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Traveling involves not only the journey to and from your destination, but also how you explore an area. There are many ways to get around a city, especially in Dubai, including water taxis, trams, the metro, and your own two feet. While these are all great ways to get around quickly, there’s one guaranteed way to see all the top attractions while seeing the city: a Dubai hop-on hop-off bus.
Here are the best hop-on hop-off bus tours in Dubai:
How do Dubai hop-on hop-off bus tours work?
A Dubai hop-on hop-off bus tour works quite simply. The bus takes pre-set routes to the city’s most popular attractions, with recorded commentary available in multiple languages. You can hop on or off the bus at any stop, or enjoy the whole bus ride as a city tour with one ticket.
First, you need to decide what you want from the bus tour. Do you use it to visit the main attractions or to get a better idea of the layout of the city? This will help you decide which type of ticket to get, whether it’s a one-day ticket or a five-day ticket.
Best Dubai Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours
1. Dubai Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
The Big Bus tours in Dubai are some of the most popular in the Emerald City. They offer a lot for travelers who want to explore Dubai. You can buy a one, two or even five day ticket which gives you unlimited access to the hop-on hop-off bus. Each bus has an open-top deck, allowing you to enjoy open-air views of the city, as well as climate-controlled seating below.
Big Bus Tour Routes in Dubai
This Dubai hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus takes two routes, and any ticket you buy will give you unlimited access to both routes. You can find live bus schedules, a map of stops and routes, and other information on the company’s free app.
The city tour bus (also known as the red route) runs every 20 minutes and stops at 14 popular attractions, including the Museum of the Future, the Royal Palace, Al Fahidi Fort and the Village of the inheritance. The Beach Tour bus (also known as the Blue Route) runs every 30 minutes and stops at 11 landmarks 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 am
- Last bus: 5 p.m.
- Stops: Dubai Mall, Museum of the Future, Royal Palace, Arab Dhow Cruise, Old Bastakiya Village, Al Fahidi Fort, Old Souk, Heritage Village, Gold Souk, Souk at Spices, Dubai Creek, Baniyas Road, Wafi City Mall, Dubai Frame
Blue route:
- Duration: 2 hours, 20 minutes
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes
- First bus: 9 am
- Last bus: 5 p.m.
- Stops: 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 for the Big Bus Dubai hop-on hop-off tour and is a great way to save money if you’re planning on visiting 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 for adults and $47.80 for children. Buy tickets or find out more.
- The Premium ticket is valid for 48 hours and includes tickets to Ambassador Lagoon and Lost Chambers Aquarium. It costs $85.80 for adults and $61.30 for children. Buy tickets or find out more.
- The luxury ticket is valid for five days and includes all the benefits of the Premium ticket plus the Desert Sunset Tour. This ticket costs US$97.80 for adults and $73.30 for children. Buy tickets or find out more.
Buy Big Bus hop-on hop-off tickets now
2. City Sightseeing Dubai Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Another great company to enjoy a Dubai hop-on hop-off bus tour is Town tour. All 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 children’s audio guides with commentary to keep the little ones entertained.
Dubai City Sightseeing Bus Tour Routes
City Sightseeing buses have two routes, and any ticket will give you unlimited access to both routes. The Red Route begins at the Dubai Mall and heads towards major attractions such as the Dubai Frame and the Gold and Spice Souks. The Blue Route begins at the Dubai Mall and ends at Atlantis The Palm, stopping at attractions such as Marina Promenade and The Beach at JBL. Both routes have a 30-minute bus frequency.
Red Route:
- Duration: 1 hour, 20 minutes
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes
- First bus: 10am
- Last bus: 5 p.m.
- Stops: Dubai Mall, Museum of the Future, Al Seef Heritage Area, Al Fahidi Historic District, Dubai Museum, Old Souk, Heritage Village, Gold and Spice Souks , Dubai Creek, Dubai Frame, Sheikh Zayed Road
Blue route:
- Duration: 2 hours, 10 minutes
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes
- First bus: 10am
- Last bus: 5 p.m.
- Stops: 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
Dubai City Sightseeing Bus Tour Map
Dubai City Sightseeing Bus Tour Tickets
City Sightseeing offers four types of tickets for its Dubai hop-on hop-off buses:
- The iconic ticket grants unlimited access for 24, 48 or 72 hours. Prices start at US$76.24 for adults and $57.18 for children. Buy tickets or find out more.
- The Essential Ticket can also be chosen for a duration of 24, 48 or 72 hours, and it includes access to a traditional Al Seef dhow cruise. Lost Chambers Aquarium tickets are also included with essential tickets purchased for 48 hours or more. Prices start at US$81.69 for adults and $62.63 for children. Buy tickets or find out more.
- The ticket of value is valid for 24 hours and includes entry to the top of Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. An economy ticket costs US$122.24 for adults and $94 for children. Buy tickets or find out 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 the Aquaventure Water Park. All tickets include access to the sunset or night tour. An Ultimate ticket costs US$163.38 for adults and $138.87 for children. Buy tickets or find out more.
If you want to see as much of Dubai as possible without breaking the bank, consider the iVenture Dubai Pass Unlimited Attraction. This pass includes access to more than 30 attractions over a period of three to five days, 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 Dubai Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Hopping on a hop-on hop-off bus in Dubai is a great way to see the city, especially for those new to the city or for general travel. You will not only be able to see all the main attractions and landmarks, but also understand how the city is mapped. The open roofs of these double-decker bus tours in Dubai offer a unique experience, allowing you to take some pretty incredible photos.
Hop-on hop-off buses give you flexibility when traveling and are easy to navigate, as pre-determined routes already stop at major attractions. You’ll hear audio commentary about the city, helping you learn about Dubai’s culture and history, and have the opportunity to meet other travelers. It’s also a cost-effective alternative to taxis and car rentals, as you can use the bus to get around the city as well as take a tour. Another unique advantage of these Dubai sightseeing buses is that they include a Dhow boat cruise and can also be bundled into discounted packages with other major attractions.
Tips for taking a hop-on hop-off bus in Dubai
To help you navigate the city and the hop-on hop-off buses in Dubai, we’ve created this quick guide with tips for travellers:
- Download the bus tour app (if available) or keep screenshots of its schedules and routes on your phone so you can easily navigate tours.
- Examine your ticket to understand what attractions or extras it offers. These may include night tours, boat rides or discounts on other attractions.
- Decide in advance at which stops you want to hop on and off.
- Start your day early to get the most for your money.
- If your ticket includes attractions, check in advance if you need to book a timeslot before you go.
- If you’re planning a nighttime excursion or winter trip, bring a jacket to keep you warm on the open deck.
- Avoid traveling on the bus during rush hour so you don’t waste time sitting in traffic.
- If you have enough time, do a full loop by bus without getting off so you can enjoy 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 it, the best hop-on hop-off bus tours in Dubai! Soak up the sun from the upper deck, take great photos and enjoy a city tour. Whichever company or ticket you choose, we are sure you will have a memorable time in the City of Gold.
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