With endless sightseeing options and adventures through its rich history, art and culture, exploring Paris can be a little overwhelming. But with Hop-On, Hop-Off tours you can easily explore the best of the city seamlessly. Especially with Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tours, like those offered by Tootbus and Big Bus, it is easier to experience the city’s attractions at your own pace. Wondering which tour will best suit your travel needs? In this comparison, we will look at the features, routes, pricing, and perks of each, helping you pick the perfect Paris Hop-On, and Hop-Off tour for your next adventure!
1. Overview of Tootbus and Big Bus Paris
Both the operators come with different Paris Hop-On, Hop-Off tours across the city, each with its own advantages:
Tootbus Paris: Known for its eco-friendly buses, Tootbus operates with a strong focus on sustainability, offering a fully electric fleet. It offers several routes covering popular attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre Dame, as well as seasonal routes and a kids-focused tour.
Big Bus Paris: Big Bus, a globally recognized Hop-On, Hop-Off brand, brings its extensive tour expertise to the city with two main routes that showcase Paris’s major attractions. Known for flexibility and ease of use, Big Bus also offers a night tour from a different perspective on Paris.
2. Routes & Stops
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Tootbus operates two primary routes:
The Blue Route: This route allows you to explore the classic sights of Paris such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Musée d’Orsay, and the Champs-Élysées. You should definitely explore this if you are visiting Paris for the first time and don’t want to miss out on the major attractions of the city.
The Green Route: This route offers a scenic tour through some of the city’s most famous landmarks. It focuses on the iconic sites along the Seine River and in central Paris covering places like the Montmartre district, Sacré-Cœur, Moulin Rouge, and Place du Tertre.
Tootbus also provides a seasonal kids tour, which is a shorter, family-friendly loop focusing on stops likely to interest children and families.
Big Bus offers two main routes as well:
The Red Route: This route covers Paris’s major attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and Notre Dame. This is similar to Tootbus’s discovery route and gives you an overview of the major landmarks and attractions of the city.
The Blue Route: This route focuses on Paris’s cultural and artistic side. It takes you to attractions like Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur, Moulin Rouge, Gare du Nord and Pigalle.
The main difference here is the route frequency and coverage. Tootbus’s stops are a bit more compact, with fewer stops along each route, while Big Bus has slightly more frequent stops, allowing for quicker access to a range of landmarks. You can also plan your visit to Montmartre with the Montmartre Walking Tour and discover the heart of Paris’s artistic district in a way that is ideal for your travel plan.
3. Ticket Options and Flexibility
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Tootbus offers a variety of ticket options:
- 1-Day and 2-Day Passes: Unlimited access to both routes as per the chosen duration.
- Night Tour Pass: Separate ticket for an evening journey, perfect for seeing illuminated Paris.
- Kids Pass: Exclusive access to the Tootbus Kids Tour.
- Combo Tickets: Including Tootbus access along with entry to attractions such as the Louvre or Eiffel Tower and much more.
Big Bus’s ticketing is straightforward with three main options:
- 1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day Passes: Unlimited access to both routes for the chosen duration.
- Night Tour Pass: Separate from the day passes, offering a romantic, night-time view of Paris.
- Attraction Combo Tickets: Big Bus offers bundle options with entry to the Louvre, Seine River Cruise, or Eiffel Tower.
Both services offer flexible ticketing and convenient combo options, but Tootbus is unique in offering an eco-conscious, digital ticket system. One more notable advantage of Tootbus is its 100% mobile ticketing, which makes boarding smoother and eliminates the need to print a physical ticket.
Book a Seine River Cruise to explore Paris from the water and enjoy a different perspective of the city.
4. Amenities and Comfort
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Tootbus Paris
With a modern fleet of electric buses, Tootbus provides a quieter and environmentally friendly ride. Features include:
- Free Wi-Fi onboard.
- Audio guides in multiple languages, including a dedicated children’s guide.
- Open and covered seating options for all weather.
- Interactive Tootbus app with route information, live bus tracking, and nearby attractions.
Big Bus Paris
Big Bus provides a more classic, open-top bus experience, which many travellers enjoy for panoramic sightseeing. Key features include:
- Pre-recorded commentary in multiple languages
- Live guide options on select tours, providing real-time insights about landmarks.
- Covered seating area on the upper deck for sun protection.
While both these Paris Hop-On, and Hop-Off tours offer useful amenities, Tootbus takes the lead with eco-friendly buses and an interactive mobile app, while Big Bus may appeal more to those who prefer guided, real-time information.
Also pair your trip with a skip-the-line Louvre Ticket to make the most of your day in Paris, which also gives you access to this world-renowned museum.
5. Customer Experience & Accessibility
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Tootbus Paris
Customer feedback for Tootbus is generally positive, especially for its quiet ride and sustainability focus. Digital ticketing and real-time app tracking make it a preferred choice for tech-savvy travellers. However, Tootbus buses can sometimes be less frequent on some routes, particularly in peak season, which may affect wait times.
Big Bus Paris
Big Bus customers appreciate the frequent buses and availability of live guides, which adds a unique touch to the experience. This service is often recommended for first-time visitors who want more commentary and interaction with guides. However, Big Bus can get crowded during peak times, which may impact comfort levels.
Accessibility: Both services provide accessible buses and offer assistance for passengers with limited mobility, but Tootbus’s electric buses are noted for easier boarding and a quieter experience.
6. Pricing and Value for Money
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Tootbus Paris
Tootbus offers competitive pricing, especially for its eco-friendly buses and kids-friendly tour options. While slightly more expensive than Big Bus in some packages, its value lies in the unique app functionality and environmental commitment.
Big Bus Paris
Big Bus tends to be slightly more budget-friendly, with frequent sales and discounts, especially for multi-day passes. The live guide option on select routes also offers added value, particularly for first-time visitors interested in live commentary.
Which One Should You Choose?
Ultimately, the choice between Tootbus and Big Bus Paris comes down to your travel preferences:
Choose Tootbus if: You prioritize sustainability, enjoy app-based features, and prefer a quieter, modern bus experience.
Choose Big Bus if: You are looking for more budget-friendly options, prefer live guides, or want flexibility with frequent bus stops across the city.
Both tours offer unique advantages, so consider your sightseeing style, budget, and the type of Paris experience you want when making your decision.
Conclusion
Whether you go with Tootbus or Big Bus, a Paris Hop-On, Hop-Off tour offers a fantastic way to see the City of Light at your own pace. With either choice, you will enjoy easy access to Paris’s top attractions, the flexibility to explore at your own speed, and the freedom to hop off at landmarks you want to dive deeper into. So, grab your tickets, hop on board, and start your Paris adventure!
Ready to explore? Start with our Paris Hop-On, Hop-Off tours, tailored to your itinerary for a seamless experience around the city.
