best bus tours in Los Angeles

Enjoy magnificent city sites from the Walk of Fame to the Sunset Boulevard, and the luxurious Beverly Hills, in the comfort of a bus for an elevated experience in Los Angeles.

Look through the best bus tours in Los Angeles to add to your list of things to do in Los Angeles, and enjoy the detailed commentary of your guides!

And discover our top 3 picks, including the best open bus tour for panoramic views, a fantastic hop-on-hop-off option for flexibility, and a luxurious trolley tour.

#Activity TypePriceDuration
1Open Bus TourFrom $351 h 30 min to 2 h
2Hop-On Hop-Off Bus TourFrom $491, 2 or 3 days
3Luxury Trolley Bus TourFrom $853 hours

Want to dive straight in? Browse our catalog now!

1 – Hollywood Sightseeing and Celebrity Homes Tour by Open Bus tours

Hollywood Sightseeing and Celebrity Homes Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (1236 reviews)

“Had a good time on the bus tour. Great way to see several areas of the Los Angeles area! Our guide was awesome! He was very funny and informative! Would definitely recommend this bus tour!” Audra. Viator

Drive through the same streets that your favorite celebrities frequent on a show-stopping Hollywood Sightseeing and Celebrity Homes Tour!

Enjoy the wide views from the open-top bus, and be ready to capture the city, as you pass through iconic sites like the Chinese Theater, the Sunset Strip, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and even a few famous filming locations.

You might even get lucky, and spot a celebrity, or drive past an active filming location!

This tour offered by Open Bus Tours, is one of many fan-focused tours that welcome you to La La Land whether it’s with Hollywood or its celebrity homes tours!

The meet-up point is on Hollywood Boulevard, in front of James Cameron’s Star on the Walk of Fame.
The duration of the tour is between 1.5 - 2 hours long.
Adult ticket prices start at $35 USD, children ages 3-10 are $28 USD, and infants 0-2 are $21 USD.
The route mostly takes place in downtown Hollywood, as you spot the main sights like the Hollywood Sign in the background, the Walk of Fame, and Chinese Theater, and Beverly Hills to peek at celebrity homes.
A local, knowledgeable, and responsible driver and guide offers the tour in English.
The tour is currently not wheelchair accessible, however, infant seats are available upon request.
The tour has multiple departure times throughout the day. If you opt for a morning tour, past guests recommend bringing a sweater as it gets a bit chilly in the hills.

Our review

Whether you have all the time or limited time in Los Angeles, this Hollywood tour is a must to add to your list of things to do in Los Angeles! Laugh and engage with your tour guide, enjoy the over-the-top sites, and learn lots on this informative yet fun tour!

Read more: Hollywood & celebrity homes tours – all you need to know

2 – Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus by Starline Tours of Hollywood

Los Angeles Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Audio Guide

Rating: ⭐️ 3.9/5 (1122 reviews)

“An attraction worth recommending. In no other and relatively economical way could we see as much as during a two-day bus trip. Plus an audio guide, thanks to which you could learn many interesting facts.” Anna. Getyourguide

Enjoy not 1 or 2 but up to 3 days’ worth of exploring LA on the Los Angeles Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, with over 40 stops and 3 routes to choose from!

Go beyond Hollywood, and explore sites like Santa Monica, Downtown Los Angeles, Venice Beach, and Beverly Hills, while improving your knowledge of the city with your audio guide.

Starline Tours of Hollywood has loads of detailed tours around LA, simply choose a 1,2, or 3-day sightseeing tour, and get ready to liberally hop off wherever you’d like to explore more! When you’re done exploring, simply back hop on!

The meet-up points vary based on the tour option that you chose, but most start on Hollywood Boulevard, in front of the Starline Hollywood Tour offices. Plus, you can also get back on the tour bus wherever you see a Starline Tours of Hollywood bus stop, just show your QR ticket to the driver.
The tour passes are valid from 24 hours up to 3 days, depending on which tour option you choose. However, typically each guest spends around 2 hours on the tour bus.
Tickets start at $49 USD for adults and children ages 3-11 are $35 USD each.
There are 3 routes: The Hollywood Route, the Santa Monica Route, and the Downtown LA Route. No matter the tour option you choose (1,2, or 3 days) you have access to all routes.
The recorded audio guide is offered in English, and 8 other languages including French, German, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, and Japanese.
The tour is wheelchair accessible.
Buses depart every 45-60 minutes, no food or drinks are allowed on board.

