New York City is one of the most amazing cities in the world, and as “the city that never sleeps”, there are virtually endless activities to participate in. While this certainly makes for a top tourist destination, it can also make it challenging to know where to start.

You’ll wonder what’s worth seeing, are you going to be able to see everything you want, and will you have to rely on subways and walking? These are all normal thoughts to have when first visiting the Big Apple, and the answer to it all is: an NYC bus tour.

I’ve gone ahead and detailed the 5 top NYC bus tours out there, that are well worth your time and money! Let’s jump right in.

Be sure to see our reviews of NYC Dinner Cruises, Helicopter Rides and Statue of Liberty Tours.

Best New York City Bus Tours

	New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour	NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Contrasts, Color and Character	Boroughs of NYC: Harlem, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn & Coney Island
Location:	770 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019	840 8th Ave, New York, NY 1009	109 E 42nd St., New York, NY 10170
Start:	9:00 or 10:00 AM	9:00 AM	8:30 AM
Duration:	5 hours (approx)	6 hours	7 hours
Includes:	Expert local tour guide narrative, bottled water on buses, State Island Ferry	Bus ride through 4 of NYC’s boroughs, local expert guide, stories from each borough, photo ops at Unisphere, murals, and Brooklyn Bridge	Guide exclusively in English, transportation from meeting point with shared tour, visit to the beach
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 5 Best Bus Tours of New York City for 2024

1. New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour
2. NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Contrasts, Color and Character
3. Boroughs of NYC: Harlem, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn & Coney Island
4. New York Night Tour: Open Top Bus Tour by TopView
5. Big Bus New York: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

Best NYC Bus Tour Reviews

1.  New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

This was literally the first thing I ever did in New York City – after I took the Uber from the airport to my hotel in the morning, I had to wait for check-in time. I knew that the best way to see the city was by vehicle, and I was fortunate to come across this one.

The New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour was 6 hours long, which was exactly the length of time I had before I could check in!

I walked on over to 7^th Ave as the rest of my group arrived, so we could be greeted by our guide and boarded our bus for the half-day. The bus was quite large but clearly very well-maintained, with comfortable seats, air-conditioning, and a good sound system to hear the guide on.

They also had bottled water for us, and charging ports should you happen to have your phone charger on you (highly recommend bringing it along as you’re going to take a ton of photos).

Our guide was a former actor who had performed on Broadway, and had the best personality for sharing fun facts and background about various places throughout the city in an entertaining way. It was perfect for getting a lay of the land and seeing the most popular sites in a convenient way.

We saw the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, went on the ferry, got off the bus to see the Rockefeller Center and 9/11 Memorial, walked through Central Park, and much more.

I loved the balance of bus time and walking time, with a break to grab lunch around the Rockefeller Center and plenty of time at the 9/11 Memorial to really take in the impact of what happened. I can’t recommend this tour enough for first-time visitors!

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

2. NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Contrasts, Color and Character

This is a unique tour that is perfect for seeing beyond the iconic skyline or to all the most popular tourist spots. If you’ve already seen those most famous landmarks, know that there’s so much more to explore – and you’ll get to see it on the NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Contrasts, Color and Character tour.

For the price, it really is one of those best bang for your buck experiences where you get a lot for an affordable price. Our bus for the day was comfortable and with big windows that made it ideal for sightseeing.

This was one that truly exceeded my expectations, and is a tour I can confidently say offers something for everyone, of any age and background. Our tour guide was super fun and professional, sharing entertaining stories while expertly navigating the narrow streets seamlessly.

The first time I went to NYC, I didn’t explore a whole lot outside of Manhattan and the “main” spots, but we really got to see more this time. Seeing the Apollo Theater while learning about Harlem’s black history was quite interesting, as well as the legendary Yankee Stadium.

I had a great time exploring the Bronx, which I found out is the birthplace of hip-hop, with plenty of insight into local life I hadn’t gotten from Manhattan.

Queens really is the melting pot of the city, and I learned a ton about local cuisine here, checking out the bustling markets and different restaurants.

One of my favorite parts was stopping for lunch at Bushwick Collective Street Art, where we enjoyed delicious food and soaked up some fantastic murals and other types of creative expressions. Finish it up with a visit to Brooklyn Bridge Park and Little Italy for some amazing photo ops!

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

3.  Boroughs of NYC: Harlem, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn & Coney Island

Set off on a fun and fascinating journey through New York City’s most captivating, dynamic neighborhoods for insight into how locals really live.

The Boroughs of NYC: Harlem, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn & Coney Island tour shows you that authentic New York experience full of different cultures and stories. With a well-informed, entertaining local guide there to lead the way, this enriching day is one you’re sure to not forget.

