Hop-on Hop-off Tours Washington DC

Big Bus: Washington DC Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour with Optional Sunset Tour

Group taking a selfie in front of a Big Bus Tours vehicle during Washington DC Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour.

Big Bus tour in front of the US Capitol, Washington DC.

Tourists enjoying Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour in Washington DC.

Open-top Big Bus tour in Washington DC passing a historic building.

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Transfers available

4.2/5(437)

Claudia B

Couple

Verified booking

Apr 2026

I liked the way they explain the different places. I also like that you can get off wherever you want to spend more time, and then check the app’s map to see when the next bus is coming.

Beverly W

Group

Verified booking

Mar 2026

We enjoyed it. There were some issues but none to ruin my whole day. Tours start at 10:30 on Saturdays, not 9:30! Most of the workers were very knowledgeable and helpful!

Samuel N

Solo

Verified booking

Feb 2026

Great introduction to the City of monuments. I was able to get some good view from the top deck despite the cold winter. One driver on the blue bus was very interactive

Speed through Washington DC on a 24/48/72-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour and explore the capital's must-see spots on your terms.

Your DC trip is running on your schedule as the Red and Blue route have 19 stops and buses every 30-45 mins – hop on, hop off, and repeat.

Upgrade to a 48-hour pass to take a 2-hour sunset tour, enjoy a live 2-hour guided walking tour of Arlington Cemetery, and enjoy sweet discounts!

Jump on a double-decker bus, tune in to the audio guide in 5 languages, and let the US capital's history unfold as you ride.

Discover landmarks like the Jefferson Memorial, White House, and the Korean War Memorial as an Authorized National Park Service concessioner.

24/48/72-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off tour

Access to Red & Blue routes

Self-guided walking tour of Arlington Cemetery

Bike rental offer (book 1 hour, get 1 free)

2-hour guided walking tour of Arlington National Cemetery (based on option selected)

2-hour sunset tour with 25% off (based on option selected)

Morning shuttle transfers from Mayflower, Hilton & Marriott to stop #1 Union Station (based on option selected)

Discounts at I Love DC Gifts, Artechouse, International Spy Museum Store & Unlimited Biking (based on option selected)

Free commemorative Oval Office photo from White House Gifts (based on option selected)

Pre-recorded audio commentary in English, French, German, Spanish & Brazilian Portuguese (on the bus)

Exclusive drop-offs close to monuments

Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking

TOTAL DURATION1 hour 50 minutes
FREQUENCYEvery 30-45 minutes
FIRST DEPARTUREWashington Monument at 9:30 AM
LAST DEPARTUREWashington Monument at 4:30 PM
Timeline
Map
1. Washington Monument
Get direction
2 attractions
Artechouse
5 minutes walk
Tidal Basin
5 minutes walk
2. Natural History Museum
Get direction
2 attractions
National Archives Museum
1 minute walk
Ford’s Theatre
4 minutes walk
3. Union Station
Get direction
2 attractions
National Postal Museum
3 minutes walk
Columbus Circle and Fountain
4 minutes walk
4. US Capitol at Garfield Circle
Get direction
2 attractions
Library of Congress
4 minutes walk
Supreme Court of the United States
4 minutes walk
5. Air & Space Museum
Get direction
2 attractions
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
4 minutes walk
National Museum of the American Indian
2 minutes walk
6. L’Enfant Plaza & International Spy Museum
Get direction
2 attractions
L’Enfant Plaza
2 minutes walk
Smithsonian Castle
3 minutes walk
7. The Wharf & Potomac Boat Cruise
Get direction
2 attractions
Potomac River
9 minutes walk
East Potomac Park
8 minutes walk
8. Smithsonian Metro / ARTECHOUSE
Get direction
1 attraction
City Center
6 minutes walk
9. Bureau of Engraving & Holocaust Musuem
Get direction
3 attractions
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
2 minutes walk
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
2 minutes walk
Smithsonian American History Museum
3 minutes walk
10. Jefferson Memorial
Get direction
1 attraction
George Mason Memorial
1 minute walk
11. FDR and MLK Memorial
Get direction
3 attractions
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
4 minutes walk
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
9 minutes walk
Japanese Pagoda
4 minutes walk
TOTAL DURATION75 minutes
FREQUENCYEvery 30-45 minutes
FIRST DEPARTUREWashington Monument at 9:30 AM
LAST DEPARTUREWashington Monument at 4:30 PM
Timeline
Map
1. Washington Monument
Get direction
1 attraction
Tidal Basin
5 minutes walk
2. World War II Memorial
Get direction
2 attractions
D.C. War Memorial
1 minute walk
Floral Library
4 minutes walk
3. Lincoln Memorial & Korean War Memorial
Get direction
3 attractions
Lincoln Memorial
Korean War Veterans Memorial
5 minutes walk
Albert Einstein Memorial
5 minutes walk
4. Arlington Cemetery
Get direction
2 attractions
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
5 minutes walk
Arlington House
5 minutes walk
5. Constitution Gardens
Get direction
6. The White House
Get direction
1 attraction
Eisenhower Executive Office Building
7 minutes walk
7. Ford’s Theater
Get direction
8. The Willard Hotel / US Treasury
Get direction
1 attraction
US Treasury
1 minute walk

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

437 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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184
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Guests from United Kingdom, Colombia, France and over 16 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Gayle R
Couple
Verified booking
2 days ago
Easy way to see the major sites & Patti, our driver, was very friendly.
Joe G
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
One of the buses had no air conditioning and was hot inside
Claudia B
Couple
Verified booking
Apr 2026
I liked the way they explain the different places. I also like that you can get off wherever you want to spend more time, and then check the app’s map to see when the next bus is coming.
Sandra S
Couple
Verified booking
Apr 2026
Ease of use and predictable bus schedule along with interesting information along the way. Discounts also appreciated
Beverly W
Group
Verified booking
Mar 2026
We enjoyed it. There were some issues but none to ruin my whole day. Tours start at 10:30 on Saturdays, not 9:30! Most of the workers were very knowledgeable and helpful!

What's not allowed

Keep in mind food & alcohol (except non-alcoholic drinks in screw-top bottles) are not allowed on this experience. Pack wisely!

Accessibility

The buses are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.

Your safety comes first so visitors with mobility issues are restricted on the upper decks.

Due to restrictions on the bus, pets (except ADA service animals) are not allowed onboard.

Additional information

The tour remains closed on Independence Day (Jul 4), Oct 29 & Christmas (Dec 25).

The Sunset Tour is a non-stop bus tour, and not a hop-on hop-off service.

Specific details related to the add-ons in your tickets like walking tours will be shared post-booking.

Tour details

2-hour Sunset tour

Departure: 6:30pm & 7pm from Union Station

Hotel shuttle transfer

Departure: 9:20am from Mayflower Hotel, 9:30am from Washington Hilton & 9:45am from Georgetown Marriott

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Carry a printout of your voucher and hop on to the bus from any stop on the route. The driver will exchange it for the bus ticket.