Traveling entails not only the journey to and from your destination but also how you explore an area. There are tons of ways to get around a city, especially Dubai, including water taxis, trams, the metro, and your own two feet. While these are all great ways to move around quickly, there is one guaranteed way to see all the top attractions while touring the city – a hop-on hop-off bus in Dubai.
These are the best hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tours in Dubai:
How Do Dubai Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours Work?
A hop-on hop-off bus tour in Dubai works fairly simply. The bus takes preset routes to the city’s most popular attractions, with recorded commentary available in several languages. You can hop on or off the bus at any of the stops, or enjoy the whole bus ride as a tour of the city with a ticket.
First, you need to decide what you want out of the bus tour. Are you using it to visit the top attractions or to get a better idea of the layout of the city? This will help you decide what kind of ticket to get, whether it’s a one-day or five-day ticket.
Best Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours in Dubai
1. Big Bus Dubai Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
The Big Bus tours in Dubai are among the most popular for the Emerald City. They offer a great deal for travelers looking to explore Dubai. You can purchase a one-, two-, or even five-day ticket that gives you unlimited access to the hop-on hop-off bus. Each bus has an open-top deck, letting you enjoy open-air views of the city, as well as air-conditioned seating below.
Routes of the Big Bus Tour in Dubai
This hop-on hop-off tour bus in Dubai takes two routes, and any ticket you purchase for it will give you unlimited access to both routes. You can find live bus times, a map of stops and routes, and other information on the company’s free app.
The bus for the City Tour (also known as the Red Route) comes every 20 minutes and stops at 14 popular attractions, including the Museum of the Future, the Royal Palace, Al Fahidi Fort, and Heritage Village. The bus for the Beach Tour (also known as the Blue Route) comes every 30 minutes and stops at 11 monuments and attractions, such as The Dubai Mall, Media City, The Palm Fountain, and Palm West Beach.
Red Route:
- Duration: 1 hour, 40 minutes
- Frequency: Every 20 minutes
- First bus: 9 a.m.
- Last bus: 5 p.m.
- Stops: The Dubai Mall, Museum of the Future, Royal Palace, Arabian Dhow Cruise, Bastakiya Old Village, Al Fahidi Fort, Old Souk, Heritage Village, Gold Souk, Spice Souk, Dubai Creek, Baniyas Road, Wafi City Mall, Dubai Frame
Blue Route:
- Duration: 2 hour, 20 minutes
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes
- First bus: 9 a.m.
- Last bus: 5 p.m.
- Stops: The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and Ski Dubai, Ain Dubai, Dubai Marina and JBR, Bayside and Skydive, Tallest Block, Media City, The Palm Fountain, Atlantis The Palm, Palm West Beach, Souk Madinat Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab
Map of the Big Bus Tour in Dubai
Tickets for the Big Bus Tour in Dubai
The Go City Explorer Pass includes a day pass on the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Dubai Bus Tour and is a great way to save some money if you intend to visit multiple attractions in Dubai anyway.
If you’re not interested in the city pass, you can purchase three different types of tickets for a Dubai hop-on hop-off bus tour with Big Bus. All tickets include audio commentary and access to a traditional Arabian Dhow Cruise on Dubai Creek.
- The Classic Ticket is valid for 24 hours and costs $71.10 USD for adults and $47.80 for children. Purchase tickets or learn more.
- The Premium Ticket is valid for 48 hours and includes tickets to the Ambassador Lagoon and the Lost Chambers Aquarium. It costs $85.80 USD for adults and $61.30 for children. Purchase tickets or learn more.
- The Deluxe Ticket is valid for five days and includes all the benefits of the Premium ticket plus the Desert Sunset Tour. This ticket costs $97.80 USD for adults and $73.30 for children. Purchase tickets or learn more.
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2. City Sightseeing Dubai Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Another great company to enjoy a hop-on hop-off bus tour in Dubai with is City Sightseeing. All of the buses have air conditioning on the lower level, an open-deck upper level where you can enjoy fantastic views of Dubai, and audio commentary. The tours even have child audio guides with commentary to keep the little ones entertained.
Routes of the City Sightseeing Bus Tour in Dubai
The City Sightseeing buses have two routes, and any ticket will give you unlimited access to both routes. The Red Route starts at The Dubai Mall and goes to top attractions like the Dubai Frame and the Gold and Spice Souks. The Blue Route starts at The Dubai Mall and ends at Atlantis The Palm, stopping at attractions like the Marina Promenade and The Beach at JBL. Both routes have a bus frequency of 30 minutes.
