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Guide to Big Bus Sydney: Tickets, Map, Reviews, & More

Tour the Harbor City aboard the hop-on hop-off Sydney Big Bus tour! Book your ticket at a cheaper price here 🇦🇺

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In a nutshell

  • What is Big Bus Sydney? This is a hop-on, hop-off bus that goes around one of Australia’s largest and busiest cities. For 24 or 48 hours, you can take the open-top bus to go from one attraction to another, or stay seated the entire time to see the best of Sydney in just one ride!
  • How much for the hop-on, hop-off tickets? Big Bus Sydney tickets typically cost $45, but you can book here starting at around $42!
  • What are the ticket options available? There are 3 main Big Bus Sydney ticket choices: the Discover Ticket, which includes a 24-hour hop-on hop-off ticket; the Essential Ticket, which includes a 24-hour hop-on hop-off ticket and access to the Fantasea hop-on hop-off harbor cruise; and the Explore Ticket, which provides access to the Big Bus for 48 hours as well as a ticket to the Fantasea hop-on hop-off harbor cruise!
  • What are the routes followed by the hop-on hop-off Sydney Bus tours? By taking a look at the Big Bus Sydney map, you will find that the bus follows 2 routes: the Red Route, which provides a comprehensive overview of the city; and the Blue Route, which showcases the stunning Bondi Beach.
  • Which attractions can I get to? Big Bus Sydney makes a stop at and near all the major tourist landmarks and points of interest, including the Darling Harbor, the Sydney Opera House, the Harbor Bridge, Bondi Beach, and more. Click here to see where other travelers have visited!
  • What other Big Bus Sydney tickets are available? If you are planning to visit the city’s popular attractions like WILD LIFE Sydney 🐨, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium 🐟, Madame Tussauds 🧑‍🎤, & Sydney Tower Eye ☁️, you can save money by booking the Big 5 Ticket here that includes a 24-hour Big Bus Sydney ticket and admission to all 4 attractions mentioned!
  • Is Big Bus Sydney worth taking? Booked by more than 9k travelers that left an outstanding 4.5 out of 5 star rating, Big Bus Sydney tickets are definitely worth booking! Here’s a review from a satisfied traveler: “The two routes of the Big Bus covers almost all of the destinations that tourists would want to visit. By taking this, it saves the hassle of finding our way around. The commentary provided was very informative and we enjoyed it.” Read more reviews for Big Bus Sydney hop-on, hop-off tour bus here.
  • Complete your trip! Aside from getting a Big Bus Sydney ticket, make sure to get this ultimate Sydney attraction pass if you want to enjoy while spending less 🦘
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Take the Hop-on, Hop-Off Big Bus Tour in Sydney

Looking for a fun way to go sightseeing in the Harbor city? Make sure to hop aboard the iconic and open-top Big Bus! This sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus tour in Sydney will take you to and near all the famous tourist spots and landmarks, including the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Tower Eye, Bondi Beach, St. Mary’s Cathedral, and so many more!

The bus also comes with a pre-recorded commentary that you can tune into in 8 languages, including English, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, and Italian. Know more about the culture and history of Sydney as you wait to alight to your next stop!

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With a Big Bus Sydney ticket (available in 3 options, namely Discover, Essential, or Explore), you can freely go from one place to another — that is, you can hop off and hop back on the open-top bus to get to the next stop in your itinerary. The 24-hour and 48-hour tickets are also priced quite affordably, which is perfect for budget-conscious travelers.

Big Bus Sydney Map & Routes

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Big Bus Sydney map.

As you can see from the Big Bus Sydney map above, the open-top bus follows 2 routes: the Red Route, also known as the City Tour Route; and the Blue Route, which is also referred to as The Bondi & Bays Tour. Take the Red Route to see the best of Sydney, including the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. To get to or explore the Bondi Beach and Sydney’s eastern bays, go take the Blue Route.

