Hop on Hop off Bus Tours in New Orleans
New Orleans, a vibrant city located on the Mississippi River in the US State of Louisiana, is a true cultural melting pot. Best known for its numerous festivals, live music scene and Creole and Cajun food, New Orleans has its own distinctive atmosphere. French, African and American history reflect in the city’s culture, traditions, spirituality and architecture. A hop-on hop-off bus tour is one of the best ways to get a look at the many aspects of the city nicknamed the “Big Easy”. Fixed routes and multiple stops allow you to hop off at the locations you’d like to visit and then board one of the many buses that travel the route at scheduled times. With so much to see, this way of sightseeing lets you discover New Orleans independently, and at your own pace without the hassle of driving. Live guides, regular stops and add-on sightseeing make New Orleans hop-on hop-off bus tours great value for money. Even better, you can choose the ticket that suits you and your sightseeing needs best.
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New Orleans, a vibrant city located on the Mississippi River in the US State of Louisiana, is a true cultural melting pot. Best known for its numerous festivals, live music scene and Creole and Cajun food, New Orleans has its own distinctive atmosphere. French, African and American history reflect in the city’s culture, traditions, spirituality and architecture.
A hop-on hop-off bus tour is one of the best ways to get a look at the many aspects of the city nicknamed the “Big Easy”. Fixed routes and multiple stops allow you to hop off at the locations you’d like to visit and then board one of the many buses that travel the route at scheduled times.
With so much to see, this way of sightseeing lets you discover New Orleans independently, and at your own pace without the hassle of driving. Live guides, regular stops and add-on sightseeing make New Orleans hop-on hop-off bus tours great value for money. Even better, you can choose the ticket that suits you and your sightseeing needs best.
Read on for your guide to hop-on hop-off bus tours, one of the best options for sightseeing in New Orleans.
What are the best New Orleans hop-on hop-off bus tours? What are their prices?
There are a number of sightseeing coach tours offered in New Orleans, but City Sightseeing in the only hop-on hop-off tour bus operator.
City Sightseeing New Orleans
Hop-on hop-off bus tours in New Orleans are run by City Sightseeing New Orleans. City Sightseeing operate internationally and are experts in curating optimal sightseeing routes in their various locations.
Route
In New Orleans, there is one bus route that passes by the top attractions and landmarks in the city. The route is a continuous loop and stops at the following locations:
- Jackson Square
- French Market
- Marigny Bywater
- Treme
- Basin St Station Visitor Information Centre
- Canal Street
- Riverfront Creole Queen
- Central Business District
- Louisiana Superdome
- National WWII Museum
- Magazine Street
- Garden District
- St. Charles Avenue 1
- St. Charles Avenue 2
- Convention Center
- Arts District
- Vue Orleans/Harrah’s Casino
- Canal Place
You can begin your touring at any of the stops along the bus route. The iconic Café Du Mond has been serving coffee and beignets since 1862 and is located close to Jackson Square, the starting point of the route. Frenchmen Street is a must if you are a Jazz aficionado, with a long history as a live music location.
The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas isn’t too far from the winding Mississippi River, where you can catch a glimpse or take a ride on the Creole Queen paddleboat. The immersive National World War II Museum, Bourbon Street, and the Louisiana Children’s Museum are located along the route and just some of the places you can include as stops on the day.
Timetable
The hop-on hop-off buses run daily from 09:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with buses arriving at each stop at approximately 25-minute intervals. If you would like to return to any specific stop at the end of your touring, it is recommended to be on the bus by no later than 4 PM as a full loop takes 1 hour 30 minutes.
You can download an app for your smartphone for free that includes a complete timetable including stops and the route. You can visit the New Orleans City Sightseeing website, or search for “City Sightseeing New Orleans” in your app store.
Tickets
City Sightseeing offers three types of tickets for the New Orleans hop-on hop-off bus. Tickets are valid from the first date of the ticket for 1, 2 or 3 consecutive days depending on the type of ticket bought.
