DC Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus & Arlington Cemetery Audio Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
As the Official Tour Provider of the National Mall, Big Bus gets you closer than anyone else to the monuments and memorials of DC. Plus, a portion of every ticket goes towards preservation.
Explore DC with our flexible hop-on hop-off tours. With 18 stops to explore, you have the freedom to create your own itinerary and discover the city's iconic landmarks at your own pace.
Our tours allow you to experience the best of DC while enjoying the comfort of open-top double-decker buses. Hop on and off at any stop throughout the city, giving you the flexibility to explore.
From the historic landmarks of the National Mall to the hip neighborhoods of Georgetown, our routes cover the must-see sights. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Lincoln Memorial and White House as our professional digital audio provides insightful commentary along the way.
Enhance your Big Bus Tours experience with three exclusive, audio guide walking tours of Arlington National Cemetery, the Tidal Basin, and Georgetown.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Your Dollars in Action: A portion of every ticket helps preserve the National Mall’s iconic monuments and memorials—so your Big Bus tour supports America’s history for generations to come
Complimentary shuttle services from city hotels to Stop #1 available at select times - please view ticket voucher for exact times.
Free Oval Office Commemorative Photo: Present your ticket at White House Gifts (701 15th ST NW) to receive a free Oval Office digital photo. One photo per ticket.
Unlimited Biking Offer: Rent a bike for one hour and get an additional hour free. Rental includes bike, helmet, basket, lock, roadside assistance and an illustrated map featuring key routes and attractions.
Choice of audio guide tours includes Arlington Cemetery, Tidal Basin, and Georgetown neighborhood. Guests 18 and older must provide valid photo ID to enter Arlington Cemetery.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Duration:1 hour 50 minutes
Operating Schedule:Meeting Point - Stop #1 Washington Monument (1400 Jefferson Drive SW). Recommended alternative stop - Stop #3 National Japanese American Memorial (415 New Jersey Ave NW) As the Official Tour Provider of the National Mall, Big Bus gets you closer than anyone else to the monuments and memorials of DC. Hours of Operation - First Bus 9:00AM, Last Bus 4:30PM
Stop 1 - Washington Monument
Stop 2 - Natural History Museum
Stop 3 - National Japanese American Memorial
Stop 4 - US Capitol at Garfield Circle
Stop 5 - Air & Space Museum
Stop 6 - L’Enfant Plaza & International Spy Museum
Stop 7 - The Wharf & Potomac Boat Cruise
Stop 8 - Smithsonian Metro
Stop 9 - Bureau of Engraving & Holocaust Musuem
Stop 10 - Jefferson Memorial
Stop 11 - FDR and MLK Memorial
Duration:1 hour 15 minutes
Operating Schedule:Meeting Point - Stop #1 Washington Monument (1400 Jefferson Drive SW (on Jefferson Dr. SW & corner of 14th St. by Bike Racks) As the Official Tour Provider of the National Mall, Big Bus gets you closer than anyone else to the monuments and memorials of DC. Hours of Operation - First Bus 930AM, Last Bus 430PM
Stop 1 - Washington Monument
Stop 12 - World War II Memorial
Stop 13 - Lincoln Memorial & Korean War Memoria
Stop 14 - Arlington Cemetery
Stop 15 - Constitution Gardens
Stop 16 - The White House
Stop 17 - Ford's Theater
Stop 18 - The Willard Hotel/US Treasury
What‘s Included
Official Tour Provider of the National Mall - a portion of every ticket goes to preservation
Open-top Double-decker buses with 18 convenient stops
Professional audio tours of Arlington Cemetery, Tidal Basin, and Georgetown
24/48/72hr Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour
Digital commentary aboard hop-on hop-off bus
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
72hr Ticket - Red & Blue Loops
72-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour
Arlington Cemetery Audio Tour
Free Oval Office Photo
1-Hour Free Bike Rental
24hr Ticket - Red & Blue Loops
24-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour
Arlington Cemetery Audio Tour
Free White House Gifts Photo
1-Hour Free Bike Rental
24-hour Ticket - Red Loop Only
24-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Red Loop offers 11 stops
48hr Ticket - Red & Blue Loops
48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour
Arlington Cemetery Audio Tour
Free White House Gifts Photo
1-Hour Free Bike Rental
Reviews
3,895 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Service depends on the driver
laquinn2022,Apr 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00First Driver did not let us know to pick up ear buds to listen to the recorded commentary on the sites as we passed nor did he give any information. We had to try to figure out all the sites on our own. Complained and then we were sent on a bus with Sharia. What a difference! She was talkative, friendly, and super helpful! Not only did we then enjoy the messages through the ear buds, but she was also playing additional commentary to compliment the information given through the ear buds. After the tour Sharia chatted with us and gave us insider info on different things to see and places to go. Sharia gets a 7 out of 5; the first driver gets a 0 out if 5, so I averaged it and gave the company a 3 out of 5
Big Bus hop on hop off trip
debbiepG8308SA,Apr 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00J.R. with Big Bus hop on hop off tour bus was exceptional and helped us get our tour bus tickets separated and explained how the process worked. He was extremely friendly and polite.
Amazing Day
SandyB364,Apr 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wanted to see the main sites of DC. Met Devaughn and he mapped out our tours. Took the Blue Line first, then came back and took the Red Line. Saw everything and hopped off at the sites that most interested us. Thanks Devaughn for making out day soecial.
Easy & Informative Overview
Carol C,Apr 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Easy & Educational. Our driver Santayana gave a smooth & easy drive around Washington DC. His bus was clean & he was very welcoming!! Had a great overview of our US Capital.
They never showed up. We...
Kimberley M,Apr 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00They never showed up. We waited for over 30 minutes, Viator customer service couldn’t really help. It was super disappointing, it looked fun but we never got the experience because the bus never showed
A definite!
LaZann Y,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is one of those tours you have to make. Our tour guide was so knowledgeble, a very unique tour.
Not what it used to be
Estelle S,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Commentary outdated - if you take both blue and red loops, some commentary is repetitive. You’d be better off renting a bike/scooter and reading info yourself.
Definitely worth it
Danika B,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I was hesitant about this tour since there was some negative feedback. However, we are so glad we did this tour. Everyone was super kind and friendly. That tour was very informative and made it easy to get off and look at attractions without having to walk around the entire city.
Worse experience
Santosh M,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Never book for Big bus at Washington DC, very slow not on schedule very untidy. It took and hour to arrive one stop. Have use uber for all other stops. Using Uber is cheaper and convenient for sight seeing rather than Big bus.
Disappointed with the...
Renee S,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Disappointed with the tour. Took a longer Hop on Hoop off tour during Cherry Blossom Festival a few years ago with your company and I raved about experience to a friend that took the tour with me this time (she wants as refund). The air conditioning did not work on any of the three buses we went on and the temperature went up to 87 degrees and the buses were packed. No signage indicating lack or air. Make shift fans didn’t work. Drivers were subjected to the complaints of tourists due to lack of air and were rude. Due to poor working conditions I can understand. The quality of the tour recordings has diminished. I had trouble hearing the points of interest. A lot of sound ports were broken. The tour bus only lanes by the water basin are gone - traffic was terrible. Can you lobby for return of these lanes with the city? On top of it all there were few cherry blossoms to see. Not your fault - just noting. I’ve been on great tours with you company in New York and Toronto. You can do better.
From US$44.10
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Operated by Big Bus Tours - USA