Big Bus Tours Abu Dhabi

Big Bus Tours runs the best-known hop-on hop-off sightseeing service in Abu Dhabi, using open-top buses with audio commentary to link the main sights of the island. For first-time visitors it is an easy way to get your bearings, see the city's landmarks from the top deck and decide where you want to spend more time, without having to arrange taxis between each stop.

The main City Tour, the Red Route, has 14 stops. It starts at Abu Dhabi Mall and continues to the Louvre Abu Dhabi stop, the Abu Dhabi Promenade, the Public Beach and Al Bahar Beach, then the Heritage Village and Marina Mall on the breakwater. From there it runs past Bay View and the Founder's Memorial to Emirates Palace and the Presidential Palace, Qasr Al Watan, before returning through The Galleria and Rosewood on Al Maryah Island, the World Trade Center Souk and Al Hosn Fort. Commentary is delivered through audio guides, with the Visit Abu Dhabi tourism board noting audio in up to eight languages.

A separate Green Route, the Grand Mosque Shuttle, links Abu Dhabi Mall with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, stopping at the South Gate parking area, where there is a Big Bus kiosk. It runs in the afternoon only, so plan your day if the mosque is a priority. On the Red Route, the first departures are from 09:00 and the last service at the final stops is in the early evening, with each stop having its own first and last times.

The tour suits first-time visitors, families with children, older travellers and anyone who wants a flexible overview of the city without driving. It is less useful for the Yas Island attractions, which are well outside the city centre. To get the most from your ticket, start early, hop off at two or three key sights, such as Qasr Al Watan, the Heritage Village and Qasr Al Hosn, and ride the full loop once to see the rest. Bring water, a hat and sunscreen, as the top deck is exposed to the sun.

Tickets can be bought online through the Big Bus website, which also shows current routes, timetables and any combination tickets with attractions. Check the route map before you go, as stops and times can change. The first stop for both routes is at Abu Dhabi Mall, near the junction of Al Maiyani Street and 10th Street.