New York City: Night Bus Tour & Times Square with Live Guide

The bus pulls away from Times Square as the city lights come on

You board an open-top double-decker bus in Midtown and ride for two hours through New York City's lit-up landmarks: Times Square, the Flatiron Building, the Manhattan Bridge with skyline views, and the Theater District. A live guide provides context and history as you pass Brooklyn Bridge, Lincoln Center, and the Empire State Building. You get one free drink at Planet Hollywood and can activate your ticket via the Big Bus app or in person before departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. M&M's Store10m
2. Times Squarepass by
3. Flatiron Buildingpass by
4. Little Italypass by
5. Manhattan Bridgepass by
6. Lincoln Centerpass by
7. Brooklyn Bridgepass by

Evening open-top bus city tour

• Start at M&M's World stop
• See Times Square lights
• View Flatiron Building
• Pass through Little Italy
• Cross Manhattan Bridge
• View Brooklyn Bridge
• Pass Lincoln Center
• See Theater District
• End tour on Avenue of Americas

The experience

You board the open-top double-decker bus at Stop #40 on 7th Avenue at 48th Street, right at M&M's World in the heart of Midtown. The tour lasts two hours and departs every 20 to 30 minutes between 7:00pm and 9:00pm, so you can pick a slot that fits your evening. There's no hopping on and off. This is a continuous ride, which means you settle in and the guide does the talking while the city moves past you from 360 degrees. The bus climbs high enough that you're not craning your neck at street level. You're actually seeing the skyline the way it's meant to be seen after dark.

The route takes you through Times Square first, where the screens and signs are so bright they wash out everything else, then down toward the Flatiron Building and through Little Italy before heading east to cross the Manhattan Bridge. That's where the views open up: the bridge puts you out over the water with the skyline lit up on both sides, and the guide points out the Empire State Building glowing in the distance. You swing back through the Theater District and past Lincoln Center on the Avenue of the Americas, with Macy's and Radio City Music Hall lit up as you go. The whole thing moves at a pace where you can actually absorb what you're looking at instead of snapping photos of a blur.

Included in the ticket is one free drink (beer or wine) at Planet Hollywood, which you can claim during the tour or after. The live guide speaks English and shares the history and context of what you're seeing, not just the names of buildings. If you prefer, recorded commentary is available in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French, and German. The bus is wheelchair accessible, and infants can sit on a lap or ride in a stroller. You do need to arrive 15 minutes before your departure time to get a seat. It's first-come, first-served, so showing up early matters if you want a spot on the upper deck.

What’s included

• Two-hour open-top double-decker bus tour of New York City at night.
• live guide in English with recorded commentary available in six languages.
• one free drink (beer or wine) at Planet Hollywood.
• 360-degree views from the top deck of Times Square, the Flatiron Building, Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, and the Theater District.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 18:00, 19:00 and 20:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideSpanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h 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 friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Big Bus Tours - USA

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to see New York's main landmarks lit up at night without arranging transport or timing multiple stops: the fixed two-hour route and live guide handle the navigation and context while you take in the views from the top of the bus.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3).

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 24 h before the start.

What time does the night bus tour depart?

Departures run every 20 to 30 minutes between 7:00pm and 9:00pm from Stop #40 at M&M's World on 7th Avenue and 48th Street.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts two hours and is a continuous ride. You don't get off and back on.

What's included in the ticket?

The ticket includes the two-hour bus tour, a live guide in English, and one free drink (beer or wine) at Planet Hollywood.

Can I use recorded commentary instead of the live guide?

Yes. The live guide speaks English, but recorded commentary is available in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French, and German if you prefer.

Is the bus wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the bus is wheelchair accessible. Infants can ride on an adult's lap or in a stroller, and service animals are allowed.

Do I need to book in advance or can I just show up?

The tour operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive 15 minutes before your preferred departure time to secure a seat. You can activate your ticket via the Big Bus app or in person with Big Bus staff.

What landmarks does the tour pass?

The route includes Times Square, the Flatiron Building, Little Italy, the Manhattan Bridge, the Theater District, Lincoln Center, and views of the Empire State Building and Brooklyn Bridge.