Los Angeles, the “City of Angels,” beckons to visitors with countless attractions. In the infamously car-centric city, getting around to all the sites can be a challenge. With so much to see in the city, Los Angeles hop-on hop-off bus tours are an ideal way to learn about the city while reaching the best locales.

Here's all you need to know about hop-on hop-off bus tours, one of the most exciting sightseeing tours in Los Angeles.

What are the most popular Los Angeles hop-on hop-off bus tours? What do they cost?

City Sightseeing - Starline Tours

Travel to more than 40 places around L.A. on a City Sightseeing Tour. Ideal for your first day in town, make the full loop to learn the layout of the town. Then, make a second loop once you’ve decided which locales you’d like to visit!

City Sightseeing - Starline tours have created three color-coded routes that circulate through different parts of the city. The three routes have some common stops where you can change to a different route if you choose.

Red Route

Immerse yourself in LA’s film culture with a ride through Hollywood, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills on City Sightseeing - Starline’s Red Route. The loop, which consists of 15 stops, begins at the Dolby Theater on Hollywood Boulevard and ends at Pantages Theater on Hollywood and Vine.

Cruise down Sunset Boulevard past Dolby and TCL Chinese Theaters, Guitar Center’s “Rock Walk” and the Laugh Factory. Spy Whisky A Go Go, where the biggest rock bands have graced the stage.

Take a break from star searching with stops at La Brea Tar Pits and the Original Farmers’ Market on Fairfax. Pause on Melrose for some shopping and a famous Pink’s hot dog. Near the end of the loop, pass by Paramount Studios and several stops that can get you close to Griffith Observatory and Universal Studios.

Timetable

The Red Route circuit begins at 10 AM, with the last full loop beginning at 4:30 PM. It takes about 2 hours to make the complete loop. Buses on the Red Route run approximately every 45 minutes, but can take up to an hour due to the notorious L.A. traffic.

Yellow Route

Soak up LA’s beach vibes on the Yellow Route through Century City, West LA and Santa Monica. Starting on Ocean Avenue, there are 15 stops total on this route, with 11 in the city circuit and 4 more in a connected Venice Beach offshoot.

Oggle the sprawling campus of University of California - Los Angeles and Century City, a concentration of workspaces for some of the world’s most creative minds. In Santa Monica, hop off for foodie experiences and the fun of Santa Monica Pier. Roll into laid-back Venice Beach for a pause on the sands.

Time Table

The Yellow Route makes its first circuit at 9:30 AM and begins its final circuit at 4:13 PM. The loop takes 2 hours. Buses come every 45 to 60 minutes.

Purple Route

Check out Downtown LA, an underrated corner of the metropolis. The Purple Route will introduce you to great shopping, theaters and civic buildings that have played important roles in the city’s history. The Dodgers Stadium is just a short walk away from the Chinatown stop.

Hop aboard the bus at Dolby Theater on Hollywood Boulevard and head south toward downtown. Pass by Koreatown, the Staples Center, and L.A. Live and Grammy Museum. Great shopping awaits you in the Fashion and Jewelry Districts. Use your pass to get to a show at the Walt Disney Concert Hall or the Los Angeles Theater.

Time Table

The Purple Route takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to make the full loop. The first tour starts at 9:10 AM, at the Union Station/Pueblo/Olvera St Stop, while the last circuit begins at 3 PM. You can also access the Purple Route at Dolby Theater from 10 AM onwards.

Tickets

You can purchase 1-day, 2-day and 3-day City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus tickets. One-day tickets are available for one route or as passes covering all three routes. Two- and three-day passes are valid for all routes.

One-route, one-day tickets for adults cost US$39 per adult and US$28 for children (aged 3 to 11). Family packages cost US$128 for two adults and up to three children, while kids under 3 can ride for free. One-day tickets for all three routes are US$49 per adult, US$35 per child and US$150 per family.

Two-day tickets cost US$59 for adults, US$44 for children, while family passes are US$189. Three-day tickets cost US$82 for adults, US$57 for children and US$249 for families.

Big Bus Tours

Big Bus Tours offers two distinct routes, with a high level of customer satisfaction to draw you in. Their Hollywood and Beach routes give you access to LA’s top landmarks, and some multi-day passes include free bike rental. Big Bus Tours run every day, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Red Route

Big Bus Tours’ Red Route, also known as the Hollywood Loop, takes about 2 hours to complete and begins in front of the Hollywood Wax Museum on Hollywood Boulevard. The 11 stops on the route give you access to the city’s most famous theaters and music venues, the Walk of Fame, the Rock Walk and the iconic Hollywood sign.

Timetable

The loop begins at 10 AM on Hollywood Boulevard, while the last tour of the day begins at 4:30 PM. The company offers a hard copy map and timetable so that you can start your tour at any point on the route.

Blue Route

Head to the shore on the Blue Route, otherwise known as the Beach Route. Play around on Santa Monica Pier, hit the sands on Santa Monica Beach and do some serious people-watching on the Venice Boardwalk.

Timetable

The Blue Route makes 5 to 6 loops daily, and the full tour takes about 90 minutes. The first bus leaves from Beverly Gardens Park at 10:45 AM, and the last full tour begins at 3:15 PM.

Tickets

Big Bus Tours offers 1- and 2-day passes that allow you unlimited rides on both routes. One-day “Discover Tickets” are US$54 for adults and US$44 for children (aged 3 to 12). Two-day “Essential Tickets” cost US$58 per adult and US$49 per child. This package includes a bike rental offer and free date changes.

Two-day “Explore Tickets” gives you the benefits of the “Discover Tickets” but also include a Celebrity Homes Tour. Adult tickets are US$83 per person, and children’s tickets are US$75 per person. Children 2 and under ride free on any tour with a paying adult.

How do hop-on hop-off bus tours in LA work? What do the tours include?

Hop-on hop-off bus tickets are a great way to combine sightseeing and transportation around Los Angeles. With your validated ticket, board buses at any point on the tour and step off at any spot that strikes your interest. You may want to stay on the bus for the full tour before deciding where you’d like to stop.

Hop-on hop-off bus tours provide you with audio guides in English and major European and Asian languages. They supply you with free earbuds to hear the commentary, and many buses are equipped with Wi-Fi and phone charging outlets. You are free to get on and off the bus as many times as you like for the duration of your ticket.

Are there any combo tickets including hop-on hop-off bus tours?

Big Bus Tours has put together packages that combine a 1-day hop-on hop-off bus pass (“Discover Ticket”) with admission to various Los Angeles attractions. Opt for entrance to Madame Tussauds, Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, Warner Bros Studio Tour or the Medieval Torture Museum along with your 1-day bus pass.

Are the buses wheelchair friendly?

Los Angeles hop-on hop-off bus tours are wheelchair friendly. However, tour providers request that you let them know of your needs at the time of booking to make sure that the bus can accommodate you. Keep in mind that some tour buses can only accommodate one wheelchair user at a time.

Top tips

LA is a vast city with lots to see. Starting early gives you a head start on the crowds and maximizes the amount of time you have to explore.
Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll likely do a lot of walking. Also, keep in mind that Californian weather can be variable, so layering is a good idea.
Carrying a refillable water bottle and some snacks can be helpful, especially if you're hopping on and off the bus multiple times throughout the day.
If you're planning to be in Los Angeles for several days, consider purchasing a longer-duration ticket, as they offer better value.

Hop on Hop off Bus Tours in Los Angeles