City Sightseeing, a global open-top bus operator
You have likely seen them in major cities. Those double-decker buses, the convertible version of public transit, featuring bright red paint and branding plastered on the sides like graffiti. These are City Sightseeing buses, a brand founded in 1999 in Seville, Spain. Since then, the open-top tour operator has expanded significantly, now covering 6 continents and operating in more than 130 cities worldwide.
The hop-on hop-off concept
The hop-on hop-off concept is undoubtedly the key to their success. There is no better way to get a feel for a city than perched on the top deck, getting off whenever a stop catches your eye and hopping back on later at your own pace. This setup provides an unbeatable panoramic view of each local attraction. All buses come equipped with headsets playing audio commentary in multiple languages, detailing the history and context of what you see passing by. On many routes, you will even find a live guide on board.
Extra features to stand out
Another strength of the brand is that City Sightseeing offers more than one route in select cities to cover different neighborhoods and sights. Depending on the city and the ticket type you select, you might find a boat, train, or walking tour included, or even night tours.
Regarding tickets, City Sightseeing offers various ticketing options like 24-hour or 48-hour passes. Most tickets are flexible, meaning they remain valid for 12 months from the purchase date and include free cancellation. There are also bundled offers where purchasing a bus ticket grants you entry to several attractions of your choice.
Finally, many of their circuits include discounts for local attractions and restaurants. In a highly competitive sector, these small perks often make the difference.
I booked a bus tour of Barcelona with City Sightseeing for my elderly parents who have trouble walking for long periods and get stressed out by public transportation. They were thrilled with the service. I admit that even I found this way of seeing the city very relaxing.
The meeting point was central. Plus, we could hop on and off the bus whenever we wanted. Two routes were available. The buses run frequently. Unfortunately, we had to book some attractions like the Sagrada Familia in advance, but we were able to see the best of the city in one day.