The fastest way to see NYC’s greatest hits. This one-ticket bundle strings together a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus ride, Empire State Building observation deck entry, and a round-trip ferry to Statue of Liberty + Ellis Island. It’s designed for the kind of trip where you want control: get off, walk around, and hop back on when you’re ready.

I love that it saves you planning time. You can jump between major neighborhoods like Times Square, SoHo, Chinatown/Little Italy, and Wall Street without guessing transit routes. I also like that the included audio tools keep your day moving, with audio for the Liberty/Ellis experience plus digital commentary in multiple languages.

One caution: the whole package is only as smooth as your timing. You must pre-book a specific Empire State Building date/time, and you’ll need to redeem your ferry voucher with staff before you go to Battery Park. If you show up late (or miss a service window), you can end up feeling like the ticket didn’t do what you paid for.

Key Things I’d Point Out Before You Go

• Three major NYC anchors in one booking: bus sightseeing, Empire State Building entry, and the Liberty/Ellis ferry
• 48 hours of hop-on hop-off flexibility so you can pace your own stops instead of rushing a set walking tour
• Empire State Building needs a scheduled time, so pick your slot early and double-check it
• Ferry redemption happens with staff first, not at the terminal kiosk on your own
• Open-top buses mean heat plans matter, especially mid-summer
• Stops can be easy to miss unless you use the app’s live help and match landmarks carefully

One Ticket That Covers the Big NYC Icons

This experience bundles what most people end up doing anyway on a first NYC visit. Instead of buying separate tickets and building a route from scratch, you get a bus network plus two of the city’s biggest “postcard” destinations: the view from the Empire State Building and the boat trip to Liberty Island and Ellis Island.

The practical value is the way it lets you move in “chunks.” You can spend a morning doing Midtown sights, switch to lower Manhattan as energy (and crowds) shift, and then still carve out time for the ferry later. Even if you’re not a hardcore planner, this structure helps you feel organized without locking you into a strict minute-by-minute schedule.

And yes, it’s a lot. But it’s a lot in a manageable way, which is exactly what you want when NYC is already asking you to do a thousand things at once.

Price and Value: Is $135 Actually a Good Deal?

At $135 per person, this isn’t a bargain. It’s best understood as a “time-saver” and “planning-risk reducer” rather than a cheap way to travel around town.

Here’s when it feels like good value:

• You want Empire State Building entry without hunting for tickets and timing on your own.
• You want the Liberty/Ellis ferry as part of a package instead of piecing it together with separate bookings.
• You’ll realistically use the hop-on hop-off loops (not just ride once).

Here’s when it can feel overpriced:

• If you miss the Empire State Building time slot or struggle to redeem ferry tickets, the bundle loses its main advantage.
• If you prefer live, guided narration rather than recorded audio, the bus “tour” aspect may feel less satisfying than expected.

The big practical question for you: will you actively use the flexibility? If you’ll get on and off several times across two days, the price starts to make sense. If you’re more likely to ride passively and then struggle with timed entry, you’ll wish you’d booked a simpler, more direct plan.

Riding the 48-Hour Big Bus Loops Without Wasting Time

You get Big Bus 48-hour hop-on hop-off service on both Downtown and Uptown loops. That matters because NYC is not one neighborhood. It’s a bundle of micro-cities that require shifting your base.

Buses run about every hour on both routes (so you’re rarely stuck waiting forever). And a full rotation on each loop is about 90 minutes, which means you can “sample” an entire route, get your bearings, then return later for the stops you actually care about.

The real-life trick: don’t rely on announcements

Some people report that stops aren’t always announced clearly. That’s a big deal because missing a stop means you’re either backtracking by foot (often annoying) or waiting for the next pass.

My advice is simple:

• Use the app’s Find a Stop tool (it helps you match your exact location to the bus stop).
• When you get off, take 10 seconds to confirm you’re at the right stop for reboarding.

Also note the buses are open-top double deckers, and open-top usually means your comfort depends on the weather. In hot conditions, plan for sun exposure and hydration.

Empire State Building Entry: The Timed Part That Can Make or Break the Day

The Empire State Building is included—but you must pre-book a time and date through the Big Bus booking management link on your voucher, or by having staff help you at Stop #1. That’s the key line in the whole experience.

Think of it like this:

• The bus is flexible.
• The Empire State Building is not.

