Hop on Hop off Paris Bus Tours

[Lesley Wake]

I know these are definitely seen as super-touristy, but who am I kidding - I'm a tourist! So I'm hoping to take advantage of one on our first day. I'm not sure yet if we'd use it more for the open-air drive around the Paris sights, or if we'd actually hop on/off. There seems to be 2 major companies: Big Bus Tours and Open Tours. Has anyone had any particularly good or bad experiences with either of those? It seems Big Bus would be better for a tour, as it has a longer route with less stops, but Open Tour would be better for hop on/off.

Also, has anyone done the Big Bus nighttime tour? That seems it would definitely be a good option for all the lights!

Thanks in advance!

 

[TinkSassy]

I love these - normally. Done them all around the US and don't care they are touristy! Gets me to the main points with a guide and transport - love them.

That being said - I did one day with the Bus in Paris to Montmarte. I recommend against it for one reason - TRAFFIC. I have never seen anything like it - took us half a day to drive between points that the train would have taken 5 minutes. Normally I don't care, but the tour is not live it is recorded due to the number of languages required so if you are stopped it is silent or just music. To qualify - I have done this in Chicago, New York City, San Fransisco, etc so I get metro areas. This was insane.

I did a nighttime cruise on the Seine that was great for seeing the lights as you go by so many of the major sights without traffic. Just my suggestion.