Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour Boston
- Duration1 day
- Daily
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Overview
This hop-on hop-off trolley tour is the easiest way to see Boston without planning transport. Two loops, the Green City Tour and the Orange Back Bay loop, connect 13 stops close to the aquarium, Faneuil Hall, the North End, the USS Constitution, Beacon Hill, Boston Common and Back Bay. Live narration explains the history as you ride in an open stadium-style trolley, and GPS-triggered walking tours cover Boston Common and the waterfront. Pick a 1-day or 2-day ticket in the booking panel.
Highlights
- Unlimited hop-on hop-off rides on both loops for the days you choose
- Green City Tour loop with 9 stops, about 2 hours without stopping
- Orange Back Bay loop with 4 stops, about 30 minutes
- Live narration on board from an expert guide
- Stadium-style trolleys with padded seats and roll-down windows for all weather
- GPS-triggered walking tours of Boston Common and the waterfront included
Full Description
The Green City Tour loop and the Orange Back Bay loop
The Boston hop-on hop-off trolley tour runs on two connected loops. The Green City Tour has nine stops and takes about two hours if you stay on board, passing the main historic sights. The Orange Back Bay loop has four stops and takes about 30 minutes, linking Boston's shopping and cultural district. You can switch between the loops at the transfer stop.
Trolleys leave each stop about every half hour during the day, so you can stay on for the full narrated ride first, then hop off where you like. Buying a 2-day ticket gives you a relaxed pace, while a 1-day ticket suits a shorter visit. The booking panel shows both options.
Faneuil Hall, the North End and the Old State House
Stop 1 sits beside the New England Aquarium and Faneuil Hall Marketplace, a busy waterfront district of shops and street performers. From there the trolley heads to the Historic North End, where you find Paul Revere's house and the Old North Church, both on the Freedom Trail, the red-line walking route through Boston's revolutionary sites.
Later stops include Downtown Crossing and the Old State House, where the Declaration of Independence was first read to Bostonians in 1776. If you are wondering what to see in Boston in one or two days, this stretch gives you the core of colonial history, and you can return by trolley whenever your feet need a rest.
USS Constitution and Charlestown Navy Yard
Stop 3 is the Charlestown Navy Yard, where the USS Constitution is berthed. Launched in 1797, it is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat, and you can tour the ship or visit the nearby museum. The yard is a favourite hop-off point for families and history lovers.
Nearby stops include North Station and the TD Garden area, then the route continues towards the centre. Your live narrator explains how Boston grew from a Puritan harbour town into one of America's great cities. Give yourself at least an hour if you want to board the ship, and check the opening hours for the season before you go.
Beacon Hill, Boston Common and Back Bay
Beacon Hill and Boston Common bring you to the golden dome of the Massachusetts State House, gas-lit brick streets and America's oldest public park, along with the stop for the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. The GPS-triggered walking tours activate as you explore Boston Common and the waterfront, adding self-guided commentary on foot.
On the Orange loop, stops at the Prudential Center, Christian Science Plaza, Symphony Hall, Copley Place and Copley Square with Trinity Church cover Back Bay. Because the trolley is open and stops are close to many attractions, this ticket doubles as your transport for Boston day trips within the city. Last departures run in the afternoon, so plan your final hop-on.
Itinerary
- Board at any stopStart at Stop 1 near the aquarium or at any stop on the route between 09:00 and 16:00.
- Green City Tour loopRide nine stops in about two hours, or hop off at the North End, Charlestown, Old State House or Beacon Hill.
- Transfer at the Boston Park Plaza areaChange to the Orange loop at the transfer stop to reach Back Bay.
- Orange Back Bay loopTake four stops in about 30 minutes past the Prudential Center, Symphony Hall, Copley Place and Trinity Church.
- Walking tours by GPSListen to self-guided commentary as you walk Boston Common and the waterfront.
What's included
- Hop-on hop-off trolley ticket valid for 1 day
- Live narration on board
- Green City Tour loop with 9 stops (about 2 hours)
- Orange Back Bay loop with 4 stops (about 30 minutes)
- Stadium-style trolleys with padded seats and roll-down windows
- GPS-triggered walking tours of Boston Common and the waterfront
Not included
- Tips (optional)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Is this right for you?
Great for
- 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
Not suitable for
- Guests who cannot climb steps into a trolley without help; contact us for accessibility planning
- Anyone who wants a private, door-to-door tour with hotel pickup
Meeting point
There is no fixed meeting point. Board at any trolley stop on the route, with departures about every half hour between 09:00 and 16:00. Stop 1 is near the New England Aquarium and Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Hotel pickup is not included.
Important information
- Trolleys run about every half hour, with the first departures around 09:00 and the last around 16:00
- No tours run on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day or Patriots' Day
- Tickets are valid until the end of the operating day on the days of use
- Seating is on a first come, first served basis
- Children under 3 can travel free if seated on a lap
- For wheelchair assistance, give the operator at least 24 hours' notice
- Bring a jacket or an umbrella; the trolleys have roll-down windows for rain
- A 2-day ticket covers two consecutive calendar days
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Boston hop-on hop-off trolley ticket cost?
The price depends on the ticket you choose, either 1-day or 2-day, and on adult or child. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. Boston's trolley is a hop-on hop-off service, so you board at any stop. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
How long is the trolley tour?
The Green City Tour loop takes about two hours without hopping off, and the Orange Back Bay loop about 30 minutes. Your ticket is valid for one or two days.
Is the trolley suitable for children?
Yes. There are child tickets from age 4 to 12, and young children can travel free on a lap when the operator's rules allow. The open trolleys and short hops suit families.
What should I wear and bring?
Bring comfortable shoes, a jacket or umbrella, sunglasses and a camera. Roll-down windows keep out rain, but it can be breezy.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Usually yes. Pick your date in the booking panel and follow the instructions on your voucher to start riding.
What is the difference between the options?
Both options include unlimited hop-on hop-off rides, live narration and both loops. The 1-day ticket is valid for one day and the 2-day ticket for two consecutive calendar days, which is better for a longer stay.
Which loop should I ride first?
Start with the Green City Tour loop for the historic sights, then use the Orange Back Bay loop for the Prudential Center and Copley Square.
Does the trolley pass the USS Constitution?
Yes, one of the stops is at the Charlestown Navy Yard near the USS Constitution, so you can hop off there.
Are walking tours included?
Yes. GPS-triggered walking tours of Boston Common and the waterfront are included with your trolley ticket.
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