The 15 Best Sydney Hop-On Hop-Off Tours

1.Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,697 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $51Our pick

Big Bus Sydney links the city’s landmarks and Bondi Beach on two open-top routes with 23 stops. Choose a 24- or 48-hour pass, then add a Captain Cook harbour cruise or a non-stop night tour. Expect recorded commentary in eight languages, frequent daytime departures and the freedom to get off and explore.

“Easy to collect tickets and find bus stops. Interesting and informative tour. A little expensive for what it is but I guess that is to be expected in the middle of Sydney!”

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2.Big Bus Sydney and Bondi Hop-on Hop-off Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2,690 reviews · from $52

See Sydney’s harbour landmarks, city districts, and Bondi Beach on open-top double-decker buses with recorded commentary in eight languages. Choose a 24- or 48-hour pass, then hop off to explore. A Captain Cook harbour cruise or panoramic night tour may be available as an upgrade, so check what your selected ticket includes.

“This is a fantastic way to see Sydney. my 10yo son thought it was the best, he loved the top story and enjoyed listening to the auto with the history of each building. Being able to watch the buses (live time) on the app. was very convenient. All drivers were very friendly.”

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3.Katoomba: Lyrebird Hop-On Hop-Off and Scenic World Pass

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 553 reviews · 1 day · from $82

Start at Katoomba station and use a full-day bus pass to reach Blue Mountains lookouts and walks, with live English commentary and a map booklet. At Scenic World, ride the Railway, Skyway and Cableway and follow the rainforest Walkway at your own pace. The 9:15 AM bus gives you the most time to plan and explore.

“Long drive but guide kept us informed as to the history of areas on the way to hobbiton.”

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4.Sydney Guided Sightseeing Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 436 reviews · from $35

This 3.5-hour guided bus tour starts near Hyde Park and ends at the Sydney Opera House, passing harbor landmarks, eastern suburbs and Bondi Beach. You get several photo stops, including Mrs Macquarie’s Point, The Gap and Bondi. Guides such as Martin and Michael have drawn praise for their stories and driving, though some people find the commentary difficult to follow.

“Martin was so much fun and did a great job of taking us around to see the sights! He had great food recommendations in Bondi as well. Highly recommend the meat pie at The Depot and the gelato at Anita’s.”

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5.Blue Mountains Hop On Hop Off Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 293 reviews · from $323

Ride the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus between 29 stops in Katoomba and Leura, hopping off for lookouts, walks, cafes, and town sights. Buses run about every 30 minutes, and the pass can be extended up to three days if you are staying in the mountains. Add the Lyrebird Pass for unlimited Scenic World rides. Drivers such as Jimmy, Damien, and Kylie have made the route more helpful with local tips.

“Great way to see the town. Missed the "5" mark for me as the office staff appeared too rushed and answers given to questions were not clear. The bus drivers were nice, but some directions to hiking paths were vague. Example: "At honeymoon lookout, just take the easRead more”

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6.Katoomba: Blue Mountains Full-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 274 reviews · 1 day · from $38

Ride the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus from Katoomba, hopping off for the Three Sisters, waterfalls, lookouts and Leura Village. Your one-day pass includes live English commentary and a guidebook with maps and walking routes. The route is flexible, but buses run about once an hour, so plan walks around the timetable.

“Thank you to staff @ booking office so very helpful & cheerful. Loved our time with hop on hop off bus only way to go such a very good service Cheers Christine & Pat Tauranga New Zealand”

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7.Hop-on Hop-off Harbour Cruise with Commentary

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 258 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $31Best value

Captain Cook Cruises’ hop-on, hop-off harbour pass gives you one or two days to travel between five Sydney stops, with smartphone commentary on board. Start at Circular Quay Wharf 6 or Darling Harbour, stay aboard for a harbour circuit, or get off to explore places such as Manly, Watsons Bay and Taronga Zoo. Attraction tickets, food and drinks cost extra.

“great trip, many places to hop off if you want to. crew were wonderful, friendly helpful and made sure everyone was safe”

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8.Sydney Harbour Hop On Hop Off Explorer Ferry Pass

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 255 reviews · from $31

Use a one-day or two-consecutive-day pass to travel between Sydney Harbour stops, including Circular Quay, Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay, Manly and Darling Harbour. Enjoy indoor or outdoor seating and optional phone-based commentary in seven languages. There is no live guide, and attraction admission is extra.

