
City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 1,226 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour worth booking?
City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour is a 1-hour experience in Oxford, United Kingdom, from $13 per person. It scores 83 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 1,226 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 83 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (1,226)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $13 per person
Discover the beautiful Oxford on an unlimited hop-on hop-off bus tour for 24 or 48 hours! At your own pace, see all of the history and architectural beauty this city has to offer, hopping on and off the double-decker bus
What you get
- 24 or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour
- On-board audio commentary available 14 languages + free headphones
- 40-minute River Cruise (only if Bus + River Cruise ticket is selected)
- Mobile tickets accepted
- 60-minute Oxford Uncovered Walking Tour
- Vouchers are valid for 12 months from travel date selected at check-out
About this experience
Discover the beautiful Oxford on an unlimited hop-on hop-off bus tour for 24 or 48 hours! At your own pace, see all of the history and architectural beauty this city has to offer, hopping on and off the double-decker bus whenever you please. From the open-top deck you'll experience panoramic views of Christ Church College, Brasenose College, The Plain, the Sheldonian Theatre, Trinity College and even The Eagle and Child pub where J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis would meet up for a beverage! The on-board audio tour commentary will be sure to keep you fascinated, providing intriguing facts on the way round. Also enjoy an expertly guided walking tour, for a closer look at the local culture.
What's included
Included
- 24 or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour
- On-board audio commentary available 14 languages + free headphones
- 40-minute River Cruise (only if Bus + River Cruise ticket is selected)
- Mobile tickets accepted
- 60-minute Oxford Uncovered Walking Tour
- Vouchers are valid for 12 months from travel date selected at check-out
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities
Options you can book
48-Hour Bus + River Cruise
24-Hour Bus Ticket
This ticket includes a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour and a 45-minute Stepping Through Oxford Walking Tour (seasonal).
48-Hour Bus Ticket
This ticket includes a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour and a 45-minute Stepping Through Oxford Walking Tour (seasonal).
24-Hour Bus + River Cruise
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, ru, pt, cmn, ja, en, it, pl, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- City Sightseeing Ltd - UK and Ireland
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Until 17th July: First departure from Stop 1 at 9:30am. Last departure from Stop 1 at 6pm. Frequency: every 15 minutes
- 18th July - 1st September: First departure from Stop 1 at 9:30am. Last departure from Stop 1 at 6:30pm. Frequency: every 15 minutes
- 2nd September - 23rd October: First departure from Stop 1 at 9:30am. Last departure from Stop 1 at 5pm. Frequency: every 15 minutes (Saturday & Sunday), every 20 minutes (Monday - Friday)
- 24th October - 1st November: First departure from Stop 1 at 9:30am. Last departure from Stop 1 at 5pm. Frequency: every 20 minutes
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Live Guided Bus Tour: Departs from Stop 9. Departure Times: 10:55am, 11:55am, 12:55pm, 1:55pm, 2:55pm and 3:55pm. Last tour concludes at approximately 4:55pm at Stop 9
- Oxford Uncovered Walking Tour: Duration: 60 minutes. Departure Point: Visitor Information Point, City Sightseeing Oxford, 44-45 High Street, OX1 4AP. Schedule: Daily, every hour from 11am - 4pm (subject to availability)
- Please note that the guided walking tour is seasonal, and customers should enquire upon arrival for more information.
- Mobile or paper vouchers accepted. Paper vouchers must be redeemed at City Sightseeing shop in Oxford Railway Station. Mobile vouchers can be redeemed at any of the bus stops along the route
- Vouchers are valid for 12 months from the travel date selected at check-out
- River Cruise (if Bus + River Cruise ticket is selected): Customers will get a code for the boat when they redeem their bus ticket. This can be used when boarding the boat. 40-minute return trips daily to Iffley Lock at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm and 5pm. These cruises run from April to the end of September - subject to weather conditions. Children under 3 go free. 3 and 4 year olds can buy their boat tickets at the boat
- Please note, due to the St. Giles Fair, Stops 16, 17 and 18 will be out of use from Sunday 6th - Tuesday 8th September
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 1,229 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
1,229 verified traveler reviews for City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Oxford bus city sightseeing tour
Dave Dalton was our guide for the aforementioned tour of Oxford. Dave gave us an unforgettable tour that fully furnished us with all the necessary information that we needed. It made our tour very enjoyable. Dave made sure we were safe and happy with the route and answered all our questions comprehensively and with a passion that is rarely seen. Outstanding work Dave. Thank you from Pete and Fran from Plymouth
via Tripadvisor
Great hop on hop off bus tour
Great little experience. Bus driver very helpful and funny. The commentary was very informative . Good being able to stay on if you missed anything the first time around. A short walking tour was included which we picked up at the Walking tour centre (just ask the bus driver if you’re not sure where it is) Our guide Lesley was very knowledgeable and funny, answered any questions we had. We were only a small group of 3 🙂 Great afternoon and luckily lovely weather too. Would definitely recommend this activity
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that you had such a great experience on our Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour and enjoyed the informative commentary throughout your journey. It's fantastic to know that you appreciated the flexibility of being able to stay on for another circuit, ensuring you didn't miss any of Oxford's fascinating sights and history. We're also pleased that our bus driver's helpful and humorous approach added to your enjoyment of the day. A special thank you for your kind words about Lesley. She will be delighted to hear that you enjoyed the walking tour and found her both knowledgeable and entertaining. Answering questions, sharing Oxford's fascinating stories, and bringing the city's history to life are all things she's passionate about, so it's wonderful to know she helped make your afternoon so memorable. We're glad the weather was kind to you as well! Thank you for choosing City Sightseeing Oxford and for your recommendation. We hope to welcome you back again soon for another fantastic day exploring our beautiful city. 🚍☀️⭐😊 Sam T - Retail and Tourism Supervisor
via Tripadvisor
Bus tour and guided walk.