The only part of the tour I’ll say that I didn’t absolutely love was that meeting up with our bus in the morning was a bit confusing, so make sure you’re on the right corner they indicate.

For this reason, I’d recommend taking them up on their option to get picked up at YOUR preferred location for no extra cost. We had a comfortable bus with plenty of room and a great sound system to hear our guide on, making sightseeing a breeze without having to walk everywhere.

Just like with the previous tour, we got to see top attractions like the Apollo Theater, where we made a stop to really explore it and hear our guide’s in-depth educational commentary on the history of the theater and entire Harlem borough.

Next up, we headed over to Bronx where we saw the neighborhood, complete with Yankee Stadium, the stunning Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, murals, and more.

In Queens, things felt a bit more relaxed as we enjoyed Flushing Meadows Corona Park and the Koscuiuszko Bridge, crossing it over into Brooklyn where we saw the trendy Williamsburg and Crown Heights.

There’s the option to add on Coney Island (which I highly recommend), where you’ll get to stroll the legendary boardwalk, take in the amazing view of Luna Park, and enjoy lunch at the infamous Nathan’s restaurant.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

4.  New York Night Tour: Open Top Bus Tour by TopView®

While I don’t think I’m alone in saying that New York City is stunning at any time of day, it really does come alive at night. Once the sun sets, the City of Lights really shines, with all the buildings becoming illuminated against the night sky.

This is my favorite part of NYC, but it isn’t ideal for walking around as with most big cities at night, and most tours don’t operate in the evening: that’s where the New York Night Tour: Open Top Bus Tour by TopView comes in.

Clocking in at 1.5 hours long, this tour is perfect before or after dinner plans, or if you have a packed schedule and can’t fit in a longer one. There are a few different pickup times, but all are easy to access so that shouldn’t be a challenge for you at all.

Once we arrived, we met with our fun and friendly guide and boarded the comfortable double-decker bus! The bus was an open top which makes it feel like you’re more “connected” to the city, feeling the breeze through your hair, listening to all the sounds of NYC, and benefiting from truly unobstructed views.

The thrilling route through the heart of Manhattan is simply breathtaking, with incomparable views of Times Square, both Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, and the Manhattan skyline.

You get to choose between the live tour (which we selected with a real guide), or the audio tour with complimentary headphones. I recommend the latter, as you can ask all the questions you want, learn some extra fun facts, and get some insider tips from a local!

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5.  Big Bus New York: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

If you’re looking to explore New York City in a way that balances flexibility, convenience, and a whole ton of fun and learning, look no further!

The Big Bus New York: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus is your key to the city, offering a look into the electric vibes and history that few other experiences offer. If it’s your first time in NYC and you have a packed schedule or simply want to set your own rules, this is the tour for you.

Our bus was super comfortable and easy to move around, with plenty of leg room and completely unobstructed views. I have to comment that the driver was absolutely amazing, navigating the city with obvious expertise, offering educational commentary along the way as we passed each of the different landmarks.

You get to select which route works best for what you’re interested in: either the downtown loop, the uptown loop, or both. You get to choose when you get on and off the bus, and to make sure you know exactly when the bus is coming, you can download the Big Bus app.

It’s a great way to visit all the main attractions in the city in a relatively short period of time without having to walk around or worry if you’re going to see everything you want to.

The audio for highlights and fun facts only added to the experience, and if we were particularly interested in something we could get off and explore – perfect for seeing the city at your leisure!

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

Your Guide to Visiting New York City

• Airports & Entry
• Planning Tips
• Restaurants & Eating Out
• Nightlife & Entertainment
• Getting Around
• Accommodations
• Weather

Airports & Entry

There are three airports in New York City: John F Kennedy International Airport, La Guardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport.

To get from the JFK Airport to the city, take the AirTrain, which links to the subway, and will take you to Manhattan in one hour by the cost of $2,75. Or use the service of an express bus to Grand Central Terminal or Port Authority, which takes 1,5 hours and costs $18.

You can also take a taxi from the taxi dispatch booths or use services, such as Uber. The flat taxi fare is $52, excluding tolls, tips, and rush hour surcharge.

La Guardia is the closest airport to Manhattan, and still, least accessible by public transport. You can take an express bus #Q70, which will bring you to the 74^th St – Broadway metro station, and will cost you $15. Or take a cab, which will cost approximately $34 – $53, excluding tolls and tips.

From Newark Liberty Airport, take the AirTrain to Newark Airport train station, and then, take any train to New York Penn Station for $13. Taxi fares range from $60 to $80, excluding tolls and tips.

Planning Tips

You should promptly consider your plans for the Big Apple, before you pack your luggage. Are you going for a picnic in the Central Park? Are you planning to visit a musical, an opera, or a theatre performance? Are you going to dine in a luxury top-end restaurant on the Fifth?