“Easy to get to and absolutely stunning views! It is a must do, very cost effective. I got to see Sydney from the water which is pretty spectacular!”

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9.Sydney Sightseeing Bus Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 111 reviews · from $35

This 3.5-hour Sydney bus tour links the harbour suburbs, The Gap, Bondi Beach and the Opera House, with a live guide, air-conditioned transport and several short stops. You’ll pass Finger Wharf, Kings Cross and Double Bay, then get time to step off at Rose Bay, The Gap and Bondi. Some departures are guided by Martin.

“The bus ride was comfortable , guide was funny and took us to places which were further to get to but great to see”

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10.90-Minute Panoramic Big Bus Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · from $45

Ride through Sydney after dark on a 90-minute panoramic Big Bus tour departing from Circular Quay. A live guide points out illuminated landmarks including the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair. The open upper deck can bring the best views, but wind and cold may make earbuds and an extra layer welcome.

“An excellent opportunity to see the city at sunset. It was especially nice because the city was setting up for old years eve the next day. I fortunately this meant the bus couldn't go to all the stops. Both the driver and the tour guide were most apologetic.”

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11.Big Bus Panoramic Night Tour by Open-Top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 57 reviews · 1h 30m · from $44

Take a 90-minute, English-guided night ride from Circular Quay across the Harbour Bridge, with 10-minute photo stops at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and Milsons Point. Guides vary; Leonie has been praised for her commentary. The bus returns to its starting point, and this is a fixed-route tour, not a hop-on, hop-off service.

“Given the significance placed on the iconic Opera House, it was sad that the Conservatorium of Music on the route was not given any mention at all. Considering this is the very place where prospective Opera singers train. I saw lots of passengers taking photos of this building but no mention of it by the guide.”

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12.Blue Mountain Tour with Hop on and Hop Off Bus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $170Top rated

Brighton Tours takes you from Sydney Central Station to Sydney Zoo and the Blue Mountains, with stops for Leura, Echo Point and Scenic World’s three rides. A guide handles the coach day, while a 24-hour Big Bus ticket gives you 34 City and Bondi Beach stops to explore at your own pace. Past guides have included Tom, Ricardo, Gordon and Alfie.

“It was a really nice day. Unfortunately, the weather was not good but we could get a lot of unreal experiences. If I have opportunity to visit Sydney again, I’m going to get a ticket of this tour. Also my staff was really nice.”

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13.Blue Mountains Day Tour & Hop-on, Hop-off Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 11 reviews · 10 hours · from $169

Leave Central Station at 7:45am for a guided Blue Mountains day with Sydney Zoo, Leura, Echo Point and unlimited Scenic World rides. The package also includes a 24-hour Big Bus ticket for 34 Sydney and Bondi stops, best used separately from the mountain trip. Guides Alfie and Said have been praised for engaging stories and smooth touring.

“Great, it was amazing 😃 Thank you for interesting stories our guide Alfie😀”

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14.Morning Sightseeing Bus to Bondi with Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 8 reviews · 5h 30m · from $174

Take a morning minibus tour of Sydney for up to 14 people, with stops at Mrs Macquarie’s Point, Rose Bay, The Gap and Bondi Beach. Then board a harbour cruise for a buffet lunch, drinks and live commentary. Bus guides have included Dane and Matt; boat crew assignments can vary.

“Very knowledgeable guide on the bus tour and comfortable bus. Lunch time cruise was excellent and thoroughly enjoyed the food and narration.”

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15.Blue Mountain Tour + Hop-on-Hop-off Big Bus Discover Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 7 reviews · 10 hours · from $173

Ride a coach from Sydney to Leura, Echo Point, the Three Sisters, Scenic World and Sydney Zoo, with time for three Scenic World rides. A separate 24-hour Big Bus ticket lets you explore Sydney at your own pace. One tour guide named Steve was praised for being informative and funny, though guides may vary.

“Muy buena, hemos recorrido bastante, conocido a través del hoyo-on muchos lugares súper interesantes y la experiencia en el cable- carril muy bueno conocido pero me hubiera gustado más tiempo para recorrer a pie las montañas azules”

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