Madrid, New York, Barcelona, Milan.. each of these big cities already has one or several companies keen to show you the best parts of their urban centres in a trip on board the modern, fun and comfortable tourist buses. If you join us on a Unitrips weekend break, we will prove the advantages of Hop On Hop Off Tours to you when you discover our Eurotrips.
You pay once and climb on and off as many times as you want
What’s for certain is that no matter how much we analyse it, it appears to be one of the most advantageous ways to get around and discover everything up to the last corner of the city you are visiting. Following on from this, the first main advantage is the cost, and this really benefits us! Also, the Hop On Hop Off buses allow you with the purchase of one ticket, to get on and off this transportation as many times as you need. Can you imagine? There is an interesting stop to see the cathedral. We get off, get back on the next bus to go to the Port. We get off again and take a walk to see the shining sailboats. We climb back on board with the same ticket and lose ourselves in the streets of this historical medieval centre that is the World Heritage Site. After having a coffee in one of the cool local cafés in the area, you climb back on board again, where you take a trip in time to visit the most impressive castle or relax in the most famous park or maybe visit the most fashionable shopping street.. and all with only one bus ticket!
But I am very lazy
Don’t worry! The tourist bus gives you the option of Hop On/Hop off or, as we would say in our neck of the woods, get on and off as you like, but otherwise you can do the whole tour on board in one go. Settle yourself downstairs on the first floor, covered, so that you don’t mess up your hair do or so that your hipster beard doesn’t get blown about and end up all over the place, or settle yourself upstairs, hair in the wind and camera at the ready. You are ready to catch every single moment of this wonderful city!
A personalised tour in your own language
Well we can’t guarantee that you will find the journey translated right up to the african tribal language Masai, but the truth is that the majority of cities and companies have tried to guarantee a large offering to the traveller and so, in almost all major cities, you will be able to find an audio-guided system in at least a dozen languages. Also, the Hop On Hop Off buses usually offer free Wi-Fi access. To the instagrammers out there, this is like a ring on the finger. Selfie stick and tourist bus = stories sent to the cloud instantly for all your followers, in extreme streaming!
Disability friendly buses
It goes without saying that one of the advantages of travelling on these modern buses is that they are adapted for disabled people, and if you need to get on in your wheelchair, you will not have any problems. In fact, quite the contrary, the Hop On Hop Off allow disabled people who have mobility difficulties to enjoy the wonders of the city in a comfortable and fun way.
Is it better alone or with others?
Without a doubt, this is one of the greatest advantages of the tourist buses with the Hop On Hop off system. They are fitted with many seats allowing any type of adventure, alone or accompanied. If you are one of those globetrotters that only travels with the company of your backpack, the tourist bus is the perfect way to make friends as you are going to find other travellers like yourself.
If, on the other hand, you like to travel in a group, this is a good means of transport because it means you can all get on the same bus. If you push me, I will tell you that it is also one of the most romantic methods of travelling. On the top with your partner, gazing at the most beautiful cities with a panoramic view… who could resist you?
Every day and a huge timetable
Many companies offer their services throughout the whole year, but in any case, you must check because some close on the 25th December and the 1st January. The rest of the time, you will be able to enjoy a fantastic range of timings that will allow you to take complete advantage of your day ticket, since the tours usually start very early, around 9 in the morning, and they continue until 7 or 8 at night.
You don’t even need to worry about the weather, the Hop On/Hop Off works whether it’s good weather, rain or thunder, and if you pushed me, I would recommend that you try the floating bus service which goes over the Danube. Yes, just what you read, take on the Danube in a floating bus.
At your pace
As you will see, even with all these advantages, the most important is that you can get to know the city at your own pace. The tourist bus Hop On/Hop Off services allow you to get on and off as many times as you like during the time that your ticket is valid, which normally is the whole day.
This allows you to create your own trip. Choose items, itineraries, monuments, pubs… don’t leave anything out of the agenda and get on and off the bus as you please. Also, these buses run very frequently, between a 5 and 25 minute wait between each bus. You have plenty of time to see everything without rushing but also without a break.
Another thing that you must take into account is that the companies usually offer various itineraries, meaning you can plan different routes for different days. Overall, for a small amount of money, you will be able to experience all of the most significant places of each city thanks to the tourist buses with the Hop On/Hop Off option. If you are inspired, how about telling us your story?
Translated by Natalie Mills
