NYC: Empire State Building & 48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour

The best part of this New York combo is the contrast: one moment you’re looking down on the city from the Empire State Building, the next you’re crossing town on an open-top bus. Your ticket includes the 86th-floor observatory and 48 hours on Big Bus’s Downtown and Uptown loops.

I like the freedom to pause at places such as Bryant Park, Chinatown, or the Brooklyn Bridge, and I like having digital commentary to give the ride some context. The main consideration is that this is a useful overview, not a guided walking tour, and the Statue of Liberty ferry is included only with the option that selects it.

• The Empire State Building entry covers the 86th floor, not the 102nd-floor observatory.
• Your Big Bus ticket is valid for 48 hours after first use, during operating hours.
• More than 40 stops link familiar sights with neighborhoods such as SoHo, Little Italy, and the Flatiron District.
• Audio commentary comes in six languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
• A ferry option may be available, but the Statue of Liberty Monument is not included.
• The listed price is $105 per person, with advertised bundle savings that vary between 25% and up to 30%.

A city overview from two very different heights

This package pairs two classic New York experiences that solve different sightseeing problems. The Empire State Building gives you a bird’s-eye view and a clear sense of the city’s scale. The bus helps you move between far-flung areas without having to plan every subway transfer or walk the whole way.

That pairing is useful on a first visit. From the 86th floor, you can pick out Central Park, the Hudson River, and the Statue of Liberty from above. On the bus, you see the city at street level, with the option to get off when a neighborhood or landmark deserves more time.

The bus is not a private tour, and the audio commentary is not a live guide. You set the pace by deciding when to stay aboard and when to step off. That flexibility is the appeal, though it also means you need to keep an eye on the route and bus operating hours.

The package has a 4.3 rating from 60 reviews, and the supplied five-star comment describes it as a great way to see the city. That fits the experience’s central strength: it can help you cover a lot of ground and get your bearings, particularly if you’re new to New York. It’s less suited to someone who wants a guide to lead a small group through every stop.

Looking out from the Empire State Building’s 86th floor

The Empire State Building is the fixed point in this two-day plan: you get entry to the 86th floor, the outdoor observatory, and its sweeping views over Manhattan and beyond. The view is the reason to go up. Look for the Hudson River, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty, then use the city grid below to connect places you’ve seen on foot or from the bus.

The package does not include admission to the 102nd floor, so don’t assume the higher observation level is part of your ticket. If that extra level matters to you, check its cost separately before booking. For many visitors, the included 86th-floor visit is the key experience, but it’s worth knowing exactly what the bundle covers.

Treat the observatory as its own outing, rather than a quick stop to squeeze between bus rides. You’ll want time to take in the views and identify landmarks, especially if this is your first time seeing Manhattan from above. The information provided doesn’t specify a visit duration or a required order for the building and bus, so plan your day around the time you have available rather than assuming the two parts follow a set itinerary.

There’s also a practical advantage to seeing the city from above before exploring it from the street. The skyline view can give you a mental map: rivers frame the island, Central Park cuts through the grid, and distant landmarks become easier to place. Then, when you’re back at street level, the bus routes and stops have more meaning.

Using 48 hours on the Downtown and Uptown loops

Your Big Bus ticket covers the Downtown and Uptown loops, with more than 40 stops across New York. It’s valid for 48 hours from the first time you use it, during operating hours. That makes the starting moment important: activate it when you’re ready to begin sightseeing, not simply when you first open the app.

The open-top double-decker format gives you a broad view as you move between sights. It can also be a welcome break from walking, particularly when your plans include stops spread across different parts of the city. But it’s still a bus tour, so traffic and the route shape what you see from the road. For a closer look at a neighborhood, get off and explore on foot.

The digital audio commentary is available in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. It offers background as the bus passes city landmarks, making the ride more than transport. If you prefer to look around without listening continuously, you can use the route as a moving introduction and save the audio for sections where you want more context.

The Big Bus app provides route information and live bus tracking. That can help you decide whether to wait at a stop or use your time exploring nearby. Still, the app doesn’t replace checking operating hours and planning a sensible end to the day. The ticket clock runs for 48 hours after first use, but the bus only runs during its operating hours.

Choosing stops that match your interests

The listed sights span several different New York moods. Times Square and the Empire State Building are the big-name landmarks. Bryant Park and the New York Public Library put you near Midtown’s architectural and civic center. The Flatiron District offers a different street scene, while SoHo, Chinatown, and Little Italy invite you to spend time at ground level rather than simply take a photograph from the bus.

For a first visit, I’d use the route to connect a few priorities rather than try to hop off at every stop. Pick one or two neighborhoods that you want to explore properly, then leave the rest as useful landmarks you can see along the way. More than 40 stops sounds generous, but a long list can turn a relaxed day into a race if you treat every stop as mandatory.

