Boston is a legendary city evoking timeless charm and a captivating spirit that offers something for everyone. In this city steeped in history, intellectual curiosity, and academic excellence, you can explore world-class museums, delectable cuisine, and fantastic architecture.
However, a trolley tour offers an incomparable opportunity to explore the rich history that permeates every cobblestone and building facade.
Your expert guides are there to give you a deeper understanding of Boston’s pivotal role in shaping the United States, through these top Boston trolley tours. Let’s jump right in!
Best Trolley Tours in Boston
| Boston Hop-on Hop-off Old Town Trolley Tour | Boston 1.5-Hour Ghosts and Gravestones Tour | Boston Shore Excursion: Boston Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Value Tour | Most Unique Tour | Best Combination Tour | |
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| Departure: | Any of its 14 stops | 200 Atlantic Avenue, Boston | Any of its 14 stops |
| Start: | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Between 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Duration: | All Day | 1.5 hours | All Day |
| Includes: | 1-day or 2-day hop-on, hop-off trolley day tour, live narration, discount to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum | Transportation, live narration by professional tour guide | Trolley tour, narration by professional tour guide, discount to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Boston Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tours For 2024
- Boston Hop-on Hop-off Old Town Trolley Tour
- Boston 1.5-Hour Ghosts and Gravestones Tour
- Boston Shore Excursion: Boston Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour
- Boston to Coastal Maine & Kennebunkport Guided Daytrip with Trolley Tour
- Boston Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour with Harbor Cruise Option
Boston Trolley Tour Reviews
1. Boston Hop-on Hop-off Old Town Trolley Tour
- Duration: All Day
- Departure: Atlantic Avenue at 200 Atlantic Avenue, Boston
- Departure Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Includes: 1-day or 2-day hop-on, hop-off trolley day tour, live narration, discounted entry to the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum
If it’s your first time in Boston, trust me when I say you have to go on a trolley tour! It’s a great way to get a lay of the land quickly, and learn about the main tourist sites so you can select what you’d like to explore further, later in your trip.
The Boston: Hop-on Hop-off Old Town Trolley Tour is one of the best-rated of its kind, with a double-decker bus allowing you to see this wonderful city, no matter the weather conditions.
Hop on a charming orange-and-green Old Town Trolley, that really will make it feel like you’ve gone back hundreds of years, to a simpler time.
Your professional trolley guide will take you through 14 strategically-placed stops throughout the city, regaling tales of the history and other interesting stories, throughout.
Step off at the New England Aquarium, enjoy the historic North End, or pay homage to the USS Constitution at the Charlestown Navy Yard. I personally love hop-on, hop-off tours when it’s my first time in a city as I get to spend as much as I want at every stop.
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Not to mention, you have fun and knowledgeable guides who are there to elaborate on the history and significance behind each one.
For this tour, you get to choose from either a 1-day or 2-day ticket, depending on how extensive you’d like to explore. You’re going to be seeing close to over 100 points of interest in Boston, so be prepared for a lot of sightseeing mixed with trivia and funny stories!
With included maps, you get to see how everything is laid out and can navigate to the special places you have in mind, already. The last stop is at the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, and they even offer you discounted entry because you’re part of the trolley tour!
Overall, this is a really cool way to spend a day or two, without having to walk everywhere.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. Boston 1.5-Hour Ghosts and Gravestones Tour
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Departure: 200 Atlantic Avenue, Boston
- Departure Time: Between 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Includes: Transportation, guide
For a spine-tingling venture into the macabre underbelly of Boston’s past and present, we have the perfect trolley tour for you! Delve into the dark alleyways and corners of this historic city, guided by none other than a 17th-century gravedigger with a penchant for captivating tales.
If that sounds like fun to you, look no further than the Boston: 1.5-Hour Ghosts and Gravestones Tour! I don’t know what it is, but when I’m on the east coast I always have to see what kind of spooky ghost tours are going on.
