Is Big Bus Tours Legit? Check Out What We Learned!

The Big Bus Tours Company Ltd is a London-based business with over 20 years of experience in the tourism industry. Together with its Parisian counterpart, Les Cars Rouges, the company created a modern and innovative bus tour brand that has become one of the most popular sightseeing activities for city breaks.

Big Bus Tours offers hop-on, hop-off sightseeing in over 20 cities across four continents. With a fleet of hundreds of buses and experienced guides, the company provides tourists with a memorable, educational, and fun-filled experience of some of the world's most famous cities.

The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and its dedication to providing an enjoyable and informative experience has made Big Bus Tours one of the world's most popular bus tour companies. They continue to grow and expand their services, ensuring tourists have the best possible experience when visiting their cities.

Big Bus Tours offers open-top, double-decker bus tours of major cities worldwide. Customers can purchase tickets online or at the company's many sales points in popular tourist areas. Once bought, tickets are valid for a specified time, usually 24 or 48 hours.

Customers can use their tickets to hop on and off the bus at any designated stops during this time. Each bus has an experienced guide who provides commentary throughout the journey or has a prerecorded commentary available in multiple languages, giving tourists an insight into the city's history, culture, and attractions.

Big Bus Tours also offers a range of other sightseeing experiences, such as river cruises, walking, and bike tours. These can be added to a bus tour ticket or purchased separately.

What Are the Benefits of Big Bus Tours?

There are many benefits to taking a Big Bus Tour, including:

1. Hop-on, hop-off convenience

The most significant benefit of Big Bus Tours is the convenience of the hop-on, hop-off function. This allows customers to disembark at any point that interests them and explore further before rejoining the tour at a later stop. You can stay at an attraction for as long as you like before continuing your journey. It's the perfect way to see a city at your own pace.

2. Expert commentary

Another huge benefit is the expert commentary provided by the guides. This ensures that you learn about the history and culture of the city as you tour its streets and attractions. The guides are also happy to answer any questions about the city. You'll come away from your tour feeling like you know the place. In some towns, Big Bus Tours offers live commentary in multiple languages.

3. Great value for money

Big Bus Tours offers excellent value, especially if you take advantage of the many deals and discounts available. Tickets are often much cheaper when bought online, and there are often special offers for groups or families. You can also save money by adding extras, such as river cruises or walking tours, to your bus tour ticket. It's the cheapest and easiest way to cover a city's major sights.

4. A range of city tours

Big Bus Tours offers a range of city tours, so you're sure to find one perfect. Whether you want to see the sights of London, Paris, New York, or Dubai, there's a tour to suit your needs. The company is constantly expanding its operations and adding new cities to its list, so keep an eye out for the latest additions.

5. Flexible ticket options

Big Bus Tours offers various ticket options to suit your needs. You can choose from 24-hour, 48-hour, or even 72-hour tickets, depending on how long you want to spend sightseeing. You can also add extras to your tickets, such as river cruises or walking tours. This makes it easy to tailor your tour to your needs and interests.

6. Friendly and helpful staff

The staff at Big Bus Tours are all friendly and helpful, from the guides on the bus to the customer service staff at the ticket office. They're always happy to help you with any questions or problems. This makes for a much more enjoyable and stress-free tour. You can be sure you're in good hands with Big Bus Tours.

What Are the Drawbacks of Big Bus Tours?

Despite all the benefits, there are a few drawbacks to taking a Big Bus Tour, including:

1. Crowded buses

The buses can sometimes be quite crowded, especially in peak season. This can make it challenging to move around or hear the commentary. If you're visiting a city during its busiest time, it's worth booking your tour in advance to avoid crowds. You can also try taking the tour early or late in the evening.

2. Limited routes

The buses only cover a limited number of routes, so you might not be able to see everything you want to. This is why it's worth researching before you book your tour to ensure the route covers all the sights you want to see. Some companies offer alternative routes that cover different areas of the city, so it's worth checking this out too.

3. Inflexible schedules

The buses have fixed schedules, so you might have to wait a while for the next one if you miss your stop. This can be frustrating, especially if you're in a hurry. It's best to allow plenty of time for each stop so that you're not rushed and plan your journey to know when the buses are due. You can also download the Big Bus Tours app to help you plan your route and track the buses in real time.

4. Mixed reviews

Big Bus Tours has mixed reviews, with some people loving it and others finding it average. This is expected with any tour company, as everyone has different needs and expectations. It's worth reading reviews before you book to get an idea of what other people thought of the tour.