New York: Empire State & 48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour

New York’s skyline is the star here, and the Empire State Building visit gives this package its real weight. You also get two days on Big Bus’s Downtown and Uptown routes, which is a useful way to get oriented before choosing where to spend your limited New York time.

I like the open-top view, especially for first-time visitors, and I like the freedom to hop off near sights such as the 9/11 Memorial, SoHo, Central Park, and Wall Street. The catch is city traffic: a short route can take much longer than expected, and buses may arrive less often than you hope.

Key points to know before booking

• Empire State Building entry adds genuine value: Visit one of New York’s best-known observation decks, but pre-book the time and arrive promptly.
• Two routes cover a wide slice of Manhattan: The Downtown loop reaches SoHo, Chinatown, Wall Street, the World Trade Center, Hudson Yards, and Pier 57.
• The Uptown route is your Central Park option: It serves Rockefeller Center, Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Central Park Zoo, and Columbus Circle.
• A full loop takes about 90 minutes: That is useful for orientation, but traffic can make the ride longer.
• The bus is better for seeing than for rushing: Use the subway when you need to cross town quickly, and use Big Bus for views and context.
• The app matters: It holds your mobile ticket, provides route information and live bus tracking, and helps you find the stops.

What this New York package really gives you

At $105 per person, this is not simply a bus ride. It combines a 48-hour hop-on hop-off ticket with admission to the Empire State Building, onboard Wi-Fi, digital commentary, and a bike offer of one hour rented for two hours free. A Statue of Liberty ferry is included only if you select that option.

The value depends on how you use it. If you ride both loops, get off at several stops, and visit the Empire State Building, the price can make sense. If you use the bus only once to reach Wall Street, the subway will almost certainly cost less.

I would treat the bus as a moving introduction to New York rather than a dependable taxi. Times Square, Fifth Avenue, and Lower Manhattan are often slowed by traffic. The bus lets you see the city without navigating every avenue yourself, but it cannot make Manhattan traffic disappear.

The full Downtown and Uptown rotations are listed at about 90 minutes each, though the season and road conditions can change that. Service is described as approximately hourly in the tour information, while operating guidance refers to more frequent service on some parts of the network. Plan with patience, and use the app to check live arrivals.

Starting near M&M’S and Times Square

The easiest starting point is outside M&M’S New York at Seventh Avenue and West 48th Street. Another Times Square pickup is at 42nd Street and Broadway, near the Knickerbocker Hotel.

This area is convenient but hectic. Give yourself extra time to locate the correct stop, especially if you have an Empire State Building appointment. One pickup location has caused confusion when directions described a street address rather than a clear landmark, so the app and live bus map are worth opening before you set out.

Times Square is a sensible first stop for orientation. You can see the giant screens, Broadway theaters, and the dense wall of buildings, then return to the bus when you have had enough neon and crowds. It is also a good place to begin if your hotel is in Midtown.

The digital commentary provides facts and musical sections through the included audio system. It gives you a steady introduction to the city, though it is not the same as having a guide beside you. Some passengers have found the commentary lighter on useful information than expected, and audio units may not always work perfectly. Move seats or ask staff for help if your headset is silent.

The Downtown loop, from Koreatown to Lower Manhattan

The Downtown route starts with several classic Midtown sights. At the Empire State Building stop, you are near the building itself, Koreatown, and Fifth Avenue. The stop is useful for your observation-deck visit, but do not assume the bus ticket automatically reserves your entry time.

The Flatiron stop brings you to Fifth Avenue and West 23rd Street. The Flatiron Building is one of the city’s memorable architectural oddities, with its narrow triangular shape aimed toward Madison Square. This is also a pleasant place to continue on foot, with the nearby district offering more room to wander than Times Square.

The SoHo stop at West Broadway and Spring Street is well placed for cast-iron buildings, shops, galleries, and side streets. Hop off here if you want a neighborhood walk rather than another famous tower. The bus is useful for getting you close, but SoHo is best understood on foot.

Next comes Chinatown and Little Italy, near Lafayette Street and Walker Street. These districts sit close together, making this a good stop for food, small shops, and a change from Midtown’s tall office blocks. Stop locations can be busy and easy to miss, so keep the app open and watch the street signs.

At Brooklyn Bridge, the bus stops near Park Row and Beekman Street. This is not a substitute for walking across the bridge, but it puts you near the approach and the civic buildings of Lower Manhattan. If you get off, allow time for the bridge walk rather than expecting to reboard quickly.

