DC Bus Tour: Explore National Mall & More
3.5
3,900 Ratings

Explore the iconic monuments of Washington, DC at your own pace with an open-top Hop on Hop off Bus and a National Park Service authorized tour. Plus, enjoy a free bike rental to discover the city’s key routes and attractions.

Duration: 3 hours, 5 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights

Red Loop (Route)

Operating Schedule: Meeting Point - Stop #1 Washington Monument (1400 Jefferson Drive SW). Suggested alternative stop - Stop #3 National Japanese American Memorial (415 New Jersey Ave NW)
As the official tour partner of the National Park Service, Big Bus is the exclusive tour operator permitted to stop at the front of the Cherry…

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What's Included
  • Official Tour Provider of the National Mall - a portion of every ticket goes to preservation
  • Digital commentary aboard hop-on hop-off bus in multiple languages
  • Open-top Double-decker buses with 18 convenient stops
  • 24/48/72hr Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour
  • Professional audio-guided walking tours of Arlington Cemetery, Tidal Basin, and Georgetown
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

As the designated Tour Provider for the National Mall, Big Bus offers unparalleled access to the monuments and memorials of Washington, DC. Additionally, a portion of each ticket sale supports preservation efforts.
Discover DC with our adaptable hop-on hop-off tours. With 18 stops available, you can design your own itinerary and explore the city’s famous…

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Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.5
(3900 Ratings)
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1 star
Aetower
Aug 22, 2025
Definitely a great idea - Amanda Whitworth was so helpful and informative. She was able to answer our questions. The stops were easy to find and easy to get on and off.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maskoutain2575
Jul 10, 2025
Thanks Big Bus? Really good and trustworthy!!! - We went to visit two of our grandsons in Ocean City, Maryland, in the summer of 2024 where they were working as lifeguards. On the way back, we took the opportunity to see Washington D.C. again and as we usually do, we boarded a multi-stop bus tour. We opted for the Big Bus two-day package with which we often travelled elsewhere in the world. The buses of this firm were clean, well conducted, with good guides. The sound system was functional and allowed a good choice of language. with headphones provided free of charge. The description of the route was interesting and informative. Our walk went very well on the first day... Unfortunately, in the early afternoon of the second day, following our visit to the Capitol, Service was stopped for an unknown reason and we waited almost two hours in vain... We went home on our own to our hotel. Important: on our return home, we complained to the firm that sold us the tour and we were refunded. These things happen but despite these inconveniences we now know that Big Bus is a responsible company. Thank you!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Larry_b
Sep 10, 2025
Get the 3 day tour, it is... - Get the 3 day tour, it is worth the extra money. The Air Conditioners were not working, horribly hot, or windy and rainy on the top open area. The bus drivers and the support personnel were great!
Review provided by Viator
Jeffbd1340ar
Aug 18, 2025
We'd use a different tour bus next time. - This tour bus experience was below average. We've done BigBus and other tours in other cities but this was subpar. Granted it was a hot day in August which made it uncomfortable, but the A/C on the lower level didn't work well, and there were no fans or anything on the upper level. The recorded narration information was also disappointing. Overall, we'd choose a different bus company next time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P7430uhchristinel
Aug 18, 2025
big bus - DC - The bus trip was ok, but they didn’t announce the stops so we spent a lot of time trying to figure out where we were during the ride stops. Nothing is numbered on the signs either. Two bright spots were the interactions with Devaughn and Amanda Whitworth. Both of these attendants were awesome! Devaughn gave some great tips on sightseeing options and restaurants. Amanda also provided great tips and was sweet to my son. Bright spots for BB!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Erin_s
Sep 1, 2025
Stranded! - I wanted to share some feedback about my husband and mine’s recent experience on Wednesday, August 27th in Washington DC. My husband and I took the tour a full loop beginning from Union Station to start our day. The recording was decent and the driver was safe and friendly. After one full loop we then got off at Arlington national cemetery. At the conclusion of our tour there we went to the bus stop around 4:30 PM. We waited approximately 30 minutes and I tracked the bus on the app. Our stop was Skipped. In looking at the app, we noticed that last pick up time was 4:25 PM. We had ridden three buses that day with three different drivers and on none of them were we told Arlington cemetery had a stopping time. We were told multiple times that the last full loop would begin at 5 PM from Union Station and would take approximately two hours therefore it was our understanding that buses would run the full loop Until approximately 7 PM. While waiting outside of Arlington national cemetery, a crowd gathered of about a dozen people. Included in this group was elderly, ages of all ranges, and someone with mobility issues. After waiting for about 40 minutes, my husband and I ended up walking back across the bridge, which took about 45 minutes and cut into our time exploring the city. Of all of the individuals waiting at Arlington national cemetery for the big bus, it was everyone’s understanding that the buses would run the full loop Until after 5 PM. I wanted to share this experience as people that choose the big bus use that as their way to tour the city. It was incredibly disappointing that someone with mobility issues and some elderly folks were stranded at Arlington national cemetery. The big bus tours Are expensive and people count on that to be their mode of transportation for the day. They also expect to be able to count on the timeliness in order to experience as much of the city as they can in that day. My husband and I ended up having to walk a far way while others had to pay for other modes of transportation back to their starting points. I was very frustrated that this was not communicated. My husband and I enjoy traveling and have used Big Bus tours in 3 different cities. While we have never had a stellar experience, this was by far the most disappointing. We will not be choosing big bus tours moving forward when we travel.
Review provided by Viator
Kwdestinations
Aug 20, 2025
WORST hop on/hop off experience I ever had - This company could not care less about the risks of their passengers, especially seniors. It was over 90 degrees/humidity on July 5. Their representatives along the route were snarky and the least aware of what customer service is about. Of all places to not have airconditionibg on a bus....Washington DC in July? This company is all about MONEY and nothing about the service that goes with it. I was very close to heat stroke and no one cared.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Morysa
Aug 19, 2025
Buses do not have air conditioning, temperature above 100 degrees. - I went to Washington DC, the temperature inside the bus was 100+ degrees, it's horrible! Do not buy tickets for these buses. Purchase tickets with a different company and don't waste your money with these. Very bad experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pioneer37381121556
Aug 17, 2025
Stay Away - What a complete waste of my limited time in DC. My girlfriend and I were only able to visit 4 of the locations due to the long wait in between buses. The app doesn’t update often enough and an employee straight up lied to us about when the next bus would arrive! Moreover, none of these buses had an adequate AC system during this incredibly hot time of the year. Thanks for ruining what was supposed to be to be a special memory. I would advise those within this price point to look into the private tours where the driver will take you to each stop and wait on location for you to return.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patricktt7313qj
Jun 23, 2025
NUL - No audio guide it takes a very good level of English to follow the guy at the microphone who recites at high speed with his microphone c is exhausting Knowing the history of the US is well advised
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).
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