Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover Chicago's best on our Big Bus tour. Board our open-top, double-decker bus and see the city's iconic landmarks, from the Magnificent Mile to Millennium Park. Utilize our convenient stops to explore vibrant neighborhoods and attractions, including Willis Tower, the Chicago Riverwalk, and more.
Spend your day shopping on Magnificent Mile, enjoying Navy Pier's Ferris Wheel, or tasting authentic Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. Our flexible tour lets you create your own itinerary, with a free app to track bus arrivals.
Listen to digital commentary in multiple languages, offering expert insight into Chicago's history and culture, while recommending the best places to eat, drink, and shop. Offering comfortable seating and panoramic views, our Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour is an ideal way to explore the city. Hop off as often as you like within your ticket's validity period, and simply hop on again when ready to continue.
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
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
What‘s Included
Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus
WiFi on board
Enclosed/Climate Controlled Lower Deck, Top Deck Open
Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation)
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.
Options
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.
48-hour Ticket & Walking Tours
48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour Audio Guide Walking Tour: choice of 4 professionally-narrated audio tours
72-Hour Ticket & Walking Tours
72-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour Audio Guide Walking Tour: choice of 4 professionally-narrated audio tours
Reviews
2,254 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Mediocre at best
Amy O,May 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00First driver didn't narrate. Got left at a stop since driver didn't stop and had to wait 45 minutes for next bus
Chicago icons: seeing the sights
Ann E,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We were doing the “Chicago tourist thing” and this was a beautiful day. It was great taking the full loop through the city. Very easy to get in and off. I do not know how you’d take this open air experience if you have any physical difficulties, unfortunately.
Good Photo Opps
mom of a creative,May 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00We were able to see the city without worrying about our own driving. However, we had to move several times because our headsets were not working. I felt as if we missed key areas of the city that portrayed the various cultures and possible areas that would interest someone in getting off the bus. In other cities, we had this with the tour. The Bus Stops are timely and the app is great to let you know how close the bus is to you. If you are just looking for a few top highlights and photo opps then this is your tour!
Just be patient and allow...
Duane L,May 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Just be patient and allow yourself plenty of time and just enjoy the experience; it's well worth it.
Felicia Rocks
BethCarol B,May 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a good experience if you are trying to see a lot in a short amount of time. And you can get on and off where and when you want. The audio was a little out of sync with the actual sights. However, I was on the bus with a great driver named Felicia. She pointed out all the stops and added her own personal narrative. She should narrate the audio.
Excellent way to see the city in short duration
VivianeSafwat,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked one day pass through Trip Advisor, easy reservation and payment, you receive the tickets online, you download the bus application and activate the tickets through the application on the day of the tour. There are 11 stops for the 1 day ticket. The application will show you the closest stop to where you are, buses run every 20-30 mn, first bus start at 10 am, last one at 5 pm. Tour timing in total is 2 hours. The guides are all very nice, particularly our two guides were Felicia and Candace. We jumped on the bus from the last stop # 11 and we arrived at stop 1 and changed the bus to get the full tour for two hours, then we dropped off at stop 11 again as this was the closest to our hotel in River North area. I highly recommend this bus tour if your time is limited in Chicago and it worth the money. The bus application gives you all details you need, arrival time of bus in each stop, and you book other tours as well or extend your ticket for additional time. Felicia made sure we take proper photos at each of the important sites, she and Candace are funny, well knowledgeable and are doing a great job. Thanks Felicia from the couple who were in the upper deck today morning ( men with green polo and woman in red 😀)
Kicked us off
Donna M,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Kicked us off the bus at the end and we were far from our starting place. We grabbed a Lyft to get back. When we started, the app is absolutely not ever accurate. We were watching for the bus. It said 9-14 minutes, then changed to 45 minutes. We ran across the street to grab a soda to go and while getting the drink, the bus showed up. So we waited another 40 minutes for the next bus. We only got off one stop and then got on the very next bus. There was no commentary. The earphones didnt provide any information/ music, absolutely nothing. We have gone on big bus tours before and have never had this terrible of an experience. I do not recommend.
Chicago Big Bus Tour
petehQ3184RT,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00I generally enjoyed the tour. We sat on top so you get an unadulterated view. It was a bit cold, no fault of the operator. You wear headphones so you can listen to a curated tour of the city while taking in the views. Enjoyed the commentary but was saddened there was no opportunity to interact with a human being and ask questions. Staff were courteous. Transaction was frictionless. You could get off and back on at stops. We stayed on the bus for the whole tour, so I can't comment on how that went. Overall, I would recommend the tour for someone who wants to get a good overall sense of Chicago!
Great photo op
Tiffany E,May 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Nice experience to see most of Chicago. Best seats are at the top for great photos. The stops are at great locations to hop off and see Chicago; the walking is doable
Fun way to see Chicago
GrandTour28989096153,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Felicia was very excited about showing off Chicago. The other drivers were good but not as enthusiastic. Busy Memorial weekend traffic. Glad I wasn’t driving! My grands wanted to see the Bean and Navy pier!
From US$49.00
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Operated by Big Bus Tours - USA