check out my 5 favorite ways to spend a weekend in Clearwater, Florida . See, sometimes I do relax.

Would I Take the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour Again?

So would I take the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour again? Probably not. I don’t regret my experience with it, but I also could’ve done without it. This is based on my personal needs and reasons for booking it.

I wanted to save money on parking, but I was able to find free street parking when I needed it anyway. I ended up having to drive to the one place I couldn’t walk to anyway. And I wanted to save time by taking it place to place, but walking actually would’ve gotten me there faster.

Plus, St. Augustine is compact and one of the most walkable cities I’ve ever visited. Had I known this before my trip, I probably wouldn’t have booked the Old Town Trolley.

Also, I wanted to learn about St. Augustine, but the drivers didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already learn at the attractions themselves or from reading the informational placards around town.

Should You Book the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour?

If what the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley offers sounds good to you, then yes. Should you want more than what it offers, like I did, skip it. If you want to casually tour the city, learn some fun facts, see some sites, then it’s perfect.

If you’re trying to fit in more than humanly possible in a single day, using it to get around town in a hurry, and as an alternative to walking or driving, save the cash and use it for Sangria at Columbia! You’re better off on foot.

If you’re not great with walking, the trolley is a decent alternative. And it’s not such a huge investment that it’s a major financial risk.

One day in St. Augustine ─ If you’re visiting St. Augustine on a day trip or just for one night, check out my 1-day St. Augustine itinerary . It covers a crazy amount of sites, includes great spots for lunch and dinner, and gives some helpful sightseeing tips as well.

Alternatives to the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour

If you’re keen to explore St. Augustine more than just by walking through it, there are other tour options available that aren’t trolley or trains. Check out these optional St. Augustine tours:

History Tour of St. Augustine by Guided Golf Cart

This 1-hour and 15-minute private, guided, narrated tour takes place in your own personal golf cart fleet so groups are small and intimate. Think of it as your very own tiny trolley tour.

You'll pass by St. Augustine's most popular attractions and monuments while learning their interesting history. They make sure you get some great photo ops around town and you can choose between morning or afternoon tours!

This tour is a super popular, well-loved favorite in St. Augustine. NOTE: The price shown is for the whole group.

St. Augustine Boat and Walking Tour

I absolutely love taking boat rides whenever I'm in a city, well, that has water. It's such an interesting and unique way to see a city. 

The first half of this 2.5-hour tour starts with a relaxing boat ride through St. Augustine's Matanzas Bay. The second half includes a walking tour where you'll see many of the sites mentioned in my post on my 1 day in St. Augustine.

Sunset Cruise of St. Augustine

Another great way to see some of St. Augustine's most popular sites is from the water at sunset! This 1.5-hour tour includes:

• local guide with live commentary
• free parking
• amazing Florida sunsets
• and alcohol! 

This tour has rave reviews and a delightful price tag.

More info for your time in St. Augustine

› Heading to St. Augustine? Find great places to stay here . › Don’t forget a Florida guidebook for the rest of your Florida sightseeing! › What else have I covered in the area? Check out  these posts . › Like this post? Have questions? Reach out on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

What will you do with your time in St. Augustine? Let me know below!

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About Ashley Smith

Ashley is a historian and Oktoberfest expert & tour guide. She has traveled to 33 countries and specializes in quick trips throughout Europe and the Americas that prioritize hiking adventures, museums of all kinds, cultural experiences, and jam-packed itineraries. She hails from Memphis, TN and currently lives in Boston with her husband and two feline sidekicks.

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Old Town Trolley Tours St Augustine

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St. Augustine Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

OLD TOWN TROLLEY TOURS ST AUGUSTINE (St. Augustine) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Old Town Trolley Tour

1147 reviews

Old Town Trolley Tours of Boston 4.3

• TROLLEY STOPS

With nearly 500 years of history, including rule by Spain, Britain, and the U.S., St. Augustine is full of sights and attractions that entertain and educate. For over 30 years, Old Town Trolley has provided tours highlighting the best of the city.

Hop aboard one of our trolleys and you’ll experience Transportainment ® , a delightful combination of transportation and entertainment.

Old Town Trolley Tour is the best way to see the city. Because we cover the entire city, you can avoid costly parking and city driving. The tour is also designed so that you can hop on and off and explore on your own at any time.

