Hop-on Hop-off Tours Washington DC

Big Bus: Washington DC Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Sunset Tour

Group taking a selfie in front of a Big Bus Tours vehicle during Washington DC Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour.

Big Bus tour in front of the US Capitol, Washington DC.

Tourists enjoying Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour in Washington DC.

Open-top Big Bus tour in Washington DC passing a historic building.

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Transfers included

4.0/5

(439)

Candee

Sep 2025

Verified booking

5/5

The WWII Mounument was the highlight of our experience with Big Bus - Washington DC Hope-On-Hop Off Bus Tour. My father was a Bataan Death March survivor, held prisoner for 33 months; so this was a very moving and heart felt monument. Our stop at Visit to Arlington National Cemetary also was a moving experience for us. Each driver we had was very pleasant; very patient waiting for us to get on the bus and find seats before pulling away from the curb.

Cindy

Aug 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Our driver for full loop was great. Someone left a wallet on a seat. He asked if we remembered who sat there. With description, he ran to upper level to where passengers had moved. There was a cheer and a loud thank you from upper level.

William

Jun 2025

Verified booking

4/5

Seeing so much in a limited amount of time. Drivers pleasant and very competent. You might suggest they delay one more minute before driving off after stops. Several times people who went upstairs were not seated when the bus jerked into action. Thank you

Speed through Washington DC on a 24/48/72-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour and explore the capital's must-see spots on your terms.

Your DC trip is running on your schedule as the Red Loop’s got 17 stops and buses every 15-20 mins – hop on, hop off, and repeat.

Upgrade to a 48-hour pass to take a 2-hour sunset tour, enjoy a live 2-hour guided walking tour of Arlington Cemetery, and enjoy sweet discounts!

Jump on a double-decker bus, tune in to the audio guide in 5 languages, and let the US capital's history unfold as you ride.

Discover landmarks like the Jefferson Memorial, White House, and the Korean War Memorial as an Authorized National Park Service concessioner.

24/48/72-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off tour

Access to Red Loop

Self-guided walking tour of Arlington Cemetery

Bike rental offer (book 1 hour, get 1 free)

2-hour guided walking tour of Arlington National Cemetery (based on option selected)

2-hour sunset tour with 25% off (based on option selected)

Morning shuttle transfers from Mayflower, Hilton & Marriott to stop #1 Union Station (based on option selected)

Discounts at I Love DC Gifts, Artechouse, International Spy Museum Store & Unlimited Biking (based on option selected)

Free commemorative Oval Office photo from White House Gifts (based on option selected)

Pre-recorded audio commentary in English, French, German, Spanish & Brazilian Portuguese (on the bus)

Exclusive drop-offs close to monuments

Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking

TOTAL DURATION1 hour 50 minutes
FREQUENCYEvery 20 minutes
FIRST DEPARTUREUnion Station at 10:00 AM
LAST DEPARTUREUnion Station at 5:00 PM
Timeline
Map
1. Union Station
Get direction
3 attractions
Union Station
National Postal Museum
5 minutes walk
Columbus Circle and Fountain
7 minutes walk
2. US Capitol at Garfield Circle
Get direction
3 attractions
US Capitol at Garfield Circle
Library of Congress
5 minutes walk
Supreme Court of the United States
5 minutes walk
3. Air & Space Museum
Get direction
3 attractions
Air & Space Museum
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
4 minutes walk
National Museum of the American Indian
3 minutes walk
4. L’Enfant Plaza & International Spy Museum
Get direction
3 attractions
L’Enfant Plaza
3 minutes walk
International Spy Museum
Smithsonian Castle
3 minutes walk
5. The Wharf & Potomac Boat Cruise
Get direction
3 attractions
The Wharf
Potomac River
11 minutes walk
East Potomac Park
10 minutes walk
6. Washington Monument West
Get direction
3 attractions
Washington Monument West
Artechouse
6 minutes walk
Tidal Basin
5 minutes walk
7. Bureau of Engraving & Holocaust Musuem
Get direction
3 attractions
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
9 minutes walk
Smithsonian American History Museum
7 minutes walk
8. Jefferson Memorial
Get direction
2 attractions
Jefferson Memorial
George Mason Memorial
1 minute walk
9. FDR and MLK Memorial
Get direction
3 attractions
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
11 minutes walk
Japanese Pagoda
10. Lincoln Memorial & Korean War Memorial
Get direction
3 attractions
Lincoln Memorial
Korean War Veterans Memorial
5 minutes walk
Albert Einstein Memorial
1 minute walk
11. Lincoln Memorial North & Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Get direction
3 attractions
Lincoln Memorial
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
1 minute walk
Constitution Gardens
2 minutes walk
12. Arlington Cemetery
Get direction
3 attractions
Arlington Cemetery
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Arlington House
3 minutes walk
13. World War II Memorial
Get direction
3 attractions
World War II Memorial
D.C. War Memorial
1 minute walk
Floral Library
2 minutes walk
14. Washington Monument East
Get direction
3 attractions
Washington Monument East
National Museum of African American History and Culture
2 minutes walk
Wegmans Wonderplace
3 minutes walk
15. Natural History Museum
Get direction
3 attractions
Natural History Museum
National Archives Museum
2 minutes walk
Ford’s Theatre
6 minutes walk
16. City Center & Chinatown
Get direction
3 attractions
City Center
Chinatown
3 minutes walk
Capital One Arena
4 minutes walk
17. The White House & Willard Hotel
Get direction
3 attractions
The White House
3 minutes walk
Willard InterContinental Hotel
3 minutes walk
Eisenhower Executive Office Building
6 minutes walk

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

4
439 ratings
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from United Kingdom, Australia, France and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Anita
Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The tour was fantastic. Took us to all the main places of interest and the commentary was very informative. Would highly recommend.
Candee
Sep 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The WWII Mounument was the highlight of our experience with Big Bus - Washington DC Hope-On-Hop Off Bus Tour. My father was a Bataan Death March survivor, held prisoner for 33 months; so this was a very moving and heart felt monument. Our stop at Visit to Arlington National Cemetary also was a moving experience for us. Each driver we had was very pleasant; very patient waiting for us to get on the bus and find seats before pulling away from the curb.
Richard
Sep 2025
Verified booking
3/5
I thought the route was Well Planned Several busses had Major issues fron NO A/C, Transmission driveline shaking the bus, Smells from engine compartment evry time we stopped.
Cindy
Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Our driver for full loop was great. Someone left a wallet on a seat. He asked if we remembered who sat there. With description, he ran to upper level to where passengers had moved. There was a cheer and a loud thank you from upper level.
Melissa
Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
DC is huge- being able to hop on and ride between attractions helped keep my son in a good mood. The A/C breaks were also much needed and welcomed. The busses were clean and timely.

What's not allowed

Keep in mind food & alcohol (except non-alcoholic drinks in screw-top bottles) are not allowed on this experience. Pack wisely!

Accessibility

The buses are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.

Your safety comes first so visitors with mobility issues are restricted on the upper decks.

Due to restrictions on the bus, pets (except ADA service animals) are not allowed onboard.

Additional information

The tour remains closed on Independence Day (Jul 4), Oct 29 & Christmas (Dec 25).

The Sunset Tour is a non-stop bus tour, and not a hop-on hop-off service.

Specific details related to the add-ons in your tickets like walking tours will be shared post-booking.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Carry a printout of your voucher and hop on to the bus from any stop on the route. The driver will exchange it for the bus ticket.