Hop On Hop Off Tours Vs. Public Buses in Washington DC

[@TripHacksDC]

Great news! The Mayor announced in March 2019 that Circulator rides will be FREE indefinitely! www.dccirculator.com/free-rides-extended-indefinitely/

[@cbartsch]

And they have great routes. We used the blue one across Georgetown from Arlington, the red one around the National Mall..... Really convenient.

[@TheSJCieply]

As of October 2019, they are now a dollar again. Also, I'd point out that in the summer the Woodley Park to National Zoo circulator is quite nice.

[@BlaBla-sd4is]

Can’t believe the buses aren’t free anymore

[@TripHacksDC]

It's one dollar. Still the best deal in town.

[@homeschoolmom779]

Is it still $1

[@sharonsmith7525]

I just got back from Washington DC. Without this video, I would have never even considered trying the Circulator bus, but I should have read the comments, too. We spent a lot of time trying to find a Metro station, so that we could put some money on a metro card, then climbed on the bus and learned that we didn't even need a metro card at all. The DC Circulator bus is free, effective April 2019. It sure helped our sore feet!

[@Drakeman2003]

Guys, he is the best person to get information from when you have a chance to see dc and want to know what to do or where to stay. I highly recommend this guy right here!!

[@dharvr8070]

We used one hop on hop off in Boston. It was pretty good for what we needed it for but that wasn’t all that much storytelling in it. They did tell us a little bit of what it is we were going to go off on but the thing you have to keep in mind for one of these is that they only stop at some places most buses do that, but maybe one hop on hop off tour might only have certain bus stops

[@VIpoison911]

The Circulator wins in my book. Definitely going to use on my upcoming trip since I have issues with my feet. Wish I knew about it a couple of yrs ago when I did a ton of walking except when heading home via the train. That’s probably why my feet’s all messed up now😂🤣

[@BigAppTransitFan]

I always go on the NM circulator route every time I go to DC

[@pearlsoriano610]

I did it in Edinburgh and loved it!

[@TripHacksDC]

Nice.

[@mmetz105]

Fares reinstated for Circulaor in October 2021

[@jugglerken8438]

Good info. My wife and I will be traveling to D.C. soon. We will be using one of the Hop-on/off buses. Admittedly, this is because she works for one of the companies that has a branch in our hometown, and as an employee, we can ride for free (can't beat free). But apart from that, I the Circulator looks like the way to go, though the Metro has the advantage of being able to use the Smart Card. I'll be sure to check your other vids for more info. Thanks

[@TripHacksDC]

Absolutely can't beat free! Enjoy your trip.

[@nolan2606]

Take the night time tour in DC! Amazingly coordinated and everything is more beautiful and less crowded.

[@itishcsf]

I really like Circulator buses which allows you to see the city above ground and cost 1 dollar per trip per person. There are 6 different routes (Light blue, green, yellow, red, Dark blue, Orange) - the bus will display final destination to indicate direction of the route. Since I was staying downtown Embassy Suite convention center location. I mostly walked to National Mall. But if you want to go shopping with lots of restaurants after visiting Muesums, then you may want to go either Dupont Circle or Georgetown using Circulator yellow line. The bus stop sign are color coded and the bus runs every 10 to 15 minutes.

[@TripHacksDC]

Great tips! Glad you found it helpful.

[@davidsturm7964]

I was wandering the difference between the city buses the metro and dc circular!

[@TheWildNoodlers]

I loved the hop on and hop off in London

[@TripHacksDC]

Was it a classic London double-decker?

[@texturesofwater]

Spent the summer in DC. Primarily used Metro Bus and occasionally used the Circulator. I preferred these over Metro Rail because they gave me a chance to see the city. Both good low price options. A few notes on convenience. The Circulator is great for traveling around the Mall. Bike share is also a great option for the Mall. As mentioned, the Circulator doesn't run very late and some routes are shortened as the evening progresses. However, Metro Bus runs fairly frequently late into the night on main routes. Getting to know the WMATA apps and electronic station signs can be a big benefit if you are taking transit frequently. No matter what surface transportation you are taking, trying to cross town from east to west in the mid to late afternoon is going to be slow and frustrating. This is one of the times that Metro Rail can be a bonus.

[@TripHacksDC]

Great tips! I also like that the bus let's you see the city from above, rather than sitting in a dark tunnel on the Metro. They both have their pros and cons as you've noted.

[@SeanCakaBroncoFan623]

1:35 - 1:42 that's a New Flyer bus, I just don't know what model.

