In a nutshell
- There are two hop-on hop-off providers in Los Angeles. In this guide, we break down the prices, routes, stops and everything else you should know about hop-on hop-off buses in Los Angeles.
- No time to go through the full comparison? Our top recommendation is the hop-on hop-off bus from Starline.
- At the end, you’ll find a FAQ with clear answers to help you pick the best bus tour in Los Angeles and plan your tours with ease.
What You Should Know About the Hop-on Hop-off Providers in L.A
There are two providers offering hop-on hop-off buses in Los Angeles: Big Bus and Starline / City Sightseeing.
Both run two routes, one through Hollywood and the other along the beach toward Santa Monica. The routes and stops are nearly the same, and you can use every line as long as your ticket is valid.
The biggest difference between the two is that Starline operates an extra route through Downtown Los Angeles, which can be helpful if you want to cover a bit more of the city during your Los Angeles hop-on hop-off bus tour.
In short, you’ll be well-served with either provider if you’re planning a hop-on hop-off Los Angeles trip. But let’s take a closer look at what each option offers.
Sights on the Hollywood Route
The Hollywood Route takes you to some of the top sights in Los Angeles. Here are the highlights:
- TCL Chinese Theater
- Walk of Fame
- Hollywood Bowl
- LACMA Museum
- La Brea Tar Pits
- Paramount Studios
Places of Interest on the Santa Monica Route
Santa Monica is one of the most iconic beaches in Los Angeles and always a highlight. The Santa Monica route has fewer stops than the Hollywood route, simply because many of them are right on the beach and you’ll want to spend more time here than you would at the quick sightseeing stops in Hollywood.
If you’re planning to stay even longer in Santa Monica, you’ll find plenty of great places to stay near the beach in our Los Angeles hotel tips.
These are the must-sees on the Santa Monica route:
- Santa Monica Pier
- Venice Beach
- Venice Beach Skatepark
Our Recommendation: Starline Hop-on Hop-off Bus
If we had to pick one of the hop-on hop-off buses in Los Angeles, we’d go with Starline / City Sightseeing. Here’s why:
- You get one extra route. Starline runs three lines, Big Bus only two, ideal if you want to make the most of your Los Angeles hop-on hop-off bus tour.
- Your voucher arrives directly on your phone, and you just show the QR code to the driver. Quick and easy.
Book your ticket for the Starline hop-on hop-off bus in Los Angeles here
Overview of Hop-on Hop-off Providers in Los Angeles
If you just want a quick overview of the two hop-on hop-off providers in L.A., this table summarizes all the key details to help you choose the best bus tour in Los Angeles.
| Starline / City Sightseeing | Big Bus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price for 24h | $57 | $57 |
| Price for 48h | $72 | $64 |
| Discount for children | up to 2 years, free / 3-11 years, reduced price | up to 2 years, free/ 3-12 years, reduced price |
| Citypass-Discount | none | included in all Los Angeles City passes |
| Routes | 3 routes Hollywood (red), Santa Monica (yellow), Downtown (purple) | 2 routes Hollywood (red), Santa Monica (blue) |
| Route plan | View map | View map |
| Stops | red line: 13 yellow line: 13 purple line: 15 | red line: 13 blue line: 5 |
| Frequency | red line: 45 min yellow line: 45 min purple line: 45 to 60 min | red line: 30 to 45 min blue line: 30 to 75 min |
| Duration | red line: 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM yellow line: 9:30 AM to 6:23 PM purple line: 8:30 AM to 5:35 PM | red line: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM blue line: 10:15 AM to 4:45 PM |
| Audioguide | English and 8 additional languages | English, Spanish, Chinese |
| Ticket link | Click here | Click here |
Conclusion on the Hop-on Hop-off Buses in L.A.
Exploring Los Angeles with a hop-on hop-off bus is absolutely worth it, as you can cover a lot of ground in a short time while staying flexible during your sightseeing. And the best part: you don’t have to navigate L.A.’s tricky public transport!
Of the two hop-on hop-off buses in Los Angeles, our pick is Starline / City Sightseeing. You get good audio commentary and a more affordable 24-hour ticket, ideal if you’re short on time and want to make the most of your Los Angeles hop-on hop-off bus tours.
You can choose between three routes, and two of them are easy to do in one day. We recommend starting with Hollywood and Santa Monica.
Book your ticket for the Starline hop-on hop-off bus in Los Angeles
FAQ About Hop-on Hop-off Providers in Los Angeles
Is a hop-on hop-off bus tour in Los Angeles worth it?
Yes, absolutely! The hop-on hop-off bus in Los Angeles lets you see a lot of the city in a short amount of time, perfect if you’re on a tight schedule.
Plus, you don’t have to deal with L.A.’s public transportation. The bus takes you to all the major sights, and buying your ticket is super easy. It definitely saves you a lot of hassle!
Should I buy my hop-on hop-off ticket in advance?
We recommend buying your ticket online in advance. It’s quick and easy and you’ll save yourself the hassle of waiting in line.
You’ll receive your ticket instantly on your smartphone and just need to show the driver your QR code.
Of course, tickets are also available at the ticket counters at the Dolby Theatre and directly on the hop-on hop-off buses.
Get your ticket for the Starline Hop-on Hop-off Bus in Los Angeles
Is the hop-on hop-off tour in Los Angeles wheelchair accessible?
Yes, you can use the hop-on hop-off bus in Los Angeles with a wheelchair. However, only the lower deck of the double-decker buses is accessible.
The operators recommend calling one day in advance to make sure that the buses are properly equipped for your needs.
Are hop-on hop-off buses in Los Angeles suitable for kids?
Sightseeing with the hop-on hop-off bus in Los Angeles is one of the most stress-free ways to explore the city with children. It’s flexible, the kids don’t have to walk long distances, and there’s always something exciting to see.
It’s a good idea to hop off every now and then so the little ones don’t get bored.
The tour is best suited for children aged 3 and up. For younger kids, it’s probably not worth it. Both operators offer discounted tickets for children.
Are there alternatives to the hop-on hop-off bus in L.A.?
Los Angeles is simply too big to explore on foot.
The city’s public transportation network is actually quite well developed, but as a tourist, it can take some time to figure everything out. And before you even get started, you’ll need to find the right ticket.
The hop-on hop-off bus in Los Angeles is more expensive than public transport, but in our opinion, the extra comfort is absolutely worth it!
Can I bring luggage on the hop-on hop-off bus?
No. Luggage is not allowed on hop-on hop-off buses because there simply isn’t enough space.
We would actually advise against it anyway. Since you’ll likely be getting on and off multiple times to visit sights, a suitcase would just get in the way.
Are hop-on hop-off buses included in the L.A. city passes?
Yes, both GoCity city passes include a 24-hour ticket for the Big Bus.