NYC: Empire State, Statue of Liberty, & Hop-on Hop-off (Save 25%)

Three NYC icons, one flexible day plan.

This bundle is interesting because it strings together hop-on hop-off bus sightseeing with two of New York’s biggest attractions, all while letting you jump on and off when you want. You get two bus loops (Downtown and Uptown), plus onboard audio commentary in multiple languages, so you can move at your own pace instead of racing a strict checklist.

What I really like is the “no extra tickets” payoff. You get included admission to the Empire State Building observation deck, and you also get round-trip ferry service to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, with an audio tour included for the islands. It’s a smart mix if you’re trying to hit Midtown and Lower Manhattan without turning your day into a logistics puzzle.

One possible drawback to plan around: the day has time-sensitive pieces. The ferry runs only during a set window from Battery Park, and the Empire State visit requires you to pre-book a time and date, with ticket redemption happening at specific stops and staff counters. Add heat, crowds, and occasional signage confusion, and you’ll want a little buffer so you don’t miss a booked slot.

Key points to know before you go

• Two loops, one ticket: Downtown and Uptown coverage helps you avoid backtracking.
• Major-ticket admission included: Empire State observation deck + Liberty/Ellis ferry are part of the deal.
• Audio for both bus and islands: Easy way to learn as you ride and as you’re on the water.
• Timed elements matter: Ferry hours and Empire State time slots can shape your day.
• Open-top buses can be tough in summer: You may feel the weather more than you expect.

What you’re really buying: NYC’s top sights in one package

This isn’t just a bus ride. It’s a bundled “greatest-hits” plan that connects three very different experiences: (1) rolling city views from an open-top double-decker, (2) a high-altitude look from the Empire State Building observation deck, and (3) the classic harbor trip that lands you at Liberty Island and Ellis Island.

That combination is what makes the ticket valuable for many first-timers. You’re not spending time figuring out how to get from Midtown to Lower Manhattan, or chasing separate timed tickets for the harbor. Instead, you can plan a loose route—bus loops to get you oriented, then anchor your day with the two biggest attractions.

The ticket also includes digital support elements, like a mobile ticket and audio in multiple languages. That matters more than it sounds in New York, because signage and stop names can be confusing when you’re tired or moving fast.

Price and value: when $135 makes sense (and when it doesn’t)

At $135 per person, this bundle isn’t cheap. The upside is that it bundles multiple “separate purchases” into one payment: Empire State observation deck admission and round-trip ferry service to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. If you were going to do those anyway, the package can feel like a time-saver more than a discount.

The downside is simple: if you end up using only one part—like mostly the bus—you may feel like you paid a premium for the other inclusions. Some people also get frustrated when timed slots or ticket redemption steps don’t go smoothly, especially if they arrive late or can’t find the right counter at the right moment.

So here’s my practical way to judge it:

• If you want one day plan that touches Midtown + Lower Manhattan, this is often good value.
• If you only care about views from inside your hotel for a cheap price, skip it and build your own route.

The hop-on hop-off strategy: how to ride without missing stops

The core of the experience is the Big Bus 48-hour hop-on hop-off, with Downtown and Uptown loops. Buses run about every hour on each loop, and a full rotation is about 90 minutes (timing can vary by season). That “about” is important. NYC traffic and crowds can stretch real-world timing, so don’t schedule your day too tightly around bus arrivals.

Two practical tips can save you headaches:

1. Know your stop names before you get on. The route stops are real places and intersections—Times Square, Flatiron District, SoHo/West Broadway–Spring Street, Chinatown/Little Italy at 100 Lafayette St, Brooklyn Bridge area near Park Row and Beekman St, and more. If you wander without those anchors, you can end up walking a lot.

1. Use live tracking instead of guessing. Some people complain that stops aren’t announced clearly and they can miss one. If you miss a stop, you usually can’t “go back” easily—you’re either walking or riding the next part of the loop again. The mobile app’s Find a Stop feature and live tracking are made for exactly this.

Also, a reality check: these are open-top buses. If it’s hot, you’ll feel it more than you would on a closed coach. More than a few experiences in the provided info point to heat concerns on summer days, and also note that you can’t expect air conditioning on board.

Downtown Manhattan loop: classic landmarks you can actually connect

The Downtown loop is great for first-time orientation because it runs you through the Midtown-to-Lower Manhattan spine of sights. You’ll start around Times Square and then sweep down through neighborhoods and big skyline moments.

