Big Bus Tour Sydney Review & Routes – Best Way to Explore the City

🇦🇺 Exploring Sydney for the first time can feel a bit overwhelming—there’s so much to see, from the iconic Opera House to the stunning harbour views.

💡 If you want to cover the city’s main attractions without wasting time or energy, the Big Bus Sydney Hop-on Hop-off Tour is one of the most efficient ways to do it.

This sightseeing bus allows you to hop on and off at major landmarks, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace while still keeping your trip smooth and stress-free.

It’s a great option for couples, solo travelers, and families alike.

😄 Hello, my name is Takeru. I’m based in Japan and at the time of this trip (Feb 2023), I was traveling with my two young daughters—one was 3 years old and the other just 9 months.

🚌 In fact, I first tried the Big Bus Tour during my own family trip to Sydney with young children, and I found it especially helpful for making sightseeing both easy and enjoyable.

✒️ In this article, I’ll share how the Big Bus Tour works, the different routes available, and why it’s a smart choice for anyone looking to make the most of their time in Sydney.

What Is the Big Bus Sydney Tour? (With Route Map & Recommended Stops)

The Big Bus Sydney Hop-on Hop-off Tour is one of the best ways to explore the city. It’s an open-top sightseeing bus that lets you get on and off freely throughout the day, and it operates almost every day of the year. 🚍✨

🌎 Big Bus Tours isn’t just in Sydney—you’ll also find it in more than 25 cities around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, London, and Singapore.

Wherever you join, the concept is the same: enjoy panoramic views from the upper deck and visit major attractions at your own pace.

🎧 To make it even easier, the bus offers audio guides in eight languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and Korean.

🇦🇺 In Sydney, there are two main routes—the Red Route (city highlights) and the Blue Route (Bondi Beach). Both run in a loop, with clearly marked stops numbered in order, so it’s simple to follow.

💡 Tickets are available for 24 or 48 hours

Book your tickets on “Klook” or “Viator”.
📲 Online payment is simple with credit card.
(Apple Pay and Google Pay also supported.)

Book on “Klook”

Book on “Viator”

⏬ In the next section, I’ll share tips on the best way to use the Big Bus Tour and how to plan your route.

🔴 Red Route / The City Tour – Best for Touring the City Center

🚌 The Red Route is perfect for exploring Sydney’s major attractions in the city center. Buses run every 30 minutes or so (depending on the season), and a full loop takes about 90 minutes.

On the map below, I’ve highlighted my recommended stops and walking routes—feel free to use it as a reference. (Note: the Harbour Bridge on the lower right marks the “north” side.)

👀 The view of the Harbour Bridge from the upper deck of the bus is truly impressive!!

📸 You’ll even pass directly under the Harbour Bridge—a thrilling moment and one of the best spots for photos.

🔵 Blue Route / The Bondi & Bays Tour – The Easiest Way to Reach Bondi Beach

🏖️ Bondi Beach lies just under 10 km east of Sydney’s city center, famous for its golden sand and laid-back beach town atmosphere.

Normally, getting there by public transport means taking a train and then transferring to a bus. But with the Big Bus Sydney Hop-on Hop-off Blue Route, it’s much easier—you just sit back, enjoy the scenic drive, and arrive without any transfers.

🚌 The Blue Route runs every 45 minutes (depending on the season), and a full loop takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Along the way, you’ll pass through upscale residential neighborhoods and catch beautiful views of Sydney’s coastline.

Although buses are less frequent compared to the Red Route, the main destination on the Blue Route is Bondi Beach itself. As long as you check the return bus times in advance, sightseeing here is smooth and stress-free.

✅ If you board at Stop 26 on the Blue Route, the ride to Bondi Beach takes about 30 minutes. Get off at Stop 30 to start exploring the beach.

📲 Track Your Bus in Real Time with the Big Bus Tours App

With the official Big Bus Tours app, you can see the location of each bus in real time.

Just zoom in on the map to check your current location and see if a bus is nearby or arriving soon. This makes it much easier to plan when and where to hop on.

💡 Since you’ll be using the app on-site, it’s best to download it in advance.

⏬ Search for “Big Bus” in your app store—look for this logo.

Big Bus Sydney Ticket Prices

The Big Bus Sydney Hop-on Hop-off Tour offers two types of tickets: a 24-hour pass and a 48-hour pass. Children aged 0–2 ride for free, while kids aged 3–15 get about 30% off the adult fare.

⏬ We chose the 24-hour ticket and spent a full day riding both the Red and Blue routes—it was packed with highlights and well worth it.

💡 Tickets are available for 24 or 48 hours

Book your tickets on “Klook” or “Viator”.
📲 Online payment is simple with credit card.
(Apple Pay and Google Pay also supported.)

Book on “Klook”

Book on “Viator”

How to Join the Big Bus Sydney Tour

Step 1: 🌐 Book Your Ticket Online
Reserve your Big Bus Sydney Tour tickets through Klook or Viator. After booking, you’ll receive a confirmation page and an email with your booking details.

Tip: You can board with just the confirmation, but doing the next step makes things smoother.

Step 2: 📲 Get Your Voucher Ready
On the official Big Bus Tours website or app, enter your booking number (from Klook/Viator) and your last name. This will let you retrieve your booking and download your voucher. You can even add it to your Apple Wallet for convenience. ⏬

Step 3: 🚌 Join the Tour
When you board the bus for the first time, simply show your voucher on your phone to the staff (or driver) at the stop. They’ll give you an official paper ticket—this marks the start of your 24-hour (or 48-hour) pass.

✅ From then on, just show your paper ticket to the driver whenever you hop on or off at any stop.

(Below is a screenshot from my own chat with Big Bus customer service confirming these steps.)

Why the Big Bus Sydney Tour Is Easier for Families (Compared with Trains & Public Buses)

Public Buses – Not Ideal for Touring the City Center

Trains – A Bit of a Challenge for Families Walking to Darling Harbour

🚊 Sydney has two types of trains: the regular suburban rail (T) and the light rail (L).

⏬ First photo: Regular rail (T) / Second photo: Light Rail (L)

The Circular Quay Station is convenient for visiting the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Wynyard Station and QVB (Light Rail only) are also well located, but the surrounding areas are busy business districts with heavy traffic. If you plan to walk from there toward Darling Harbour or the Harbour Bridge, it can feel quite tiring—especially with children.

✅ We also found a few drawbacks as a family with young kids:

• Regular Rail (T): Mostly underground, so you miss out on Sydney’s beautiful scenery.

• Light Rail (L): Stations are set further inside the city, meaning a longer walk to Darling Harbour.

Conclusion

🚌 The Big Bus Sydney Tour runs on two main routes: the Red Route (The City Tour) covering the city center and the Blue Route (The Bondi & Bays Tour) heading out to Bondi Beach. With hop-on hop-off access all day, it’s one of the easiest and most flexible ways to explore Sydney.

From the open-top deck, you’ll enjoy unique views you simply can’t get from a car or on foot. It’s a relaxing way to take in the city—feeling the breeze, admiring the scenery, and moving smoothly from one attraction to the next.
(Tip: In the hotter months, wear a hat or take breaks on the lower deck to avoid heat exhaustion.)

😄 I hope this guide helps you create wonderful memories with your loved ones during your trip to Sydney.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to seeing you in the next article!

💡 Tickets are available for 24 or 48 hours

Book your tickets on “Klook” or “Viator”.
📲 Online payment is simple with credit card.
(Apple Pay and Google Pay also supported.)

Book on “Klook”

Book on “Viator”