Big Bus Chicago: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour, 24/48/72hr Pass
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
Redeem vouchers at Stop #1 Riverwalk (98 E Wacker), or with the driver at any Big Bus stop along the route
Please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required
Self-guided tour topics include Chicago Architecture, Public Art, Chicago Riverwalk, and Millennium Park
Download the free Big Bus app for stop locations, city information and live bus tracking.
Two ways to activate tickets: 1. Download and open the Big Bus app. Tap "Add Booking" and enter your booking reference. On the day of travel, open your ticket and press "Activate" then show your activated ticket to the driver at any stop along the route. Plus, use the app for route information and live bus tracking. 2. Redeem voucher and activate with Big Bus staff at Stop #1 - Chicago Riverwalk - 98 E. Wacker Drive (on the corner of Michigan and Wacker), or with any driver at any stop along the route.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Duration:2 hours
Operating Schedule:Operates daily: First Bus 10AM, Last Bus 4PM. Red Loop lasts 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
Professional digital commentary in multiple languages
Live Bus Tracking & City Info (Download Free Big Bus App)
4 Self-guided Digital Walking Tours to explore the city (if option selected)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Admission to attractions
Options
48-hour Ticket & Walking Tours
48-hour Hop-n Hop-off Tour: Hop on and off at convenient stops around Chicago and enjoy digital audio commentary while aboard.
Digital Walking Tours: Enjoy self-guided walking tours to continue exploring Chicago by foot
72-Hour Ticket & Walking Tours
72-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Unlimited hop on and off at convenient stops around Chicago and enjoy digital audio commentary while aboard
Digital Walking Tours: Choice of 4 self-guided walking tours to continue exploring Chicago by foot
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.
48hr Ticket & Guided Boat Tour
Save 20% off full retail
48-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Enjoy hop-on hop-off access at 11 stops with digital commentary onboard
75-min Architecture Boat Tour : Enjoy a narrated tour along the Chicago River and see the stunning architecture
Reviews
2,198 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Suggestions for improvement
williamsB1557WK,Mar 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Tour was great. Suggest they geo sync the audio and have the drivers comments come through the audio when the recorded audio is playing music. The driver was great so we ended up unplugging the audio. A combination would have worked better. Debrizio was great.
Misleading Information, Mediocre Delivery, and a Missed Opportunity in Chicago
U9540WGmiriamb,Feb 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00I am a professional tour director who leads groups around the world. I understand guest expectations, operational standards, and what constitutes value for money. I chose this tour specifically to evaluate how Chicago’s key highlights are presented to visitors. The experience fell well below an acceptable standard. First, the website information was misleading. It prominently stated departures every 30 minutes. After waiting 50 minutes with no bus in sight, I discovered—buried further down the page—that service was operating on a 60-minute schedule. Repeated attempts to confirm timing through the company’s AI chat continued to state a 30-minute frequency. That is not a minor oversight; it is a failure in basic guest communication. Second, the equipment was substandard. The bus was old, rode harshly, and appeared poorly maintained. Comfort is not a luxury on a paid sightseeing tour—it is a baseline expectation. Third, while the driver-guide was personable, the narration was strikingly weak. Landmarks were pointed out with minimal context and little storytelling. Commentary consisted of generic, surface-level remarks with no depth, no historical framing, and no effort to create a cohesive narrative of the city. For a destination as architecturally and historically rich as Chicago, that is an inexcusable missed opportunity. At $116 for two tickets, the experience did not deliver professional-level guiding, accurate communication, or basic comfort. My recommendation: align your published information with reality, invest in vehicle quality, and—most critically—train your driver-guides to provide structured, engaging, and substantive narration. Guests deserve more than transportation with occasional commentary.
Big Bus fun
C8750TRbarbaral,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great family fun. We stopped at all the places we wanted to see, sat on top and took amazing photos. Gotta try it.
Probably not the best hop...
Deb J,Feb 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Probably not the best hop on/off we’ve done however it does give you a basic introduction to Chicago. We would have liked a bit more commentary about the area. Winter time seems to also be challenging with less buses available. We didn’t catch his name but the male bus driver was quite good some more anecdotes to the recorded commentary.
Great overview of the...
Robert S,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great overview of the city. Driver and check in staff were professional and courteous. I would highly recommend.
Bad
Aida d,Feb 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Awful did not get on it since it close early. It was close at 4 pm. Which we wanted to get on at four
It’s the staff that make it
LAH mom,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fabulous tour! Usual idea of hop on hop off but the the big that really makes it is the staff. Leonora our first and the last driver was so funny! Really personable, nothing was too much effort and she made sure we saw all we could including stopping for photos. We jumped off at stop 3 and went ice skating in the park which id really recommend too! All in all, well worth doing!
Very Convenient
Laura F,Feb 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00My husband and I enjoyed the big bus tour. It was very convenient in the winter with the snow. The bus was covered so you were protected from the cold and wind. Also they provided headphones so you could listen to the audio tour.
Brrrrr!
nikk3377,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00There was no working heat on our second bus upstairs. We froze waiting for the bus to arrive since they were only running each hour and times were way off. No one would communicate back with me on when they would arrive or how far away anyone was for our pick up location. They sign times and the app times were completely different also. We had a group of 6 and all were unhappy with the communication. On a good note both bus drivers were wonderful and the recorded information was great. I totally understand that this was an extreme cold day but any heat would have been nice and communication is key. In warmer weather this Big Bus Tour would be a great experience and has great locations for drop off and pickup.
Waste of money
Beth M,Jan 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00I bought a 48 hour pass and when I arrived they told me that they were closed the following day. I was not offered a refund
From US$40.50
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Operated by Big Bus Tours - USA