Is the Hop on Hop Off Bus Sydney Worth it? Review and Tips 2025

At $69 per day, Sydney’s Hop-on Hop-off bus tour is a significant investment in your travel budget. After riding these routes dozens of times over the years, I can tell you exactly when it’s worth the money—and when you’re better off using public transport. This complete 2025 guide will help you decide and show you how to maximise your experience if you do book it.

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Is Sydney’s HOHO Bus right for you?

After testing this route and stop combination several times over the years, I’ve found the HOHO bus works brilliantly for some visitors but is a waste of money for others. Here’s how to know which group you’re in:

Book it if you:

• Have limited mobility or are traveling with small children
• Want to avoid walking in Sydney’s summer heat
• Need commentary in languages other than English
• Plan to visit Bondi Beach and multiple city attractions in 1-2 days
• Value flexibility over cost savings

Skip it if you:

• Are visiting during peak traffic times (weekday rush hours)
• Are comfortable using public transport and walking
• Are on a tight budget (public transport costs about 1/3 of the HOHO price)
• Only plan to visit 2-3 locations

Essential Information: Routes, Times & Prices

Unlike most major cities, Sydney has just one HOHO bus operator: Sydney Big Bus Tours. They offer two routes that together cover the city’s main attractions:

The routes

• City Route: 90-minute loop with 23 stops covering central Sydney’s main attractions
• Bondi Route: 90-minute loop with 9 stops through the Eastern Suburbs to famous Bondi Beach.

How to Use Your Pass

If time permits start with a full loop to get orientated (90 mins). Then on the second trip around get off at your chosen stops. Remember to use the commentary (which is available in 8 languages) to learn about each area.

Pro Tip: Download the Big Bus app before your first ride – it shows real-time bus locations and helps avoid long waits at stops.

Operating Hours & Best Times

City Route (9am-4pm daily)

• First bus: 9am from Circular Quay
• Last full loop: 4pm
• Peak traffic times to avoid: 8-9:30am, 4:30-6pm
• Best days: Weekends and public holidays

Bondi Route (9:30am start)

• First departure: 9:30am (Central) or 9:45am (Australian Museum)
• Best days: Weekdays to avoid beach traffic
• Summer tip: Earlier buses are less crowded

Ticket Options and Practical Tips

Which Ticket Should You Choose?

Basic 24-hour Pass ($69)

• Best for: Quick visits, single-day itineraries
• Includes: Both routes, audio commentary in 8 languages

24 hour bus and ferry hop on hop off combo Pass ($95)

I do not recommend this option. You will find it a bit of a rush to get the most value from this pass but it might suit if:

• You don’t plan on getting off at many stops on the bus and just want to see the main sites
• Only have one day in city to see it all. Take the ferry back from Watsons Bay after seeing Bondi.

48-hour Combo Pass ($119)

This is best value if you want to:

• Split routes over two days
• Include a harbour cruise
• Take a more relaxed pace
• Visit Bondi Beach properly

Money-Saving Alternatives

• Public Transport: Doing the same route using public buses is about 1/3 the cost but requires more planning. You can follow our guide here.

Five Tips for Making the Most of Your HOHO Experience

Now that you understand how the bus works, here are my insider tips for getting maximum value from your ticket:

1. Choose Your Starting Point Strategically

• Start from Circular Quay (Stop 1) for the city route
• For the Bondi route, join at the Australian Museum (Stop 3) to avoid backtracking
• Download the real-time bus tracking app before you start

2. Time Your Visits

• City Route: Best on weekends to avoid business traffic
• Bondi Route: Better on weekdays to dodge beach crowds
• Both Routes: Early morning departures run closest to schedule

3. Plan Your Stops

The key to enjoying your day is planning your stops in advance. For example:

• Do the Bondi loop first, then return to Stop 3 for the city route
• Save shopping areas for later in the day
• Group nearby attractions to minimize waiting times

4. Consider the Weather

• Summer: Use air-conditioned bus breaks between attractions
• Rainy Days: Perfect for sightseeing while staying dry
• Winter: Less crowded but plan indoor activities for morning stops

5. Combine with Other Transport

After exploring Bondi, consider:

• Taking the 380 bus to Watson’s Bay
• Catching a ferry back to Circular Quay
• This gives you different perspectives of Sydney without backtracking

Complete Guide to the HOHO Bus Stops

Now let’s look at every stop on both routes, with my recommendations for where to get off and what to skip. I’ll rate each stop based on my experience and explain why it might (or might not) be worth your time.