Consider all your wants and needs for your trip to New York, not only to pack everything you might need, but also to get tickets in advance. Keep in mind, the most popular places and events can be highly overbooked during the high season (summer, vacation time, and during the holiday season).

Restaurants & Eating Out

New York City might have its disadvantages, but you’ll never get hungry in the Big Apple, that’s for sure. Countless cafes, bars, bistros, and restaurants cater for every taste and budget. Italian, Asian, Middle Eastern, Greek, French, Mexican – the variety of cuisines available is outstanding.

From small family cafes to large international restaurant chains, from fast food to luxury “haute couture” cuisine, from street food of all kinds to extravagant restaurants with huge booking lists. To get the best taste of NYC, we would recommend taking a guided NYC food tour.

Whatever plans you have for the Big Apple, you definitely can’t leave without trying these typical New York foods and drinks:

If you are on a budget, don’t miss the markets: Chelsea and Fulton 55, where you can find all kinds of New York street food, as well as numerous budget cafes. To get the best taste of NYC, we would recommend taking a guided NYC food tour.

Nightlife & Entertainment

New bars and clubs open and close in New York City all the time. Every district is filled with night entertainment facilities. If you are in Manhattan, head to Greenwich Village. There are plenty of places, popular with locals, mostly NYU students. Chelsea and Lower East Side are other popular nightlife spots in the heart of the Big Apple. However, if you are staying in Brooklyn, Queens, or Staten Island, don’t worry, you won’t feel the lack of sparkling New York nightlife.

New York City has the name of the world capital of jazz, and it is probably true. The city has expired many world famous jazz musicians in the past, and nowadays, it has countless settings, where you can listen to good jazz music, while enjoying a drink with your friends or a date.

Probably, the most famous jazz club in the world is the Blue Note in Greenwich Village. And the Village Vanguard, which dates back to 1935, is another popular spot in the district for jazz admirers. However, if you can’t afford such top-end places, take a look at Smalls or Fat Cat, situated also in Greenwich Village, just a block from each other, which keep their charges quite reasonable.

Salsa, although originates from Cuba, also draws numerous dance lovers to New York City clubs. If you find yourself into passionate Afro-Caribbean rhythms, head to Copacabana, the best-known Latin dance club dating back to 1940’s, situated right next to Times Square, El Morocco in Spanish Harlem, or Iguana in West Midtown.

As for classical entertainment, Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall, along with Broadway theaters are the main venues you should head towards. Opera, ballet, music shows, and concerts of all kinds will suit any cultural taste and budget.

And, of course, most New Yorkers tend to be passionate sports fans. Baseball, basketball, hockey teams – you have a wide list to choose from. Join the locals in one of the games, pick your favorite, and don’t forget to buy souvenirs during a break.

Getting Around

New York City has an extended system of public transportation, which includes subway, buses, commuter rail, and ferries. The terrible stories about New York City subway crimes are mostly in the past. However, you should still be careful, when traveling alone at night: don’t flash your valuables in public, use crowded stations, and try to be around people all the time.

Yellow cabs are as much the symbol of New York City, as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. They are numerous, reasonably priced, and comfortable. To get a cab, all you need to do is stand close to the road and raise your arm. However, if you are in a hurry, it may be wiser to go underground, due to heavy traffic, especially during rush hours.

Accommodations

New York City has some of the most expensive accommodations in the world. Be prepared to pay a minimum of $100 – $200 for a hotel room and, at least, $50 for a bed in a hostel in Manhattan. However, Manhattan is not the only district in New York. You can find much cheaper accommodation in Long Island City, Queens, Brooklyn, or New Jersey. Cheaper fares are also available during January and February, in the end of August, and on Sundays.

Typically, the room fare is claimed without taxes. All New York State and New York City taxes add up to approximately 15%. So, be prepared to pay more on arrival, than the amount on the booking.

Weather

New York City generally experiences cold winters, wet springs, hot humid summers, and cool dry autumns. In winter, the temperature can decrease to -18^oC and during the summer, be prepared for the temperature to go up to 38^oC sometimes. Snowstorms are regular during the winter months, but the snow rarely lies longer, than for a couple of days. Also, tropical storms can hit the city during summer time and in September. So, keep that in mind.

Attractions

The Big Apple is never short on attractions to keep tourists busy from sun up to sun down. The Empire State Building is one of the most popular attractions as you are able to see the New York skyline from the observation deck. The Statue of Liberty is not to be missed. If you find yourself in Central Park, there are plenty of food vendors and even free activities to enjoy. If you want to take in a show, be sure to hit Broadway, and if music is your thing, there’s always the Radio City Music Hall.