Three icons, one easy ticket. This Big Bus combo is a smart way to see Empire State views and the Statue of Liberty by ferry without locking yourself into a single, rigid schedule. You can hop around Manhattan at street level, then switch gears for big-ticket moments overhead and offshore.

I especially like the 48-hour hop-on hop-off setup, because it lets you build a day that fits your energy level instead of someone else’s. I also like that the Empire State Building entry is folded in, so you get panoramic city views as a planned stop, not just a photo op. One consideration: the Statue of Liberty monument entry is not included, so you’ll want to budget for that separately if you’re hoping to go inside.

Key things to know before you go

• Two bus routes (Downtown and Uptown): Ride both and stitch together your own Manhattan highlights.
• 48-hour validity from first use: You can spread the sightseeing across two days if you want.
• Pre-book your Empire State Building time: You must select a date/time before boarding the bus.
• Ferry runs set hours: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island cruise is 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM from Stop 9 at Battery Park.
• Digital help onboard and in-app: Real-time bus tracking plus multilingual audio commentary.
• Small extras included: Like free butterbeer ice cream at the Harry Potter Store and a bike rental discount.

How this Big Bus combo works: bus first, then the icons

This is a three-part plan that makes sense for first-timers and return visitors alike. You start with a hop-on hop-off bus tour that gives you the geography of Manhattan fast. Then you lock in the two big set-piece experiences: the Empire State Building and the ferry ride to Liberty and Ellis Island.

What makes it work is the rhythm. The bus helps you get your bearings—Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge area, and Midtown streets slide past in a way that helps you understand where everything is. Then you step up to the Empire State Building for a top-down view that puts those street-level landmarks into context. Finally, you slow down a bit with a water-level perspective from the ferry, with Lady Liberty as the focal point.

You do have to keep one thing straight: you’re getting ferry access to Liberty and Ellis Island, but the monument itself is not included in the package. That’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s a key detail for planning your time and expectations.

Getting the voucher exchanged: where to start without stress

You’ll need to exchange your voucher for the actual hop-on hop-off ticket with a Big Bus staff member before you board. The good news is you can do this at any designated stop, so you’re not trapped waiting at one single location.

If you want the easiest starting point, Big Bus recommends the stop in front of M&Ms World on 7th Ave and 48th St. That’s a convenient anchor in Midtown, and it’s the kind of place where staff are used to helping people find their way through the process.

Once you exchange the voucher, your hop-on hop-off ticket becomes your flexible tool for the next 48 hours from first activation. That timing is important. If you start early on one day, you’ll have more room to hop, pause, and re-hop over the next day without feeling rushed.

Building your own Manhattan route on the open-top buses

This tour is all about letting you pick your order. You can ride the open-top bus and hop off at stops tied to major sights, including the Brooklyn Bridge and Times Square, plus the obvious “I want that photo” moment at the Empire State stop.

Big Bus runs two distinct routes—Downtown and Uptown. Practically, that means you can attack Manhattan in sections:

• One day you might focus on Midtown-to-downtown stops for the classic postcard views.
• Another day you might concentrate on uptown streets and neighborhoods, letting the city unfold at a slower pace.

You’ll also be supported onboard. There’s digital commentary in multiple languages, plus the app for city information and real-time bus tracking. That combination matters more than you’d think in New York, where blocks can feel long and timing can slide when traffic changes. Real-time tracking helps you avoid the classic mistake of over-waiting or sprinting to the wrong side of the avenue.

And yes, you can take it across separate days. The ticket is set up for that “do it your way” approach.

What the Empire State stop gives you: entry plus planning

The Empire State Building is the centerpiece here, and the package includes your Empire State Building entry ticket. That’s a big value move. It turns the stop from a “nice exterior” into an actual scheduled experience with a dedicated viewing payoff.

There’s one planning step you can’t skip: you must pre-book your time and date for the Empire State Building before you board the bus. The voucher includes a link through the Big Bus Booking Management page, and staff can help at departure locations too.

Why does this matter? Because the Empire State Building is popular and timing affects everything around it. If you’re hoping to pair it with ferry time later in the day, you’ll want your Empire State slot set early enough to keep the rest of your schedule realistic.

Once you’re in, you’ll get the type of view that only works from high up: broad sight lines, clear angles on landmarks, and skyline photos that look like you planned a whole itinerary around them. This is also where the bus tour pays off. Seeing the streets from above helps you connect what you saw at curb level with what’s actually nearby.

Liberty and Ellis Island ferry: what’s included, what isn’t

The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island part of the combo is a round-trip ferry. You get transportation to Liberty Island and Ellis Island so you can experience Lady Liberty and the historic island grounds.

A key detail: the ferry runs from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM from Stop 9 – Battery Park. If you’re the type who likes a late start, this is where you’ll want to be careful. Building your day around that window makes everything smoother.