Here’s how the stops usually feel, in plain terms:

• M&M’S New York (near 7th Ave & W 48th St): A visual landmark if you’re meeting up. If you’re starting here, it’s also a good anchor point for getting help, because staff assistance is associated with Stop 1.
• Times Square (W 42nd St & Broadway): Loud, bright, and crowded. Perfect for getting your bearings. Just don’t plan a slow photo session here if you’re trying to keep your day on time.
• Empire State Building area (in front of a CVS near the stop): You’ll get a “from the street” view first, then you’ll come back with your pre-booked observation deck time. This makes it easier to understand what you’ll see upstairs.
• Flatiron Building (Flatiron District near Eisenbergs Sandwich Shop): One of those iconic shapes you recognize instantly. The stop gives you a convenient point to step out and photograph without committing to a long walk.
• SoHo (West Broadway & Spring St): Streets with character and lots of small-scale storefront energy. This is a good place to hop off if you want strolling time rather than pure sightseeing.
• Chinatown / Little Italy (100 Lafayette St area): It’s busy and full of food smells and street life. If you’re hungry, this stop can double as a snack-and-wander break.
• Brooklyn Bridge area (Park Row & Beekman St): You get a payoff moment: the bridge and the big “New York” skyline view. It’s also one of the best spots to pause for photos because it frames the city.
• Wall St area (Wall St/Statue of Liberty stop area): Useful for the Lower Manhattan feel and for linking toward your ferry plan from the harbor area.
• Trinity Church area (near Trinity Place and Cedar St): A calmer, older-feeling pocket of Lower Manhattan. It helps balance the “big city” speed of some other stops.
• World Trade Center area (Church St & Vesey St): A key skyline and memorial-zone area. Even if you don’t go in, you’ll want the bus stop as your orientation point.
• Pier 57 (near 11th Ave between W 15th & W 16th St): A practical harbor-adjacent stop. It’s also a reminder that you’re near the water and can coordinate your ferry day mindset.
• Hudson Yards (12th Ave & 30th St): Modern contrast. It’s a different visual vibe than the older Lower Manhattan stops.

Uptown Manhattan loop: Midtown sights, museums, and the Central Park edge

The Uptown loop is the one you take when you want Midtown glamour and classic “walkable highlights” around major attractions. It also sets you up for easier access to Central Park edges.

Key stops on this side:

• Hope Sculpture area (7th Ave & W 53rd St, in front of Chase Bank): A quick photo moment if you like art and architecture detail.
• Times Square (42nd & Broadway again): You can use it as a restart point. If you missed something earlier, this loop can still put you back in the action.
• Rockefeller Center (W 49th St & 5th Ave): Another big Midtown anchor with famous skyline views. The bus stop is a good jumping-off point for quick photos and short walks.
• Metropolitan Museum of Art (5th Ave & E 83rd St, outside near 83rd St): Even if you don’t enter, the location helps you map where the museum sits relative to Midtown and Central Park.
• Central Park Zoo (5th Ave & E 66th St, opposite 845 5th Ave): A Central Park edge stop. If your group includes kids, this can be a natural “let’s step out and enjoy the park atmosphere” moment.
• Columbus Circle (Southwest corner of Central Park, next to the Main Monument): Great for understanding the park’s layout. It also gives you a hub feeling—many routes converge here.

• Carnegie Hall (7th Ave & W 57th St area): A classic cultural landmark stop. It’s best if you want a quick, respectful photo moment and then move on.

One caution: some people note it can be easy to miss the exact stop location. The fix is simple—find your stop with the app and plan to re-check where you’re standing before you walk away.

Empire State Building observation deck: what’s included and what can trip you up

This is the centerpiece for many people. You get admission to the Empire State Building observation deck, but you still must pre-book a time and date. That’s the key detail. The package doesn’t mean you can just stroll up at any moment.

The practical workflow is usually: your voucher includes a link for time-date management through Big Bus, or you can handle it with staff at Stop #1. In the provided experiences, some guests said the online manage option didn’t work smoothly and recommended booking directly with staff at Stop 1.

That matters because time slots can be tight. If you’re traveling during peak season, waiting until the last minute to coordinate can become stressful. If you want a stress-free plan, pick your Empire State time early and build the rest of your day around it.

Also, plan your day so you can physically get to the building on time. Traffic and walking add up fast in Midtown. If you miss your slot due to timing issues, you might lose the chance to use that part of the ticket.

Liberty Island and Ellis Island ferry: your best harbor morning plan

For the ferry, you’ll be starting from Battery Park. The ferry includes a round-trip journey to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, plus an audio tour. But there’s one line to read carefully: the ticket includes ferry travel, not admission to the interior monument or museum areas.

