Washington DC: Hop-on Hop-off Bus & Water Taxi Pass

The Red Loop Hits 11 Stops While You Decide When to Get Off

You board an open-top bus at the Washington Monument and hop off at any of 11 stops—the Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian museums, and more—then rejoin whenever you're ready. On the same pass, you can cruise the Potomac River on the water taxi between Georgetown, The Wharf, and Old Town Alexandria. The 24-hour pass works across both, and you can use it on the same day or split it over two consecutive days.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Start hop-on hop-off bus tour
• See Washington Monument
• Visit Natural History Museum
• Stop at National Japanese American Memorial
• View US Capitol at Garfield Circle
• Explore Air & Space Museum
• Visit L’Enfant Plaza and International Spy Museum
• Arrive at The Wharf
• Board Potomac Water Taxi
• Cruise between The Wharf, Georgetown, National Harbor, and Old Town Alexandria
• Disembark and end tour

The Experience

The open-top deck fills with morning light as the bus pulls away from the Washington Monument, and you're already deciding: do you stay on for the Capitol, or hop off at the Natural History Museum first? That's the whole point of this Washington DC hop-on hop-off tour—you move through the city at your own rhythm, not a schedule's. The Red Loop passes the White House, Lincoln Memorial, U.S. Capitol, and the Smithsonian cluster, with audio commentary running through the history of each landmark as you roll past. You can ride straight through if you want the overview, or step off at any of the 11 stops to walk around, visit a museum, take photos, and board the next bus when you're ready.

What makes this different from just taking a regular tour is the flexibility baked in—and the water component. After you've covered the main sights on the bus, you can use the same pass to cruise the Potomac River on the DC Water Taxi, which connects The Wharf, Georgetown, National Harbor, and Old Town Alexandria. The taxi stops let you see the skyline from the water, which is a completely different angle on the city. You can do both the bus and the water taxi on the same day if you're energized, or spread them across consecutive days if you'd rather not rush. The app tracks the buses in real time, so you're not standing around guessing when the next one arrives.

One practical thing: you'll need to download the Big Bus Tours app to activate your ticket and board. It stores everything on your phone, which saves you from carrying paper or fumbling at each stop. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and if you need that accommodation, Big Bus asks for 48 hours' notice. A portion of every ticket goes toward preserving the National Mall's monuments, so the money does something beyond just getting you around.

What’s included

• 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus pass for the Red Loop with 11 stops.
• 1-day Potomac Water Taxi pass with unlimited stops at The Wharf, Georgetown, National Harbor, and Old Town Alexandria.
• digital audio commentary of DC sights and history.
• Big Bus Tours app for ticket storage, live bus tracking, and mobile boarding.
• wheelchair accessibility (notify Big Bus 48 hours in advance).
• a portion of ticket proceeds supports National Mall preservation.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Big Bus Tours - USA

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see DC's main landmarks without renting a car or planning a rigid itinerary—the bus and water taxi let you move at your own pace and skip the logistics of timing and transport between stops.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can I use the bus and water taxi on the same day?

Yes. You can ride the Red Loop bus and take the Potomac Water Taxi on the same day, or spread them across consecutive days—whichever suits your pace.

How often do the buses come?

The app shows real-time bus tracking, so you can see exactly when the next bus arrives at your stop instead of guessing.

Which museums are included in the pass?

The pass covers the bus tour and water taxi; museum entry fees are separate. The bus stops at the Natural History Museum, Air & Space Museum, and near the Smithsonian cluster, but you pay to enter each one.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, both the bus and water taxi are wheelchair accessible. Notify Big Bus 48 hours in advance if you need that accommodation.

What if I only want to do the bus tour, not the water taxi?

The pass includes both, but you're free to use only the bus tour and skip the water taxi—the pass is valid for 24 hours, so you choose which parts to use.

Do I need to book the water taxi stops in advance?

The water taxi pass is included and allows unlimited stops at The Wharf, Georgetown, National Harbor, and Old Town Alexandria. No separate booking is needed.

Where do I pick up my ticket?

Download the Big Bus Tours app to activate your ticket on your phone. You'll use your mobile ticket to board at any stop on the Red Loop.

Is audio commentary included?

Yes, digital audio commentary about DC history and landmarks plays throughout the bus tour.