
DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour
Traveler rating
3.7/5
Based on 13 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour worth booking?
DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour is a 0.8-hour experience in Washington DC, United States, from $79 per person. It scores 42 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.7/5 rating across 13 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 42 / 100
- Rating
- 3.7/5 (13)
- Duration
- 0.8 hours
- From
- $79 per person
Experience DC in a way that’s easy, exciting, and completely flexible. Start your journey on a hop-on hop-off tour to enjoy sweeping views of the city from the open-top deck. You’ll pass famous landmarks like the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and the U.S. Capitol. Along the way, engaging audio commentary shares the stories behind these historic sites. Hop off at any stop to walk around, take photos, or visit museums, then hop back on when you’re ready to continue. There’s no rush—this tour moves at your pace. Then cruise along the Potomac River with the DC Water Taxi and enjoy a relaxing, scenic ride between The Wharf, Georgetown, National Harbor, and Old Town Alexandria while taking in beautiful views of the skyline and iconic landmarks from the water. The best part? You can enjoy both the bus tour and the Water Taxi on the same day for a full adventure or spread them out over consecutive days for a more relaxed experience. It’s the perfect way to explore DC your way.
What you get
About this experience
Experience DC in a way that’s easy, exciting, and completely flexible. Start your journey on a hop-on hop-off tour to enjoy sweeping views of the city from the open-top deck. You’ll pass famous landmarks like the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and the U.S. Capitol. Along the way, engaging audio commentary shares the stories behind these historic sites. Hop off at any stop to walk around, take photos, or visit museums, then hop back on when you’re ready to continue. There’s no rush—this tour moves at your pace. Then cruise along the Potomac River with the DC Water Taxi and enjoy a relaxing, scenic ride between The Wharf, Georgetown, National Harbor, and Old Town Alexandria while taking in beautiful views of the skyline and iconic landmarks from the water. The best part? You can enjoy both the bus tour and the Water Taxi on the same day for a full adventure or spread them out over consecutive days for a more relaxed experience. It’s the perfect way to explore DC your way.
What's included
Included
- Official Tour Provider of the National Mall - a portion of every ticket goes to preservation
- Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation)
- Digital commentary of DC history and sights
- Tours may be taken on separate days
- 1-Day Potomac Water Taxi Pass with unlimited stops
- 24-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour - Red Loop only
Not included
- Food & Drinks
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, pt, en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Big Bus Tours - USA
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Your Dollars in Action: A portion of every ticket helps preserve the National Mall’s iconic monuments and memorials—so your Big Bus tour supports America’s history for generations to come.
- For wheelchair access, please notify Big Bus 48 hours in advance
- Download the Big Bus Tours app to access and activate your ticket, track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 12 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
12 verified traveler reviews for DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Bad follow up
We apparently were given tickets for the day we booked the tour. However, we are in San Diego, not Washington and wanted to book the tour for next week. I cannot reach anyone at Viator, bus tour or water taxi company to resolve this, so instead I'm making this post in hopes that we hear something.
via Tripadvisor
Not dependable, poorly run
Unexpected bus transfers, poor schedules, not dependable. Use the Metro, then Uber for more direct delivery if you have walking limitations.
Response from the operator: Dear valued customer, we truly appreciate your feedback. We're sorry to hear about your experience with bus transfers and schedules. We understand your concerns and are continuously working to improve our services. Please feel free to reach out directly at tracyk@bigbustours.com; we’d love to assist you further. Thank you!
via Tripadvisor
Easy way to have a look and understand a city
It was a raining day. Sit in a high bus under a hood and listen to the guide is a good way to have a over look of the city I came the first time.
Response from the operator: Hello Scott W, thank you; we appreciate your feedback! See you again soon!
via Tripadvisor
Started out bad but got better.
Our tickets didn't work. At first, we thought we had been scammed and was having to pay again but the kind lady and the ticket booth at the Wharf was able to fix it. 10 stars for her. Also, the crew of the boat was very helpful and courteous. Another problem was that we were unable to ride the bus to the National Mall because of the Grand Prix race we didn't know about.
Response from the operator: A rocky start turned into some standout service! 🙌 Huge credit to the team member at the Wharf who got the ticket issue sorted out and helped get your day back on track — 10 stars is quite the shoutout! ⭐ We’re also happy the boat crew treated you with such helpful and courteous service. Gary, we appreciate your understanding around the Grand Prix-related road closures and thank you for sharing both the challenges and the people who made the experience better. 🚌⛴️🏛️
via Tripadvisor
Sharia is awesome!
Sharia was my second driver. In comparison to the other drivers, she was awesome. She made sure everyone was safe and seated. She was helpful with young families. She made sure that all knew what stop we were at . She was a big reason for having a positive experience!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your amazing review! We're thrilled to hear that Sharia provided you with such an exceptional experience. Her dedication to safety and service is truly commendable! We'll be sure to pass along your kind words. We can't wait to welcome you back for another ride! #ShariaRocks!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 0.8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $79 to $89
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Big Bus Tours - USA, who run 43 experiences we rank across 8 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 59.5.
See everything Big Bus Tours - USA runsWhy this scores 42
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Washington DC.
How much does DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour cost?
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Prices start at $79 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Washington DC usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour take?
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Plan for about 0.8 hours 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 Washington DC is not rushed.
Is DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 42 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.7/5 across 13 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Washington DC, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing 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 DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour?
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Around 5 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 Washington DC 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 Washington DC and add a light layer if any part of the 0.8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing 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 Washington DC 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 Washington DC?
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Washington is the rare city where the headline attractions cost nothing and the scarce resource is access. Timed entry to the Smithsonian museums, Capitol and White House tours, and the night monument runs by bike or bus are what fill up. Our ranking rewards operators who secure the passes themselves rather than telling you to sort it out at the door. On Outty we rank every Washington DC experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Washington DC "See the City" Guided Sightseeing Segway Tour, Arlington Cemetery Small-Group Tour & Changing of the Guards, Washington DC Small-Group Sightseeing Experience. 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 Washington DC?
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Late March to April for cherry blossom, or September to November for cool museum weather. 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 Washington DC?
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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.
What is included in DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour?
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Included: Official Tour Provider of the National Mall - a portion of every ticket goes to preservati; Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation); Digital commentary of DC history and sights; Tours may be taken on separate days; and 1-Day Potomac Water Taxi Pass with unlimited stops. Not included: Food & Drinks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
What languages is DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour offered in?
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It is offered in German, Portuguese, English, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and For wheelchair access, please notify Big Bus 48 hours in advance. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Washington DC. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour?
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Across 13 reviews averaging 3.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, good for families. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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