This tour was absolutely brilliant, with a guide who was not only an expert on the history of Boston, but was also a character actor who perfectly “transported” us to the atmosphere of a few hundred years back.
If you’re looking for chills and thrills (as well as a ton of fun), I can’t recommend this one enough. opp’s Hill was the city’s biggest colonial burying ground, with plenty of important figures laid to rest here.
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Granary is just a year younger, with patriots John Hancock, Paul Revere, James Otis, Samuel Adams, Robert Treat Paine, as well as many notable others buried here!
At some point in the tour, it seems like the veil between the living and dead grows thinner, with the creepy tales really offering insight into how wild life was like back then. I found it a great way to spend an evening, accompanied by brave companions and honestly lots of fun.
If you’d like to learn about a different aspect of Boston, this is one of the best ways to do so.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Boston Shore Excursion: Boston Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour
- Duration: All Day
- Departure: Any of its 14 stops
- Departure Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Includes: Trolley tour, narration by professional tour guide, discount on the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum
Part of the indisputable charm of Boston is its location right on the shore, with the fresh sea breeze offering a gentle reminder of its rich maritime history.
The Boston Shore Excursion: Boston Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour seamlessly combines sea with land, so you don’t miss any part of the history or fun this city has to offer. Named as one of the best tours of its kind by Forbes, you don’t need to take my word for it, either!
I found this excursion to be just as educational as it was entertaining, exploring the top attractions in Boston in one of the most convenient, budget-friendly ways.
Hop on one of the trolleys, sit back, and relax as your guide tells you all kinds of interesting historical accounts about each site you pass. Known as the “Cradle of Liberty”, there’s a neverending supply of new things to learn about its past.
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From the famous USS Constitution and iconic Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, you’ll go through over 20 points of interest. At each one, you can simply hop off and take as much time as you want to explore.
Some of my favorites were stopping at Harvard and the original “Cheers” bar which I wasn’t even aware was in Boston! The trolleys take off every 30 minutes, so you don’t have to feel rushed or like you didn’t get enough time at particular places.
Not only that, but your trolley ticket offers you discounted admission to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, the Old North Church, and a coupon book filled with even more discounts on local attractions.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Boston to Coastal Maine & Kennebunkport Guided Daytrip with Trolley Tour
- Duration: 11 hours
- Departure: Five pickup locations
- Departure Time: 7:30 AM
- Includes: Bottled water, Snacks, Air-conditioned vehicle, Pickup and drop off at one of five strategically located Boston locations
Are you looking for a longer tour or would simply like to spend a day away from the business of Boston?
Perhaps you’ve heard of how incredibly beautiful Maine’s coastline is and would like to see it for yourself. Whatever the case may be, the Boston to Coastal Maine & Kennebunkport Guided Daytrip with Trolley Tour is right up your alley!
This is hands-down one of my favorite tours I’ve ever taken in the United States, with a convenient hotel pickup early in the morning to make the most of the day.
Start off on a journey to what I’d consider one of the most enchanting places in the world: the southern coast of Maine. This day trip is filled with breathtaking coastal vistas, historical insights, and the kind of experience that just takes you back in time when things were simpler.
Hop on a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle and set off with your professional guide who offers educational and entertaining commentary throughout the entire time.
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The first stop of the day will be the iconic Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse, which has been frozen in time by photographers all over the world. Next, explore the enthralling Marginal Way, which stretches over a mile down the coast of the Atlantic Ocean before heading to Perkins Cove.
Once at Perkins Cove, you’ll have plenty of time to check things out at your own pace. I highly recommend going on grabbing some local lunch or go on a lobster boat tour, which is easily one of the most “Maine” things you could do!
Then, head on over to the picturesque town of Kennebunkport, where you’ll enjoy a narrated trolley tour through the charming streets, historic buildings, and lively atmosphere.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Boston Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour with Harbor Cruise Option
- Duration: 2 hours
- Departure: 255 State St, Boston
- Departure Time: All day
- Includes: Add On Optional 60-Minute seasonal Boston Harbor Cruise (seasonal), 1-Day Hop-on hop-off tour of Boston, Live guides on board sharing about the history. people, and stories of Boston
A huge part of the majesty of Boston is its location right on the harbor, which means you simply can’t miss the land or sea on your trolley tour.