To help you plan your itinerary, we’ve listed the Big Bus Sydney’s Bus Stops where you can hop on and off:

Red Route (The City Tour) Bus Stops

  • Circular Quay
  • Sydney Tower/Westfield Sydney
  • Australian Museum
  • Williams St.
  • Kings Cross
  • El Alamein Fountain
  • Woolloomooloo Bay
  • Sydney Opera House
  • Botanical Gardens
  • State Library
  • Hyde Park
  • Central Station
  • Power House Museum
  • Sydney Fish Market
  • The Star
  • Maritime Museum
  • International Convention Centre
  • Chinese Gardens / Chinatown
  • Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
  • King St Wharf
  • Barangaroo
  • Sydney Harbour Bridge
  • The Rocks

Blue Route (The Bondi & Bays Tour) Bus Stops

  • Central Station
  • Town Hall
  • Australian Museum
  • William St.
  • Paddington Town Hall
  • Centennial Parklands
  • Bondi Beach
  • North Bondi
  • Rose Bay
  • Double Bay
  • Yurong Street

“The two routes of the Big Bus covers almost all of the destinations that tourists would want to visit. By taking this, it saves the hassle of finding our way around. The commentary provided was very informative and we enjoyed it.”

— Review for Big Bus Sydney’s routes

Note that with any Big Bus Sydney ticket, you get 24 or 48 hours of access to both routes, so make sure to plan your itinerary well! Check out the stop recommendations from travelers who left a review of their experience here.

Book Big Bus Sydney Tickets Online

Ready to book a Big Bus Sydney 1-day or 2-day ticket? Check out the discounted offers below — no promo code needed!

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1. Big Bus Sydney Discover Ticket (24 Hours)

Ideal for those with just a little time to spare for sightseeing, the Discover Ticket lets you hop on and off Big Bus Sydney for 24 hours.

  • PRICE: Book here for only $42.15 (vs. regular price of $45)!
  • COMPARE: See how much tickets cost on GetYourGuide, Klook, or the official website here.
  • WHAT YOU’LL GET:
    • 1-day hop-on hop-off bus ticket (valid for 24 hours from the time you redeem your voucher)
    • Digital audio guide (downloadable)
    • Access to Big Bus Sydney’s Red Route and Blue Route
    • Pre-recorded commentary in 8 languages
  • BEST REVIEW: “STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!! Redeeming the voucher was a breeze — I purchased it just an hour before heading to the bus station. Upon arrival, presenting the online voucher to the driver was all it took; they were well-versed in the process. This hop-on-hop-off bus tour effortlessly navigates through Sydney’s CBD, encompassing all the key attractions. I highly recommend it, especially for first-time visitors to the city. It’s not only convenient but also provides a comprehensive city tour experience! 😍😍”

2. Big Bus Sydney Essential Ticket (24 Hours + Fantasea Hop-on Hop-off Harbour Cruise)

Up next is the most popular choice, Big Bus Sydney’s Essential Ticket. It comes with a full 24-hour access to the hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus and the hop-on hop-off Harbour cruise by Fantasea!

  • PRICE: Book here for only $55 (vs. regular price of $61)!
  • COMPARE: See how much tickets cost on GetYourGuide, Klook, or the official website here.
  • WHAT YOU’LL GET:
    • 1-day hop-on hop-off bus ticket (valid for 24 hours from the time you redeem your voucher)
    • Digital audio guide (downloadable)
    • Access to Big Bus Sydney’s Red Route and Blue Route
    • Pre-recorded commentary in 8 languages
    • Fantasea hop-on hop-off cruise ticket ⭐
    • Fully flexible ticket (free date change!) ⭐
  • BEST REVIEW: “This is highly recommended especially for 1st time Sydney Tourists. Highly recommended for tourists with kids and senior citizens. If you have enough time, buy the 2 day pass. One the first day, do the complete red and blue routes without going down but take note of the stops you want to explore. On the second day, choose your stops and enjoy,” reads a review for Big Bus Sydney tickets on Klook.

3. Big Bus Sydney Explore Ticket (48 Hours + Fantasea Hop-on Hop-off Harbour Cruise)

Now for the ultimate experience, consider booking the Explore ticket option of Big Bus Sydney! This 2-day ticket option also comes with hop-on hop-off access to Big Bus and the Harbour Cruise as well as admission to Sydney Tower Eye!