Another key detail is exactly what’s not included: entry to the Statue of Liberty monument is not included. That means you’re still visiting the islands via ferry and exploring the areas the package covers, but if you specifically want the monument interior entry, you’ll need an additional ticket.

In practice, this combo still works well for a lot of people because the ferry itself gives you time on the water and those famous skyline-and-statue views. You get a different angle on Manhattan than you can get from street level or even from a skyscraper.

The stops that make the bus feel useful (not just sightseeing)

Hop-on hop-off tickets can be either super practical or mostly decorative. This one leans practical because it targets sights that help you understand the city’s layout.

For example:

• Times Square is chaotic at street level, but from the bus it becomes easier to orient yourself and plan the next move. It’s also a logical hub if you want to hop on and off multiple times without much decision fatigue.
• The Brooklyn Bridge area is a perfect “stop and walk for photos” moment. Seeing it from the bus helps you pick the best approach.
• The Empire State stop is useful even if you don’t think you’ll need it. It’s the place where you can connect your bus route to your Empire State Building plan.

The win here is that you don’t have to pick one “perfect day.” You can treat the bus like a moving map, then choose your walking priorities as you go.

App, audio guide, and those little extras that add up

Big Bus includes a few extras that make the experience easier to manage than a plain bus ride.

You’ll get:

• Multilingual digital commentary (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian)
• Souvenir earbuds provided
• An app for city information and real-time bus tracking

Those might sound like “nice-to-haves,” but in a city like New York they help you get more meaning from each stop. You’re not just passing buildings—you’re getting explanations that help you decide where to hop next.

There are also small value touches beyond the sightseeing:

• A bike rental discount (rent 1 hour, receive 1 hour free)
• Free butterbeer ice cream at the Harry Potter Store

That butterbeer detail is the kind of inclusion that turns a tour day into a little memory you didn’t have to plan. Even if you’re not a huge theme-park fan, it’s a fun break without searching for “what’s good nearby” on your own.

Price and value: is $130 a good deal?

$130 per person is not a budget price, so the question is whether you’re truly getting combined value.

You are bundling three core costs:

• A 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour
• Empire State Building entry
• A round-trip ferry to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (when selected)

If you were to buy those separately, you’d likely end up with a similar total once you factor in that the package also gives you the planning support—audio guide, app tracking, and the ability to spread the bus portion over two days.

The best value shows up when you actually use the full flexibility. If you only ride once and don’t hop around much, you may feel like you paid more than you needed. If you use both routes and give yourself time for the Empire State Building and the ferry within the operating window, it becomes a tidy “two days of major highlights” package.

Who this combo fits best

This is a great fit if you want:

• A first-time orientation to Manhattan that doesn’t require constant decision-making
• Time to move at your pace—because the bus ticket is designed for hopping in and out
• A strong mix of big views (Empire State) and classic New York symbols (Liberty and Ellis Island)

It’s also a good choice if your schedule is a bit fluid. The validity is 48 hours from first use, and the tour can be taken on separate days, which helps if you’re tired after one long day and want to split sightseeing.

If you’re the kind of traveler who hates planning at all, the Empire State Building pre-booking requirement may take some of the spontaneity away. But it’s still manageable—just keep the date/time step in mind early.

Should you book this Big Bus + Empire State + Liberty ferry combo?

Book it if you want an efficient two-day plan with minimal hassle and you’ll actually take advantage of the bus flexibility. The combination of 48-hour hop-on hop-off, Empire State entry, and the Liberty/Ellis Island ferry is exactly the sort of package that helps you see the headlines without building a complicated schedule from scratch.

I’d think twice if you’re mainly interested in the Statue of Liberty monument interior, because that entry is not included. In that case, you’ll need to add that separately anyway, and the ferry portion is only part of the overall experience.

If you’re okay with that trade-off, this combo is a solid way to get Big Apple momentum fast: streets below, skyline above, and Lady Liberty from the water.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the hop-on hop-off ticket valid?

It’s valid for 2 days from the first activation. Practically, that means 48 hours after first use during the bus operating hours.

Where do I exchange my voucher before boarding?

You must exchange your voucher with a Big Bus representative before boarding, at any stop. A recommended pickup point is in front of M&Ms World on 7th Ave and 48th St.

Do I need to pre-book a time for the Empire State Building?

Yes. Before boarding the bus, you must pre-book a time and date through the Big Bus Booking Management link on your voucher or with staff at the departure locations.

What are the ferry hours for Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island?

The ferry operates from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM from Stop 9 – Battery Park.

Is entry to the Statue of Liberty monument included?

No. The package includes ferry access to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, but entry to the Statue of Liberty monument is not included.

Can I use the hop-on hop-off on separate days?

Yes. The tours may be taken on separate days, and the ticket is designed for use over the 48-hour window.

What languages are available for the bus audio guide?

The audio guide is available in English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The wheelchair accessibility is listed as available.

Can I get a refund if my plans change?

Yes. There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.