San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour (Essential) in San Francisco
San Francisco, United States

San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour (Essential)

Outty Ranking 42 4.0 · 200 traveler reviews1 hoursFrom $78

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

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Children

Age 12 and under

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From, per person$78
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Outty Ranking

42/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.0/5

Based on 200 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour (Essential) worth booking?

San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour (Essential) is a 1-hour experience in San Francisco, United States, from $78 per person. It scores 42 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 4/5 rating across 200 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
42 / 100
Rating
4/5 (200)
Duration
1 hours
From
$78 per person

See the best of San Francisco with Hop on Hop off Bus Tours. Our open-top sightseeing tours will introduce you to all the city's must-see sights, with stops conveniently located at iconic landmarks and attractions. Your

What you get

    About this experience

    See the best of San Francisco with Hop on Hop off Bus Tours. Our open-top sightseeing tours will introduce you to all the city's must-see sights, with stops conveniently located at iconic landmarks and attractions. Your flexible ticket allows you to hop on and hop off the bus as much as you like, so you can enjoy the freedom to stay for a few snaps, or immerse yourself for hours. Your ticket is valid for 2 day unlimited use from 10am to 5pm. Stop #1 is located at 99 Jefferson st, San Francisco.

    What's included

    Included

    • Bike rental offer
    • Audio tour in multiple languages
    • Sunset tour
    • 2-day pass for unlimited use
    • Free mobile tracking app
    • Flexible ticket

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
    Languages
    de, pt, ko, cmn, ja, yue, en, it, fr, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    San Francisco Tours & Activities

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour (Essential) in San Francisco, photo 2San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour (Essential) in San Francisco, photo 3San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour (Essential) in San Francisco, photo 4San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour (Essential) in San Francisco, photo 5

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 200 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    4 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Good for families

    2 mentions

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    Traveler reviews

    200 verified traveler reviews for San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour (Essential). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    113
    4 star
    34
    3 star
    21
    2 star
    10
    1 star
    22
    Sort
    HelenS180 · August 2026

    A must do but bring a warm jacket for the cold ocean wind.

    So much fun! This is a must do for visitors. Very reasonably priced for a two hour loop around the city, over the bridge and back. Dress warm, the cold wind over the bay is vicious! We hopped off in Chinatown/North Beach to walk around, it was easy to find our pick up place with the app we downloaded. The audio guide was helpful.

    via Tripadvisor

    Elijah598 · July 2026

    Waste of money and time and physically painful.

    My opinions - So, it was a little late in the day - 2:30 - and we got a reduced fare, as we were told the last tour ended around 6:00 p.m. We waited about 45 minutes for the first bus to pick us up at the fisherman's wharf. Frankly, the driver/tour guide was way too loud and obnoxious to us. We had to get off after two stops because we could not stand the noise and a couple of other passengers did the same. We waited about 45 minutes for another bus, and we were told it was the last bus of the day. The driver did not give the tour - it was tape recorded but actually gave us some interesting information. However, the bus physically was on its last legs. If it had shock absorbers, they were not working. Not very clean either. We bounced along trying to listen to the tape for the next 12 or so stops, just to get back to the wharf which was nearer to our hotel. We have been on hop on hop off tours in Europe which were ok. This was just a waste of money and time and physically painful.

    via Tripadvisor

    Patrick_S · July 2026

    Okay, but but from the company direct.

    The ride was great to get all the landmarks in and get around the city, the instructions left much to be desired…from a lack of communication to differences in confirmation codes between one company and the other other…the driver on our bus did his part and was really good to help us…prob would not buy online in the future.

    via Viator

    mercer_hailey · June 2026

    10/10!

    Absolutely worth it to get a lay of the land! You get to see the financial district, shopping areas, the bay, pier 39, go across the golden gate and back- and it’s SO windy up top! The audio option helps get more info, they provide headphones, and a pamphlet. Easy to book, worth the money, and it takes about 3ish hours but flies by! Also beware sun burn if riding up top

    via Tripadvisor

    desireesN5694HI · June 2026

    Fun in San Francisco

    Had a great time. Saw lots of sites. Hop on hop off was and excellent way to see the city.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    1 hours
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Booked in 30 days
    70
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 42

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)32
    Review evidence (18% weight)69
    Booking momentum (14% weight)64
    Value for money (12% weight)23
    Listing quality (10% weight)77
    Local standing (8% weight)0
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour (Essential): questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Francisco.

    How much does San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour (Essential) cost?

    +

    Prices start at $78 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in San Francisco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour (Essential) 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 San Francisco is not rushed.

    Is San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour (Essential) worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 42 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 200 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in San Francisco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour (Essential)?

    +

    No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.

    Is San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour (Essential) 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 San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour (Essential)?

    +

    Around 70 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco and add a light layer if any part of the 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour (Essential) 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco?

    +

    San Francisco packs Alcatraz, Muir Woods, Napa and the bay into day-trip range, which makes booking order matter more than anywhere else in the US. Alcatraz sells out weeks ahead, wine-country vans fill on weekends, and the best food walks in the Mission and Chinatown cap at a dozen people. Our ranking favours small groups and guides who live in the neighbourhood they walk. On Outty we rank every San Francisco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge Muir Woods Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz, Chinatown, North Beach, Little Italy: 7 Tastings & History. 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 San Francisco?

    +

    September and October, the city's real summer, once the fog season breaks. 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 San Francisco?

    +

    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.

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