Our review

Make the most of your day exploring LA and its nearby cities and districts with this special hop-on hop-off tour!

We recommend this tour for its flexibility, expansive and detailed routes, and peace-of-mind transportation to the main sights of LA, without worrying about how to get back to a central location.

3 – Luxury Hollywood Trolley Bus Tour by The Parlor Car Tours

Luxury Hollywood Sightseeing Trolley Bus Tour in Los Angeles

Rating: ⭐️ 4.7/5 (6 reviews)

“We had a great tour and learned a lot about the entire area and how Hollywood/Los Angeles developed over the years. Highly recommend!” Robin, TripAdvisor

Ride around LA in a piece of stylish history on this magical Luxury Hollywood Sightseeing Trolley Bus Tour!

The famous The Parlor Car Tours offer a luxurious and historical experience seeing LA’s most notable sights, from the comforts of a restored trolley, with surround sound, AC, and wifi on board.

Relax and get to know the city’s fun facts, historic relics, interesting stories, architecture, and other celebrity-infused details that make up Tinseltown, in a fun and entertaining way.

Perfect for families and friends, get ready for a truly unique tour around LA, with a medium-sized group of travel and culture enthusiasts!

The tour departs from The Parlor Car Trolley Tours, in Hollywood.
The tour lasts 3 hours.
Ticket prices start at $85 USD for adults, $45 USD for seniors starting at 65 years old as well as children ages 3-12, while infants ride for free.
The route takes place around the Hollywood Loop, as well as Beverly Hills, The Original Farmer’s Market, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
The tour takes place in English by professional tour experts.
The tour is not wheelchair-accessible, but it is stroller-friendly.
If you’re driving to the tour start location, you may park in the nearby LAZ parking lot, or you can take nearby transportation to get to the meet-up spot.

Our review

If you’re a bit of a history lover with an interest in discovering Los Angeles’ best-kept secrets, this tour is the one for you!

Your tour guide (and the itinerary and sites themselves) have raving reviews from previous guests while offering luxury which separates it from other tours in the city.

4 – City Sightseeing Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour by Starline Tours of Hollywood

Los Angeles City Sightseeing Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 3/5 (949 reviews)

“Our bus tour on the redline was amazing. She was very informative and was able to help us out with city directions as well.” Justin. Viator

Do you only have 24 hours to explore LA? The Los Angeles City Sightseeing Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour is just the experience to add to any tight itinerary!

Enjoy 1 or 3 tour options, based on different passes, and tour durations, and take a seat on the top of the double-decker bus to get the best views of the city.

Enjoy onboard commentary, and wherever you see a spot that interests you, simply hop off, explore, and hop back to continue on your way.

An award-winning tour by Starline Tours of Hollywood, this tour will check off all those bucket list LA items you’re dying to see!

Many of the tours depart from the Starline Tours of Hollywood offices. However, the nature of this tour also offers multiple departure points throughout the city, based on the tour that you pick.
The tour can last anywhere from 35 minutes up to 2 hours, and even more, depending on your tour pass.
Tickets start at $49 USD for adults and $35 USD for children ages 3-11.
The tour offers 3 routes: The Santa Monica tour, the Downtown Los Angeles tour, and the Hollywood tour. Each is color-coded for easier navigation on their maps. Combined there are more than 40 stops, which you can take advantage of regardless of the tour pass you pick.
The recorded audio guide is offered in English, and 8 other languages including Portuguese, German, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, Italian, French, and Korean.
The tour is wheelchair accessible.
Even though each tour has its own route and schedule, the tours are very much self-paced.

Our review

We can’t recommend this tour more, with its 3 different routes that offer adventuring throughout Los Angeles, with reliable transportation, great commentary, and self-paced.