Wall Street is the next major stop, with access to the financial district and nearby Trinity Church. This area is a strong reason to use the bus, since it links Midtown to Lower Manhattan while giving you a narrated look at the changing city around you.

The itinerary also identifies a Statue of Liberty stop, but its listed location is near Trinity Church on Trinity Place and Cedar Street. Do not assume the bus will take you to Liberty Island or provide a clear view of the statue from every seat. The ferry is a separate inclusion available only with the appropriate option, and one route description may not give you the sightline you expect.

World Trade Center, Pier 57, and Hudson Yards

The World Trade Center stop is at Church Street and Vesey Street, across from the post office. This puts you near the 9/11 Memorial and the surrounding complex. The memorial is a quiet, powerful place, and it deserves more time than a quick hop off if you want to read the names and understand the site.

Continue north toward Pier 57, listed on 11th Avenue between West 15th and West 16th Streets. Pier 57 is near the Hudson River and offers a different side of Manhattan from the narrow streets downtown. It is also close to the western edge of Greenwich Village and the Meatpacking area.

Hudson Yards is at 12th Avenue and West 30th Street. The stop is practical for seeing the modern development around the Vessel and the western rail yards. This part of the route helps you understand how quickly New York changes from old commercial districts to large new projects.

The Midtown Circle Line stop is at 12th Avenue and West 40th Street, opposite Pier 81. This is useful if you have another river cruise planned, though the bus ticket itself does not include every Circle Line cruise. Check your selected option before counting on a boat ride.

This western stretch can be slow. Traffic, construction, and curbside loading may stretch the ride between stops. I would not schedule an important timed admission immediately after leaving the bus. The route is best when your plan has room to bend.

The Uptown loop and New York’s museum side

The Uptown route begins again around Midtown, with a stop near the Hope sculpture at Seventh Avenue and West 53rd Street. Times Square is listed again at 42nd Street and Broadway, giving you a second chance to board or change your plan.

Rockefeller Center is at West 49th Street and Fifth Avenue. This is a useful stop for the plaza, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Fifth Avenue shops, and nearby views of the city’s polished Midtown core. If you are visiting during the holiday season, the area can be especially crowded, so allow extra time before the next bus.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art stop is outside the museum near Fifth Avenue and East 83rd Street. The bus cannot tell you everything about the museum, but it saves you a long walk from Midtown and gives you a direct route along Fifth Avenue. If you plan to visit the Met, reserve a large block of time. It is too big for a quick stop.

The Central Park Zoo stop is at Fifth Avenue and East 66th Street. This is a handy entry point for Central Park, though the listed stop is across from 845 Fifth Avenue rather than directly inside the park. You can use it as a starting point for a walk, then return to the route at another listed stop.

Columbus Circle is at the southwest corner of Central Park. It links the park, the Upper West Side, and the southern end of the park’s walking paths. Carnegie Hall, at Seventh Avenue and West 57th Street, rounds out the Uptown loop and brings you back into the theater and concert district.

This route is especially useful if you want a broad first look at Central Park and museum row without committing to a long walk. It is less useful if you need fast point-to-point transport. The Uptown loop may run less often than the Downtown route, so keep an eye on the next departure.

Riding the full loops before hopping off

One smart way to use the pass is to ride a complete loop at the start of your visit. The bus gives you a basic map of Manhattan: Midtown’s towers, Lower Manhattan’s older streets, the Hudson waterfront, Fifth Avenue, Central Park, and the museum district.

Several people have used the bus this way without getting off. The commentary is not packed with nonstop facts, but it helps you mark places you want to revisit. I like this approach because you avoid spending your first morning constantly checking a map.

After that first circuit, use the second day for targeted stops. You might combine SoHo and Chinatown on foot, return to the World Trade Center, then use the bus to reach Hudson Yards. On another stretch, get off at the Met or Columbus Circle and walk through Central Park.

Do not try to see everything in one day. The route covers many locations, but New York’s traffic and the time needed at each sight work against an overfilled schedule. The 48-hour validity begins when you activate the ticket, which gives you a better chance to split the loops across two days.

The ticket can be activated in the Big Bus app by adding your booking reference, opening the ticket, and pressing Activate on the day you start. You can also redeem the voucher with Big Bus staff at the M&M’S stop or with a driver at any listed stop. Keep the phone charged, since the mobile ticket and live tracking are central to the experience.

Visiting the Empire State Building without losing the day

The Empire State Building is the strongest part of this combination. Its observation decks give you the famous city view, and the building itself is one of the clearest symbols of New York. The visit is often described as the highlight, and I understand why: it turns a sightseeing ride into a proper attraction.