1-Day hop-on hop-off
A 1-day hop-on hop-off ticket is the most basic ticket type and allows you unlimited rides for the period of validity. As an added bonus, various discounts along the route are also discounts to hop-on hop-off bus ticket holders.
Ticket prices for adults are US$46 while children age 3 to 12 years old pay US$10 each. Tickets are discounted to US$43 for seniors over 65 years and members of the military. Children aged 0-2 ride free of charge.
2-Tour Experience Package
The 2-tour experience includes a guided Garden District walking tour and costs US$51 for adults and US$15 for children aged 3 to 12 years. Tickets are valid for two consecutive days and seniors over 65 years and members of the military pay US$48 each. Infants aged 2 years and younger do not pay for a ticket.
The Grand 3-Day 3-Tour Unlimited Package
The Ultimate hop-on hop-off experience in New Orleans offers 3 consecutive days of bus rides and includes guided Garden District and French Quarter walking tours. These tickets cost US$59 for adults, $20 for children age 3-12 years and US$56 for seniors and military personnel. As for the other ticket types, infants from birth to 2 years old can join for free.
Special offers and promotions may be available online, so remember to book your ticket in advance.
How do hop-on hop-off bus tours in New Orleans work? What is included?
Hop-on hop-off bus tours in New Orleans are ideal for independent travelers who do not want to deal with the hassle of a rental car and who would like to benefit from the expertise of local guides. You start your trip at any of the stops on the loop and can hop on and off the bus throughout the day. Buses pass the stops at 30-minute intervals, ensuring that you are not left waiting.
The open-top buses give you a great view of the city, and in cooler weather you can choose to sit downstairs. Live guides give interesting commentary about the history and contemporary lifestyle of the city. You can opt for a 2-day tour that includes a guided Garden District walking tour, or choose a 3-day ticket which also adds a French Quarter walking tour to the package.
A bus tracking app can be downloaded for free. The app includes the route and schedules and makes planning your city sightseeing a quick and easy process. In addition to the guided scheduled bus ride, tickets allow you to receive discounts and special deals at various points of interest and restaurants along the way.
Many of the sightseeing buses in New Orleans are accessible for wheelchair users and both walking tours are suitable for assisted mobility equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers and strollers. You will be able to check which of the day’s buses are best if you require the use of an electronic ramp or a securement location on the bus.
Are there any combined tickets including hop-on hop-off bus tours?
Although you can spend a full day exploring New Orleans by bus, you can also buy a ticket that combines two popular experiences.
Hop-On Hop-Off + St. Louis No.1 Cemetery Combo
The St Louis Cemetery is a local attraction in high demand and you can secure a ticket for an official tour of the site by booking a hop-on hop-off plus St Louis No.1 Cemetery Combo ticket. Cemetery tour official guides are locally licensed and specifically trained to give visitors the best possible excursion in this fascinating location.
The graves and tombs of historic and notable figures give visitors a unique glimpse into the diverse cultures, backgrounds and spiritual practices that are woven into New Orleans’ history.
Ticket prices for adults on the combo tour are US$64, while prices for children ages 3 to 12 are US$28. These tickets are valid for one day and include an official guided walking tour of the St. Louis Cemetery No.1. Discounts are also available for seniors and military members. Children aged 0 to 2 years ride free of charge.
Are hop-on hop-off bus tours included in any New Orleans passes?
Various sightseeing passes can be found for visitors to New Orleans, but not all of them include a hop-on hop-off bus tour as an activity. The New Orleans Sightseeing Pass does however include this option on their DAY pass which offers the choice of 1, 2, 3 or 5 day passes. A 1-day ticket is included in the pass, but you can upgrade to a 3-day ticket when you redeem your voucher.
Top tips
- To make the most of your day, start your tour early. This gives you ample time to explore various stops and attractions without rushing.
- Before you board, have a rough idea of the places you want to visit. New Orleans is rich in history, culture, and entertainment, so knowing your must-see spots can help prioritize your stops.
- New Orleans weather can be unpredictable. Bring an umbrella or raincoat for sudden showers, and don't forget sunscreen and a hat for sunny days.