Image of a red City Sightseeing double-decker bus in Toronto, parked near the Rogers Centre. The bus is decorated with vibrant, colorful graphics and the "Hop On Hop Off" logo. Tourists are seated on the top deck, enjoying a sunny day with skyscrapers visible in the background.

Is the Sightseeing Toronto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour Worth it?

ByJulie Millan Updated on

Yes! This city sightseeing tour of Toronto is worth purchasing, especially if it is your first time visiting Toronto. 

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As a Toronto local, I recently decided to take the Hop-on Hop-off bus to see if the tour was worth recommending to visitors to the city. I wanted to give an honest review of this sightseeing bus.

While I did find the tickets to be on the expensive side (but not unusual for these bus tours), I enjoyed the trip much more than I was expecting!

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⭐️ Best Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: City Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Bus
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Sightseeing Bus Route and Attractions

The bus allowed me to see all the main attractions in downtown Toronto in about 2 hours. One of the challenges for visitors to Toronto is that there is so much to see and do that it can be hard sometimes to decide how to prioritize your time! 

Toronto traffic can also be very challenging to navigate, and the bus certainly left the stress of driving to someone else.

The bus tour in Toronto only has one route, but it takes you to all the major downtown attractions, including the CN Tower, Casa Loma, the Distillery District, The Royal Ontario Museum, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Double-decker open top bus passes the Flatiron Building on a summer day in Toronto.

It also takes you through the stunning University of Toronto campus (one of my favourite spots in the city), past Kensington Market, and along the waterfront.

This open-top double-decker bus gives you the flexibility to spend as much or as little time as you like at each attraction. 

Live Tour Guide on the Hop-on Hop-off Toronto Bus

Selfie of a woman wearing sunglasses on an open-top sightseeing bus in downtown Toronto. The bustling cityscape in the background features tall buildings, colorful digital billboards, and a vibrant urban atmosphere under a clear blue sky. The woman is smiling, capturing the excitement of the tour.
Image from the city sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus in downtown Toronto, with passengers viewing large digital billboards and skyscrapers. The vibrant advertisements dominate the scene against a clear blue sky. The busy urban atmosphere is evident with people walking and traffic in the background.

There is a live guide on the tour who shares some interesting information and history about the city of Toronto in English. Personally, I felt the information shared on the tour could have been a little more thorough. I felt the script missed out on a lot of fascinating Toronto information that guests might really enjoy hearing. This is one area of the tour that I believe could be easily improved.

An audio tour is also available in several languages.

Purchasing Tickets for the Toronto Bus Tour

Image of a red City Sightseeing double-decker bus in Toronto, with tourists boarding and seated on the top deck. A staff member in a red uniform assists passengers. The vibrant bus features "Hop On Hop Off" signage and a QR code for online booking, capturing the lively atmosphere of a busy touristic area.

Tickets are easy to purchase online or at several stops across the city. Tours start at 9 a.m. from stop #1 (Yonge-Dundas Square) and the final tour leaves at 4:30 p.m. Buses departs the first stop every 45 minutes, and tickets are good for 24 or 48 hours.

24-hour tickets cost $68.49 CAN ($49.14 USD) for adults and $43.84 CAN ($31.27 USD) for children aged 3-12 years.

Image of tourists seated on an open-top sightseeing bus in Toronto, with a view of the historic Old City Hall and modern skyscrapers in the background. The bright, clear day highlights the architectural contrast between the old stone building and the sleek glass towers.

Ticket options include 24-hour ticket, 28-hour ticket, or combination tickets with skip-the-line Royal Ontario Museum entry or a Toronto harbour cruise. Discount tickets for other attractions such as the CN Tower or Casa Loma can be purchased on board the bus.

I would recommend taking one of the first tours of the day. This will give you the most use out of the tour while allowing time to hop off and visit particular attractions.

Image of Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto, featuring large digital billboards, fountains, and red patio umbrellas providing shade to visitors. A red City Sightseeing double-decker hop-on hop-off bus is parked nearby, with people walking and relaxing in the vibrant public space under a clear blue sky. The CF Toronto Eaton Centre is visible in the background.
City Sightseeing Bus Stop 1 at Yonge-Dundas Square

Advantages of taking the Hop-on Hop-off Toronto Bus

  • The bus takes you to some locations that are not easily accessible by subway
  • The bus navigates the challenging Toronto traffic
  • Great views of all the attractions from the top of the bus
  • Live guide who shares interesting Toronto facts and information
  • Helpful for navigating the city, and excellent for anyone with mobility concerns
Image taken from onboard the city sightseeing Toronto hop-on hop-off bus, showing tourists taking photos with the iconic CN Tower visible in the distance. The scene captures a mix of modern skyscrapers and older brick buildings under a clear blue sky.

Considerations for taking Toronto’s Hop-on Hop-off Bus

  • The tickets are not inexpensive and for a family, the cost could add up
  • The bus comes by approximately every 45 minutes, so it’s not a particularly frequent bus Toronto traffic can also be challenging, so some reviews noted that there were some delays in pick-up times
  • The bus is not air conditioned
  • The bus does not take you to High Park, the Toronto Zoo, Trillium Park, or the Canadian National Exhibition
  • During the off-season, the bus may not be a double-decker bus, but instead a trolley
  • Tour route may alter during rush hour or on Blue Jays Baseball game days
Image of the entrance to the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) in Toronto, with the reflection of a City Sightseeing double-decker bus in the building's glass facade. The colorful AGO logo is prominently displayed at the entrance, while pedestrians walk by on the sidewalk.

Tips for Taking the Toronto Sightseeing Bus

  • Purchase your tickets online, allowing you to start your tour from any stop
  • If you want to stop and tour some of the attractions, consider purchasing the 48 hour ticket instead. This will give you even more flexibility to visit a number of attractions while taking advantage of the transportation.
  • Dress for the weather. Bring your sunscreen, hats, and rain gear. The bus is also not air conditioned.

My Final Thoughts on Taking the Sightseeing Toronto Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

The Sightseeing Toronto Hop-on Hop-off bus tour is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the city and allows you time to decide which attractions you want to visit.

It is a great choice for those who want to get a quick overview of all the main Toronto attractions before deciding what to explore in more detail. This bus, however, is not as frequent as other Big Bus Tours in cities such as New York City.

So, if you’re looking to travel throughout Toronto in a fun and safe way, the Sightseeing Toronto Hop-on Hop-off bus tour is the perfect option!

Image of a red City Sightseeing double-decker bus in Toronto, driving through a street lined with modern apartment buildings and trees with autumn foliage. The bus displays "Hop On Hop Off" signage, with colorful graphics, and an advertisement for 24-hour tickets. The sky is partly cloudy, adding a picturesque element to the urban setting.

Before You Go: More Toronto Posts

Now that you’ve read this post about whether the City Sightseeing Toronto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour is worth it, you might be interested in exploring more of what Toronto has to offer.

Discover how to make the most of a short trip with my 3-day Toronto itinerary, packed with must-see attractions and hidden gems.

If you’re looking for accommodations with a bit of luxury, check out my guide to the best hotels in Toronto with a pool.

Plan your perfect day trip with my comprehensive guide to the Toronto Islands and don’t miss my insights on whether the CN Tower is worth visiting in 2024 for breathtaking views and unique experiences.

Julie is a travel blogger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She loves to travel and has learned so much from other travel bloggers that she now wants to share her travel knowledge with others.

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