Red Route:
- Duration: 1 hour, 20 minutes
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes
- First bus: 10 a.m.
- Last bus: 5 p.m.
- Stops: The Dubai Mall, Museum of the Future, Al Seef Heritage Area, Al Fahidi Historical District, Dubai Museum, Old Souk, Heritage Village, Gold and Spice Souks, Dubai Creek, Dubai Frame, Sheikh Zayed Road
Blue Route:
- Duration: 2 hour, 10 minutes
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes
- First bus: 10 a.m.
- Last bus: 5 p.m.
- Stops: The Dubai Mall, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Fairmont The Palm, Atlantis The Palm, Dubai Marina Mall, The Beach at JBR, Marina Promenade, Grosvenor House, Mina Seyahi, Mall of the Emirates
Map of the City Sightseeing Bus Tour in Dubai
Tickets for the City Sightseeing Bus Tour in Dubai
City Sightseeing offers four ticket types for its Dubai hop-on hop-off buses:
- The Iconic Ticket grants unlimited access for 24, 48, or 72 hours. Prices start at $76.24 USD for adults and $57.18 for children. Purchase tickets or learn more.
- The Essential Ticket can also be chosen for a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour duration, and it includes access to a traditional Al Seef Dhow Cruise. Tickets to the Lost Chambers Aquarium are also included with Essential Tickets purchased for 48 hours or more. Prices start at $81.69 USD for adults and $62.63 for children. Purchase tickets or learn more.
- The Value Ticket is valid for 24 hours and includes admission to At the Top of Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. A Value Ticket costs $122.24 USD for adults and $94 for children. Purchase tickets or learn more.
- The Ultimate Ticket is valid for three days and includes a traditional Al Seef Dhow Cruise, tickets to the Lost Chambers Aquarium, and tickets to Aquaventure Waterpark. All tickets include access to the Sunset or Night Tour. An Ultimate Ticket costs $163.38 USD for adults and $138.87 for children. Purchase tickets or learn more.
If you want to see as much as possible of Dubai without breaking the bank, consider the iVenture Dubai Unlimited Attraction Pass. This pass includes access to over 30 attractions within a three- to five-day period, depending on the type you purchase, as well as a hop-on hop-off bus tour with City Sightseeing.
Buy City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tickets Now
Benefits of a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour in Dubai
Jumping aboard a hop-on hop-off bus in Dubai is a great way to see the city, especially for those new to the city or to travel in general. You’ll not only get to see all the top attractions and monuments, but also get a good understanding of how the city is mapped out. The open tops of these double-decker bus tours in Dubai offer a unique experience, letting you snap some pretty incredible pictures.
The hop-on hop-off buses give you flexibility when traveling and are easy to navigate, as the predetermined routes already stop at major attractions. You’ll hear audio commentary on the city, helping you learn more about Dubai’s culture and history, and get the opportunity to meet other travelers. It’s also a cost-effective alternative to taxis and car rentals, as you can use the bus as a way to get around the city as well as a tour. Another unique advantage of these Dubai tour buses is that they include a Dhow boat cruise and can also be bundled into discount packages with other top attractions.
Tips for Taking a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus in Dubai
To help you navigate the city and hop-on hop-off buses in Dubai, we’ve created this quick guide with tips for travelers:
- Download the bus tour app (if available) or keep screenshots of its timetables and routes on your phone so you can navigate the tours easily.
- Review your ticket to understand which attractions or extras it offers. These could include night tours, boat rides, or discounts on other attractions.
- Decide in advance which stops you want to get on and off at.
- Start your day early to get the most bang for your buck.
- If your ticket does include attractions, double-check in advance whether you have to book a time slot before going.
- If you’re planning on a night tour or traveling in the winter, bring a jacket to keep you warm on the open-top deck.
- Avoid traveling on the bus during rush hour so you don’t waste time sitting in traffic.
- If you have enough time, ride for a full loop on the bus without getting off so you can take in the city and its attractions.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations or about the city if you have a live tour guide.
There you have them, the best hop-on hop-off bus tours in Dubai! Soak in the sun from the top deck, snap amazing photos, and enjoy a tour of the city. Regardless of which company or ticket you choose, we’re sure you’ll have a memorable time in the City of Gold.
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