The Boston Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour with Harbor Cruise Option is a fantastic way to see it all, especially if you just arrived in the city. With the flexibility to customize your itinerary to include only the stops you’re most interested in, it is one of those “biggest bang for your buck” tours.
When you get to Boston, it can feel a bit overwhelming and confusing to know where to start. With this tour, all you have to do is sit back and relax and let your guide do all the work for you.
Simply tell them what you’re interested in, and they’ll create a tour that’s based around it in the most convenient route in order to maximize your time.
While there’s obviously room for this to change based on your interests, you’ll typically visit 9 of Boston’s top attractions, including the USS Constitution, Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, and Fenway Park.
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The loop lasts anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours, and you’ll have onboard commentary which felt very genuine instead of those scripted, pre-recorded “audio tours” you may have gone on before. If you’re traveling with children, I have to say this is also one of the best tours for younger ones.
As the name suggests, you’ll also have the option to add on a Boston harbor cruise upgrade, which I can’t recommend enough. From here, you’ll soak in unparalleled views of the Boston skyline, the harbor itself, and notable landmarks surrounding the water.
The harbor plays a huge role in United States history, and you’ll get to hear fascinating tales of the city’s revolutionary past, its maritime heritage, and of course, the events which took place here.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
FAQs About Boston Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tours
What Will I See on a Trolley Tour?
Boston Common: The oldest public park in America, where you can stroll among beautiful gardens, statues and fountains. This is also the start of the Freedom Trail. This 2.5-mile walk takes you to 16 historic sites related to the American Revolution.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace: This busy shopping and dining destination is where you can find local crafts and souvenirs. There are also all types of food from international cuisine and street performers. This is also where you can visit the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, there is also interactive attraction that recreates the famous event that sparked the Revolution.
North End: The oldest and most charming neighborhood in Boston, where you can experience the rich Italian heritage and culture. Here you can visit the Old North Church, where Paul Revere signaled the arrival of the British troops, and sample some of the best pizza, pasta and pastries in town.
Seaport District: The newest and most vibrant area of Boston, where you can enjoy stunning views of the harbor and the skyline. Here you can hop off and take a Historic Harbor Cruise, a 45-minute boat ride that showcases the city’s maritime history and landmarks.
Fenway Park: This is one of the oldest stadiums still being used. The Boston Red Sox play here to sold out crowds. You can take a guided tour of the stadium, see the famous Green Monster wall, and learn about the legends and lore of this baseball icon.
How long does a trolley tour take?
To do the full loop on a trolley tour it will take about 2 hours if you stay on board for the entire loop. The beauty of a hop-on hop-off tour is you can hop on and off as often as you like at any of the stops to explore the attractions. The trolleys run every half hour, so you can rejoin the tour whenever you’re ready.
Where can I buy tickets?
You can buy tickets online at GetYourGuide.com or Viator.com. You can also buy tickets at most Boston hotels’ concierge desks.
What is included with a ticket?
A ticket includes unlimited hop on and off access for one day. Most tours also have live narration from expert conductors, a free full color map, and discounts on admission to some of the best attractions in Boston, such as the Historic Harbor Cruise, the Ghosts & Gravestones Tour, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, and more.
Where can I start a tour?
You can start the tour at any stop. Just look for the orange and green trolleys and show your ticket to the conductor.
Can I bring food and drinks on board?
You can bring food and drinks on the trolleys, but alcoholic beverages are not allowed.
Are the tours narrated?
Yes, all trolley tours are narrated in English by knowledgeable and entertaining conductors. They will share with you fascinating facts, stories and tips about Boston’s history, culture and attractions.
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The Old Town Trolley Tour is our Editors Choice for the best Boston Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour
