Best of DC: Hop-on Hop-off Tour, Sunset Tour, and Arlington
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
As the official tour of the National Parks Service, no one gets you closer to the National Mall monuments and the stunning Cherry Blossom Festival.
Discover DC aboard a Big Bus open-top double-decker with unlimited hop-on, hop-off access and digital commentary in multiple languages. See iconic sights like the White House, Capitol Building, and Arlington National Cemetery at your own pace.
Hop off to explore top attractions including the Smithsonian Museums, the Library of Congress, and powerful memorials on the National Mall.
Then, experience the capital in a whole new light with a 2.5-hour panoramic night tour featuring illuminated sites like the Washington Monument, the Iwo Jima Memorial, and the historic Georgetown neighborhood.
Explore the nation’s capital like never before. Find hidden spots, enjoy its historic charm, and see its landmarks all lit up at night.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tours may be taken on separate days
Night tour is a 2-hour tour and is not hop-on hop-off.
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.
Free White House 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.
Exclusive audio guide tours of Arlington Cemetery, Tidal Basin and Georgetown. Guests must be 18 to enter Arlington.
Guests may activate ticket either via the Big Bus app or in person with Big Bus staff
Big Bus is the only tour operator servicing the Jefferson Memorial during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Complimentary shuttle services from city hotels to Stop #1 available at select times - please view ticket voucher for exact times.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
International Spy Museum
View from Big Bus
Washington Monument
View from Big Bus
What‘s Included
24, 48, or 72-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour validity (up to $83 value)
2hr Sunset Tour (Live Guide during March and April 2026)
Open-top Double Decker bus for a unique perspective
Free app for route information and live bus tracking
Big Bus is the only official bus tour partner of the National Park Service
Digital commentary aboard bus in multiple languages
Convenient and close drop-off for the Cherry Blossom orchard
Self-guided tours of Arlington Cemetery, Tidal Basin and Georgetown
Hotel pick-up/drop-off
Options
24hr Bus/Night Tour/Arlington
72hr Bus/Night Tour/Arlington
72-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Hop on and off at 17 convenient stops around the city and enjoy digital audio commentary while aboard.
2-hour Panoramic Night Tour: See DC illuminated by night. Departs Union Station at 630PM
Free Oval Office Photo: Free Oval Office digital photo from White House Gifts
1-Hour Free Bike Rental: Rent a bike for one hour and get an additional hour free with Unlimited Biking
48hr Bus/Night Tour/Arlington
48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Hop on and off at 17 convenient stops around the city and enjoy digital audio commentary while aboard.
2-hour Panoramic Night Tour: See DC illuminated by night. Departs Union Station at 630PM
Free Oval Office Photo: Free Oval Office digital photo from White House Gifts
1-Hour Free Bike Rental: Rent a bike for one hour and get an additional hour free with Unlimited Biking
Reviews
66 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Take the Big Bus!
monorailmomkrista,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We enjoyed Big Bus Tours in DC so much! The nighttime tour was fabulous. We also loved Tyrika Kale on the daytime blue line! She is terrific! She took great care of us and is a lot of fun. Thanks for the laughs, Tyrika!
Hop on hop off DC tour
GrandTour58192176457,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00very amazing tour , Lena is very helpful and the place is very beautiful
Rude and unhelpful staff
harmonyf2026,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00The actual bus tour was OK. The staff were very rude and unhelpful. Would not recommended simply because of the staff. That was big turn off for me.
It was okay, but I wouldn't buy a ticket again.
402rosef,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The buses were clean and I liked the tour that you could listen to if you had jack headphones. What I didn't like was waiting at a stop and looking on the app to see how long it would be before the next bus would arrive and see the time go from 7 minutes to 50-60 minutes without them having ever gone by. Eventually I just walked where I needed to go because I had no idea if the bus was ever going to come. When I was on the bus I was nervous about getting off to see the sites because again, I didn't know when the next bus was actually going to show up I didn't want to be stuck by the Jefferson Memorial and waiting for the next bus for an hour to get me back around the basin. It made it really hard to plan my day and I ended up using the bus only a couple times on a three day pass. I also went on the sunset tour and was really not impressed. I would suggest other options as this one stopped briefly at the Iwo Jima statue and the Lincoln Memorial for about 10 minutes. Otherwise there was no stopping on the trip. You just had to take pictures and hope they weren't all blurry.
Guides and bus excursions were great!
kimsY5215YN,Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ms Gale was fantastic tour guide on the night tour. Christina was very good and knowledgeable on the Arlington tour! We learned a lot from both and thought it really added to the Big Bus Tour experience to have the guided tours. I already highly recommended to my family and highly recommend one of the tour options with guides (and without). We will and have used BB in other cities too. Very convenient and professional!
Awesome Arlington Cemetery Guided Walking Tour
E3305TTbend,Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Arlington walking guides tour was amazing. Christina our guide was so knowledgeable and experienced. She made the experience so enjoyable for our 10 year old son and our family.
Arlington Walking tour was our favorite!
agnesdE6568TU,Oct 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the Arlington Walking tour, our guide was Allen McCabe and it was excellent! Allen was friendly, knowledgeable, full of interesting facts, and even had answers for our questions! It was lots of walking, but he went at a nice relaxed pace and the group was a good size. We highly recommend this to anyone wanting to get an a good overview tour of Arlington!
First visit to Washington DC area
Curious24374280467,Sep 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We chose the 72 hour hop-on package with Night and Arlington included. We felt that this was a good value and would recommend it. Our walking tour of Arlington with Josh was 5 stars. Our night tour was also 5 stars. Our driver allowed us a chance to enter the Lincoln memorial after dark which was a treat. The only issue was the bus timings were often not spaced out. I did notice that sometimes they would pause to get back on schedule.
Tourist
Stay08829113268,Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great way to see Washington in dc . Great site if waffle house yes was worth the pru e paid. I would do it again. I would come back again
Josh is the best!
H8866CGkathym,Sep 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Josh was so informative! I thoroughly enjoyed his tour. I could have walked the cemetery with him all day. I feel like he knows every inch of it. We had a great conversation about an unknown soldier that I was able to attend his burial in St. Louis.
From US$69.00
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Operated by Big Bus Tours - USA