Enjoyed the hop on hop off bus tour for an afternoon in Oxford with a good audio guide with interesting history. Also enjoyed the free walking tour included which we did the next morning.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your lovely feedback! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your afternoon exploring Oxford on our Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour and found the audio guide both interesting and informative. It's wonderful to know that the commentary helped bring Oxford's rich history and famous landmarks to life during your visit. We're also pleased that you took advantage of the complimentary walking tour and enjoyed continuing your exploration of the city the following morning. Combining the bus and walking tours is a fantastic way to discover both Oxford's iconic sights and its hidden gems. Thank you for choosing City Sightseeing Oxford, and we hope to welcome you back again soon for another enjoyable and memorable experience! 🚍⭐😊 Sam T - Retail and Tourism Supervisor
via Tripadvisor
Great experience overall!
Great experience overall! The audioguide was interesting in most parts, the bus was always on time and we could change seats accordingly depending on the weather As the main streets are all within a 5 blocks radium, I recommend doing the whole tour and getting down on the stops near them, to get lost in those streets. Shan assisted us greatly when deciding what plan to choose. He helped us get the best based on what we needed at the moment, was super kind and patient. It didn't go unnoticed that he didn't just want to sell you something but to give the best advice and ideas for your situation. And Anoy guided us during the tour, with fun anecdotes and facts. It was really life saving when the audioguide was a bit delayed (due to traffic or sth), and he continued the guide smoothly, so we could really enjoy our time in spite of it.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your fantastic feedback! We're delighted to hear that you had a great experience with City Sightseeing Oxford and that you enjoyed both the flexibility of the tour and the onboard audio commentary. It's wonderful to know that the service ran reliably and helped you make the most of your time exploring Oxford's historic streets and attractions. We're especially pleased to hear your kind words about Shan. Providing honest, helpful advice and ensuring guests choose the option that best suits their needs is exactly the level of service we strive for, and Shan will be thrilled to know that his patience and support made such a positive impression. We'd also like to thank you for highlighting Andy's contribution to your tour. His fun anecdotes, local knowledge, and ability to seamlessly keep the commentary flowing helped ensure you had an enjoyable and informative experience throughout the journey. We'll be sure to pass your compliments on to both Shan and Andy. Thank you for choosing City Sightseeing Oxford, and we hope to welcome you back again soon for another memorable visit! 🚍⭐😊 Sam T - Retail and Tourism Supervisor
via Tripadvisor
Take the bus, skip the cruise
The hop on hop off bus is EXCELLENT. Recommend the 2 day pass so that you can do the whole loop first and get an overview of the route and that’s on it. Second day hop on and off. The only reason I took off one star is because our booking included a river cruise. We could barely hear nor u destined the announcements. The river is short with only crew boat houses to see. The lock was closed so never went past that. Very short and was a waste of time and money. Skip the cruise.
Response from the operator: Dear Angela, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback on the City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour. We are delighted to hear that you found the bus experience excellent and that you enjoyed the flexibility of the two-day pass. Your suggestion to complete the full route first to get an overview of Oxford before hopping on and off the following day is a very helpful tip for future visitors. We are, however, sorry to hear that the river cruise did not meet your expectations. We understand your frustration regarding the difficulty hearing the announcements and the limited experience due to the lock being closed. We appreciate you highlighting these aspects, and your feedback will be shared with the local team for review. Thank you again for recommending the City Sightseeing Oxford bus tour, and we hope to welcome you back to explore more of Oxford’s landmarks and attractions with us. Kind regards, Quality Department
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $13 to $39
- Booked in 30 days
- 429
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 83
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Oxford.
How much does City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour cost?
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Prices start at $13 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Oxford usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour take?
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Plan for about 1 hour from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Oxford is not rushed.
Is City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 83 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 1,226 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Oxford, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour?
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Around 429 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Oxford can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Oxford and add a light layer if any part of the 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Oxford within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Oxford?
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On Outty we rank every Oxford experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cotswolds in a Day Tour from Moreton-in-Marsh / Stratford-on-Avon, Oxford University Walking Tour With University Alumni Guide, Oxford Official University & City Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Oxford?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Oxford?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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