By land and by water there are many great ways for visitors to move around Boston and see all of the major sights. Here’s a look at the different hop-on, hop-off tour options.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
The City of Boston is an iconic major US destination. Being also one of the closest points to Europe, many international flights arrive here, bringing in millions of tourists who are eager to walk the Freedom Trail, and visit the city’s fine institutions, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, or the Boston Tea Party Ships. Luckily, many of the city’s top sights are strung together by a couple of excellent hop-on, hop-off tours, some of which combine with other fun ways to explore Boston.
Boston Hop-on Hop-off Trolley
This great, accessible day ticket option gives you unlimited use of a route that connects many of Boston’s main sights via nine separate stops. Each stop is placed to provide easy walking access to two or more major landmarks and attractions, such as the USS Constitution and Old Ironsides stop, or the Paul Revere House and Little Italy stop. The trolley runs daily from 9:30am to 4:30pm, with departures from each one every ten to 30 minutes, depending on the season. From $41 per person.
Old Town Hop-on Hop-off Trolley
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
A different trolley tour company sells one- or two-day tickets and operates via 18 different stops. While you may not have time to visit the 100-plus attractions that are close to these stops, you’ll certainly get a great opportunity to explore much of the city. The characterful orange and green trolleys operate from 9am to 6pm daily and you can get a discounted entry ticket to the Tea Party Ships and Museum with this option. Stops include Liberty Wharf, Harvard, the site where Cheers was filmed, and more. From $48 per person.
Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour
Boston is arranged around the estuary of the Charles River, as it flows out into the island-dotted Massachusetts Bay. As such, there’s plenty of water to navigate and it’s a great way to get an alternative glimpse of the city. The duck boat has always been one of the most exhilarating ways to explore any city, switching between water and tarmac with ease. These amphibious vehicles are actually renovated from WWII, so you’ll be riding in a piece of history. This tour is a more traditional stay on board tour, taking roughly 80 minutes, with 20 minutes on the Charles River. From $54 per person.
(Photo: Viator.com)
Go Boston Explorer Pass
One final option is to combine a hop-on hop-off tour with a pass that allows you access to a designated number of major attractions in the city. Your pass is valid for 60 days and allows you access to the CityView Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing tour for one day. Basic passes allow free entry to two other attractions. You can choose from more than 20 major museums and activities, including the Museum of Fine Arts, USS Constitution Museum, New England Aquarium, Franklin Park Zoo and many more. Four-attraction and five-attraction passes are also available. From $59 per person.