Trying to get your bearings in a new city in Europe can be pretty overwhelming, which is why hop-on and hop-off buses are such an awesome idea! Forget about having to plan your transport from A to B or ending up with red raw blisters — we’ve got the ultimate sightseeing hack.
Hop on at your nearest stop, then explore the best parts of the city hassle-free. All you need to do is flash your ticket, and the rest is sorted for you. Another thing that makes hop-on and hop-off buses so great is that they come with a guide who’ll give you sneak peeks into the city’s best spots and history along the way.
Paris
Paris’ hop-on hop-off tour is the solution to the city’s endless avenues! If you’ve ever tried to walk around Paris before, you’ll know how far apart everything is. Save yourself hours on foot on this epic tour.
Jump off at classic Parisian attractions like the enchanting Louvre Museum and the dazzling Notre Dame Cathedral (which has been back on the map since the end of 2024 after it was tragically burnt down).
It goes without saying that the Eiffel Tower is en route too! Fancy cruising along the Seine River? Then upgrade your ticket and see Paris from the water.
London
London’s Big Bus hop-on hop-off tour is the city’s 101 sightseeing experience! You can’t not sit on the open-air top deck unless England’s bleak weather forces you to hide away from the rain.
Explore the city’s mix of modern and old. Capture shots of the iconic The Shard building which shows off London’s cosmopolitan side. Then hop off at movie-screen classics like Buckingham Palace and Big Ben that have London written all over them.
Looking for that extra ‘wow’ factor? Add on the bonus Thames River cruise, or go on a night tour. London is dazzling at night when the city’s skyscrapers twinkle and the partying starts.
Barcelona
Barcelona’s Bus Turistic is the city’s original hop-on, hop-off operator. Make the most of the city’s sunny weather on the top deck! Let the wind run through your hair as you drive by iconic landmarks like the Sagrada Familia and watch the city’s day-to-day rumble from above.
Forget trying to figure out the local subway system, this is way more fun! If you’re not sure which landmarks you want to visit first, ride on the bus until something takes your fancy. No doubt the narrow cobblestone streets of the historical Gothic Quarter will beckon you off the bus.
Even reaching the out-of-the-way Park Guell is hassle-free on the Bus Turistic. Enjoy the mosaic buildings and intricate gardens without the faff.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus is the best way to avoid the capital’s famously steep hills! Hide away from the wet and windy weather on bad days (which are most days in Scotland), and enjoy the rare ray of sunshine on the open deck on good days.
Along the way, hop off and explore the Edinburgh Castle and get clued up on local history at the National Museum.
Brace yourself for the steep (but totally worth it) climb to the top of Calton Hill, which has sprawling views of Scotland’s enchanting 15th-century capital!
Rome
Rome’s Big Bus hop-on hop-off tour is a lifesaver. In a city that has more historical landmarks than you could visit in a lifetime, this double-decker red bus is something of a sightseeing hero!
Save your feet the distance, and get a ticket ASAP. Zoom your way through the city to legendary landmarks like the Vatican City, which the recent Pope Leo has just moved into.
Then hop back on and travel to the mighty Colosseum, whose walls have witnessed nearly 2,000 years of Rome’s history. But that’s not all – the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and many more landmarks await!
Budapest
Budapest’s Big Bus hop-on hop-off tour is the antidote to getting blisters on your Europe holiday! Squeeze as much as possible into a day, or get a multi-day ticket and try out sightseeing at a sloth-like pace.
Pull up at the enormous Heroes’ Square and snap some holiday pics. Ride along the city’s riverfront boulevards, soaking in the 360-degree views of Budapest at its best.
Not sure where to go next? Let the driver whizz past the city’s famous landmarks and jump off when one grabs your attention. You could even stop for a relaxing soak at the Szechenyi Baths along the way!
Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s hop-on hop-off bus will keep you off the city’s overcrowded bike lanes! Marvel at the city’s picture-perfect network of canals on board the hop-on hop-off river cruise which will take you to places you’d never get to see on foot.
Explore the busy city in your own time, enjoying the sun from the top floor of their sightseeing bus, then hop off at Amsterdam’s best attractions. No trip to the city would be complete without going to the Anne Frank House (which is en route, of course).
Ready to spice up your holiday? Down some beers at the Heineken Experience and visit the city’s raunchy Red Light District.
Dublin
Dublin’s hop-on hop-off tour is a right laugh! Getting around Dublin doesn’t have to be a song and dance, and this cheery green bus proves it. From the hilarious commentary to the Irish jiggs they play along the way, it’s not just Dublin’s landmarks that will keep you entertained.
Hop on a little tipsier than before after a stop at the Guinness Storehouse. Or opt for an equally cultural experience and visit the ancient Book of Kells at the Old Library in Trinity College.
Vienna
Vienna’s Big Bus hop-on hop-off tour showcases the crème de la crème of this regal city. Even if you’re short on time, this whistle-stop tour is all you need to capture the essence of Austria’s elegant capital.
You can spot the royalty of the Schonbrunn Palace from a mile away, and getting there on wheels is half the effort.
Hop off and immerse yourself in St. Stephen’s awe-inspiring cathedral, then jump back on and make your way to the grandiose Belvedere! There are two bus routes to choose from (but why not do both?), and you can even add on a river cruise for extra glamour.
Athens
Athens’ City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off tour covers all the best landmarks in Athens. Without it, the city feels like a landmine, and deciding what to prioritize is like Mission Impossible! Let the operator do the hard part, while you sit back and enjoy the ride. The best part is you’ll get to learn all about the city’s history on the way and your ticket includes a cold beer.
The city is so big that there are three different routes you can choose from. Not sure a day is enough? Then get a multi-day ticket!
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