Philadelphia: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Night Lights

See Philadelphia at Your Own Pace on a Double-Decker Bus

You board a double-decker bus at your own pace and hop off at any of 25 stops across Philadelphia — Love Park, Liberty Bell, Penn's Landing, the museums, and smaller neighborhoods. Audio commentary in 12 languages plays through headphones at each stop. Pick a 1, 2, or 3-day pass depending on how much time you have, and your ticket stays valid for a year if you need to use it later. An optional 1.5-hour night tour with a live guide is available separately if you want to see the city lit up.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hop-on hop-off Philadelphia sightseeing

• Board double-decker bus at 9:30am
• Visit The Bourse Building
• Stop at Betsy Ross House
• Explore National Constitution Center
• See Chinatown
• Shop at Reading Terminal Market
• Visit Love Park
• Tour Cathedral Basilica
• View Logan Circle
• Visit Rodin Museum
• Explore Eastern State Penitentiary
• See The Perelman Building
• Visit Rocky Steps & Statue
• Tour Franklin Institute
• Visit Mutter Museum
• Shop at Shops at Liberty Place
• See The Bellevue
• Walk Avenue of the Arts
• Explore Antique Row
• Visit Mother Bethel A.M.E Church
• Stop at Headhouse Square
• See Vietnam & Korean War Memorials
• Visit Penn's Landing
• End tour at Marriott Old City

The Experience

"Do I just get on whenever I want?" That's the question most people ask at the kiosk on South 6th Street, and the answer is yes — you board the red route bus whenever it pulls up, stay on for one full loop if you're figuring out the city, or hop off at Love Park, the Liberty Bell, Penn's Landing, wherever you want to spend time. Buses run every 15 minutes from 9:30am, so you're never stuck waiting long. The whole thing is built around the idea that you don't want someone telling you when to move on.

The audio guide comes through headphones in 12 languages, so you get context at each of the 25 stops without needing to read a map or ask anyone. You'll pass the Betsy Ross House, the National Constitution Center, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Rodin Museum, Eastern State Penitentiary, and smaller spots like Chinatown and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial — the kind of mix that makes sense only if you're moving through the city on your own schedule. A full loop takes about 90 minutes, but most people break it into pieces. You pick a 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day pass depending on how much ground you want to cover, and your voucher stays valid for up to 12 months if your plans change.

If you want the city at night, there's a separate 1.5-hour Panoramic Night Tour that leaves at 6:30pm or 8pm — this one has a live guide in English and focuses on the lit-up landmarks like Independence Hall and the Rocky Steps. It's not hop-on hop-off; you stay on for the whole ride. The two tours are ticketed separately, so you book them as add-ons if the night version appeals to you. Redeem your voucher at the kiosk at 80 South 6th Street (that's Stop 28, corner of 6th and Chestnut), and you're ready to go.

What’s included

• Audio guide commentary in 12 languages with headphones.
• access to all 25 stops on the red route including Betsy Ross House, Love Park, Liberty Bell, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rodin Museum, and Penn's Landing.
• a tour map.
• flexible 1, 2, or 3-day hop-on hop-off bus pass valid for up to 12 months.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by City Sightseeing Ltd - USA and Middle East

Is this one for you?Best for travelers who want to see Philadelphia's main sights without booking separate tickets or timing a guided group — the frequent buses and flexible hop-on hop-off format mean you move at your own pace and skip the lines at the kiosk.

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Top questions

Can I get off the bus and get back on later?

Yes. That's the whole point of hop-on hop-off. You can stay on for a full loop, or hop off at any stop and catch the next bus when you're ready. Buses run every 15 minutes.

What languages is the audio guide available in?

12 languages. You get headphones and commentary at each stop.

How long is a full loop?

About 90 minutes if you stay on the whole time without getting off.

When do buses start and stop running?

First departure is 9:30am from Stop 1 (The Bourse Building). Last departure is 4pm. Buses run every 15 minutes throughout the day.

Is the night tour included in the hop-on hop-off ticket?

No. The 1.5-hour Panoramic Night Tour is sold separately. It departs at 6:30pm or 8pm and includes a live English-speaking guide.

Where do I pick up my voucher?

Redeem at 21 South 5th Street for the day bus tour, or at 80 South 6th Street (Stop 28) for the night tour. Mobile and printed vouchers are both accepted.

How long is my ticket valid?

Your voucher is valid for up to 12 months from the travel date you select when you book.

Is the bus wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Service animals are allowed.