City Route stops and Highlights

The city route has 23 stops, but not all are worth your limited time. Here’s my stop-by-stop guide, focusing on the most worthwhile destinations:

1. Circular Quay – George Street (opposite DFS Galleria near Alfred St) – Start from here. Buy your ticket in advance to save time and avoid queues.

2. Sydney Tower/Westfield Sydney (60 Castlereagh St) – Consider staying on the bus unless visiting Hyde Park Barracks or Sydney Tower. For St. Mary’s Cathedral, take a short walk across Hyde Park and then rejoin at the next stop.

3. Australian Museum (William St, next to Cook & Philip Park) Worth stopping for the excellent indigenous collection and city views from the 4th-floor cafe. Allow 1 hour. This is also your change-over point for the Bondi Route.

4. William St (100 William St, outside The Sydney Boulevard Hotel) – Skip this stop unless you’re heading to Crown Street’s boutiques and cafes or visiting the Sydney Jewish Museum.

5. Kings Cross (Darlinghurst Rd, outside Crest Hotel Chemist) A good spot to explore Kings Cross, though the next stop is better positioned for Potts Point’s cafes and boutiques. If you need coffee or want to try an Aussie Brunch visit Room 10, on Llankelly Place. It’s my go to when I am in the area.

6. El Alamein Fountain (Macleay St, outside Oasis Emporium) My preferred stop for exploring Potts Point’s art deco architecture and excellent dining scene and some great wine bars. The fountain is a local landmark and weekend markets are nearby.

I recommend you use this guide and continue on foot via Victoria Street and down one of the famous Wooloomooloo staircases and rejoin the bus at stop 7.

7. Woolloomooloo Bay (Cowper Wharf Rd, outside Woolloomooloo Hotel) – Worth stopping to explore the beautiful heritage-listed finger wharf and try a meat pie from the famous Harry’s Cafe de Wheels.

If you have time, take a scenic walk around the waterfront to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and through the gardens to the Opera House (about 40 minutes).

With a two-day pass, this waterfront walk is a must-do – continue as far as the Opera House or Botanic Gardens stop.

8. Sydney Opera House (Macquarie St, next to underpass) – Skip this stop unless you’re on a 48-hour pass. Better to visit independently when you can spend proper time here. Great photo opportunities of the harbour and bridge from this location.

9. Botanic Gardens (Macquarie St, Crystal Palace Gate) Enter via the Macquarie Street Gate or wait until Stop 10 to access via the Library gate.

The Calyx is closest to the library entrance, and you can enjoy a lovely downhill walk through the gardens from there. It’s a perfect spot for a picnic lunch. There is also a wonderful restaurant within the Gardens called Botanic House that I have always enjoyed.

10. State Library (Macquarie St, outside NSW State Library) – Worth stopping if you’re interested in exhibitions at the library’s five galleries. The historic Mitchell Library wing is particularly impressive.

Check the website before visiting to see current displays. The library also boasts a rooftop bar that opens in the late afternoon so this could make a good final stop for some of you.

11. Hyde Park (Prince Albert Rd, outside Hyde Park Barracks) – Stay on the bus here – better to explore Hyde Park when visiting St Mary’s Cathedral or shopping at Pitt Street Mall.

12. Central Station (Pitt Street, Bus Bay 18) – Mainly useful as a changeover point for the Bondi route. Although you may want to visit Central Park Mall. Skip unless you need to connect with trains or light rail.