So your best move is to lock your Empire time early. Don’t treat it like a last-minute decision, because if you’re trying to print or finalize details late in the day, service can get tight.

A few practical points from real-world issues people ran into:

• Some guests had trouble finding a Big Bus representative after about 4:30 pm for printing/resolution. If you want the day to feel calm, redeem and confirm your Empire slot earlier rather than waiting.
• One big recommendation that comes up: don’t assume the online manage link will handle everything smoothly. If you’re unsure, Stop #1 staff can often handle booking for you.

Statue of Liberty + Ellis Island Ferry: What’s Included (and What Isn’t)

The ferry part is the emotional highlight for a lot of people because it adds distance and perspective. You get round-trip service to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island.

Here’s what is included

• Round-trip ferry tickets for Liberty and Ellis Islands
• An audio tour for Liberty and Ellis Islands

Here’s what is not included

• No interior access to the Statue of Liberty monument or museum (so no pedestal/crown/museum entry)

So you’re going for the experience on the water and the island views—not an inside-the-statue mission.

Ferry hours: check your voucher

The information you’re given shows two operating windows: one says 9:00am to 3:00pm, and another says 8:30am to 4:00pm. Either way, the takeaway for you is the same: it runs during the daytime with regular departures, so you should plan this as an early-to-mid-afternoon activity, not an after-dinner plan.

Important: you redeem with staff

You’ll need to redeem your ferry voucher with a Big Bus Tours staff member before heading to the terminal at Battery Park. If you skip that step, you’re stuck.

If you want a confidence boost, keep your voucher accessible and plan extra buffer time around this part.

Stop-by-Stop: The Downtown Route (Midtown to the Lower-Mainhattan Side)

The Downtown loop is where you connect Midtown landmarks to the city’s more historic core. It’s also the route that’s easiest to overdo if you get off at every stop. Pick a few “musts,” then leave the rest for a future trip.

Here are the notable stops on the Downtown side you’ll recognize instantly:

M&M’s New York (7th Ave & W 48th St)

This is a family-friendly, quick photo stop. It’s also a good “reboard reference point” since it’s easy to spot.

Times Square (W 42nd St & Broadway)

Perfect for a first-day orientation moment. Just don’t plan to linger too long here during peak times unless you’re into neon chaos.

Empire State Building area (in front of CVS on the approach)

This is your anchor for the timed observation deck. Make sure you’re working off your reserved slot, not off “vibes.”

Flatiron District (in front of Eisenbergs Sandwich Shop)

Flatiron is one of those classic NYC shapes you can appreciate from the sidewalk quickly. Great for a short walk break.

SoHo (West Broadway & Spring Street)

SoHo is best when you’re in “slow strolling” mode. Expect lots of storefront energy and streets that reward walking.

Chinatown / Little Italy (100 Lafayette St)

This stop puts you right where neighborhoods blend. It’s ideal for a snack run or just absorbing street-level scenes.

Brooklyn Bridge (Park Row & Beekman St)

You’re close to one of the city’s top walking icons. If you’re pairing the ferry with walking, this is a good “big visual” moment.

Wall Street / Statue of Liberty side (Wall St)

This is more than finance vibes. It’s a line in the sand between Midtown and the more ceremonial, monument-heavy lower Manhattan feeling.

Trinity Church area (Trinity Place & Cedar St)

A calm counterpoint in an otherwise hectic part of town. It’s a nice place to pause before moving on.

World Trade Center area (Church St & Vesey St)

This stop places you near the World Trade Center area. Plan respectful time if you want to linger beyond the bus view.

Pier 57 area (11th Ave between W 15th & W 16th)

This is a useful “transition” stop. It’s also a launch point area for other waterfront activities nearby, though they’re not part of this package.

Hudson Yards (12th Ave & 30th St)

A modern contrast to older Manhattan. Good if you want to see how New York keeps reinventing itself.

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises – Midtown (opposite Pier 81)

The bus stops near the midtown cruise pier. If you’re tempted by another water-based outing, this is where you’d start looking.

Stop-by-Stop: The Uptown Route (Central Park Edges and Major Museums)

The Uptown loop gives you the Midtown-to-Central-Park-lane story. It’s an excellent choice if you want more “classic city” energy and museum-adjacent stops.