This tour is the best of both worlds, if you want to explore the city on your own, but don’t want to figure out city buses!

5 – Hop-on Hop-off Open-Top Sightseeing Tour by Big Bus Tours Los Angeles

LA Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Open-Top Sightseeing Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 3.7/5 (609 reviews)

“The activity was great to see all the highlights of Los Angeles easily, i enjoyed riding around.” Aria. Getyourguide

Another great hop-on, hop-off bus tour option, this time provided by Big Bus Tours Los Angeles, this tour not only takes you to the most important sites in LA but also offers other bonuses worth considering.

Skip the line, buy your tickets ahead, and take to the LA streets exploring West Hollywood, Museum Row, Miracle Mile, Venice Beach, and other sites not always shown on other tours.

Feel the warm California sun as you sit back and relax on the top seats of the mega double-decker bus, and enjoy the scenery of the rich and famous, and the commentary of the entertainment capital of the world.

Most routes start out at the Big Bus Tours Los Angeles headquarters on Hollywood Boulevard.
The tour passes are valid for 1-2 days, and visitors tend to spend around 2 hours per day hopping around the city. The tour is self-paced, so it’s up to you how long you want to explore the city on the bus.
Adult tickets start at $54 USD, and children ages 3-12 start at $44 USD.
The tour routes circle around Hollywood, Los Angeles, Venice Beach, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills.
The tour offers audio guides in multiple languages, including English, Chinese, and Catalan, and there is no other physical guide on board except the professional driver.
The tour is wheelchair accessible.
There are (2) 2-day ticket options. One offers a bike rental discount with your purchase, while the other 2-day pass includes a walking tour of the Chinese Theater, a 2-hour celebrity homes tour, and a bike rental discount. The first tour of the day departs at 10:00 AM and the last tour departs at 4:30 PM.

Our review

A hop-on hop-off bus tour that offers a little extra, we recommend this tour for its value, offers, and flexibility.

Not only do you get to explore the city with reliable transportation, but if you cannot make it to the tour on your designated day, your tickets have a 6-month validity.

6 – 2-Hour Hollywood, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills Open Bus Tour by Hollywood Tour Pass

2-Hour Hollywood, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills Open Bus Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.7/5 (244 reviews)

“It was a great tour. The driver was very knowledgeable and very informative about the whole area and historically informative. Plus entertaining.” Dee. Viator

For a small-group experience with big fun, check out the 2-hour Hollywood, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills Open Bus Tour, and explore the city with a professional driver and guide!

Once you hop aboard the open-top bus, you’ll get to sit back and enjoy the impressive LA sites you’ve seen so much on TV and in movies. From the Hollywood Walk of Fame to the famous Capitol Records Building, Rodeo Drive, and more.

A tour by Hollywood Tour Pass, with many other great tours to check out, take a glimpse into the glitzy neighborhoods of the rich and famous on the best Beverly Hills tours!

The tour departs from Sunset Boulevard in front of the Hollywood City Tours offices.
The tour lasts approximately 2 hours.
Ticket prices start at $39 USD for adults, $29 USD for children ages 2-10, and infants ride for free.
Enjoy over 10 different stops on this exciting route, including snapping a few photos of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, passing by The legendary Viper Room, the Laugh Factory, and stunning Chateau Marmont, plus more! The tour is centered mostly in Hollywood.
The tour is offered in English.
The tour is not wheelchair accessible, service animals are welcome, it is stroller-friendly and infant seats are available.
The tour is full of camera-worthy moments, so bring your best camera. Be sure to dress for the weather, as it may require sunscreen or a sweater.

Our review

Enjoy the company of a local who is passionate about showing you their city on this epic tour, exploring the major sites of Hollywood!

We recommend this tour for people who wish to give their feet a break from walking and families who would love a family-friendly tour, with an entertaining guide!

