Hop on Hop off Bus Tours in Berlin

A hop-on hop-off bus in Berlin is the ultimate way to tick off the city sights without having to worry about transport logistics. You’ll be able to explore at leisure, jumping off the bus at the attractions that interest you the most.

There are several bus companies operating in Berlin, with each following a similar route.

Here’s all you need to know about planning a Berlin hop-on hop-off bus tour, one of the best options for sightseeing tours in Berlin.

What are the best hop-on hop-off Berlin bus tours? What are their prices?

1. Big Bus Tours

Big Bus Tours offer sightseeing trips across the world, from Las Vegas to London. They’re the world’s biggest operator of these types of excursions.

In Berlin, the company has open-top sightseeing rides along two different routes. Both pass some of the city’s major attractions with narrated commentary on board. There are several stops so you can jump on and off at your leisure.

Route

There are two hop-on hop-off Berlin bus routes with Big Bus Tours. The red route takes you between the Reichstag and Museum Island, while the blue route focuses on sites in the former East Berlin.

• Red Route

There are 15 stops on this line, all conveniently located near iconic Berlin sites. The first pick-up point of the day is at Kurfürstendamm near the Berlin Zoological Gardens.

Buses then continue to places like Potsdamer Platz, Topographie des Terrors, Checkpoint Charlie and Alexanderplatz. The final stop is the Victory Column before the bus retraces its journey.

• Blue Route:

The blue route takes you through eastern Berlin in search of the city’s most poignant history. Alexanderplatz is the first point of call, followed by set-down points at Karl-Marx Allee and East Side Gallery.

The last stop is Ostbahnhof, with buses then returning to the start and repeating the process.

Timetable

The red route operates between 10 AM and 4 PM, and the blue route runs from 10:15 AM to 4:06 PM. To ensure you make the most of your ticket, it’s recommended that you start your ride no later than noon.

There are more stops on the red route, with buses coming by every 20-30 minutes. On the blue route, you’ll have a little longer to wait at the four stops, with buses arriving once an hour.

Tickets

There are four types of ticket for hop-on hop-off bus Berlin tours. All trips include commentary and unlimited stops for the duration of your ticket.

• Classic Ticket: This is a 1-day pass that includes travel on both the red and blue routes. Tickets cost €31.50 for an adult and €15.30 for a child (aged 5 – 15 years).

• Premium Ticket: These 2-day passes include both bus routes, a walking tour and a currywurst. Prices are €40.50 for adults and €19.80 for children.

• Deluxe Ticket: This 3-day pass includes all of the above plus a 75-minute guided evening excursion. Tickets cost €49.50 for adults and €27 for children.

• Berlin Big Ticket: This is a single-day pass that can be used on either bus route. It includes entry to Madame Tussauds and the Berlin Dungeon. Adults are €65 and children are €42.

2. City Circle Tours

City Circle is another popular bus company offering Berlin hop-on hop-off bus rides. These tours take in top sights and trendy districts – some tickets include a boat ride on the Spree.

There’s just one route, and it stops near all the top landmarks. There’s no limit on the number of times you can travel the loop.

Route

There are over 20 stops on the City Circle bus route, and you can get on and off as you please. Both the eastern and western parts of the capital are covered.

The bus runs between Kurfürstendamm and Messegelände Funkturm – you’ll find the Radio Tower at the latter.

You can jump on at any of the stops along the route. Popular places to alight include Potsdamer Platz, Gendarmenmarkt and East Side Gallery.

Timetable

The first departure of the day is 9:30 AM, with the service running until 6 PM in summer, and 5 PM in winter. It takes 2.5 hours to do the full loop.

Buses arrive every 30 minutes from Sunday to Thursday and every 15 – 20 minutes on Fridays and Saturdays. In the summer, there is also a shuttle service to Schloss Charlottenburg.

The latest start time for a full lap is 3:30 PM in summer, and 2:30 PM in winter. There are fewer stops offered on the winter timetable but the main ones remain in operation.

Tickets

There are three Berlin hop-on hop-off bus tickets available, each valid for different lengths of time. You can add a boat cruise if you are visiting between March and October.

• 24-hour ticket: These cost €30 for adults and €15 for children (aged 7 – 14 years).
• 48-hour ticket: The 2-day tickets are priced at €34 for adults and €17 for children.
• 72-hour ticket: These 3-day passes are €38 for adults and €19 for children.

If you want to add the boat trip, it will cost an extra €14 for adults and €7 for children.

3. City Sightseeing Tours

Another operator of hop-on hop-off bus trips in Berlin is City Sightseeing. There are two ticket options, which cover the major sights. Audio guides are included.

Some fares offer an optional 1-hour boat ride in summer, so consider whether you want to add this to your booking before making a reservation.

Route

There’s just one classic route with City Sightseeing bus tours, which keeps things nice and simple. This is a great option for first-time visitors as the bus stops near most of the important tourist sites.

