DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour
Overview
Experience DC in a way that’s easy, exciting, and completely flexible. Start your journey on a hop-on hop-off tour to enjoy sweeping views of the city from the open-top deck. You’ll pass famous landmarks like the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and the U.S. Capitol. Along the way, engaging audio commentary shares the stories behind these historic sites.
Hop off at any stop to walk around, take photos, or visit museums, then hop back on when you’re ready to continue. There’s no rush—this tour moves at your pace.
Then cruise along the Potomac River with the DC Water Taxi and enjoy a relaxing, scenic ride between The Wharf, Georgetown, National Harbor, and Old Town Alexandria while taking in beautiful views of the skyline and iconic landmarks from the water.
The best part? You can enjoy both the bus tour and the Water Taxi on the same day for a full adventure or spread them out over consecutive days for a more relaxed experience. It’s the perfect way to explore DC your way.
What's Included
- Official Tour Provider of the National Mall - a portion of every ticket goes to preservation
- Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation)
- Digital commentary of DC history and sights
- Tours may be taken on separate days
- 1-Day Potomac Water Taxi Pass with unlimited stops
- 24-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour - Red Loop only
- Food & Drinks
What To Expect
11 Stops | 28 Points of Interest
Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes
Operating Schedule: Meeting Point - Stop #1 Washington Monument (1400 Jefferson Drive SW). Recommended alternative stop - Stop #3 National Japanese American Memorial (415 New Jersey Ave NW) As the Official Tour Provider of the National Parks Service, Big Bus gets you closer than anyone else to DC's iconic monuments and memorials. A portion of every ticket goes to the preservation of the National Mall.
1400 Jefferson Dr SW
10th Street Northwest & Constitution Avenue Northwest
415 New Jersey Ave NW
2436 Rayburn House Office Bldg
600 Independence Ave SW
700 L'Enfant Plaza SW
800 Maine Ave SW
1200 Independence Ave SW
266 Raoul Wallenberg Pl SW
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
121 West Basin Dr SW
4 Stops | 6 Points of Interest
Duration: 45 minutes
Operating Schedule: Departures begin at the Wharf at 11:45am and will depart every 30 minutes to one hour depending on the day of the week.
The Wharf DC
Georgetown
City of Alexandria Marina
National Harbor
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Your Dollars in Action: A portion of every ticket helps preserve the National Mall’s iconic monuments and memorials—so your Big Bus tour supports America’s history for generations to come.
- For wheelchair access, please notify Big Bus 48 hours in advance
- Download the Big Bus Tours app to access and activate your ticket, track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: Will I get seasick on DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-5096P85
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.44 out of 5 stars based on 16 traveler reviews collected by Cool DC and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool DC customers.
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If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.
Feb 2023- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EST).
- Official Tour Provider of the National Mall - a portion of every ticket goes to preservation.
- Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation).
- Digital commentary of DC history and sights.
- Tours may be taken on separate days.
- 1-Day Potomac Water Taxi Pass with unlimited stops.
- 24-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour - Red Loop only.
- Food & Drinks.
The minimum age to participate is 3. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for DC: Water Taxi Unlimited Pass & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool DC. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Official Tour Provider of the National Mall - a portion of every ticket goes to preservation
- Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation)
- Digital commentary of DC history and sights
- Tours may be taken on separate days
- 1-Day Potomac Water Taxi Pass with unlimited stops
- 24-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour - Red Loop only
- Food & Drinks
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Your Dollars in Action: A portion of every ticket helps preserve the National Mall’s iconic monuments and memorials—so your Big Bus tour supports America’s history for generations to come.
- For wheelchair access, please notify Big Bus 48 hours in advance
- Download the Big Bus Tours app to access and activate your ticket, track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.
