
Manchester: Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour
Traveler rating
3.9/5
Based on 40 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Manchester: Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour worth booking?
Manchester: Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour is a 1.3-hour experience in Manchester, United Kingdom, from $20 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.9/5 rating across 40 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 3.9/5 (40)
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- From
- $20 per person
Renowned throughout the world as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester has a proud history in science, music, arts and sport. Discover the city’s heritage and how it has grown to be the progressive hub it is today with the Sightseeing Manchester tour! When you hop onto the Open-Top Bus Tour, you can enjoy some of the city’s most famous and loved sights. From Manchester United Football Club to the Museum of Science and Industry, you will be an expert on Manchester by the time the tour is over! Whether you are visiting the UK from overseas or simply fancy a trip to Manchester, our tours are enjoyable, informative and engaging. With English commentary by Lord of the Rings and Lost actor Dominic Monaghan.
What you get
About this experience
Renowned throughout the world as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester has a proud history in science, music, arts and sport. Discover the city’s heritage and how it has grown to be the progressive hub it is today with the Sightseeing Manchester tour! When you hop onto the Open-Top Bus Tour, you can enjoy some of the city’s most famous and loved sights. From Manchester United Football Club to the Museum of Science and Industry, you will be an expert on Manchester by the time the tour is over! Whether you are visiting the UK from overseas or simply fancy a trip to Manchester, our tours are enjoyable, informative and engaging. With English commentary by Lord of the Rings and Lost actor Dominic Monaghan.
What's included
Included
- On-board Commentary
- Audio Guide
- Round-trip by open-top sightseeing bus
Not included
- On-board restrooms
- On-board WiFi
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Sightseeing Bus Tours
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 40 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 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
40 verified traveler reviews for Manchester: Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great route taken but...
Great route taken but commentary not always clear. Wet seats limited seating area, could have provided something to dry them off
via Viator
Fantastic
Brilliant 90 minutes tour really informative and easy to hear on the audio . We saw all the sights and lots of information was given. Great way to get around and so good we could get on and off at any stops . Peter the driver gave us a great experience. Thank you
via Tripadvisor
We enjoyed the bus ride...
We enjoyed the bus ride going through the main parts of Manchester, specifically covering city centre.
via Viator
Manchester sightseeing
Very happy with the trip! Was lucky with the weather aswell.
via Tripadvisor
Great trip
Amazing guide and luckily good weather
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 14
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Manchester: Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Manchester.
How much does Manchester: Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour cost?
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Prices start at $20 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Manchester usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Manchester: Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour take?
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Plan for about 1.3 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 Manchester is not rushed.
Is Manchester: Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.9/5 across 40 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Manchester, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Manchester: Sightseeing Open-Top 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 Manchester: Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Manchester: Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour?
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Around 14 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 Manchester 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 Manchester and add a light layer if any part of the 1.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Manchester: Sightseeing Open-Top 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 Manchester 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 Manchester?
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On Outty we rank every Manchester experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Manchester Afternoon Walking Tour with local guide Gareth, Alcotraz Prison Cocktail Experience in Manchester, Step Inside the Game Show–The Crystal Maze Experience Manchester. 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 Manchester?
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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 Manchester?
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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 Manchester: Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour?
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Included: On-board Commentary; Audio Guide; and Round-trip by open-top sightseeing bus. Not included: On-board restrooms; and On-board WiFi. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
What languages is Manchester: Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. 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 Manchester: Sightseeing Open-Top Bus 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 Manchester: Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible; and Transportation options are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Manchester: Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Manchester. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Manchester: Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour?
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Across 40 reviews averaging 3.9 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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