Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, Arlington Audio Tour, & Optional Sunset Tour
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.5/5
Based on 4,020 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, Arlington Audio Tour, & Optional Sunset Tour worth booking?
Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, Arlington Audio Tour, & Optional Sunset Tour is a 1-hour experience in Washington DC, United States, from $39 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.5/5 rating across 4,020 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 54 / 100
- Rating
- 3.5/5 (4,020)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $39 per person
Explore Washington, D.C. with the Official Tour of the National Mall. As the National Park Service's authorized concessionaire, Big Bus takes you closer to the city's iconic monuments and memorials, with a portion of eve
What you get
About this experience
Explore Washington, D.C. with the Official Tour of the National Mall. As the National Park Service's authorized concessionaire, Big Bus takes you closer to the city's iconic monuments and memorials, with a portion of every ticket supporting their preservation. Hop on and off at 18 stops to create your own itinerary and discover landmarks such as the White House, Lincoln Memorial, and U.S. Capitol at your own pace. Enjoy panoramic views from an open-top double-decker bus while listening to engaging digital commentary. Your ticket also includes access to three self-guided audio walking tours of Arlington National Cemetery, the Tidal Basin, and Georgetown. 48-hour and 72-hour tickets also include the Georgetown Shuttle, making it easy to explore the historic waterfront, boutique shops, and charming streets of one of D.C.'s most vibrant neighborhoods.
What's included
Included
- Open-top Double-decker buses with two routes and 18 convenient stops
- Big Bus Tours app for city information and live bus tracking
- Official Tour Provider of the National Mall - a portion of every ticket goes to preservation
- Georgetown Shuttle (included with 48 & 72-hour tickets)
- 24/48/72hr Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour
- Digital commentary aboard hop-on hop-off bus with headphones provided
- Professional audio-guided walking tours of Arlington Cemetery, Tidal Basin, and Georgetown
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options you can book
48hr Ticket - Red & Blue Loops
48hr Hop-on Hop-off Tour Audio Guided Walking Tour: choice of Arlington Cemetery, Tidal Basin and Georgetown tours Free Oval Office Replica Photo Georgetown Shuttle
24hr Ticket & 7PM Sunset Tour
24hr Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Red and Blue Loops Audio Guided Walking Tour: choice of Arlington Cemetery, Tidal Basin and Georgetown tours 2hr Sunset Tour with Guide
48hr Ticket & 7PM Sunset Tour
48hr Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Red and Blue Loops Audio Guided Walking Tour: choice of Arlington Cemetery, Tidal Basin and Georgetown tours 2hr Sunset Tour with Guide
24hr Ticket - Red & Blue Loops
24hr Hop-on Hop-off Tour Audio Guided Walking Tour: choice of Arlington Cemetery, Tidal Basin and Georgetown tours Free Oval Office Replica Photo
24hr Ticket - Blue Loop Only
24hr Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Blue Loop (7 Stops): Go beyond the National Mall with a route that includes the White House, Arlington Cemetery, and more Audio Guided Walking Tour: choice of Arlington Cemetery, Tidal Basin and Georgetown tours
72hr Ticket & 7PM Sunset Tour
72hr Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Red and Blue Loops Audio Guided Walking Tour: choice of Arlington Cemetery, Tidal Basin and Georgetown tours 2hr Sunset Tour with Guide
72hr Ticket - Red & Blue Loops
72hr Hop-on Hop-off Tour Audio Guided Walking Tour: choice of Arlington Cemetery, Tidal Basin and Georgetown tours Free Oval Office Replica Photo Georgetown Shuttle
24hr Ticket - Red Loop Only
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
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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
- Complimentary shuttle services from city hotels to Stop #1 available at select times - please view ticket voucher for exact times.
- Free Oval Office Commemorative Photo: Present your ticket at White House Gifts (701 15th ST NW) to receive a free Oval Office digital photo. One photo per ticket.
- Choice of audio guide tours includes Arlington Cemetery, Tidal Basin, and Georgetown neighborhood. Guests 18 and older must provide valid photo ID to enter Arlington Cemetery.
- Download the Big Bus Tours app to access and activate your ticket, track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.
- Red Loop (Iconic DC Highlights): discover the best of DC with the National Mall, Smithsonian museums, and world-famous monuments. It’s the perfect choice for first-time visitors who want to see the city’s most recognizable landmarks in one seamless tour
- Blue Loop (White House & Beyond): go deeper into the capital with the White House, Arlington National Cemetery, and key areas beyond the Mall. Ideal for travelers looking to experience a fuller picture of DC.
