
Empire State Building, Sightseeing Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 19 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Empire State Building, Sightseeing Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus worth booking?
Empire State Building, Sightseeing Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus is a 1.5-hour experience in New York, United States, from $99 per person. It scores 51 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 19 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 51 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (19)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $99 per person
Explore the Big Apple with this top-rated Best of New York bundle—featuring three iconic experiences at one unbeatable price. Empire State Building Begin your adventure with express entry to the 86th-floor observation deck of the Empire State Building. Marvel at sweeping 360° views of Manhattan’s skyline and landmarks—from Central Park to the Statue of Liberty. A must-see art deco masterpiece! Circle Line Boat Cruise Cap off your NYC experience with a Circle Line sightseeing cruise—choose between the Liberty Midtown Cruise or the Landmarks Cruise. See the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and One World Trade Center. Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour Next, see New York your way with a flexible 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour on two routes. Ride top-deck for open-air views and enjoy audio commentary in multiple languages. Hop off at must-see spots like Times Square, Wall Street, and the MET—and hop back on whenever you're ready. The free Big Bus app tracks arrival times in real time.
What you get
About this experience
Explore the Big Apple with this top-rated Best of New York bundle—featuring three iconic experiences at one unbeatable price. Empire State Building Begin your adventure with express entry to the 86th-floor observation deck of the Empire State Building. Marvel at sweeping 360° views of Manhattan’s skyline and landmarks—from Central Park to the Statue of Liberty. A must-see art deco masterpiece! Circle Line Boat Cruise Cap off your NYC experience with a Circle Line sightseeing cruise—choose between the Liberty Midtown Cruise or the Landmarks Cruise. See the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and One World Trade Center. Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour Next, see New York your way with a flexible 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour on two routes. Ride top-deck for open-air views and enjoy audio commentary in multiple languages. Hop off at must-see spots like Times Square, Wall Street, and the MET—and hop back on whenever you're ready. The free Big Bus app tracks arrival times in real time.
What's included
Included
- Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise (60-min Liberty Cruise or 90-min Landmarks Cruise)
- Big Bus 48-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour - Downtown and Uptown Loops
- Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation)
- Empire State Building 86th Floor Admission
- Live English guide aboard Circle Line. Audio guides available in additional languages
- Digital commentary in multiple languages aboard Big Bus
Not included
- Food and Drinks
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, pt, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Big Bus Tours - USA
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Circle Line audio guides available: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, and Japanese
- Big Bus audio available: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese
- Circle Line and Empire State Building can be separate days. Select date and time at redemption or visit bigbustours.com/manage-my-booking
- Cruises operate daily from Circle Line Cruises at Pier 83, 42nd Street in Hudson River Park The nearest Big Bus Tours Stop is #12: Circle Line Sightseeing
- Cruise duration is 60 minutes for the Liberty Midtown Cruise or 90 Minutes for the Landmarks Cruise
- Cruises feature an onboard café and full bar, restrooms, outdoor deck space, air conditioning and indoor seating with large windows.
- Guests may activate ticket in two ways: 1. Download and open the Big Bus app. Tap "Add Booking" and enter your booking reference. On the day of travel, open your ticket and press "Activate" then show your activated ticket to the driver at any stop along the route. Plus, use the app for route information and live bus tracking. 2. Redeem voucher and activate with Big Bus staff at 7th Ave & W 48th St (Outside M&Ms World), or with a driver at any stop along the route.
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What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 19 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
19 verified traveler reviews for Empire State Building, Sightseeing Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent
Had a good time and this package your helped us cover all the attractions in limited time
via Tripadvisor
New York expierence
I enjoyed the Empire State Building tour and experience the most. The boat tour really showed off the city but the tour guide was not my favorite. Didn't really use the bus service
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to review our tour!
via Tripadvisor
Great combo for 2 days visit
We had a blast this weekend hosting our friends from Europe and showing them around NYC. The combination of hop on/hop off bus, visit to Empire State Building and the boat tour around Manhattan is amazing for 2 days in the city. We managed to see a lot and our friends learned a lot about the city.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you and your friends had a blast exploring NYC with our hop on/hop off bus, Empire State Building visit, and boat tour. We're glad we could help you make the most of your 2 days in the city. See you again soon!
via Tripadvisor
We were sent the the wrong pier for our liberty tour so we missed our ferry. Very disappointed. We should get a refund.
We missed our Statue of Liberty tour because the bus and staff said it was at pier 16, which it wasn’t . Our tour was at a completely different pier. My daughter and I were really disappointed. We should get a refund for that part of the tour!
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're very sorry to hear that you and your daughter missed your Statue of Liberty tour due to receiving incorrect information about the departure pier. We understand how disappointing and frustrating that must have been, especially when it impacted such an important part of your visit. Providing accurate information is something we take very seriously, and we're sorry that this experience did not meet expectations. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention, as feedback like yours helps us identify areas where we can improve. We encourage you to contact our Customer Service team directly so they can review the details of your booking and assist further regarding your refund request. Ciprian@Big Bus Tours
via Viator
The famous ride around the city..
It was a great tour around the big 🍎 city. My cousin and I really enjoyed watching the beautiful buildings and the many stores. The drivers were very pleasant and courteous. They even remembered the person who asked to be reminded of the stop to get off for a destination. The drivers were safe drivers and we felt safe on the tour..keep up the great work.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you and your cousin had such a great time exploring the Big Apple with us. It's fantastic that you enjoyed taking in the city's beautiful architecture, shops, and iconic sights along the way. We're especially pleased to hear that our drivers were courteous, attentive, and helped make your journey comfortable and memorable. Knowing that you felt safe throughout the tour means a great deal to us. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. We look forward to welcoming you back on board again soon! Ciprian@Big Bus Tours
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- 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 51
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Empire State Building, Sightseeing Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.
How much does Empire State Building, Sightseeing Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus cost?
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Prices start at $99 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Empire State Building, Sightseeing Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus take?
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Plan for about 1.5 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 New York is not rushed.
Is Empire State Building, Sightseeing Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 51 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 19 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Empire State Building, Sightseeing Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus?
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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 Empire State Building, Sightseeing Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Empire State Building, Sightseeing Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus?
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Around 7 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 New York 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 New York and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Empire State Building, Sightseeing Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus 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 New York 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 New York?
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New York has more bookable experiences than any other city on Outty, and the quality spread is brutal. Observation decks are commoditised, so we score them on timed-entry reliability and sunset slots. Food tours and borough walks are where the ranking really separates operators, and the top scores in the city all come from small-group guides. On Outty we rank every New York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown Walking Tour in New York. 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 New York?
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September to early November, and late April through June. 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 New York?
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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 Empire State Building, Sightseeing Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus?
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Included: Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise (60-min Liberty Cruise or 90-min Landmarks Cruise); Big Bus 48-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour - Downtown and Uptown Loops; Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation); Empire State Building 86th Floor Admission; and Live English guide aboard Circle Line. Audio guides available in additional languages. Not included: Food and Drinks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
What languages is Empire State Building, Sightseeing Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus offered in?
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It is offered in German, Portuguese, English, Italian, 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 Empire State Building, Sightseeing Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus?
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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 Empire State Building, Sightseeing Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Transportation options are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Empire State Building, Sightseeing Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in New York. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Empire State Building, Sightseeing Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus?
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Across 19 reviews averaging 4.2 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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