York Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: 20 stops, live guide

A single circuit takes an hour, but you control how long the day lasts.

A hop-on hop-off open-top bus tour of York with 20 stops around the city's main landmarks, a live guide and English audio commentary. You can board and leave at any stop, and your ticket stays valid for either 24 or 48 hours from your first ride. The tour covers York Minster, Clifford's Tower, Merchant Adventurers' Hall, Jorvik Viking Centre, the National Railway Museum and the Yorkshire Museum, among others. Children from age 4 are welcome, and the bus is wheelchair accessible.

The experience

The bus leaves Exhibition Square at 10:00am and runs a circuit that takes about an hour to complete. You can stay on board for the full loop and listen to the guide explain the history of each landmark as you pass, or step off at any of the 20 stops to explore on foot and catch a later bus. The open-top design means you see the city from above, and the live guide adds detail the audio commentary alone would not: the stories behind Micklegate Bar, the reason Clifford's Tower stands where it does, what made the Merchant Adventurers' Hall matter to York's trade. You're not locked into a schedule or a group pace. The flexibility is the point.

Your ticket is valid for either 24 or 48 hours from the moment you first board, so you can spread the stops across two days if you want. Some stops sit near museums you might spend an hour in (the Jorvik Viking Centre, the National Railway Museum, the Yorkshire Museum), while others are just the landmark itself and a photo opportunity. The bus is wheelchair accessible, and infants can ride in a pram or stroller. Families often use the tour as a way to get oriented before deciding which sites to visit in depth, since you see the whole city's layout without having to navigate it yourself.

What’s included

• Hop-on hop-off access to all 20 stops on the route.
• live guide commentary.
• English audio guide.
• open-top bus seating.

Options for this experience

2 options

24 Hours TicketNo fixed time24 Hours Ticket

48 Hours TicketNo fixed time48 Hours Ticket

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (16 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Child (4 to 15 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

Audio guideEnglish

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Golden Tours Gray Line London

Is this one for you?Choose the 24-hour ticket if you're spending one day in York and want to see the main landmarks without committing to a second day. Pick the 48-hour option if you're staying longer and want to break the tour across two visits or spend more time at individual stops.

Traveler reviews

4.68★★★★★★★★★★

530 verified traveler reviews

5 ★461

4 ★27

3 ★9

2 ★9

1 ★24

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 15 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

How many stops does the York hop-on hop-off bus tour have?

The tour has 20 stops spread across the city. You can board and leave at any of them, so the stops you visit depend on what interests you.

What landmarks does the bus pass on the York tour?

The tour covers York Minster, Clifford's Tower, Merchant Adventurers' Hall, Jorvik Viking Centre, the National Railway Museum, Yorkshire Museum and Micklegate Bar, among others across the 20 stops.

Can I get off the bus and rejoin it later on the same ticket?

Yes. Your ticket is valid for 24 or 48 hours from when you first board, so you can hop off to explore a stop in detail and catch another bus when you're ready to move on.

What time does the York bus tour start?

The first tour of the day departs from Exhibition Square at 10:00am. A single circuit takes approximately one hour.

Does the tour include a guide, or just audio commentary?

The tour includes both a live guide who travels with the bus and an English audio guide. The live guide provides additional context and stories about the landmarks as you pass them.