Chicago Architecture River Tour & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

Unreliable service, hidden stop skips, and inaccurate schedules!

Our big bus tour experience in Chicago was incredibly frustrating due to poor communication and unreliable operations. On August 15 (our first day), we boarded at the first stop around noon. Everything seemed fine until we reached stop #4, where the driver suddenly announced that stops #5 and #6 were being skipped. We were given zero prior notice when we got on at stop #1, and absolutely no explanation. To make matters worse, there was nothing on their website about these skipped stops. Because we specifically wanted to visit the Adler Planetarium at stop #5 (which is why we bought the Go City Pass), we made sure to ask the driver before getting on the bus on August 16 if they would be stopping at #5 and #6. The driver assured us they would, and we were also told buses run every 20-30 minutes. Unfortunately, that wasn't the reality. On August 16 at 4:10 PM, we waited at stop #5 for more than an hour. Using their tracking app while waiting, I watched as two buses stopped at stop #4 and then completely skipped stops #5 and #6, heading straight to #7. If you are going to skip stops or run them on an entirely different schedule than advertised, you need to be honest with your customers so we aren't left stranded waiting for hours. Cannot recommend based on this lack of transparency and reliability.

via Tripadvisor

Best way to see the city!

100% the BEST way to see the city and learn about it's history! The docent Jeremy was engaging and fun and made the experience feel like a VIP tour! I loved that there was a little "intermission" so we could enjoy the bar and not miss anything! 20 out of 10 experience!

Response from the operator: Thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such an outstanding experience. Jeremy will be delighted to know that his engaging and fun commentary made the tour feel like a VIP experience. We're also glad you enjoyed the intermission and had the opportunity to relax and enjoy the bar without missing any of the tour. Thank you for your kind words, and we hope to welcome you back again soon for another unforgettable experience! 😊🚌 Alex@BigBusTours

via Viator

Very mixed experience

No communication or information on river cruise. Finally found the company and found out we had been booked on a 10am cruise (at 12pm). That company was amazing and rescheduled and provided directions on where to go, best times etc. 5 stars Big Bus tour… first driver was good, provided commentary and interesting facts/info.. Then busses stopped coming, waited over an hour at a stop. The bus that finally showed up and that driver had no interest in providing a tour. Driving aggressively, getting honked at, etc. Went thru several “stops” without even stopping so finally had to demand to get off at a stoplight several blocks past the stop we wanted to visit. Took Ubers after that. 1 star, not worth the money.

Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback. We're pleased to hear that you had a positive experience with the river cruise company and that they were able to accommodate you despite the booking confusion. Regarding the bus tour, we're disappointed to hear that the experience was inconsistent. Waiting over an hour for a bus, encountering missed stops, and receiving a significantly different level of service from one driver to another is certainly not the experience we aim to provide. Reliable service, clear communication, and a consistent onboard experience are all important parts of the tour. To allow us to investigate the issues you encountered, please contact our Customer Service team with your booking details and a summary of your experience. We would like the opportunity to review the matter and provide an appropriate resolution. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Alex@BigBusTours

via Viator

The boat tour was...

The boat tour was wonderful. Our guide was very knowledgeable and willing to answer questions. The architecture of Chicago is very impressive!

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the boat tour and found it both informative and engaging. Chicago's architecture is truly remarkable, and we're glad you had the opportunity to experience it from the water. It's especially great to know that your guide's knowledge and willingness to answer questions helped make the experience even more enjoyable. Our team is passionate about sharing the city's history and architectural highlights, so your kind words mean a great deal. Thank you again for sharing your experience. We hope to welcome you on board again for another memorable tour in the future! Flavius@BigBusTours

via Viator

Nothing to review as the water cruise was canceled due to high water levels.

The trip was canceled due to high water levels. How do I get a refund for this?

via Tripadvisor