13. Powerhouse Museum (Harris St, near Macarthur St) – A strategic stop for exploring multiple attractions. The Powerhouse Museum is closed for $250 million dollar renovation and I expect will remain closed for 2025, however you can:

• Walk to Darling Square via The Goods Line
• See the UTS “Paper Bag” building by Frank Gehry
• Continue through to Darling Harbour on foot (saves backtracking). You can rejoin the bus at stop 18-20 depending on how much of Darling Harbour you wish to see.

15. The Star (Pirrama Rd, opposite casino steps) – Skip unless you’re specifically planning to visit the casino. However, if you’re interested in gaming or fine dining, the Star hosts some of Sydney’s best restaurants including Sokyo and Flying Fish.

14. Sydney Fish Market – The bus stop is 600m from the Fish Market at the corner of Pyrmont Bridge Road so take this into account if you decide to get off here. If you have limited time, do not get off here. If you are keen to visit save it for another time and use the light rail which stops much closer to the market.

16. Maritime Museum (Murray St, opposite Pyrmont Bridge Hotel) – Worth a stop for maritime history fans or anyone who likes to tinker with boats. The main galleries are free, while ships and special exhibits need tickets. Consider the Big Ticket for full access to historic vessels and all exhibits. Allow 2-3 hours for a proper visit.

The Maritime Museum is great – well worth a visit if you have time. Entry is free to the museum’s main galleries, some exhibits and the boats are ticketed, but you can buy those on the day or purchase your Big Ticket that allows you access to all the museum’s boats and exhibits before you head out.

17. International Convention Centre (Darling Drive, near the Sofitel) – A good stop for families – there’s an excellent children’s playground opposite. The area offers plenty of casual dining options and easy access to Darling Harbour attractions.

18. Chinese Gardens/Chinatown (Harbour St, beside Chinese Gardens) – Highly recommended stop. The Chinese Garden of Friendship is a peaceful oasis, and Chinatown offers excellent dining options. Visit the garden first (allow 45 minutes), then explore Chinatown’s laneways for lunch.

A small but impressive garden that is also home to Lotus restaurant so you can treat yourself to some first-class dumplings and tea after you have explored the garden.

19. Sea Life Sydney Aquarium (Wheat Rd, under the foot bridge) – Major attraction hub with three main venues: Sea Life Aquarium, Wildlife Zoo, and Madame Tussauds. Get a combo ticket if planning to visit multiple attractions. Each venue needs 1.5-2 hours. Great for families and rainy days.

20. King St Wharf (Erskine St, outside Macquarie Bank) – Waterfront dining precinct. Unless you’re planning to eat here, I recommend walking through to Barangaroo – it’s a pleasant 10-minute walk along the harbour and often quicker than waiting for the next bus

21. Barangaroo (21 Hickson Rd, opposite Roslyn Packer Theatre) – Worth stopping to explore Sydney’s newest harbourfront precinct. The reserve offers great harbour views and photo opportunities. Excellent dining options range from casual to high-end. Allow at least an hour to explore properly.

This bus stop is just past the reserve you need to walk a little back to enter the reserve.

222. Dawes Point – Sydney Harbour Bridge (11 Hickson Rd, near Ives Steps Wharf) – Perfect spot for harbour photos, especially of Luna Park and the Bridge. From here you can:

• Walk under the Harbour Bridge
• Take iconic Opera House photos
• Continue along the waterfront to Circular Quay

23. The Rocks (5 Hickson Rd, behind Campbell’s Stores) – Final stop before returning to Circular Quay. If you have time, follow our self-guided Rocks walk to explore Sydney’s oldest neighborhood. The area is particularly atmospheric at sunset and during the weekend markets.

Bondi HOp on HOp off bus Suggested itinerary

The Bondi Hop on Hop Off route has nine stops. Three stops are in the Central Business District, two are in Paddington, two are in Bondi, and 2 are in the Eastern bayside suburbs.

If you have a full day to cover this route, there is plenty of time to get on and off at the several stops however if you are doing both routes in one day then you will probably want to restrict yourself to just Bondi and perhaps one other stop. I suggest a walk in Paddington and time on the Bondi Coastal Walk.

