Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover Chicago at your own pace with Big Bus. Travel aboard an open-top, double-decker bus and enjoy panoramic views of the city's most famous landmarks, including the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, Willis Tower, The Bean, Navy Pier, and more.
Hop on and off at conveniently located stops to explore Chicago's top attractions, vibrant neighbourhoods, world-class dining, and shopping. Use our free app to track bus arrivals in real time and plan your day with ease.
Enjoy multilingual digital commentary throughout your journey, packed with fascinating stories, local insights, and recommendations.
48-hour and 72-hour tickets also include 4 Self-Guided Audio Walking Tours, covering topics such as Architecture, the Chicago Riverwalk, and Public Art. For an even more memorable experience, the 72-hour ticket includes the Panoramic Sunset Live Tour, offering spectacular views of Chicago as the city lights begin to shine.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Choice of audio tours: Chicago Architecture, Public Art, Chicago Riverwalk, and Millennium Park
Download the Big Bus Tours app to access and activate your ticket, track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.
Redeem tickets via Big Bus app or in person
Please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required
The Sunset Tour is a non-stop panoramic tour and is guided in English only.
What To Expect
Duration:2 hours
Operating Schedule:Operates daily: First Bus 10AM, Last Bus 4PM. Loop duration: 2 hours. Download the free Big Bus app for stop locations, city information and live bus tracking.
Stop 1 - Chicago Riverwalk (98 E. Wacker Drive, across the bridge from Trump Tower))
Stop 2 - Skydeck Chicago & Willis Tower
Stop 3 - Millennium Park &The Art Institute of Chicago
Stop 4 - Hilton Chicago & Grant Park
Stop 5 - Adler Planetarium
Stop 6 - Field Museum of Natural History and Museum Campus
Stop 7 - Chicago Architecture Center and Sheraton Grand
Stop 8 - Navy Pier
Stop 9 - Water Tower & The Magnificent Mile
Stop 10 - John Hancock Center
Stop 11 - River North
Options
48-hour Ticket & Walking Tours
48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour Audio Guide Walking Tour: A choice of 4 professionally-narrated audio tours
24-Hour Ticket
24-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Hop on and off at convenient stops around Chicago and enjoy digital audio commentary while aboard.
72-h Bus, Night & Walking Tour
72-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour Night Tour & Walking Tour: Panoramic Sunset Live Guided Tour; A choice of 4 professionally-narrated audio tours
What‘s Included
Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus
Enclosed/Climate Controlled Lower Deck, Top Deck Open
Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation)
Panoramic Sunset Live Guided Tour (Included with 72-Hour Ticket)
Free Vox Self-Guided Walking Tour app download (included with 48-Hour and 72-Hour tickets)
Professional digital commentary in multiple languages
4 Self-guided Digital Walking Tours to explore the city (if option selected)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Admission to attractions
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
2,283 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Never again in Chicago
Brenda S,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00My husband and I started the tour at the Navy Pier. We got to stop 2 and the bus experienced mechanical issues. Another bus came so we were told to get on the bus behind us. That bus literally took us to the next stop and the driver told us that we had to exit the bus at that stop but the next bus wouldn’t arrive for another 20 minutes. We ended up walking and didn’t get to complete the tour. We paid a lot of money for only 2 stops and were very disappointed.
Buyer Beware!!
Carrie L,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00It was terrible! I purchased tickets as I was walking to the stop to be picked up from the hop on hop off bus. The representative at the stop printed out our tickets. We waited over an hour and no one came to pick us up. We could see on the app that the buses were not coming toward us. The app said the buses would be there in 30 minutes, but that time did not change while we waited. The representative kept saying it wasn’t accurate and that a bus would be there in 5 to 10 minutes so we kept waiting. She then said there was a mechanical issue with a bus that was causing delays. Then we finally gave up and decided to take an Uber to see the sites because we had very limited time in the city. I requested a refund from Viator as well as the hop on hop off company. Both have declined my request. The service was not provided yet they refused to refund my money. That is absolutely theft! I will not give my business to either of these companies in the future.
Good value for first time visitors
THOMAS R,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Good way to get familiar with the Loop. Took two different buses and both were clean. Sat on the top. One bus had more comfortable seats than the other. Disposable headphones that they give you made it easy to hear the narrative of the tour. Headphones also help in case you get a chatterbox near you, and of course there is road noise and wind noise that the headphones overcome. You can choose to listen to the narrative in English or Spanish. There were company employees at every bus stop to answer questions. Once we had to move from one stop to another (I don't know why) but our group was led by a tour company employee so it wasn't a problem. This activity was a good value for the money and I recommend it.
Beautiful Chicago
Donell M,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Don’t stand up while bus is traveling enjoy the ride and know what stops you want to get off plan ahead
Route 66 Travelers in Chicago
693CindyG,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dorothy went above and beyond to help us get tickets for the bus and boat tours. She was so much help in getting us the best deal
It is very noisy and hard...
kevin R,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00It is very noisy and hard to hear the bus driver and the audio. The timing of the audio is also off. You hear comments after you've passed the landmark.
Candace was amazing!
Lyndsay N,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We loved the convenience of the hop on hop off and navigating the city. The only con is they say that a bus will be at each stop every 20-30 minutes. That’s not always the case but the app helped us gauge bus time arrival. Our favorite bus driver was Candace. She gave us fun facts along the way to each stop. I almost didn’t want to get off the bus because she was so engaging and captivating with all of her fun facts about Chicago.
Bad tour boring dont know nothing
Rhonda J,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00I thought the tour guide was going to give us a talking tour but he didnt i was not happy with this tour no one spoke it was boring i,ll never do this again and dont recommend this.
2babes and a brew.
ELWGrammy03,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The start 10:00 was organic xed and awesome. As the day wore on, it lost all organization and for which was not cool.
Expensive and not worth it.
Joanne G,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Headphones don’t work very well if at all. Our driver ran at least three red lights and loved to honk his horn in traffic.
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Operated by Big Bus Tours - USA