The beautiful, cosmopolitan city of Miami offers an enticing blend of excitement and relaxation with an unbeatable party scene and numerous reserves and green spaces to explore. One of the best ways to discover the city's many charms is with a hop-on hop-off bus tour in Miami.

A hop-on hop-off bus tour in Miami is a convenient way to sightsee, as you can create your itinerary without worrying about making multiple bookings or navigating the public transport systems.

Whatever you're after, white sandy beaches, remarkable architecture, or a boat cruise – you can do it all with a hop-on hop-off bus tour.

Here's your guide to hop-on hop-off bus tours, one of the most comprehensive options for sightseeing in Miami.

What are the best hop-on hop-off Miami bus tours? What do they cost?

Big Bus Tours

Big Bus Tours is the world's largest operator of open-air sightseeing bus tours. Choose between a classic daytime excursion or a night tour so you experience the city in its illuminated glory.

Relax on the open-top deck and enjoy some panoramic views as the bus stops at all the major landmarks, so you can pick and choose where to get off.

Route

Big Bus Tours operates two routes in the city with stops near all the must-see Miami landmarks and attractions. There's also a third option, an Everglade Experience Tour. However, only the red route offers a hop-on hop-off bus tour.

Red Route

The red route covers both the beach and the city going to all of Miami's biggest tourist attractions from landmarks and attractions to restaurants and shopping centers. There are 8 pick-up and drop-off points and you'll pass by 13 places of interest. The red route is the best way to check out the famous city attractions at your leisure.

The route starts at Bayside Marketplace, a popular open-air shopping center. It is the ideal spot to pick up essentials like water or a sun hat before starting your tour.

The next stop is South Beach, famous for its beautiful beaches and glamorous scenery. Enjoy people-watching, popping into a celebrity-owned restaurant, or go shopping at the cute little boutiques that line the street.

You won’t want to miss the next stop on the tour, Soundscape Park. This lush city park is also part of the New World Symphony’s Miami Beach Campus. There are often concerts, film screenings, or community events happening here, so check the listings beforehand to make the most of your visit. Or, simply enjoy the green spaces with a relaxing stroll through the park.

The bus then makes its way to the Miami Beach district. Take a walk on the white sandy beaches as you soak up the swaying palm trees and the gorgeous turquoise waters.

Another must-see spot on the tour is Miami's Design District. Live like a local as you explore this creative, artsy neighborhood with amazing architecture and sculptures. Check out the surrounding art galleries or luxury clothing shops or have some lunch at one of the numerous restaurants.

If you're into art you'll love the next stop on the tour, Wynwood Walls, Miami’s original street art museum. You can check out the stunning murals and visit the world-class galleries. The bold, vibrant artwork makes this a great spot for photographs and selfies.

This tour ends at Little Havana, the heart of Miami's Cuban diaspora. Enjoy a walk-through of Calle Ocho, a central thoroughfare and a pulsating hub of Cuban culture. Try some delicious Cuban cuisine, sip on a frosty mojito or a Cuban coffee, and watch a cigar master rolling a Cuban cigar.

Some of the other points of interest that you might also want to explore include the beautiful Miami Beach Botanical Garden, the Port of Miami, the Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College and the American Airlines Arena.

Blue Route

Experience magical Miami coming to life after dark with a night tour that shows the famous landmarks lit up.

This is a great way for first-time visitors to Miami to experience the city's many charms safely and conveniently. Note, that this is not a hop-on hop-off tour.

This tour shows you a different side of the city as you'll also be able to see Miami's famous party scene. The tour starts at Bayside Marketplace. Some of the points of interest you’ll pass on this tour include the Port of Miami and the Rickenbacker Causeway Beach.

You’ll get a chance to take in the exciting party atmosphere of South Beach, one of the most popular spots in the city and a great place to people watch. You won’t want to miss seeing the vibrant lights and neon signs that advertise Miami’s many clubs, cocktail lounges, restaurants, and dive bars.

