Paris Bus Tour
- Duration1 day
- Daily
- Group
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Overview
This Paris hop-on hop-off bus tour lets you see the city's great landmarks from an open-top deck and step off wherever you like. The recommended option is a 3-day pass with a 1-hour Seine cruise from Port de Suffren near the Eiffel Tower; 1- and 2-day passes, with or without the cruise, are also available. Commentary plays in 10 languages, including Arabic, with a children's channel. It suits first-time visitors, families and anyone who wants a relaxed, self-guided way to cover Paris.
Highlights
- 3-day pass plus a 1-hour Seine cruise on the recommended option
- Hop on and off as often as you like at stops near the city's top sights
- Buses about every 10 minutes from the Opéra / Grands Magasins stop
- Commentary in 10 languages including Arabic, plus a kids' audio channel
- Live bus tracking, self-guided walks in the app and Wi-Fi on board
- Open-top deck for photos of the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower
Full Description
Opéra Garnier and the Grands Magasins
The route begins on the Boulevard des Capucines beside the Palais Garnier, the gilded opera house completed in 1875 that inspired The Phantom of the Opera. Its marble grand staircase and the ceiling painted by Marc Chagall can be visited on a separate ticket, and the building is one of the finest examples of Second Empire style in Paris.
Behind the opera stand the grands magasins, the historic department stores of Boulevard Haussmann, famous for their glass domes and free rooftop terraces with views over the city. This first stop is a natural place to start a Paris bus tour in the morning: hop off later in the afternoon for shopping, when the rest of the loop is done.
The Louvre, Notre-Dame and the Latin Quarter
From the opera the bus heads to the Louvre, the former royal palace that became a museum in 1793, with I. M. Pei's glass pyramid in its courtyard. Hop off here if the Louvre is on your list, and allow at least three hours inside. Nearby, the Tuileries Garden leads towards the Place de la Concorde.
The route then crosses to the islands and passes Notre-Dame Cathedral, reopened to visitors in December 2024 after its restoration, before continuing towards the Musée d'Orsay. Get off near Notre-Dame to explore the Latin Quarter, the Sainte-Chapelle with its 13th-century stained glass, or the quiet streets of the Île Saint-Louis on foot.
Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe
The most famous avenue in Paris runs almost two kilometres from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. From the top deck you see its wide pavements, flagship stores and the gardens at its lower end, before the bus circles the Place Charles de Gaulle where twelve avenues meet around the arch.
Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 and completed in 1836, the Arc de Triomphe honours the armies of France, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies beneath it. The rooftop terrace, reached by 284 steps on a separate ticket, offers one of the best views down the Champs-Élysées. Is the Paris bus tour worth it for this stretch? It is one of the easiest ways to see both at once.
Trocadéro, the Eiffel Tower and the Seine Cruise
The Place du Trocadéro is the classic viewpoint for photos of the Eiffel Tower across the river, especially in the morning light. The bus continues to the foot of the tower and passes the Pont Alexandre III, with its gilded statues and lamps, before returning towards the centre.
With the cruise options, the boat leaves from Port de Suffren, next to stop 9 by the Eiffel Tower, for a one-hour loop past the Louvre and Notre-Dame. Combining the Paris sightseeing bus and a Seine river cruise on the same day gives you the city from both road and river. The cruise is valid during your pass, so you can keep it for a sunny afternoon.
Itinerary
- Opéra / Grands Magasins (Stop 1)Board at the first stop beside the Palais Garnier or at any stop on the route; your pass starts at first validation.
- Louvre and Notre-DameRide past the Louvre pyramid and Notre-Dame, and hop off to visit the museums or the islands.
- Musée d'Orsay and Place de la ConcordeContinue past the Orsay museum and the obelisk of the Concorde towards the Champs-Élysées.
- Champs-Élysées and Arc de TriompheSee the avenue from the top deck and stop at the arch for a climb or a walk.
- Trocadéro and Eiffel TowerPhoto stop at the Trocadéro, then the Eiffel Tower, where the Seine cruise boards at Port de Suffren on cruise options.
- Back to the OpéraComplete the loop (around 2 hours without stopping) and repeat it as often as you like during your pass.
What's included
- 24-hour hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus pass
- Audio commentary on board and via app in 10 languages, including Arabic
- Kids' audio guide
- Mobile app with live bus tracking and self-guided walks
- Headphones and Wi-Fi on board
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Seine river cruise
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Anyone who wants to see it from the water
- First-time visitors who want the highlights
Think twice if
- You prefer short outings — this takes 1 days
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- You get seasick easily
Not suitable for
- Travellers with oversized luggage
- Pets
Meeting point
There is no hotel pickup. Start at any designated bus stop; the first bus of the day leaves Stop 1 “Opéra / Grands Magasins” on Boulevard des Capucines, and buses run about every 10 minutes, roughly from 09:30 to 18:30 depending on the season. On options with the cruise, the boat boards at Port de Suffren, next to Stop 9 by the Eiffel Tower.
Important information
- Your pass is valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours from the first time you scan it on the bus
- Service hours change by season; check the live times in the app on the day
- Bring earphones of your own if you prefer, and a charged phone for the app
- Large luggage and pets are not allowed on board
- The Seine cruise is included only in the options that list it
- Entrance tickets to museums and monuments are not included
- The top deck is open to the weather – bring a hat or a light rain jacket
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Paris bus tour ticket cost?
The price depends on the pass length and whether you add the Seine cruise. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and for children aged 4 to 12.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. You start at any bus stop on the route; the first departure of the day is from the Opéra / Grands Magasins stop.
How long does a full loop take?
A full loop without stopping takes around two hours, and your pass is valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours depending on the option.
Is the bus tour suitable for children?
Yes. There is a dedicated kids' audio channel, and children aged 3 and under travel without a ticket.
What is the difference between the options?
You choose a 1-, 2- or 3-day pass, each available with or without a 1-hour Seine cruise from Port de Suffren near the Eiffel Tower.
Is the commentary available in Arabic?
Yes. Audio commentary on board and in the app is available in 10 languages, including Arabic and English.
What should I bring?
A charged phone, a hat or light rain jacket for the open deck, comfortable shoes for hopping off, and your booking confirmation.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Yes, if the date is available in the booking panel. Your pass starts only when you first scan it on the bus.
Which stop is best for the Eiffel Tower?
Get off at the Trocadéro stop for the classic photo, or at the Eiffel Tower stop (Port de Suffren) to reach the tower and the cruise pier.
Can I use the bus to get between museums?
Yes. Stops sit close to the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay and the Arc de Triomphe, which makes the bus an easy link between them.
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