  • PRICE: Book direct here for less than $88!
  • COMPARE: See how much tickets cost on GetYourGuide or Klook.
  • WHAT YOU’LL GET:
    • 2-day hop-on hop-off bus ticket (valid for 48 hours from the time you redeem your voucher)
    • Digital audio guide (downloadable)
    • Access to Big Bus Sydney’s Red Route and Blue Route
    • Pre-recorded commentary in 8 languages
    • Fantasea hop-on hop-off cruise ticket ⭐
    • Fully flexible ticket (free date change!) ⭐
    • Admission to Sydney Tower Eye
  • BEST REVIEW: “It’s really convenient. You just need to use the Qr code to exchange your ticket with the staff at the bus station. I recommend getting on the bus at circular quay or central station because there are staff to guard you and you can ask them about the journey time and other information. It is also recommended to reserve a place. You have a whole day to play…”

4. Big Bus Sydney ‘The Big 5’ Ticket

Most Big Bus ticket choices around the world come in Discover, Essential, and Explore. However, Sydney brings something extra with their’ ‘The Big 5’ ticket, which includes a 24-hour access to the hop-on, hop-off bus as well as major attractions like WILD LIFE Sydney, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Madame Tussauds, & Sydney Tower Eye!

  • PRICE: Book direct here for just 90!
  • WHAT YOU’LL GET:
    • 1-day hop-on hop-off bus ticket (valid for 24 hours from the time you redeem your voucher)
    • Digital audio guide (downloadable)
    • Access to Big Bus Sydney’s Red Route and Blue Route
    • Pre-recorded commentary in 8 languages
    • Admission to Sydney Tower Eye
    • Admission to WILD LIFE Sydney
    • Admission to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
    • Admission to Madame Tussauds
  • BEST REVIEW FOR THE SYDNEY TOWER EYE: “[The Tower Eye] is [a really nice [place] to see many attractions in Sydney. Great place to summarize your journey. Staff are really helpful.”

How to Use Your Big Bus Sydney Ticket

To take the hop-on, hop-off bus, simply show your Big Bus Sydney ticket on your phone to the bus driver or staff at any bus stop on the Red Route. After your ticket is validated, you’ll be able to hop on and hop for the duration of your ticket.

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When you first get on the bus, show your voucher to the driver and you will receive a paper ticket. It was nice that they provided earphones so I could sit in my seat and listen to the in each language. If you download the Big Bus app, the estimated arrival time will be displayed…and the route map will also be displayed, so it’s convenient!

Big Bus Sydney Review

Is Big Bus Sydney worth it? Check out more reviews!

Big Bus Sydney currently has an outstanding 4.5 out of 5 star rating and has been booked more than 9k times here, which only means it’s worth adding to your itinerary! Here’s a review from a satisfied Klook user who booked a ticket:

This is the first adventure we did to know more about the history and beautiful landmarks of Sydney. My favourite one would be the Opera House.

Another review reads: “The best way to see the best parts of Sydney in one go and then decide where to get off – ticket includes two routes and stops at all major landmarks and it’s very easy to jump back on when you need to get to the next place. GetYourGuide had the cheapest tickets for this activity too – worth downloading their app. And get the big bus app as well to track the live route of the buses so you can see when one will be near your location.”

SAKU’S TRAVEL CHECKLIST
🚌 Aside from booking a Big Bus Sydney ticket, also check out the following attractions and activities to add to your itinerary!

Big Bus Sydney Audio Commentary

The hop-on, hop-off bus tour provides prerecorded commentary in 8 languages, including:

  • English
  • Spanish
  • Korean
  • Japanese
  • Mandarin Chinese
  • French
  • German
  • Italian

Note that earphones are complimentary (redeemable at the bus), but you are also welcome to use your own pair of earphones.

Big Bus Sydney Hours & App

If you want to see the arrival and departure schedule for Big Bus Sydney, you can download the official app here!

You can also refer to the schedule of the buses below:

  • Red Route (City Tour)
    • First bus: 9am from Stop #1 (Circular Quay)
    • Last full-circuit tour: 4pm from Stop #1 (Circular Quay)
    • Last bus: 4pm from Stop #1 (Circular Quay)
    • Full circuit time: 1 hour & 30 minutes
    • Bus Frequency: Every 30-45 minutes
  • Blue Route (Bondi & Bays Tour)
    • First bus: 09:30am from Stop #24 (Central Station)
    • Last full-circuit tour: 3:15pm from Stop #24 (Central Station)
    • Last bus: 3:15pm from Stop #24 (Central Station)
    • Full circuit time: 1 hour & 30 minutes
    • Bus Frequency: Every 1 hour

Note that the hours of operation of the buses may change. Click below to see any updates:

Is there a promo code for Big Bus Sydney tickets?

You can check Klook if they have a promo code for Big Bus Sydney, but you can also try booking direct with Big Bus — they have promotional offers from time to time: bigbustours.com/en/sydney/sydney-bus-tours

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