FIELD GUIDE / DUBAI

Big Bus or City Sightseeing in Dubai

QUICK ANSWER

Pick Big Bus if you want a 24-hour, 48-hour or 5-day pass, with the aquarium or Dubai Frame in the longer ones. Pick City Sightseeing if you want three routes, a night route among them, and a pass that, per the listing, you can use within 12 months.

Barjano · Travel guide

Editorial review November 12, 2026

Illustration of the Dubai skyline with the Burj Khalifa — Travel illustration

Bus

Dubai Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, Big Bus

Rating8/10· 98 reviews

Civitatis ratings

English-speaking guide

1, 2 or 5 days depending on the pass

Unlimited use of the Big Bus for 24 hours, 48 hours, or 5 days (depending on selected option)

Reference price

From€43.07

Civitatis listing · 13/11/2026

See price and availability Civitatis listing

Check the price and availability on Civitatis for your travel date.

Other ways to do it

Bus

Dubai City Sightseeing Bus

Rating8.8/10· 42 reviews

Civitatis ratings

English-speaking guide

Depends on the pass

Unlimited use of City Sightseeing buses for the selected duration · Headphones for each person

Reference price

From€43.39

Civitatis listing · 13/11/2026

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Before booking

Which option to choose

Big Bus: 24-hour, 48-hour or 5-day passes

The ticket counts from first use and the commentary is recorded in English. The 48-hour pass adds entry to the Lost Chambers Aquarium, and the 5-day pass also adds the Dubai Frame observation deck. You can hop on and off at any of the 9 stops, including Dubai Mall, Dubai Creek, Heritage Village and Madinat Jumeirah.

City Sightseeing: three routes and a night line

This is a double-decker with an open-top roof and English commentary. Its three routes last around one to two hours and pass places such as the Gold Souk, Dubai Creek, Dubai Mall, Burj Al Arab, Atlantis and Dubai Marina. The listing says the Blue and Red routes run daily from 9 am to 5 pm every 30 minutes, and the night route is a two-hour ride without stops.

How time is counted and which suits you

On both, hour-based passes count from first use. On City Sightseeing, day-based passes end at midnight on the last day, and although you pick a date when booking, the listing says you can use it within 12 months of that date. If you want the aquarium or the Frame included, look at the 48-hour or 5-day Big Bus; if you want the night route, City Sightseeing. Check each listing's route map against what you want to see.

BEFORE BOOKING

Travel questions

What is the difference between Big Bus and City Sightseeing?

Big Bus sells 24-hour, 48-hour and 5-day passes, with attraction tickets in the longer ones. City Sightseeing has Standard and Premium options of 24 to 72 hours or one to three days, plus a night route.

What do the longer Big Bus passes include?

The 48-hour pass includes entry to the Lost Chambers Aquarium, and the 5-day pass also includes the Dubai Frame observation deck.

When does the ticket start counting?

From first use. On City Sightseeing, day-based passes end at midnight on the last day.

Is there a night route?

Yes, on City Sightseeing: it lasts two hours and makes no stops. The listing shows departures from Stop 1 starting at 6 pm.

Is the commentary in English?

Yes, according to both listings.