Our Insiders Guide to Bondi will help you uncover the best places to explore here.

City Departure Points

These first three stops are basically city departure points.

24. Central Railway Station (Pitt St, Bus Bay 18)- Best starting point if you’re coming from the western suburbs or airport. Skip unless you need train connections or want to explore Central Park Mall.

25. Town Hall (QVB side) – Skip unless you need to connect with trains or shopping. Better to explore this area during the city route.

27. William Street (William St) – change over point for the city route. Skip this stop – better to explore this area during the city route if interested.

28. Paddington Town Hall– Jump off here and check out the Paddington Reservoir Gardens. On Saturdays Paddington Market is a great spot for some locally made gifts and yummy eats.

Wander along Oxford Street, exploring some of the interesting shops and cafes. My favourites include Matt Blatt – a quirky furniture store with plenty of accessories to fit in your suitcase. There are also some op (second hand) shops that often host hidden treasures.

If fashion is your thing head towards William St and walk down to the bottom before doubling back and continuing along Oxford St to Jersey Road to rejoin the bus at stop 29.

29. Jersey Road – Centennial Parklands – Great spot for a summer afternoon with plenty of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. The Ian Potter Children’s Wild Play Garden is a fantastic spot for kids to explore if they need a time out. Adults and older kids might like to walk the Labyrinth.

30. Bondi Beach (Campbell Parade, near Icebergs) – The iconic stop you’ve been waiting for. The famous Bondi Icebergs Pool makes a stunning photo backdrop, and the Bondi Graffiti Wall changes regularly with new artwork.

Even if you’re short on time, walk up to Marks Park viewpoint – it’s the perfect spot to capture the curve of the beach and start of the Bondi to Coogee walk. Allow at least 2 hours here to properly experience the beach.

The closest stop to Iceberg’s, Bondi Graffiti wall and the Bondi to Coogee walking path. Even if you don’t have time to do the walk at least walk up to the first high point by Marks Park, where you will find great views up and down the walkway.

31. North Bondi (Campbell Parade, near Ramsgate Ave) – This is where you need to make a choice: either return to the city on the HOHO bus or continue your coastal adventure.

I recommend taking the 380 bus to Watson’s Bay – it’s a spectacular ride along the cliffs. From Watson’s Bay, you can catch a ferry back to Circular Quay for a perfect end to your day. If you’re energetic, the recently rejuvenated Federation Cliff Walk is stunning but does have a number of stairs.

32. Rose Bay (New South Head Rd)A harbourside gem that many tourists miss. Watch seaplanes take off and land while enjoying fine dining at Catalina. The Hermitage Foreshore walk starts here – it’s one of Sydney’s best hidden secrets with beautiful harbour views and secluded beaches. Worth stopping if you enjoy coastal walks or want to escape the crowds.

33. Double Bay (Cross St) Sydney’s answer to a European village, complete with luxury boutiques and sidewalk cafes. The new Woollahra Library is an architectural masterpiece worth seeing.

For coffee, I always head to Little Jean or Indigo. End your visit with sunset drinks at the InterContinental’s rooftop bar – the harbour views are spectacular.

34 Yurong Street – This stop is just a few minutes walk from St Mary’s Cathedral and the Australian Museum. You can also jump off here and walk across Hyde Park to Pitt Street Mall and public buses and trains.

So there you have it – our guide to making the most of the Hop on Hop Off tour in Sydney. We hope this helps you decide if the HOHO is the right thing for your itinerary.

Can you do it using Public Transport?

You sure can. In fact this is what I would recommend if you have the time and interest in planning it yourself. Our Do it yourself Sydney HOHO article that shows you exactly how you can make your own self-guided tour using Sydney buses.

Do you have a question about using the Sydney HOHO bus? Head over to Facebook and join our Sydney Expert Facebook Group, where you can ask questions and find friendly locals or previous visitors happy to share their advice!