Bus Tours

Bus tours in Los Angeles are the fastest way to see the city's best-known sights without the hassle of driving or parking. With 364 options—nearly a third of all tours sold in LA—there’s a bus tour for nearly every kind of visitor, from first-timers chasing the Hollywood sign to families wanting a private day out.

Most travelers book these tours to cover ground: LA is vast, and public transport rarely connects the dots for tourists. The median price in this category is $250, but options run from $38 per person for group tours to $752 for full-day private outings, reflecting the huge range in group size, duration, and exclusivity.

Bus tours make up 32% of all tours in Los Angeles, with 364 products out of 1,143. This is by far the largest single category in the city, dwarfing walking tours (236) and food tours (81). The median price for bus tours is $250, double the citywide median of $125, mainly because so many are private and priced for the vehicle, not per person.

At the low end, 25 tours cost less than $30, but most are clustered above $120, and more than half are priced over $250. This range reflects everything from basic sightseeing buses to all-day chauffeured SUV experiences. While walking and historical tours in LA have medians around $63, bus tours offer more comfort, distance, and coverage—at a premium.

Despite the higher price, 91% of bus tours are rated 4 stars or better. This is in line with other top categories, but the sheer number of options means you’ll find both bargains and disappointments if you look closely.

For travelers on a budget or solo visitors, group tours like the Hollywood Movie and TV Location Tour with Film Insider (from $38 per person) stand out. Its 4.98-star rating from over 200 reviews is the highest among affordable options, and reviews highlight the guide’s deep industry knowledge and the added value of on-location video clips. If you want a classic Hollywood experience without the private price tag, this is the strongest choice under $50.

Families and small groups get the best value from private tours priced per vehicle. The Private Hollywood Bus Tour (from $294 for up to 13 people) offers a 90-minute circuit of landmarks and celebrity neighborhoods, with reviewers repeatedly praising guides for being both entertaining and family-friendly. For a longer, more comprehensive day, tours like the Luxury full day Los Angeles Tour – Private SUV Experience (from $467 for up to 7) and Los Angeles Full Day Private Tour (from $564 for up to 4) include hotel pickup, flexible stops, and a focus on comfort. These consistently earn 4.97 to 5.00 stars, with reviewers noting the ability to customize the itinerary and the professionalism of guides.

At the top end, full-day private tours can exceed $750. The Best in LA: Private, Full-Day, Guided Sightseeing Tour (from $752 for up to 6) is praised for exceptional service, flexible pickup, and guides who go out of their way to fit in every request. However, one reviewer found their guide was more of a driver than a professional guide, so at this price, it’s worth confirming exactly who will lead your tour.

What disappoints? Among the best-reviewed, complaints are rare but concrete. On the Luxury full day Los Angeles Tour – Private SUV Experience, one reviewer found the experience “mediocre” with a guide lacking local knowledge, and another felt the tour was overpriced for what was delivered. For the Private Tour of Los Angeles in a Luxury Vehicle, a 2-star review noted that the promised luxury was missing, with a standard sedan used instead of a high-end car. These are exceptions, but at this price, expectations are high and not always met. Across the whole category, 9% of bus tours are rated below 4 stars, so it pays to check recent reviews for consistency.