Five Reasons To Use Hop On, Hop Off Buses When Travelling
I’ve probably harped on about it enough but I am a huge advocate for hop-on, hop-off buses within cities which have them available. I’ve done my fair share of them including London, Belfast, Rome, Prague and Malta and I’ve always found them so worthwhile. I know a lot of people love the walking tours and while I do think they’re a great way to see parts of towns and get up close and personal with areas there’s only so much ground you can cover on foot. Here’s five reasons why you should opt for a hop-on, hop-off bus.
You see more than you would on foot
I love walking around and exploring cities but realistically there’s only so much ground you can cover in a large city centre whereas taking a hop on, hop off means you can travel far quicker around areas. This is especially important if you’re only in a particular place for a short period of time such as a weekend, you can spend an hour or two getting your bearings and seeing what’s around.
You might find places you’d never have normally visited
There’s only so much TripAdvisor and online sources can tell you about where to visit and sometimes I’ve found myself on a hop on hop off seeing buildings and areas which I’d never have thought or dreamed to explore. There’s then the option to hop out at the next stop and actually explore the area without having to worry about remembering it and coming back of your own accord. I’ve done this before when I’ve spotted a nice looking restaurant or seen a stunning Cathedral which isn’t well known enough for me to know to visit.
Great additional information while travelling
All hop on, hop off buses have some sort of information system whether this is by a live tour guide (I’ve had these in London and Belfast) or via pre-recorded guides. More often than not these are packed full of useful and fascinating information that I’d have never picked up on elsewhere unless I decided to go out of my way and Google them when back at my hotel but whose got time for that?!
It’s your transportation for the day
In some cities a hop on, hop off bus isn’t much more expensive than a day travel card on the public transport system so use it as your transportation. Want to head to lunch on the other side of town? Join on the bus and hop off close to your location. Heading back to your hotel for an afternoon nap? Jump on the bus and get off at the closest stop. You’ve paid for use of the facilities so make use of them especially if you have a 24 hour pass and it runs out the next morning for example.
Saves you using public transport
Following on from the above idea without using a hop on, hop off you might need to get a train, tram or bus to parts of town which might be a little too far away but usually with these methods of transport (especially trains) you miss out on the cool things which are outside. But with a hop on, hop off bus – especially the open-topped ones – you can get a good view of the world on your way to your end destination.
Do you use hop on, hop off buses when you’re away?
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29 responses to “Five Reasons To Use Hop On, Hop Off Buses When Travelling”
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All About Me
Rhian Westbury
Travels and Destinations
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My husband can’t travel by bus as it make him ill – he suffer from travel sickness. Which is a shame as I prefer traveling round by buses. So we ususally walk everywhere or take the underground. I keep saying to myself that I must do the hop on and off buses, but never get round to it. xx
I always use hop on/off buses every city i visit because of all the reasons you’ve mentioned. They are affordable and a great use of time especially if limited
I am definitely a fan of hop on hop off buses too and you are right that you can see more then you would on foot! Where are you planning to go to next? x
Yes, I’d definitely choose this option in Europe :). Public transport is much more reliable & well funded it seems. However further abroad I think you have to check local reviews. For example, Changmai the songthaews are a bit better than the buses in my opinion. I’ve heard too many stories from fellow travellers being robbed on them. I mean as long as you check the reviews for PT you should be fine.
The buses in Europe seem so much better than in the UK in frequency and time keeping. We recently used the buses in Hamburg recently and they made it really easy to get almost everywhere
I didn’t even realise hop on hop off buses were an option, I must have been living under a rock. I would definitely use them, they sound like a great idea and I like that you’d get to see more of the area you are in
I had no idea this was an option for traveling, I would love to try it sometime! Thanks for sharing this great idea!
You know I have never thought about hop on hop off busses being like that before, it is a very cost effective way of being your transport for the day and seeing the sights at the same time x
We did our first Big Bus tour last month and it was brilliant. We saw so much that we would have missed otherwise
This sounds like a great way to travel! I need to do this to see more places in the near future
We always buy hop on tickets when we travel, it means we pay one price and can travel as much as we like in one day!
I’ve been on the hop on hop off bus in Bath and Oxford and they are great for getting around. I love that you can get on and off as you want. We’ve got them in Cardiff and it’s on my list to do with the kids.
I don’t go away too much but I certainly would use them if I did!
I am a fan of hop on and off transport especially in big places like London. Itās so easy to get about. Good exercise too
Iāve never been on a hop off bus, however the idea seems like a great one. Like you said youāre going to likely find things you wouldnāt find by foot/if you donāt know the area š
I tend to avoid busses myself as I get motion sickness although I’m sure they are great for sight seeing especially in London.
They are great. Not just for having a rest but indeed seeing sights you may not normally have seen. We often go on one at the start of a holiday just to help us spot things to do. We have been on them in the UK and overseas. I totally agree with you š
I love using hop on-hop off buses when I am away! So far I have used them in Warsaw, Budapest, Prague and Paris. They are a cheap, effective and clever way of seeing all the sights especially if you have a spell of bad weather. I can’t recommend them enough!
We always do one of these on our first day in a new city. It’s a great way to get a feel for the place.
I love using hop on hop off buses especially if we are somewhere new, like you say itās great to discover brand new places.
I did a hop-on, hop-off bus tour in Hamburg and it was great. I was only there for two days so it was an ideal way to explore the city!
I totally agree! Iāve only just started using them
But I think theyāre totally amazing!
I am always scared I’ll get lost but I fully understand the benefits! Will make it my mission to do this next time.
I think itās the perfect way to see the city and I love using hop on and off buses when traveling as well!
I always use these when I’m travelling – makes it so much easier x
yes, love this! We love walking or hopping on and off around new cities – we rarely take the underground / metro x
I do enjoy hopping off the bus a stop earlier before my own or if we’re exploring, I have to admit…we wouldn’t even DO the bus – because we prefer walking anyway! Depending on the distance, of course! ha!
These hop on hop off buses sound like a good economical way to see places and explore the city.
This sounds great . I live in UK I wonder if we gonna have this soon ere anytime…