In the info you have here, ferry operating hours are listed as 9:00am to 3:00pm, and another section lists 8:30am to 4:00pm. Since the hours vary in the provided details, treat your voucher as the authority and plan to redeem early.

You also need to redeem your ticket voucher with a Big Bus Tours staff member before going to the ferry terminal. This is where tight timing can create problems if you arrive late or expect a simple ticket-scan at the dock.

A helpful pattern in the provided experiences: when people hit confusion about where to stand or how the ferry ticket process worked, staff support at the main stop helped them get straightened out. If you’re unsure at any stage, ask right away rather than guessing.

Bonus extras that can matter in real NYC days

A couple of extras can turn “nice add-ons” into useful value:

• Audio commentary in multiple languages: Useful if you’re not a native English speaker or if you’re traveling with mixed language needs.
• Bike rental discount: The ticket includes a bike rental offer—rent 1 hour and receive 1 hour free. If you’re comfortable cycling, it can help you cover distance on days when you don’t want to sit on a bus.
• Flexibility across neighborhoods: The best bonus is often intangible. You can hop off for 20 minutes, take a break, and then re-board when you feel ready. That pacing matters in NYC more than most attractions.

Weather, heat, and lines: the stuff you should plan for

NYC is not always convenient. Even with a good plan, you’ll likely deal with lines and crowds at major attractions.

Two issues show up repeatedly in the provided info:

1. Heat can be brutal on open-top buses. Since there’s no air conditioning on these open-top routes, summer riding can feel rough. If you’re traveling in summer, carry water and plan your midday timing.
2. Traffic and timing can affect your day. If you have a booked Empire State time, or you’re trying to reach the ferry window, road congestion can knock you off schedule.

My best advice: build your day like you’re living it, not like you’re reading it. Give yourself buffer time around timed entry. Use the bus to get you oriented, but treat the ferry and Empire State schedule as the anchor.

Who this tour bundle fits best

This is a strong pick if:

• You’re in NYC for the first time and you want a fast route through the main neighborhoods.
• You want to combine Midtown and Lower Manhattan without creating a private itinerary.
• You’re okay with some walking and you want flexibility rather than a single fixed guided tour.
• You want the ferry experience without booking separate tickets.

This may be a weaker fit if:

• You want crown/pedestal or museum access for Liberty Island. This package does not include those interior monument or museum areas.
• You’re highly sensitive to timing risk. The ferry and the Empire State reservation require planning and redemption.
• You hate the idea of sorting out stop locations and ticket processing at busy hubs.

Should you book this NYC bundle?

If you want to hit the Empire State observation deck and do the Liberty and Ellis Island harbor trip, this bundle can make your trip easier—especially because it pairs those big stops with a 48-hour hop-on hop-off network. For many people, the value comes less from the math and more from the time saved: one ticket, two loops, and fewer “how do I get there” decisions.

I’d book it if you’re the type of traveler who likes structure with flexibility. Pick a solid Empire State time, plan to redeem the ferry voucher early, and use the buses to connect the dots between Midtown and Downtown.

I’d think twice if you’re chasing guaranteed timing perfection or if you’re expecting the ferry to include interior monument entry. In that case, you’d be better off building a more targeted plan with the exact ticket types you truly want.

If you want, tell me your travel month and whether you’re more into views, history, food neighborhoods, or museums. I can suggest a simple morning-to-evening order that reduces the risk of missing a booked time.

FAQ

Do I have to pre-book a time to visit the Empire State Building?

Yes. Empire State Building visits must be pre-booked for a specific time and date, either through the Big Bus booking link on your voucher or with staff at Stop #1.

Does the ferry include entry to the Statue of Liberty monument or museum?

No. The round-trip ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island is included, but access to the interior monument or museum is not included.

Do I need to schedule a time for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry?

No specific time reservation is mentioned, but you do need to redeem your ticket voucher with a Big Bus Tours staff member before heading to the ferry terminal.

What hours does the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry operate?

The provided information lists ferry service from 9:00am to 3:00pm, and another section lists 8:30am to 4:00pm with regular departures from Battery Park. Check your voucher for the exact window.

How often do buses arrive on the Downtown and Uptown loops?

A bus arrives approximately every hour on both the Downtown (Red) and Uptown (Blue) routes.

How can I redeem the ticket for the hop-on hop-off bus?

You can redeem your printed or electronic ticket at any of the listed bus stops.

How long is a full loop ride without getting off?

A full rotation on each loop is approximately 90 minutes, though it can fluctuate by season.

Is this hop-on hop-off wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles with lifts are available and can accommodate up to 650 pounds. Let the provider know in the special requirements box at checkout if you need one.