Hope Sculpture (7th Ave & W 53rd St)

A landmark-style start point. It’s also helpful as a reference if you’re hopping on and off frequently.

Times Square (42nd St & Broadway)

Yes, it shows up again because Times Square sits on the connective grid. Use it as a re-entry point rather than a destination every time.

Rockefeller Center (W 49th St & 5th Ave)

Rockefeller is a great place for architecture photos and quick street-level wandering. Just know it can be crowded.

The Met area (outside the Met on 5th Ave & E 83rd St)

This is your museum access stop. If you’re planning a Met visit, it’s the easiest way to anchor it without routing headaches.

Central Park Zoo area (5th Ave & E 66th St)

A natural stop for families or anyone who wants Central Park without immediately committing to a long walk.

Columbus Circle (Southwest corner of Central Park)

This is a practical hub stop. If you’re planning Central Park on foot, it’s a good place to set your entry point.

Carnegie Hall area (7th Ave & W 57th St)

This stop is mainly for the vibe and the area around it. It works well if you’re making an arts-and-architecture day.

Audio, App Tools, and How to Keep the Day From Feeling Like a Chase

The bus includes digital audio commentary in multiple languages, and the ferry includes an audio tour for Liberty and Ellis Islands. If you like knowing what you’re looking at, this is a major reason the package works.

That said, audio quality is personal. Some people report the bus sound system wasn’t great or that the commentary didn’t feel as informative as they hoped. If you’re picky about narration, treat this as background guidance, not a replacement for your own reading and curiosity.

What you should rely on instead:

• The app for stop location and live help
• The visible landmark around each stop (street corners matter in NYC)

You don’t need to be an expert; you just need to avoid missing your turn.

Weather, Heat, Lines, and the “Gotchas” to Plan Around

NYC can be great. NYC can also turn your day into a sweaty obstacle course. The open-top design is the reason.

Here’s what I’d plan for:

• In summer, expect heat exposure and limited shade on an open-top bus.
• Build in water breaks, especially before the ferry redemption step and before any timed attraction.

Then there’s the “timed ticket” risk:

• Empire State Building is scheduled.
• Ferry redemption requires staff help before you reach Battery Park.

If you want the trip to feel smooth, don’t treat the bus as a casual stroll between everything. Use it with purpose:

• Do major islands/observatory tasks when you’re rested.
• Use hop-on/off time for the neighborhood wander and scenic sequencing.

Who This Package Fits Best (and Who Might Hate It)

This works best for you if:

• You’re on a first or second NYC visit and want a fast checklist of highlights
• You don’t want to coordinate separate tickets for bus + ferry + Empire timing
• You’ll actually use hop-on/off more than once across two days

You might not love it if:

• You’re the type who hates timed entry and would rather stay spontaneous
• You expect a live, highly interactive guide on the bus portion
• You’re likely to arrive late to the timed parts and hope they’ll sort it out on the spot

Also, if your trip day is extremely weather-sensitive, remember the open-top bus design can be a comfort tradeoff.

Should You Book This NYC Empire State and Liberty Package?

I’d book this if you want an efficient “best-of” NYC day with minimal planning and you’re willing to be organized about the timed parts. The included ferry and Empire State Building entry are the heart of the value, and the hop-on/off loops are what makes it feel flexible instead of rushed.

If you hate schedules, or if you’re unsure you can manage voucher redemption and the Empire State Building time slot, you might be better with a simpler setup you can control more directly.

If you do book, do two things early: confirm your Empire State Building time, and plan ahead for ferry voucher redemption. Nail those, and this package turns into a smart shortcut through a city that otherwise demands too much logistics.

FAQ

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

Yes. You’ll need to pre-book a time and date either through the Big Bus booking portal in your confirmation/voucher link or with staff at Stop #1.

Does the ferry include entry inside the Statue of Liberty?

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

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

The provided information shows the ferry runs during daytime hours, with one section listing 9:00am to 3:00pm and another listing 8:30am to 4:00pm. Check your voucher details before you go.

How often do buses arrive at stops on the Downtown and Uptown routes?

Buses arrive approximately every hour on both routes.

Can I redeem my ticket at any listed bus stop?

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

Is the hop-on hop-off bus wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles with lifts are available, and you can request one in the special requirements at checkout.

Are pets allowed on the bus?

No pets are allowed onboard the bus, except ADA service animals.