The Brooklyn Bridge, Wall Street, Battery Park, and the World Trade Center are among the listed sights. They give you options beyond Midtown, and the Downtown loop can help link different parts of that broader itinerary. The bus provides access and orientation, not entry to every attraction: no admission to the Statue of Liberty Monument is included.

The ferry detail deserves care. A Statue of Liberty ferry is included only if you select that option, and the monument itself is not included. If visiting the island or entering the monument is central to your plans, check the exact ferry option and any separate admission needs before you book. Don’t read the ferry mention as a promise of monument access.

Getting value from the $105 package

At $105 per person, the value depends on how much of the two-part package you’ll use. If you plan to visit the Empire State Building and make repeated use of the bus over two days, bundling can be convenient and may cost less than buying the experiences separately. If you only want one bus ride or already have other transport plans, the combo may be less compelling.

The advertised savings are described in two ways: 25% off full retail in the package description and up to 30% in the inclusions. Treat those figures as promotional estimates, not a guaranteed saving against every possible ticket combination. Compare the current bundle price with the separate prices for the experiences you actually intend to use, especially if you’re considering the ferry option.

A package can also save planning effort. One purchase joins the observatory visit with a bus pass that lasts across two days, so you can spread the sightseeing out rather than cram it into a single packed itinerary. That’s useful if you want to alternate a major attraction with neighborhood time.

The value is weaker if you expect a fully guided experience. The commentary is digital, and the bus lets you choose your own stops. There’s no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you’ll need to make your own way to the route. In exchange, you get flexibility and a broad circuit of city sights.

Timing, activation, and practical details

You can add your booking to the Big Bus app using your booking reference, then activate the ticket on the day you want to start. Once activated, show the ticket to the driver at a stop. Alternatively, you can redeem the voucher with Big Bus staff at 7th Avenue and West 48th Street, outside M&M’s World, or with a driver at any stop.

Use the app for route information and live bus tracking, but make sure you understand when the 48-hour validity begins. The period starts with first use and applies during operating hours. If you have two days of sightseeing, activate when you’re ready to use the bus, so you don’t spend part of the validity before your plans begin.

Bring clothing suited to the weather. The buses are open-top, so the ride can feel different depending on conditions. Smoking, luggage, and large bags are not allowed. The activity is wheelchair accessible, but the information provided does not give further details about specific access arrangements, so contact the operator if you need to confirm how a particular mobility need is accommodated.

Children under three can travel free, but each child must have a dedicated accompanying adult, one adult for one child. A child under three cannot occupy a seat intended for a fare-paying passenger. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately. Starting times depend on availability, so check the dates and times offered for your visit before setting the rest of your schedule.

Who should book this New York combo?

I’d choose this package if you’re visiting New York for the first time, want a high-level view of the city, and like having the freedom to move between landmarks without planning every leg yourself. The combination is especially handy if you want both the Empire State Building and a flexible bus pass, and you’re willing to make the bus a meaningful part of your sightseeing rather than a one-off ride.

It may not be the best fit if you want a small-group walking tour, a live guide, hotel transport, or guaranteed entry to the Statue of Liberty Monument. Nor is the 102nd floor included. Check those details before paying, then compare the bundle with the separate tickets you’d otherwise buy.

For a broad introduction to New York, the mix works well: the observatory shows you the city’s shape, and the bus helps you connect its famous corners. Book it if you’ll use both parts. If you only want one, price that experience on its own first.

FAQ

What does the package include?

It includes entry to the Empire State Building’s 86th floor and a 48-hour Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off ticket for the Downtown and Uptown loops. The bus has digital audio commentary and the app offers route information and live tracking.

Is the Empire State Building’s 102nd floor included?

No. The ticket includes the 86th floor. Admission to the 102nd floor is not included.

How long is the hop-on hop-off ticket valid?

It is valid for 48 hours after first use, during operating hours.

How many stops are available?

The bus tour has more than 40 stops throughout New York.

What languages are available for the audio commentary?

The digital audio commentary is available in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Is the Statue of Liberty ferry included?

The ferry is included only if you select the option that includes it. Entry to the Statue of Liberty Monument is not included.

How do I activate my ticket?

Add your booking to the Big Bus app with your booking reference and activate it on the day of use, then show the ticket to a driver. You can also redeem your voucher with staff at 7th Avenue and West 48th Street, outside M&M’s World, or with a driver at a stop.

Can children under three ride for free?

Yes. A child under three may ride free with a dedicated adult, one adult per child, but cannot occupy a seat intended for a fare-paying passenger.