Big Bus Sydney is a hop-on hop-off sightseeing service with two routes that between them reach most of the places first-time visitors want to see. The City Tour, known as the Red Route, loops through the centre of town with 23 stops, starting from Phillip Street, and takes about 30 to 45 minutes of driving if you stay on board. The Bondi and Bays Tour, the Blue Route, has 11 stops and runs for about an hour, heading out through the eastern suburbs to Bondi Beach and back past the harbour bays. You can ride a loop without getting off to understand how the city fits together, or hop off at any stop, explore, and catch the next bus. Tickets come in a 24 hour version with both routes, a 48 hour version with both routes, and a 48 hour version that adds a hop-on hop-off harbour cruise. Commentary is available as a recorded audio guide in eight languages, and live guides are offered in several of them. The buses are wheelchair accessible, and you redeem your voucher from your phone at a stop or on board.
Why a bus tour in Sydney
The city is spread across harbour inlets, headlands and beaches, and the major sights are not all within walking distance of each other. The Red Route links the centre, the Rocks, Circular Quay and the Opera House area, Darling Harbour and the city streets, which makes it a good orientation loop on a first morning.
The Blue Route is the one that earns its place for travellers who want Bondi without arranging public transport, as it covers the eastern coastline and some of the harbour viewpoints in a single ride. Used well, the bus saves on taxi fares and gives you a sense of the geography before you plan the rest of your stay.
How to use it
Decide which two or three places you most want to spend time in and hop off only there, rather than trying to stop at every point. Start early, as the first buses leave in the morning and the last departures are in the mid-afternoon, so there is a limited window each day; the Red Route first bus is around nine and the last around four, while the Blue Route starts a little later and finishes earlier.
The 48 hour tickets give two relaxed days instead of a rush, and the cruise option is worth considering if you do not plan to take a separate harbour trip. Sit on the open upper deck on a clear day for the best views, and bring sun protection.
Practicals and fit
The service suits first-time visitors, families, older travellers and anyone who prefers not to navigate public transport, and it is a sensible choice if you have only a day or two in Sydney. It is less useful for repeat visitors who already know the city, and for travellers who prefer to walk, since Sydney's compact centre rewards that, and the ferries and trains are cheaper for point-to-point travel.
Allow time for traffic on busy days, since the buses share the road, and remember that stops, timetables and cruise operating dates can change, so confirm the latest details when you book. Free cancellation and rescheduling is offered up to a day before your travel date.
What to expect
The experience
Open-top hop-on hop-off buses on two routes, with recorded audio commentary and a choice of 24 or 48 hour tickets.
Best time
Start on the first morning of your stay to get your bearings; ride the upper deck on a clear day.
How long
A single loop takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes on the City route and about an hour on the Bondi and Bays route, plus any stops.
Tips
Choose your two or three must-see stops in advance, check first and last bus times, and consider the 48 hour ticket for a more relaxed pace.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want an easy overview and a ride out to Bondi without planning transport.
- Families
- Children enjoy the open top deck, and the buses are wheelchair accessible.
- Couples
- A relaxed way to see Bondi and the harbour bays together without a car.
- Pair with
- Bondi Beach, the Rocks, Darling Harbour and a harbour cruise.
- Time needed
- Half a day for one loop with stops, or two days with the longer ticket.
Good questions
What routes does Big Bus Sydney run?+
There are two: the City Tour, or Red Route, with 23 stops, and the Bondi and Bays Tour, or Blue Route, with 11 stops. Tickets cover both routes.
How long are the tickets valid?+
You can choose a 24 hour or 48 hour ticket, and there is also a 48 hour option that includes a hop-on hop-off harbour cruise.
Is there commentary and in which languages?+
Yes. A recorded audio guide is available in eight languages, and live guides are offered in several languages on selected buses.
What time do the buses start and finish?+
The first Red Route bus leaves in the morning and the last in the mid-afternoon, and the Blue Route runs a little later at the start and earlier at the end. Check the current timetable when you book.
Is it accessible and can I cancel?+
The buses are wheelchair accessible. You can cancel or reschedule free of charge up to 24 hours before your visit date.