The important detail is timing. You need to pre-book a date and time before boarding, using the booking portal supplied in your confirmation or arranging it with staff at a departure location. Make sure the time you receive matches the time you requested.

Go early if you can. An early slot helps you avoid the worst crowds and leaves the rest of the day for the bus routes. Do not plan to squeeze the building between two tight bus connections. One scheduling mix-up left a passenger with a later time than expected, while another ticket problem required a return visit. Confirm the Empire State Building reservation before you head there.

Bring the correct digital ticket and check that it opens properly. If a voucher does not scan, seek help from Big Bus staff or customer support right away rather than waiting until the end of the day. You do not want to spend hours moving between an agent, security, and the ticket counter.

Comfort, weather, and practical limits

The upper deck is the point of the tour, but it exposes you to New York weather. Summer sun can be intense, so bring a hat and sunscreen. Rain can reduce visibility, and heavy weather may lead to covered seating rather than the open view you hoped for.

Winter needs special thought. A recent complaint described an unheated bus and a very uncomfortable ride in cold weather. The equipment and service may vary, but you should dress for the street, not for an indoor coach. Have a backup plan for a rainy or freezing day.

The buses can also feel crowded. Times Square is a difficult place for any large vehicle, and traffic may make a short ride take 45 minutes or more. I would not choose this pass as your only transport for an appointment across town.

Food and alcohol are not allowed onboard. A non-alcoholic drink in a screw-top bottle is permitted. Luggage is not allowed, and pets cannot ride except for ADA service animals. Wheelchair-accessible buses with lifts are available, with lifts rated for up to 650 pounds, but request an accessible vehicle in the special requirements field when booking.

Most people can take part, and the stops are near public transportation. That matters because the best plan often mixes modes: use Big Bus for the broad views, then take the subway when traffic makes the route impractical.

Who gets the most value from the $105 price

I would recommend this package to a first-time New York visitor who wants a broad introduction, dislikes navigating buses and subway lines, and plans to visit the Empire State Building anyway. Families may also appreciate the open-top ride, since it gives children a clear view of the city without demanding hours of walking.

It is a good fit for anyone who wants to see both Downtown and Uptown over two days. The included Wi-Fi, app, route tracking, and audio commentary make the system easier to manage, though none of them can fix a slow road.

I would be cautious if your main goal is efficient transport, if you have only a few free hours, or if your visit falls during poor weather. The subway is faster for many cross-town trips, and walking is often best once you are in SoHo, Chinatown, the financial district, or Central Park.

Should you book this Empire State Building and bus tour?

Book it if you will use the 48-hour pass as a sightseeing tool, not as a taxi. Ride one full loop for orientation, reserve the Empire State Building early, then use the second day for a few carefully chosen stops.

Skip it if you expect buses every few minutes, need precise arrival times, or plan to use only one short ride. At $105, the package earns its price through the Empire State Building and repeated sightseeing use. Used casually, it is an expensive way to cross Manhattan.

FAQ

How long is the full hop-on hop-off route?

A complete Downtown or Uptown loop takes approximately 90 minutes without getting off. The actual duration can change with the season and city traffic.

How long is the bus ticket valid?

The hop-on hop-off ticket is valid for 48 hours during operating hours after you first activate it.

Do I need to reserve an Empire State Building time?

Yes. You need to pre-book a date and time for the Empire State Building before boarding the bus. You can use the online booking portal in your confirmation email or arrange it with Big Bus staff.

Where can I activate the mobile ticket?

You can activate it in the Big Bus app by adding your booking reference and pressing Activate on the day of use. You can also redeem the voucher with staff at the M&M’S New York stop or with a driver at any route stop.

What routes are included?

The package includes Big Bus’s Downtown and Uptown hop-on hop-off loops. The Downtown route includes stops near SoHo, Chinatown, Wall Street, the World Trade Center, Pier 57, and Hudson Yards. The Uptown route includes Rockefeller Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park Zoo, Columbus Circle, and Carnegie Hall.

Is the Statue of Liberty ferry included?

The Statue of Liberty ferry is included only if you select that option when booking. The regular bus package should not be treated as a ferry ticket.

Is the bus wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Big Bus operates accessible vehicles with lifts that can accommodate up to 650 pounds. Request an accessible vehicle in the special requirements section when booking.

Can I bring food, pets, or luggage?

Food and alcohol are not permitted. Non-alcoholic drinks in screw-top bottles are allowed. Luggage is not permitted, and pets cannot ride except for ADA service animals.