The 7 Best Trolley and Hop-On Hop-Off Tours in Washington DC

1.Washington DC Monuments by Moonlight Tour by Trolley

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,956 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48Our pick

Ride an open-air trolley through Washington DC for about 2.5 hours, with live narration from guides such as Smiley, MJ, Bill, or Hollywood. See the Capitol, White House, Lincoln Memorial, and Washington Monument, then step off at three night stops near the Lincoln, FDR, and MLK memorials. Dress warmly and arrive 30 minutes early.

“Experience was amazing. It was an informative tour with lots to see. We were lucky to get a very experienced tour guide, Smiley.”

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2.Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus with 18 Stops

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 3,848 reviews · 1 hour 50 minutes (approx.) · from $49

Ride Big Bus Tours around Washington DC on a 1-, 2-, or 3-day pass, stopping near the White House, Capitol, memorials, museums, Georgetown, and Arlington Cemetery. You get digital commentary, live bus tracking, and optional audio tours. The Arlington walk may include a guided cemetery visit with guides such as Josh, who leads visitors to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

“This is the best way to get the layout of DC, and then stop where you want! The three day package allows you to prioritize your tour, and then come back for more!”

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3.Washington DC Hop-On Hop-off Trolley Tour with 15 Stops

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2,599 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48

Ride a fully narrated Old Town Trolley through Washington DC’s major sights, from Union Station and the Capitol to the White House and Lincoln Memorial. Hop off for museums and monuments, then reboard when ready. English narration is included, with an app in seven languages. Guides such as Joe Moe, Birdie, Rooster, and Everett add humor and local detail.

“The tour guides are knowledgeable and funny. The trolley came very quickly with the hop on hop off feature.”

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4.DC: Hop-on Hop-off Tour by Open-top Bus with 17 Stops

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,982 reviews · from $49

Big Bus Tours Washington DC gives you an open-top ride past the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Capitol Hill, and the Tidal Basin. Hop off near major sights, use the app to track buses, and add the digital Arlington National Cemetery walk. Audio is offered in several languages, with English driver service.

“Worth every penny! Great value and an excellent option for kids. All the staff were incredibly helpful and friendly. One of our guides was new and walked us to a meeting point while giving us a history lesson. We felt really special!!”

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5.Monuments by Moonlight Nighttime Trolley Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,529 reviews · 2h 30m · from $48

Ride a stadium-seating trolley past Washington DC’s best-known sights, then walk the Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean, FDR, and MLK memorials. English-speaking guides such as Smiley, MJ, and Sooner Steve are known for lively stories and trivia. The Iwo Jima stop is currently replaced by the World War II Memorial because of a bridge closure.

“The tour guide was wonderful — passionate, friendly, and incredibly informative. He did a great job sharing both history and insight in a way that was engaging and easy to follow. I was especially thankful for the warm trolley, which made the experience comfortable and enjoyable. The only thing I would have loved even more would be the opportunity to stop at a few additional landmarks rather than just driving by them — particularly the Capitol, the Supreme Court, and Jefferson’s Memorial. Even so, it was a great tour overall, and I would absolutely recommend it.”

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6.Arlington National Cemetery Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 744 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $21Best value

Ride a narrated trolley through Arlington National Cemetery, stopping at JFK’s grave, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington House, and more. Your one-loop pass lets you hop off and explore, then continue by trolley. Guides such as Robert, Russell, and Lisa have earned praise for clear stories and personal touches. Bring photo ID, water, and patience for possible waits.

“Arlington National Cemetery is definitely one to visit in Washington DC. We seen the changing of the guards at the tomb of the unknown soldier. Very moving ! the tour guide did an excellent job explaining the history and some of the notables buried there..”

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7.Washington, DC: Hop-On Hop-Off Old Town Trolley City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 647 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $48

Use the Old Town Trolley to reach Washington’s major memorials, museums, and government buildings without driving or walking the full National Mall. Live English-speaking guides share history and humor, while an app offers commentary in seven languages and GPS tracking. Add the 45-minute Arlington Cemetery tram tour for JFK’s grave, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Arlington House.

“Good way to get an initial feel for the Capital area. We rode on a super hot day so was nice to be able to get an overall feel for the area without having to walk.”

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