- Guests may redeem tickets via Big Bus app or in person at Stop #6 L’Enfant Plaza & International Spy Museum (475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, across from Spy Museum in front of US Postal Headquarters). Please note that Stop #1 Washington Monument is currently not accessible.
- The Georgetown Shuttle operates daily every 1–1.5 hours from 10:15 AM to 5:15 PM, with a full loop taking approximately 45–60 minutes. Please present your digital or printed ticket before boarding.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4,020 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
4,020 verified traveler reviews for Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, Arlington Audio Tour, & Optional Sunset Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Not punctual, not reliable
The NASCAR car race was on the day and they had to amalgamate the loops. should have informed us prior to this, no intimation at all. We were waiting at the Hyatt for 1.5 hours along with other people and the bus did not show up at all. The hotel staff said that it stopped there and had the stop timings, though the bus did not show up. Wouldnot recommend this at all
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are very sorry to hear about your experience and understand how frustrating it must have been to wait for an extended period at the Hyatt stop without any bus arriving. We also appreciate how disappointing it would be to discover that route changes had been made due to the NASCAR event without receiving clear advance communication. Special events and road closures can sometimes require operational adjustments, but we recognize that customers should be informed of these changes as early and clearly as possible so they can plan accordingly. We regret that this did not happen in your case and that you, along with other guests, were left waiting without accurate information. Your comments regarding the lack of updates and the disruption to the normal route structure are very important to us. We will share this feedback with our operations team to review how service changes and event-related disruptions are communicated to customers in the future. Thank you again for bringing this to our attention. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused. Flavius@BigBusTours
via Viator
Bus tour
My honest review is C minus There was no a/c in the first floor and on top the where a few earphones plug working I see better services
via Tripadvisor
Let down again by net booking
Unfortunately for us - The Indy car race was being held the weekend after our tour. Sadly this was not mentioned at any time during the booking process. An overwhelming number of the stops were closed due to roadworks and traffic diversions. Also my wife is in a wheelchair, so we hd to stay on bottom of bus - not an issue - but no AC on the bus was trial to endure. Overall - we saw all things as promised, but the tour was difficult.
via Tripadvisor
Great value, great staff and great way to see all the sites.
Great staff, the pick up points for both red & blue routes were easy to find. All staff were friendly and welcoming even in the excessive heat. Shout out to the tour operator organiser at the pick up who explained about tours and when next buses were coming and where to get on & off. Fabulous tours of all the Washington sites. The commentary was informative but may not be for everyone. We used 2 day bus pass to see all the sites. Day 2 we decided which places we wanted to hop off. Ie Lincoln memorial, Arlington cemetery, White house, Smithsonian museums. The only improvement is some buses lacked any air conditioning for passengers & drivers. Which would have been nice as it was 37c. Great value, great staff and great way to see all the sites.
via Tripadvisor
Unreliable and unconcerned.
Purchased a 3 day pass on the morning of 08/11/2026, we found that the schedule was inconsistent, the stop locations were hard to find. On the second day we waited for an 1hr 15min at the Air and Space Museum, during this time their competitor, The Trolley Bus came and went 3 times. When we were picked up, the manager informed us that we missed the last bus tour and the bus would only take us to their office. It was 4:40pm and we were told at the time of purchase the bus ran until 6pm. We tried to contact the company, but their telephone number was down, and no one was available at their office. If your sight seeing time is unlimited, and you want to wait over an hour in the heat, and then have your concerns ignored this is the company for you.
via Tripadvisor
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
- $39 to $99
- Booked in 30 days
- 1,407
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 54
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, Arlington Audio Tour, & Optional Sunset Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Washington DC.
How much does Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, Arlington Audio Tour, & Optional Sunset Tour cost?
+
Prices start at $39 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 Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, Arlington Audio Tour, & Optional Sunset Tour take?
+
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 Washington DC is not rushed.
Is Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, Arlington Audio Tour, & Optional Sunset Tour worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.5/5 across 4,020 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Washington DC, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, Arlington Audio Tour, & Optional Sunset Tour?
+
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 Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, Arlington Audio Tour, & Optional Sunset Tour suitable for kids and families?
+
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 Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, Arlington Audio Tour, & Optional Sunset Tour?
+
Around 1,407 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?
+
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 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, Arlington Audio Tour, & Optional Sunset Tour start and how do I get there?
+
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?
+
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 Small-Group Sightseeing Experience, Washington DC "See the City" Guided Sightseeing Segway Tour, Arlington Cemetery Small-Group Tour & Changing of the Guards. 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?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, Arlington Audio Tour, & Optional Sunset Tour.
Pick your date