Enjoy some stunning views as you drive on the General Douglas MacArthur Causeway. This six-lane causeway connects Downtown Miami to South Beach via Biscayne Bay. Soak up gorgeous scenery of the bay and the luxury island homes all lit up.

The bus will also drive through the beautiful historic Art Deco district. Here you can see a gorgeous mix of buildings from bold, brightly-colored homes or pastel beauties with ornate carvings, sculptures and mosaics.

Green Route

This tour runs for 4 hours and takes you to Florida’s Everglades Holiday Park via a Big Bus coach. In the Everglades, you'll be able to enjoy a classic airboat ride and spot some wildlife. The route offers two pick-up points at Bayside Marketplace and Soundscape Park. This is also not a hop-on hop-off tour.

Timetable

The red route runs for 2 hours and 10 minutes and buses depart every 30 minutes between 9 AM and 6 PM. You can download the free Big Bus app to stay on top of all the bus timetables and get the exact stops.

The blue route starts at 8 PM and runs for 75 to 90 minutes. This is not a hop-on hop-off option, so there is only one bus running.

Tickets

Essential Ticket

This ticket option offers two days of access to a hop-on hop-off bus tour, a boat tour of Millionaire's Row, one-hour free bike rental and free date change.

Adults will pay US$74 each while children's tickets for those between the ages of 3 and 12 cost US$64 each. If you buy online directly from Big Bus Tours you can get a discount on your ticket.

Explore Ticket

Enjoy two days of access to a hop-on hop-off bus tour, a boat tour of Millionaire's Row, an Everglades tour, one hour of free bike rental and a free date change with this ticket.

Adult tickets cost US$94 each and children between the ages of 3 and 12 will pay US$84 each.

Night Tour

This Night Tour includes a 75 to 90-minute bus tour and an onboard guide. Adult tickets cost US$35 each and children tickets cost US$25 each.

Big Bus Everglades Experience

The Big Bus Everglades Experience includes a return coach journey to the Everglades, a Holiday Park airboat ride, the Holiday Park Wildlife Show, a free picture before the airboat ride, and a timed and dated ticket.

The Everglades experience ticket costs US$60 for adults and US$55 for children between the ages of 3 and 12.

How do hop-on hop-off bus tours in Miami work? What do they include?

One of the biggest appeals of the hop-on hop-off bus in Miami is that you can join the tour at any point along the designated routes. This means that if you're at an attraction you want to spend more time at you can hop off the bus, indulge your curiosity and simply get on the next bus.

When booking your ticket you’ll need to indicate a date for your booking. Big Bus Tours Miami offers two days of access to the hop-on hop-off bus so you can spend more time exploring the sights. Tickets must be used across consecutive days and the start of your tour needs to correspond with the first touring date you selected when making your booking. The flexible ticket means you can change a booking date without paying extra fees.

When starting your tour you can board at any of the designated stops on the tour. You'll need to show a staff member your printed ticket and they will give you a receipt that you can use throughout the validity period of your ticket.

The mobile ticket option sends a text message with a link to your ticket to your smartphone. Mobile data or WiFi access is needed to open the link to your e-ticket page. Show the e-ticket page to a tour staff member for a receipt for the hop-on hop-off bus tour.

A hop-on hop-off tour allows you to ride in comfort and offers entertaining and educational pre-recorded commentary. You can get off at a stop that interests you and then jump back on again at another stop on the timetable. You won't have to wait long for the next stop as a bus arrives every 30 minutes. Free WiFi is available on board the bus.

Depending on the type of ticket booking you can enjoy a host of added extras like a boat tour of Millionaire's Row, one-hour free bike rental or even an Everglades experience tour.

Tips before you go

Don’t forget to carry your sunblock as the top level of the bus is open and it can get hot. Air conditioning is only available on the lower level.
Wear comfortable shoes as you will still do a lot of walking between stops on a Miami hop-on hop-off tour.
Draw up an itinerary ahead of time so that you don't miss out on any attractions you want to see. It will help you plan which stops you want to get off at.

What other sightseeing tours can you do in Miami?

Hop on Hop off Bus Tours in Miami