A red open-top double-decker looping past the skyline is one of the easiest ways to see Chicago's greatest hits in a single day — no parking, no navigation, and running commentary the whole way round. In 2026 there's really just one operator running that experience: Big Bus Chicago. Here's the route, the prices, whether it's worth it, and how to ride it for free on a sightseeing pass.
At a glance
For years Chicago had two big names on the streets: Big Bus and the long-running Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co. That changed at the end of 2019, when the trolley company ran its last route and never came back. Today, Big Bus is effectively the city's sole hop-on hop-off double-decker operator, which is why "the red bus," "the double decker tour," and "Chicago sightseeing bus" all point to the same company.
That matters when you're shopping around: some older listings on booking sites still advertise "Chicago Trolley" hop-on hop-off tickets or night and neighborhood routes that no longer exist. If you want a genuine hop-on hop-off bus in 2026, you're looking at Big Bus. (There are other, non-hop-on-hop-off bus tours — gangster tours, brewery buses, Frank Lloyd Wright coach trips — and we cover those near the end.)
Route
Big Bus runs a single loop, the Red Route (sometimes called the "Big Loop"), that strings together the Loop, the lakefront Museum Campus, the Magnificent Mile, and Navy Pier. A full circuit with no hop-offs takes about two hours, and buses come around roughly every 30 to 45 minutes.
The main stops:
Along the way the loop also rolls past Buckingham Fountain, the Chicago Theatre, and other downtown landmarks. Note that Chinatown is not on the loop — a common point of confusion.
Worth adding to your itinerary
A Big Bus day pairs naturally with a few other Chicago essentials: the Shoreline architecture river cruise, Skydeck Chicago at the Willis Tower, the 360 CHICAGO observation deck on the Magnificent Mile, Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum on Museum Campus. The options below can help you fill out the rest of your itinerary.
Tickets
There's no fancy seating class to decode — the tiers are simply about how many days you get, plus a couple of add-ons. Current 2026 "from" prices:
Big Bus also sells its own bundles, and on both of the ones below, GetYourGuide's price beats Big Bus's own site — the same pattern we found on the operator combos we track on the homepage.
Tickets are flexible with free date changes and are refundable up to 24 hours before. They're delivered to your phone — you activate in the Big Bus app and show the driver, or redeem a voucher with staff at Stop #1. Prices move with season and promotions.
Passes
Here's the money-saving angle for pass buyers. The Big Bus 1-Day (Discover) tour is included on all three Go City passes — All-Inclusive, Explorer, and Essentials. It is not included on Chicago CityPASS or C3, which offer the Shoreline architecture cruise among their choices instead.
So if you're already buying a Go City pass for museums and observation decks, you should not pay for the bus separately — it's bundled in. Standalone, the 1-day tour runs upward of $49, so that's real money back.
A few redemption rules to plan around:
Check live Explorer Pass availability above. Not sure which pass is right for you? Our full Chicago CityPASS vs Go City comparison breaks down which pass carries the bus and whether it's worth it for your trip.
Practical details
The daytime loop uses recorded digital audio ("virtual guide") in English and Spanish, with earbuds provided. The Sunset Tour is narrated by a live guide. Buses are open-top double-deckers with an enclosed, temperature-controlled lower deck for cooler days.
On accessibility, be aware that Big Bus states its standard Chicago fleet is not wheelchair accessible, and the upper deck isn't accessible to guests with mobility impairments. An ADA-accessible vehicle with a lift can be arranged with 48 hours' notice. Guide dogs are welcome.
Big Bus operates most days of the year, closing only for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and the day of the Chicago Marathon. The first bus leaves Stop #1 at 10:00 a.m.; the last departure is early-to-mid afternoon depending on season (confirm the current day's schedule before you set out). Severe weather and major city events can disrupt service.
The honest answer
It depends entirely on how you travel. Chicago's downtown is compact and genuinely walkable, and the "L" train is far cheaper for pure transport — so the bus isn't a slam dunk the way it is in a sprawling city.
Real-world gripes to plan around: buses can stretch toward the 45-minute end of the frequency in shoulder season, downtown traffic slows the loop (especially around Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier), some stops are a short walk from the attraction itself, and — again — the pass version is single-day only. A couple of long hop-offs can eat most of your day, so plan your stops.
Beyond hop-on hop-off
Not everything on wheels is hop-on hop-off. If you want something more themed, these run on fixed departures where you stay aboard:
For lakefront and river sightseeing that pairs naturally with a bus day, see our guide to the architecture river cruise.
FAQ
Big Bus Chicago, which is effectively the only hop-on hop-off double-decker operator in the city since Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co. closed at the end of 2019.
2026 "from" prices are around $49 (24-hour Discover), $59 (48-hour Essential), and $69 (72-hour Explore) for adults, with kids' tickets discounted. The standalone Sunset Tour is around $39. Prices vary with season and promotions.
The Red Route has around 11 stops covering the Loop, Museum Campus, Magnificent Mile, and Navy Pier. Buses arrive roughly every 30–45 minutes, and a full loop takes about two hours.
Yes — the Big Bus 1-Day tour is included on all three Go City passes (All-Inclusive, Explorer, Essentials). It is not included on CityPASS or C3. If you have a Go City pass, don't buy the bus separately.
For first-timers, short trips, and families it's a convenient, narrated way to link the icons. Confident walkers on a budget, "L" riders, and winter visitors can reasonably skip it.
The standard fleet is not; an ADA-accessible vehicle can be arranged with 48 hours' notice. Guide dogs are welcome.
No — Chinatown is not on the Red Route. A separate South Side shuttle serves the Presidential Center area and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
Bottom line
If you want a low-effort, narrated overview of Chicago and you're moving fast, the Big Bus earns its keep — especially on your first day. But before you buy a bus ticket on its own, check whether a Go City pass makes more sense: it folds the 1-day bus in with your museums and observation decks, so the ride effectively comes free. Plan your stops around Willis Tower, Millennium Park, and Navy Pier, ride early to beat the crowds, and save the open-top deck for a clear, warm day.
