City Sightseeing Brighton Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
City Sightseeing is the open-top operator behind Brighton's hop-on hop-off loop, run in partnership with Brighton & Hove Buses. One ticket puts you on a 12-stop circuit of the seafront and old town, with recorded commentary and the run of the city's normal buses too. Here is exactly what you get, where it goes, and whether it is worth your money.
Best for first-time visitors, families and short stays
City Sightseeing Brighton Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
4.6
across 162 Viator reviews, 93% recommend · 4.5 on Tripadvisor (#1 of 32 transport in Brighton)
- Open-top double-decker on a 12-stop Red Route, from Palace Pier to Brighton Marina, about a 50-minute full loop
- Hop on and off all day; choose a 1-day or 2-day ticket that also covers Brighton & Hove city buses
- Recorded commentary in 7 languages with free headphones, plus 30% off SEA LIFE and 15% off the Royal Pavilion
From $20 per adult, shown for your date and currency on Viator
Check live availability & prices on Viator →
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Ratings are the operator's current Viator and Tripadvisor figures; check the listing for today's price.
4.6
across 162 Viator reviews
4.5
from 234 Tripadvisor reviews
4.5
from 381 GetYourGuide reviews
All figures are the operators' current listing numbers, not our own.
What the ticket includes
The ticket is more than a bus ride. Because City Sightseeing runs with Brighton & Hove Buses, one purchase covers the whole network for the day, which is the detail regular visitors rate most.
- Unlimited hop-on hop-off on the open-top Red Route
- Unlimited travel on Brighton & Hove city buses on the same ticket
- Recorded commentary in seven languages, with free headphones
- 1-day or 2-day validity, your choice at booking
- 30% off SEA LIFE Brighton and 15% off the Royal Pavilion
- A live tour guide (the commentary is recorded, not spoken by staff)
- A roof (the top deck is open, so views depend on the weather)
- Year-round running (it is a seasonal, spring-to-autumn service)
- Entry to attractions (you get discounts, not free admission)
Check Live Availability & Prices on Viator →
The route: 12 stops on the Red Route
It is one loop of 12 stops, and you can board at any of them. The Palace Pier (Stop 1) is the usual starting point and the simplest place to redeem a ticket. From there the bus works west along the seafront into Hove, loops back through the station and the Pavilion, then heads east to the Marina.
| Stop | What it serves |
|---|
| 1 | Brighton Palace Pier (main boarding stop) |
| 2 | West Pier / British Airways i360 |
| 3 | 407 Grand Avenue, Hove |
| 4 | Palmeira Square |
| 5 | Seven Dials |
| 6 | Brighton Station |
| 7 | Jubilee Clock Tower (The Lanes & North Laine) |
| 8 | Brighton Pavilion (Royal Pavilion & Museum) |
| 9 | The Level |
| 10 | Brighton Racecourse |
| 11 | Brighton Marina |
| 12 | Paston Place (Volk's Railway & Kemptown) |
Tickets, times and season
| Price | From $20 per adult on Viator; the live price for your date and currency shows at booking. A 2-day ticket costs a little more and is better value over a weekend. |
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| Validity | 1 or 2 calendar days, and the ticket also covers Brighton & Hove city buses for that time. |
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| Full loop | About 50 minutes without hopping off. |
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| Frequency | Every 30 minutes at peak (24 May to 13 Sep), then hourly (19 Sep to 1 Nov). |
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| Hours | First bus around 10am, last around 5pm. It does not run on Brighton Pride day. |
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| Season | Open-top and seasonal, so spring to autumn rather than year-round. |
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| Accessibility | Lower deck is wheelchair and buggy accessible; the open top deck is up stairs. |
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| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before, through Viator; you get a mobile ticket on booking. |
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What riders say
The reviews are consistent across Viator, Tripadvisor and GetYourGuide: strong on views, commentary and value, with the usual open-top caveats about weather and off-season frequency.
"Great way to see Brighton! We loved seeing Brighton on the cool double decker bus. The audio guide was easy to follow."
Diane K, Viator review, Jun 2025
"Bus tour was great and being able to use the tour ticket for regular buses was a big plus."
Graham, GetYourGuide review, May 2026
"Pretty much straight up and forward. Bumpy ride in a number of places. We did one circuit and that was enough, no stops given an hour between trips."
Geoff C, Viator review, Oct 2025
"I escape the heat of London to come to Brighton and get a day pass for the tour bus so I can see all the splendid views and have a cool breeze on my face."
Martin H, Tripadvisor review, Jul 2026
Quotes are real, published reviews on Viator, Tripadvisor and GetYourGuide, shown verbatim and attributed.
Common questions
How much is the City Sightseeing Brighton ticket?
From about $20 per adult on the Viator listing, which shows the live price for your date and currency. You choose a 1-day or 2-day ticket, and both also cover Brighton & Hove city buses.
How long is the ticket valid?
One or two calendar days, depending on the option. Within that window you can ride the tour and the city buses as often as you like.
Where do I board and redeem my ticket?
Any of the 12 stops, but the Palace Pier (Stop 1) is the usual starting point and the easiest place to redeem. You get a mobile ticket at booking; show it to board.
Is there a live guide?
No. Commentary is pre-recorded in seven languages and played through free headphones, so you can follow along in your own language at your own pace.
Does it run all year?
No, it is an open-top seasonal service that runs roughly late spring to early November. Off-season, the regular Brighton & Hove buses still reach every sight on the route.
See Brighton the easy way
Check today's price and running times on the operator's official Viator listing. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, so a date you pencil in now costs nothing to change.
Check Live Availability & Prices on Viator →