[@lhamoskitchenstudio4129]

Thank you 🙏

[@TripHacksDC]

Sure thing 👍

[@jontsnow6180]

Is the Nextbus stop still what you would recommend for buses?

[@JohnWagnerVideos]

One of the things you didn't mention are the transfer privileges. Specifically that you can transfer from Metrorail for only 50c and you get unlimited 2 hour transfers between Circulator bus.

[@TripHacksDC]

Yes. It's effectively unlimited riding on Circulator for 2 hours for a buck. I'll have something on this hack in the future.

[@pearlsoriano610]

John Wagner When do I get the transfer?

[@lisaoneill8110]

Is the Old Town Trolley in D.C? I took it up in Boston, it was great! And also, are they wheelchair accessible?

[@TripHacksDC]

Yes they are in DC. My understanding is that at least some of the trolleys are accessible but since I don't work for them you should call ahead to make sure.

[@reidsuggs9390]

Check the DC Circulator for summer and winter schedules. Some routes are not offered in the off season.

[@TripHacksDC]

All Circulator routes are offered in the off season. The National Mall route has reduced hours.

[@jellohbu]

Thanks so much, been spending some time watching your videos. My family and I were considering doing a hop-on-hop off tour, but it seems the Metro and Circulator might make more sense. I'm seeing on the website there is an option for an all-day pass for the Circulator for only $3 a person ($7 for a 3-day pass). Are these really unlimited? Seems like it pays for itself in 3 trips (or less).

[@TripHacksDC]

Yes -they are unlimited rides on Circulator only. Rides on Metro or Metrobus will be charged at the regular fare.

[@jellohbu]

Awesome! Do you know if it's a separate card/ticket, or is it loaded on the SmarTrip Card?

[@TripHacksDC]

If you order it online they will mail you a paper ticket. However, keep in mind that if you use a SmarTrip on Circulator you get free bus "transfers" for the next 2 hours, so you could theoretically ride the same bus several times during a 2-hour window and only pay $1. My recommendation is just to stick to a SmarTrip rather than bother with a pass, as the savings will likely be minimal if anything.

[@jellohbu]

Great, thanks so much for the advice!

[@sasim162]

Hi..can I use the smart trip app with gpay app in bus ? Herndon VA

[@Mantooth2851]

Take a drink every time he says "hop on, hop off."

[@sarahhamman5100]

Before I came to the comments my husband said the EXACT same thing!

[@mclare0002]

Am I able to stop and get off the circulator when it is moving around the national mall if I want to stop at say, the Smithsonian museum of natural history.

[@jencannon9564]

Are the circulator buses wheelchair accessible?

[@TripHacksDC]

Yes they are.

[@emeraldkimble7602]

Are hop on hop off wheelchair accessible?

[@leahburns855]

Can you pay for the circulator with a SmarTrip card? Thanks for these amazing videos!!

[@TripHacksDC]

Absolutely!

[@perchristianeggenmjs260]

What is the best way to travel from downtown to the «tanger-national-outlet»?

[@TripHacksDC]

Best option is rental car. Uber if that's not possible. It's not really in a location that's easy to access by public transit.

[@perchristianeggenmjs260]

Trip Hacks DC thanks! What do you think the Uber-price will be?

[@TripHacksDC]

Uber prices are constantly fluctuating but $20 to $30 each way would be my guess.

[@shabbirnaqvi1344]

Just subbed

[@TripHacksDC]

Welcome!

[@pearlsoriano610]

Does the circulator use the smart card?

[@TripHacksDC]

Yes

[@kangfan9280]

Where can I get the ticket if there is no smart card?

[@TripHacksDC]

For the private bus companies? Each is different. You should be able to buy one online in advance or even with cash on the bus itself the first time you ride.

[@ivancho9811]

Are public buses free now ?

[@TripHacksDC]

Not currently, no.

[@ivancho9811]

@@TripHacksDC Can I pay in cash in the bus ?

[@marjoriechang2746]

Hi. Do you only speak english in the tour or you know other languages?

[@TripHacksDC]

I only give tours in English. If you want a tour in another language send a message and I can see if there is a guide available to accommodate. www.triphacksdc.com/contact-us/

[@D.N..]

If in DC for only a short stay , tour bus would be the best

[@starwarsheros9245]

I cant wait to take my son next week

[@TripHacksDC]

Have fun!

[@humayonkabir-bo7wf]

Bangla basay bolon 0:54

[@animalstv9864]

I don't like Big Bus Tours I'm corporate b