• 1 day of free unlimited re-boarding
• Hop On & Off at 22 Old Town Trolley Stops
• Voted Best Guided Tour by 'Best in St. Augustine 2023'
• Open air sightseeing perfect for taking pictures
• Fully Narrated Tour of St. Augustine
• More than 100 Points of Interest
• 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
• FREE Admission to St. Augustine History Museum
• FREE Beach Shuttle to Alligator Farm and the Beach
• Complimentary hotel shuttle service

St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tours

Relive the story of the first settlement in North America as you visit Castillo de San Marcos, the Spanish fort built in the 17th century. Visit the world famous spring that Ponce de Leon deemed the Fountain of Youth, where you can actually sample the water. Explore the site of the first Mass in America at the Mission of Nombre de Dios. Experience early St. Augustine as you tour old St. Augustine Village, featuring houses from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Old Town Trolley Tours makes many stops including the Old Jail, St. Augustine History Museum, Potter’s Wax Museum, the Spanish Military Hospital, and the Ximenez-Fatio House. You’ll also see the Gonzalez-Alvarez House, the oldest documented colonial house in Florida, lived in by British, Spanish and American colonists. Visit the San Sebastian Winery; Explore Flagler College, built by Henry Morrison Flagler, an industrialist, railroad pioneer and oil magnate, who originally used the building as a hotel then known as Ponce de Leon hotel.

There’s no better way to see all the St. Augustine attractions than with Old Town Trolley Tours. Look for the orange and green trolleys for the best sightseeing tour in town!

1. Old Jail 2. Visitor Information Center 3. Potter’s Wax Museum 4. City Gates 5. Colonial Quarter 6. Best Western / Bay Views 7. St. George Street 8. Churches 9. Villa Zorayda Museum 10. Lightner Museum 11. Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center 12. St. Augustine Distillery 13. San Sebastian Winery 14. Plaza de la Constitucion 15. Oldest House 16. St. Augustine Municipal Marina 17. Castillo de San Marcos 18. Ripley’s Believe it or Not 19. Old Town Trolley Welcome Center 20. Mission of Nombre de Dios 21. Old Senator Tree & Villa 1565 22. Fountain of Youth

Booth Locations

Stop 1 The Old Jail – Free Parking

Stop 2 Visitor Information Center

Stop 3 Potter’s Wax Museum – Discount Parking

Stop 4 The City Gates

Stop 7 Hypolita & St. George Street

Stop 14 Plaza de la Constitucion – Beach Bus Stop

Stop 19 Old Town Trolley Welcome Center – San Marco – Discount Parking

Old Town Trolley Tours

Daily. Tours depart continuously every 15 minutes. 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

July 4: Last tour is at 3pm. Thanksgiving: Last tour is at 3pm. December 24: Last tour is at 3pm. December 25: Closed.

Reservations are NOT needed or accepted.

Hours of operation may be extended during holiday weekends and during peak season. Please call (904) 829-3800 for details.

First Tour of the Day:

Stop #1: The Old Jail: 9:00 am Stop #2: Visitors Information Center: 9:07 am Stop #3: Potter’s Wax Museum: 9:11 am Stop #4: City Gates: 9:15 am Stop #5: Colonial Quarter: 9:16 am Stop #6: Best Western/Bay Views: 9:18 am Stop #7: St. George Street: 9:22 am Stop #8: Churches: 9:25 am Stop #9: Villa Zorayda Museum: 9:30 am Stop #10: Lightner Museum: 9:35 am Stop #11: Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center: 9:50 am Stop #12: St. Augustine Distillery: 9:40 am Stop #13: San Sebastian Winery: 9:42 am Stop #14: Plaza de la Constitucion: 9:50 am Stop #15: Oldest House: 10:00 am Stop #16: St. Augustine Municipal Marina: 10:04 am Stop #17: Castillo de San Marcos: 10:06 am Stop #18: Ripleys Believe It Or Not: 10:08 am Stop #19: Old Town Trolley Welcome Center: 10:10 am Stop #20: Mission of Nombre de Dios: 10:15 am Stop #21: Old Senator Tree: 10:19 am Stop #22: Fountain of Youth: 10:22 am

Last Full Tour of the Day: Please note that guests taking this tour will not be able to use the on/off feature.

Stop #1: The Old Jail: 4:30 pm Stop #2: Visitors Information Center: 4:37 pm Stop #3: Potter’s Wax Museum: 4:41 pm Stop #4: City Gates: 4:45 pm Stop #5: Colonial Quarter: 4:46 pm Stop #6: Best Western/Bay Views: 4:48 pm Stop #7: St. George Street: 4:52 pm Stop #8: Churches: 4:55 pm Stop #9: Villa Zorayda Museum: 5:00 pm Stop #10: Lightner Museum: 5:05 pm Stop #11: Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center: 5:20 pm Stop #12: St. Augustine Distillery: 5:10 pm Stop #13: San Sebastian Winery: 5:12 pm Stop #14: Plaza de la Constitucion: 5:20 pm Stop #15: Oldest House: 5:30 pm Stop #16: St. Augustine Municipal Marina: 5:34 pm Stop #17: Castillo de San Marcos: 5:36 pm Stop #18: Ripleys Believe It Or Not: 5:38 pm Stop #19: Old Town Trolley Welcome Center: 5:40 pm Stop #20: Mission of Nombre de Dios: 4:45 pm (Entry gates close at 5pm; 4pm on Sunday) Stop #21: Old Senator Tree: 5:49 pm Stop #22: Fountain of Youth: 5:52 pm