The route begins and ends in Kurfürstendamm but you can get on at any of the stops on the loop. Some of the locations covered include Unter den Linden, Lützowplatz, Karl-Marx-Allee and of course top spots like Checkpoint Charlie.

Timetable

Bus tours begin at 9:30 AM and finish at 5 PM. During summer there are departures every 8 – 15 minutes, while in winter it’s every 20 minutes. The entire loop takes 2.5 hours to ride.

The last departure for a full ride around the loop is at 3 PM.

Tickets

You can buy City Sightseeing bus passes for either one or two days. If you fancy adding a boat cruise on the River Spree, you’ll need to purchase a 48-hour ticket.

• 24-hour ticket: These 1-day passes are €28 for adults and €14 for children (aged 6 – 14 years).
• 48-hour ticket: For a 2-day pass, adults cost €32, and children are €16. For a ticket that includes a 1-hour boat tour, the price increases to €44 for adults and €22 for children.

4. Stromma Tours

Stromma Tours offer both daytime and evening sightseeing trips by bus. If you want to see the city illuminated at night, this is the way to do it!

The company also operates combination tours that include a river cruise and a free walking excursion.

Route

There are two lines to choose from with Stromma Tours, and you can switch between them at your leisure. They cover much of the capital, stopping at major sightseeing destinations.

• Red Route:

This takes in the city center and the west side of Berlin. It passes through the Tiergarten area, as well as places like Berlin Palace along the way.

• Blue Route:

The blue route concentrates on the east side of Berlin, which has a grittier, more urban feel.

Sites here are largely about modern culture, and you’ll learn about the history of the German Democratic Republic as you ride around the loop.

Timetable

The first red line departure is at 9:25 AM from Alexanderplatz, with the final departure at 3:25 PM. Buses run every 30 minutes.

For the blue line buses, the first departure is 10:10 AM with the last one at 3:10 PM. On this route, buses run every hour.

Walking tours and boat cruises are available between April and October. River trips last an hour and the walking excursion is around 90 minutes.

For the guided walk, you’ll need to meet at the Brandenburg Gate. Meanwhile, the boat cruise leaves from the Alte Börse, which is stop four on the red line.

Evening bus tours leave from Alexanderplatz at 6 PM and last 75 minutes. They run every day during summer, and from Friday to Sunday in winter.

Tickets

There are several ticket types available, depending on how long you need. Some options include walking tours and boat cruises. You can use both bus routes with all tickets.

• 24-hour tickets: These cost €28 for adults and €14 for children (aged 6 – 15 years).

• 48-hour tickets: For two days, it costs €36 for adults and €18 for children. A walking tour and currywurst are included.

• 72-hour tickets: Three-day tickets are €44 per adult and €22 per child. This includes both a daytime and evening walking tour plus a currywurst.

• Combination ticket: This covers tours by bus and boat, as well as a free walking excursion. Tickets cost €40.50 per adult and €20.25 per child.

• Evening bus tour tickets: These cost €20 for adults and €12 for children.

How do hop-on hop-off bus tours in Berlin work? What is included?

The joy of hop-on hop-off bus tours in Berlin is that you can join the excursion at any designated point along the route.

This is city sightseeing at its most relaxed. Many stops are conveniently located by major attractions, so it’s almost like having door-to-door service.

To start your trip, jump on the bus at your nearest stop and present your ticket to the driver. You’ll then have 24/48/72 hours to enjoy riding the company’s routes at leisure.

You have to choose a date when booking, but tickets are generally valid for a week so there’s some flexibility. It’s important to arrive 15 minutes before departure for the boarding process. This will also give you a chance to bag the best seats.

A hop-on hop-off bus in Berlin includes an audio guide and headsets, plus air conditioning on the lower deck. Some companies throw in a complimentary currywurst with multi-day tickets.

Depending on which option you have chosen, Berlin hop-on hop-off bus tickets sometimes come with bonus extras. Free walking tours and boat cruises are the most common add-ons.

Are there any combined tickets including hop-on hop-off bus tours?

Hop-on hop-off bus in Berlin plus boat trip: See the city sights by road during your bus ride then enjoy a boat cruise on the River Spree. You’ll be able to inspect the architecture from a different angle as you glide through the capital by water.

Hop-on hop-off bus tour in Berlin plus walking excursion: Some bus tickets include a free Berlin walking excursion in the city center. You’ll alight at the Brandenberg Gate and walk to Checkpoint Charlie, before returning to the bus.

Are hop-on hop-off bus tours included in any city passes?

The Berlin Welcome Card provides discounted rates on attractions, tours and public transport in the city. It’s worth purchasing the card if you’re spending a couple of days or longer in the capital.

Some Berlin hop-on hop-off bus tours are included in the pass, including Big Bus Tours and Stromma’s Tours.

Travel tips

• Find a seat on the top deck for the best views. Take sunscreen or a jacket depending on when you’re visiting.
• While the point of these tours is their flexibility, it’s best to have a plan in mind to make the most of your time.
• Hop-on hop-off bus tours in Berlin are a great introduction to the city – try and book one for your first day.