Read more: Best Hollywood tours

7 – Celebrity Homes and Hollywood Open-Air Bus Tour by Hollywood Bus Tours

Los Angeles Celebrity Homes and Hollywood Open-Air Bus Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.4/5 (109 reviews)

“The guide is very friendly!! I really liked West Hollywood and the stories told by the guide.” Thatiane. Getyourguide

See it all on the Los Angeles: Celebrity Homes and Hollywood Open-Air Bus Tour, from the beautiful Hollywood Hills to the Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, and more!

Get the deets and behind-the-scenes secrets behind some of Los Angeles’ most well-known spots, and see how the movie magic works in one of the busiest and most eventful cities in the world.

Hollywood Bus Tours offers this tour, plus other themed tours, from celebrity homes to food tours, and even a chance to create your very own tour!

Get seats to the best Hollywood tours, and explore the city in a fun and knowledgeable way.

The tour departs from the Hollywood Bus Tours on Hollywood Boulevard.
The tour lasts close to 2 hours.
Tickets start at $44 USD for adults, $34 USD for children ages 3-11, and infants are $5 USD.
The route begins on Hollywood Boulevard and winds its way through Hollywood sights like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and then a trip through Beverly Hills. The tour finishes off on the famous Rodeo Drive and the Sunset Strip.
The tour is completed in English by a caring and local driver and guide.
The tour is currently not wheelchair accessible.
You’ll get a 15-minute stop in Beverly Hills near the sign, so if you want to buy something or take a selfie with the sign, this is your chance!

Our review

If you want to kill two birds with one stone, and you want to see multiple LA experiences into one, this tour is for you!

Hop on, and let your entertaining and hospitable tour guide share fun facts and bust common LA myths while taking stops around the sights to explore more.

8 – Celebrity Homes & Lifestyle Tour by Big Bus Tours Los Angeles

Los Angeles Big Bus Celebrity Homes & Lifestyle Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.7/5 (42 reviews)

“Loved seeing the parts of LA that I wouldn’t have seen on my own”
Elzbieta. Getyourguide

Revel in the fancy lifestyles of Hollywood celebrities on a journey through LA on the Big Bus Celebrity Homes & Lifestyle Tour!

Step aboard a lavish Mercedes tour bus with a wide open glass ceiling, and don’t miss a moment exploring everything from the large mansions dotting Beverly Hills, to spotting the amazing sites on Hollywood Boulevard, including the Hollywood Hills.

Enjoy a glimpse into the city’s local culture, as you drive along the Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive, with your guide’s interesting stories and facts.

Check out Big Bus Tours Los Angeles to explore more of Los Angeles with the best tour experts in town!

The tour departs from the first stop near the Big Bus Visitor Center, on Hollywood Boulevard.
The tour lasts 2 hours.
Tickets start at $53.10 USD for adults, and $44.10 USD for children.
The tour starts on Hollywood Boulevard, where you’ll see sites like the Walk of Fame, the Chinese Theater, and more, and then you’ll move to the millionaire mansions in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, as well as pass by Santa Monica and the Hollywood Hills.
The tour is conducted in English by local tour experts.
The tour is not wheelchair accessible.
There are multiple departure times to choose from daily starting at 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, every 2.5 hours.

Our review

For a comfortable journey along the best sites in LA, this audioguide tour inside a luxurious glass-ceiling bus is the one for you!

We recommend this tour for its professionalism, incredible sites on the itinerary, and detailed stories with behind-the-scenes details on the most famous movie scenes filmed all over LA.

9 – LA Hop-on Hop-off and TMZ Celebrity Tour by Big Bus Tours

Big Bus Los Angeles Hop-on Hop-off and TMZ Celebrity Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (26 reviews)

“Was a really good tour, Rodney was a amazing guide around all the tour and how he stop in the front of the houses so the group can take pictures all over the place.” Edward. TripAdvisor

Another great tour bus provided by Big Bus Tours Los Angeles is the Hop-on Hop-off and TMZ Celebrity Tour!

See in detail the different sides of Los Angeles on the 2 tour options available – the Beach Shuttle and The Hollywood Loop, with plenty of stories, history, and views to admire, plus the celebrity tour by TMZ.

Enjoy plenty of space to view the lavish celebrity homes or the stunning beach and gardens, while listening to the entertaining commentary. The Hop-on Hop-off bus tour has recorded audio, while the TMZ tour has a live guide with insider scoop from the Hollywood gossip heavyweights, TMZ.

