Tips for your hop-on hop-off tour in Paris
18 practical tips from real experience: from the right ticket and the best seat selection to hacks that will save you time and money.
A hop-on hop-off tour is the easiest way to see Paris in one day - if you plan it right. We've gathered these tips from our own trips with Tootbus and Big Bus, as well as from hundreds of traveler reviews. They work for both providers and will help you get more out of your ticket.
01 Before booking
Choose the right ticket duration
If you are only planning one day of sightseeing, a 24-hour ticket is sufficient. From two full days, the 48-hour ticket is almost always worthwhile. 72 hours is only available with Tootbus - useful for longer stays or changeable weather.
Compare providers - both have strengths
Tootbus is completely electric and has 72-hour tickets and a children's audio guide. Big Bus has a denser network of stops in the city center. Our price calculator shows you the cheaper provider on a daily basis.
Book online, not on the bus
Online via GetYourGuide or Tiqets it is almost always cheaper than at the bus stop - and you save yourself the queue. Cancellation free of charge up to 24 hours before the appointment gives you additional flexibility.
Use flexible start date
With both providers, you only activate the ticket when you first board. The date selected when booking is only a guide - you can start earlier or later as long as the ticket is still valid.
02 On the bus day
It pays to start early
The first buses leave around 9:30 to 9:45 and are significantly emptier. If you arrive early, you will get a seat at the front of the upper deck with a clear view - ideal for photos and without heads in the picture.
Download the audio guide in advance in the app
Both providers have apps with the complete audio guide. Download the app and the tracks via WiFi before the trip, then everything will work without mobile data. Bring your own headphones - the bus headphones are okay, but not ideal.
Pack a power bank
Audio guide streaming, photos and navigation consume a lot of battery. A power bank will save you from a dead smartphone in the middle of Montmartre. Some Tootbus buses have USB sockets on the seats - not all of them, so don't rely on them.
Take rain protection with you
The upper deck is open. Big Bus provides free ponchos on the bus, Tootbus does not throughout. A light rain jacket or foldable umbrella in your backpack is almost always a good idea in Paris - especially in spring and fall.
03 Route & Stops
A complete round first
Ride the whole loop on the first day without getting off (approx. 2 hours). This will give you an overview and show you which stations are the most interesting for you. Then you can get off selectively instead of randomly.
Less frequented entrances
The queues are longest at the Opéra and the Eiffel Tower. It's better to get on at the Musée d'Orsay, the Champ de Mars or the Grand Palais - the buses stop there just as often, but the waiting time is much shorter.
Intelligently combine hop-on, hop-off
Plan a maximum of 3 to 4 stops per day. Realistically, each stop takes 45 to 90 minutes - Eiffel Tower and Louvre significantly longer. If you want more, you will take more buses than you see. It is better to set priorities.
Keep an eye on the last bus
The last bus departs between 17:00 and 19:30, depending on the season. Plan your last stop so that you can get to the last round safely - otherwise you will have to return by metro or cab. → Current timetables
04 On the road with children
Children under 4 travel free of charge
With both providers, children under the age of 4 are free of charge. From 4 to 12 years, there is a reduced children's price (usually 50 to 60 percent of the adult price). From the age of 13, the regular rate applies.
Tootbus Children's audio guide
Only Tootbus offers an audio guide specially produced for children (English and French). Stories and explanations are structured in a child-friendly way - a real plus point if you don't want the kids to whine after 20 minutes.
Baby carriage tip
Baby carriages can be folded up and taken on the bus. Allow buffer time at busy stops - it takes a little longer to get on and off the bus with a baby carriage in the cramped interior.
Plan realistically
With small children, 2 to 3 stops per day are enough. Plan breaks with ice cream or a café - this is often the biggest highlight for the little ones, not the twelfth church.
05 Save money
Compare three providers
Tootbus and Big Bus are sold on GetYourGuide and Tiqets, direct purchase from the bus operator is usually more expensive. On a daily basis, prices vary by up to €5 between the booking platforms. Our calculator on the homepage shows you live who is currently cheaper.
Family and group discounts
Some tickets have special family rates (2 adults + children). For groups of 5 or more, it is worth looking at the group options - both providers have staggered prices that only become apparent when booking.
Combination tickets with Seine boat trip
A combined bus + boat trip ticket is usually €5 to €10 cheaper than booking both separately. With Tootbus this is called „Must See“, with Big Bus „Premium“. It's practically always worth it if you wanted to go on the boat anyway.
Multi-day ticket instead of two one-way tickets
Two 24-hour tickets are almost always more expensive than one 48-hour ticket. Even if you only use half of the second day, you save money. With Tootbus, the 72-hour ticket pays for itself from two full days of use.
06 Season & special dates
Summer: ride early or late
July and August can be hot on the upper deck, especially between 12 and 4 pm. It's better to go in the morning before 11am or after 5pm - the light and temperature are better for photos. Don't forget sunscreen and a water bottle.
Winter: shorter travel times
From November to March, the buses run less frequently (Tootbus every 10 to 15 minutes, Big Bus every 15 to 20 minutes). The last bus usually leaves around 5 pm. Plan buffer time and dress warmly - the open upper deck is really cold in winter.
Christmas Lights at Tootbus
In November and December, Tootbus offers a special „Christmas Lights Tour“ through festively illuminated Paris. A real highlight that is only available 4 to 6 weeks a year - book early.
Tootbus closure in summer 2026
From July 14 to 26, 2026, Tootbus will not be in operation due to road closures around July 14. If you are in Paris during this period, you should switch to Big Bus or postpone the date.
Frequently asked questions about planning
How long does a complete round take?
About 2 hours with both providers - if you don't get off. If there is a lot of traffic (Friday afternoon, tourist season) it can also take 2.5 hours.
Is a 24-hour ticket for Paris enough?
For an initial overview with 2 to 3 stops - yes. If you really want to visit the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Notre-Dame, you'll need at least 48 hours. Realistic: 1 day = overview, 2 days = relaxed sightseeing.
Which seats are the best?
Upper deck, as far forward as possible. With Big Bus, the first two rows at the top are particularly popular because they have a direct view to the front without the windshield getting in the way. With Tootbus, the upper deck is completely open - it doesn't matter whether it's at the front or rear.
Should I take the bus or the metro?
For pure sightseeing, the bus - you see more. If you want to go to a specific place (e.g. Versailles Palace), the metro/RER is much faster. Many visitors combine: Bus during the day, metro in the evening for restaurant visits.
What if I miss my bus?
No problem - the next one arrives in 10 to 20 minutes. You only really need to watch out for the last bus in the evening, which departs between 5 and 7:30 pm depending on the season.
Ready for your tour of Paris?
Compare current prices for Tootbus and Big Bus with three providers and find the right ticket for your travel dates.
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