Berlin Hop-on Hop-off — frequently asked questions
Tickets, routes, boarding, cancellation, audio guides and combos — everything we get asked about Berlin's four hop-on hop-off operators, in one place.
Which Berlin hop-on hop-off bus is best?
It depends on your plan. Big Bus and City Sightseeing both run two routes with multilingual audio; City Circle is one continuous loop with the shortest waits and 72-hour tickets; Tempelhofer offers a live guide. Compare live prices above and pick the tour and seller that fit you.
How much does a Berlin hop-on hop-off ticket cost?
Prices depend on the operator, ticket length (24h/48h/72h), your travel date and the seller — so there is no single fixed number. Our live comparison shows today’s prices from GetYourGuide, Tiqets and Headout, so you always see the current fare and can book the cheapest for your date.
Where do I buy tickets — and is it cheaper online?
Book online through GetYourGuide, Tiqets or Headout — usually a few euros cheaper than paying on board, with free cancellation on most tickets. We compare all three so you get the lowest price.
How many stops are there and where do the buses go?
It depends on the operator: City Sightseeing has 28 stops across two routes, City Circle 26 on one big loop, Tempelhofer 24 on one route, and Big Bus 16 on its Red Route plus 4 on the Blue Route. Between them they cover Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Museum Island, Checkpoint Charlie, Potsdamer Platz, Ku'damm, Alexanderplatz and the East Side Gallery. Each operator page lists its full stop list.
How long is a full loop and how often do buses run?
A full loop takes roughly 1.5–2.5 hours depending on the operator. Buses come every 15–30 minutes on the main routes, and less often on the East/Blue routes (hourly to every 40 minutes).
Do the tickets include a boat trip?
Several operators offer a bus + 1-hour Spree cruise combo (roughly April–November). City Sightseeing, City Circle, Big Bus and Tempelhofer all have boat options — see the combo tickets.
How does hop-on hop-off actually work?
Buy one ticket, then get on and off as often as you like at any stop along the route for the whole validity period (24, 48 or 72 hours). Show your mobile or printed voucher to the driver when you board. Buses come every 15–30 minutes on the main routes, so you just wait for the next one when you're ready to move on.
Do I need to print my ticket?
No — all three sellers (GetYourGuide, Tiqets and Headout) accept a mobile voucher on your phone. A printout works too if you prefer. You'll get it by email straight after booking.
Can I cancel or change my ticket?
Most Berlin hop-on hop-off tickets can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before your selected date, and many are flexible on the date. The exact policy is shown per product on the seller's page before you pay — always check it there, as a few tickets are non-refundable.
Are the buses wheelchair accessible and good for kids?
Most Berlin sightseeing buses are wheelchair-accessible with a ramp, and children's tickets are cheaper than adult fares. City Circle even has a dedicated children's audio channel.
Which ticket length should I choose — 24, 48 or 72 hours?
For a single busy sightseeing day, 24 hours is usually enough. Choose 48 hours if you want to split the city over two relaxed days or ride more than one route. Only City Circle offers a 72-hour ticket, which suits longer stays. Compare the live prices above — the step up in length is often small.
Is the audio guide available in my language?
City Circle offers 20 audio languages, City Sightseeing 13, and Big Bus 14 — between them they cover English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese and more. Tempelhofer is different: it uses a live guide speaking German and English rather than a recorded audio track.
When do the buses run?
Roughly 09:30–18:00, depending on the operator, with the last full loop leaving in the early-to-mid afternoon. Hours are shorter in winter and around public holidays and big events (such as the Berlin Marathon). Check the operator's live tracker on the day you travel.
Where do the routes start and what are the main stops?
You can start at any stop on the route. Popular boarding points are Ku'damm/Kurfürstendamm and Alexanderplatz. From there the routes pass Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, Museum Island, Potsdamer Platz, Checkpoint Charlie and — on the eastern routes — the East Side Gallery and Karl-Marx-Allee. See each operator page for the full stop list.
What's the difference between the four operators?
Big Bus and City Sightseeing both run two routes with recorded multilingual audio and open-top decks. City Circle runs one continuous loop with the shortest waits, 72-hour tickets and a dedicated kids' audio channel. Tempelhofer is a local family operator with a live guide instead of a recording. The comparison table above shows routes, stops, frequency and languages side by side.
Are there evening or night tours?
Yes. Big Bus runs a live-guided evening panorama tour, and there's a special Festival of Lights night tour in October when Berlin's landmarks are illuminated. City Sightseeing also offers an evening 'lights' tour. These are scheduled departures rather than part of the flexible daytime loop.
Are the combo tickets worth it?
If you'd visit the attraction anyway, a combo (bus plus a Spree cruise, TV Tower, LEGOLAND, the Berlin Dungeon, DDR Museum or Icebar) is usually more convenient than booking separately. If you only want the bus for a city overview, a plain hop-on hop-off ticket is the simpler choice. See the combo tickets on the home page.
Is a hop-on hop-off bus good for just one day in Berlin?
Yes — it's one of the most efficient ways to see the main sights in a single day. Start early, ride a full loop first to get your bearings, then hop off at the two or three places you most want to explore on foot. For evenings and outlying districts, combine it with the U- and S-Bahn.