The departure points depend on the tour of your choosing, and you can also choose any of the stops to get on at the beginning of your experience or get off. Make sure to grab a map with stops, or download the app for easier access.
The duration of the tour is between 1 hour and 40 minutes to 2 hours.
Ticket prices start at $106.99 USD for adults, and $96.99 USD for children ages 3-12.
The Beach Shuttle starts on Santa Monica Boulevard, and rides along Beverly Gardens Park, and Santa Monica, while The Hollywood Loop starts at the Big Bus Vistors Center on Hollywood Drive, and rides near the Chinese Theater, Sunset Boulevard, Rodeo Drive, and more.
The tour is in English and by local travel experts and professional drivers.
The tour is wheelchair-accessible on some buses, so make sure to call 24 hours ahead of time to confirm. The tour is also stroller-accessible, and service animals are welcome.
No need for paper tickets, as you may have your tickets on your phone and present them at the time of arrival.

Our review

For an easy way to get around LA, and the best sights, including a possible celebrity sighting, this Hop-on Hop-off tour is hard to beat!

You can explore LA while laughing at the jokes and playing fun celebrity-themed games on board with your tour guide, as they relate to the sights seen on board.

10 – 2-Hour Open Air Bus Tour to Celebrity Homes by Hollywood Tourz

2-Hour Hollywood Open Air Bus Tour to Celebrity Homes

Rating: ⭐️ 3.5/5 (15 reviews)

“The tour was pretty good The guide was great, Love this job and we can see it.” Caroline. Viator

Discover a little more beyond the surface on the epic Hollywood Open Air Bus Tour to Celebrity Homes, dishing up all the stories and little-known facts from LA’s most famous celebrities, to the fascinating culture and architecture of the city.

Provided by Hollywood Tourz, experts in quality and entertaining tours, this tour is prepared to give you exciting sites like the Hollywood Sign and Walk of Fame details, while exploring the city’s history, music, politics, and more.

Check out where your favorite movies were filmed while you’re out there, and get ready to learn why LA is such an entertainment center.

Meet your guide Scotty in front of the Hollywood Tourz offices on Hollywood Boulevard.
The tour lasts around 2 hours.
Tickets start at $45 USD per adult while tickets for children ages 0-17 start at $35 USD.
The route kicks off on Hollywood Boulevard and goes around the Hollywood Loop. Then, you’ll drive to Beverly Hills, specifically Mulholland drive, and the Outpost Estates for luxurious home and city skyline sites, and much more.
The tour is led by a professional guide, in English.
The tour is not wheelchair accessible, but it is stroller-friendly, and infant seats are available upon request.
The bus departs only once per day at 3:00 PM, and the tour suggests that visitors dress in smart casual.

Our review

If you’re looking for a small group tour with a passionate guide who loves what they do while showing you beyond the popular LA sights, then this tour is for you!

Along with 10+ sights on the itinerary, including Jimmy Kimmel LIVE and Sunset Plaza, this tour stands out a bit differently from the rest.

How to book bus tours in Los Angeles?

Ready to explore all the best things to do in Los Angeles?

While there are tons of tours out there, especially the best bus tours in Los Angeles, you’ll often see that many of them are found on many different travel websites at different prices. It’s important to keep in mind that some sites offer discounts which influence the price differences.

In order to stay ahead of the curve, we suggest you search through Tourscanner’s search engine to compare all offers, based on prices and real guest reviews.

Maritza Chavez is a travel writer from the U.S., passionate about travel and culture. Her curiosity for traveling began after her first few trips to Mexico to visit family, and then studying abroad in Greece during college. After living in Spain as an English teacher, and more traveling, she decided to start her blog, Travel Notes and Things, to help fellow Latinas travel to their dream destinations while touching on other topics including reverse culture shock and transformative travel. Further expanding her horizons, Maritza frequently travels the globe to pen down exquisite articles for the TourScanner blog, bringing her unique perspective and insights to a wider audience.