New Orleans: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & 18 Stops

Eighteen stops, one ticket, no schedule to chase

You board at any of eighteen stops and ride the red route through Jackson Square, the French Quarter, Garden District, and the Arts District, hopping off to explore museums, markets, and streets at your own pace. The live guide provides commentary throughout, buses arrive every thirty minutes, and your ticket covers the full day from first departure until 4pm. No reservations needed for individual stops, no guide waiting for you to catch up. Just a ticket and a city that rewards wandering.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore New Orleans by hop-on bus

• Start at Jackson Square
• Visit St. Louis Cathedral
• Enjoy beignets and cafe au lait
• Shop at City Sightseeing Ticket Office
• Stop at French Market and Flea Market
• Explore Marigny Bywater and Frenchmen Street
• Visit Crescent Park and JAMNola Brew Pub
• See Treme and St. Augustine Church
• Stop at Basin St. Station
• Walk Canal, Bourbon, Royal, and Chartres Streets
• Check out Canal Street hotels
• Visit Harrah's Casino and Italian Piazza
• See Lafayette Square and Gallier Hall
• Stop at St. Charles @ Lafayette
• Explore National WWII Museum and nearby art museums
• Visit Magazine Street and Jackson Avenue
• See Louisiana Superdome
• End at Arts District and Riverwalk shops

The experience

The bus pulls up and you realize you've got no idea where to get off first. That's actually the whole point. With a 1-day hop-on hop-off ticket, you move through New Orleans at your own pace: eighteen stops scattered across the city, a bus arriving every thirty minutes, and the freedom to jump off whenever something catches your eye. The red route loops through Jackson Square and the French Quarter, then swings past the Garden District's antebellum mansions, the National WWII Museum, Magazine Street's galleries, and down to the Convention Center. You're not locked into a schedule or a guide's pacing. You choose which stops matter to you.

The live English commentary runs the whole route, so even when you're sitting on the bus between stops, you're learning something about the architecture sliding past, the history of a street, why the streetcars on Canal Street still run the way they do. New Orleans is a city built on layers (French, Spanish, African, American), and the hop-on hop-off format lets you linger in the places where those layers feel most visible. Spend an hour at Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral if the light is right. Duck into the French Market, wander Frenchmen Street's music clubs in Bywater, or just sit on a bench in Lafayette Square and watch the city move. The bus will come around again in half an hour.

First buses leave between 9:30am and 9:40am from stops 1, 5, 6, and 17. The last departure from any stop is 4pm, with the final tour wrapping up at 5:30pm. That window gives you a solid day without the pressure of an early start or a late finish. Buses run every thirty minutes during normal operation, though during peak times frequency can shift, so it's worth checking locally when you arrive. The ticket is valid only for the date you book it (no flexibility to use it another day), and the service doesn't run on November 26th, December 5th, or December 25th. Wheelchair-accessible buses are available. Just ask the driver about the next accessible vehicle if the one arriving isn't equipped.

What’s included

• 1-day hop-on hop-off bus ticket valid for the date specified.
• access to all eighteen stops on the red route including Jackson Square, French Quarter, Garden District, National WWII Museum, Magazine Street, Convention Center, and Audubon Aquarium.
• live English-language commentary throughout the route.
• buses every thirty minutes.
• wheelchair-accessible buses available.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (13 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by City Sightseeing Ltd - USA and Middle East

Is this one for you?Best for travelers who want to see multiple neighborhoods and landmarks without arranging separate transport or timing themselves to a guide's schedule. The thirty-minute frequency means you can spend as long as you want at each stop and catch the next bus without waiting.

Traveler reviews

4.32★★★★★★★★★★

5,245 verified traveler reviews

5 ★3,398

4 ★931

3 ★396

2 ★234

1 ★286

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What time does the hop-on hop-off bus start?

First buses depart between 9:30am and 9:40am from stops 1, 5, 6, and 17. The last bus leaves any stop at 4pm, with the final tour ending at 5:30pm.

How often do buses arrive?

Every thirty minutes under normal conditions. During busy periods, frequency may be affected, so check locally for current timings when you arrive.

Can I use my ticket on a different day?

No. Your voucher is valid only for the specific date you book. It cannot be used on any other date.

Are the buses wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Wheelchair-accessible buses operate on the route. Guests can ask the driver about accessibility on the next arriving bus.

Does the tour operate every day?

No. The service does not run on November 26th, December 5th, or December 25th. It also finishes at 4pm on November 25th, December 24th, and December 31st.

Is there a guide on the bus?

Yes. A live English-language guide provides commentary throughout the entire route.

How long is the full loop?

The complete red route takes ninety minutes. You can ride the full loop or hop off at any of the eighteen stops and rejoin on a later bus.