California

A Comparison of San Francisco Hop on Hop off Tours

by Paul Joseph  |  Published May 15, 2022

Routinely named as one of the US’s most desirable places to live, San Francisco can be explored by joining a hop on hop off tour that offers flexibility, affordability and independence.

(Photo: Big Bus Sightseeing / Courtesy GetYourGuide)

Famed for its great weather, a world-class food scene, eclectic mix of architecture, and endless opportunities for getting outdoors, San Fran remains one of the world’s great tourist destinations. If you’d like to discover the city at your leisure, a hop on hop off bus tour is a great idea. There are several companies offering such tours, which let you board buses at designated stops and then jump back on when you want to visit another part of the city. We’ve compared three of the best below.

1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Day Tour

The classic one-day hop-on hop-off ticket gives you unlimited day-time access to San Francisco’s conveyor belt of sightseeing buses that navigate the city. Including over 15 locations/stops, you can explore the city at your own pace, hopping on and off as you please to explore famous landmarks and places of interest such as Fisherman’s Wharf, the Transamerica Pyramid and the Golden Gate Bridge. Informative and entertaining audio commentary is available in nine languages on all buses. One-hour’s bike rental is also included in the ticket. From $53 per person.

Book at GetYourGuide

2-Day Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus Day & Night Tour

(Photo: Big Bus Sightseeing – San Francisco / Courtesy GetYourGuide)

If you’d like to extend your bus-hopping to two days, including the chance to enjoy the city after dark, the Deluxe ticket is the best choice. Over two full days and one hour’s panoramic night travel you can avail yourself of San Fran’s steady stream of buses that will take you all across the city. Be sure to bring a camera for those Instagram-worthy moments such as when you cross the Golden Gate Bridge, and when night falls have your flash on standby to get some snaps of the illuminated city. Deluxe tickets also include one hour’s bike rental. From $79 per person.

Book at GetYourGuide

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Ferry & Alcatraz Tour

(Photo: Skyline Sightseeing San Francisco / Courtesy GetYourGuide)

This San Francisco hop-on hop-off bus ticket includes a ferry ride and self-guided tour of Alcatraz Island. It is valid over two days, meaning you can schedule the Alcatraz leg of your adventure at your convenience. Whenever you chose to do so, you simply disembark the bus at The Embarcadero where you’ll pick up your ferry to the famous former prison. Once there, you’ll get to enjoy a self-guided audio tour of the notorious site complete with live audio commentary. The package also include a 90-minute night bus tour. From $150 per person.

Book at GetYourGuide