Bus Tours

Bus tours in Salt Lake City are the most common way for visitors to see both the city’s historic sites and the surrounding landscapes, making up 47% of all tours sold here. These tours attract everyone from first-time visitors wanting an overview, to nature lovers heading out to the Great Salt Lake or the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Tour options span from quick 90-minute city loops to half-day trips into Utah’s unique scenery. With 86 different bus tours available and prices starting at $19, travelers can choose between affordable city introductions and longer, more specialized excursions. 8% of these tours are rated below 4 stars, so checking reviews before booking matters.

Bus tours account for nearly half of Salt Lake City’s tours, with 86 options out of 184 total. Prices in this category have a median starting point of $813, but that figure is skewed by high-priced private and multi-day tours; most city and nature-focused bus tours run from $19 to $112 per person.

Compared to the citywide median of $125, bus tours offer both the cheapest and some of the priciest experiences. Only 2 tours are under $30, while 57 cost over $250, mainly due to private or multi-day trips. For a typical city or half-day nature tour, expect to pay between $41 and $112 per person—less than the median for Private and Luxury ($500) or Nature and Wildlife tours ($688).

The most-booked bus tours have hundreds to thousands of reviews, with ratings between 4.30 and 4.88 stars. This range gives a reliable sense of what to expect, especially for the most popular city and lake excursions.

For travelers seeking a city overview, short tours like the Salt Lake City Guided Bus Tour ($52, 150 min, 4.77★) and the Hop On Hop Off option ($41, full day, 4.87★) are the most popular. The city tour is praised for knowledgeable guides and efficient itineraries, but some reviewers found the focus on religious sites too heavy or disliked the pressure to tip. The hop-on, hop-off bus is flexible but less informative, and on Sundays, most stops are closed, leading to a poor experience for some.

Nature-focused tours, such as the Great Salt Lake Minibus Tour ($52, 120 min, 4.30★), Antelope Island Wildlife Expedition ($95, 300 min, 4.87★), and both Bonneville Salt Flats trips ($95–$112, 360 min, 4.77–4.88★), appeal to those wanting to see Utah’s landscapes. These tours are generally well-rated for knowledgeable guides and unique scenery. However, complaints include guides skipping advertised stops, tours running late, too much time driving, and, in rare cases, unprofessional guide behavior.

For the lowest price, the Haunted Old Town Bus Tour ($19, 90 min, 4.50★) offers a themed city experience. Reviews mention fun guides and local stories, but some found it lacking in suspense or had issues with bus comfort and audio. If you want a choir experience, the Tabernacle Choir and City Bus Tour ($67, 210 min, 4.72★) is highly rated, but several reviewers felt misled because the choir rehearsal is free to attend independently.

A fair price for a quality city or nature bus tour in Salt Lake City is $41–$112 per person. The best-rated tours have engaging guides, stick to their advertised itineraries, and provide clear instructions. Disappointments are most often linked to missed stops, delays, or a mismatch between the description and what is delivered. 8% of bus tours are rated below 4 stars, so reading recent reviews is important before booking.