Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour

Negative experience: Do not waste your money on this tour with a cruise excursion. The woman told me at the front desk in the cruise port that they sold 500 tickets for the service and were running 11 buses. If only I knew how awful this was going to be I would have cancelled. Wait to get on the bus was over an hour and a half and cut into our limited time here in Halifax. We couldn’t even get out to see the titanic cemetery because we risked the next few buses being full and getting stranded there. Then when you want to hop back on every bus is full so the wait is like an hour. We only got a few minutes at the Citadel and Maritime museum because of this. You’ll end up needing a cab or Uber. Would not recommend. This is incredibly overpriced for the service you receive. Also our tour guide was a creep and literally grabbed a woman to move her and knocked her glasses off her head. This ruined our entire time in Halifax.

Negative experience: We booked through our cruise ship. It was convenient to get on the bus right in front of the ship as stop 1 is there. We climbed aboard and sat in the lower level as my mom has a broken arm and could not climb to the top deck. The lower level filled up and a woman stepped aboard and looked at me and said “I need to sit there” and told us to “find other seats elsewhere on the bus.” At this point there weren’t any together. She didn’t identify herself she just told us that she had to sit in that seat. It turns out she is the guide but failed to mark the seats she was supposed to sit in. She was so rude she really ruined the mood as we had to scramble to find someplace to sit and we were no longer together. Every Canadian we encountered during our stay was friendly and kind and polite. Shari was the major exception. We all got off at stop 2 and changed buses. All of the other drivers we encountered were excellent. Shari needs to be retrained. Either mark the seat as other drivers did or just be polite and say I’m sorry as the guide I am required to sit there to give the presentation.

Negative experience: We pre-purchased two tickers and had to wait two hours and twenty minutes outside in the parking lot when a bus arrived to load. We got off on a stop and when we attempted to go back to our port, we had to wait for six buses to pass because they was full. We finally had to get a taxt to take us back to the port.

Fantastic experience: Had a very pleasant tour with a very friendly and competent guide. The frequency was good, there was always a place to get. The only downside is that the last tour starts at 2:30 PM. One should start early if they want to get off at multiple stops and experience something.

Fantastic experience: Great way to see Halifax! Super convenient, and not overbooked at all. Staff were accommodating. Double decker busses were a lot of fun. Busses also mostly ran on time. We were able to use this to get a tour and pop off to a couple museums and parks before getting back to the boat! Good value!

Fantastic experience: Russell and Jim rock!

Negative experience: Absolutely terrible service. The bus is always full. They overbooked and you are not able to use the service.

Negative experience: Please don’t waste your money and time on this service. The buses are hot, don’t have air conditioning, and the “antique” windows don’t roll down very much; just enough to let the black and smelly engine smoke waft in. The heat was blasting on old radiators which my grandma burned herself on. We felt nauseous with the heat and the smell. We waited over 30 minutes for the bus to arrive and not everyone could board. At nearly every stop we sat for around 5 minutes as they told people they couldn’t fit anybody else on. Lots of upset people left behind. The tour guide was kind of boring and my impression of Halifax is that it’s pretty bleak. Accessibility rating is 0. The only way to get on is climbing 3 steep steps and my grandmother collapsed trying to get on. They had no ramp. The old engine was so loud we could hardly hear each other, and sometimes not the tour guide either. Couldn’t wait to get off the bus back to our original stop. Again, please go somewhere else. You’ve been warned.

Negative experience: Terrible! Took two hours to get to stop 4 of 10. We got off there and walked to the sites we wanted to see and we were only 15 min walk back to the pier. Don’t waste your money or time. Tried to get a refund from the cruise line and they would not. Walk or take a taxi!

Negative experience: Suggestion- This bus tour needs an app to track to the bus. Waiting for the bus wastes time. As a tourist we have less time and many places to cover.

Positive experience: Very nice antique old double-decker buses. The condition of the buses could be better maintained (rust). Otherwise, highly recommended; the buses go very slow and you can see and photograph everything beautifully. The staff on board are very friendly and competent.

Negative experience: My in laws went into this tour expecting to learn lots and enjoy the tour. They were told they would get 2 full rounds of the tour as they got on at 12. The bus was led by a guide, but they weren’t able to hear anything as the bus was so loud due to it being so old, the bus was also very uncomfortable for them. When my inlaws tried to go for a second round they were told they were stopping the tour. Because there was not enough people going. They paid 91 dollars each. They were told they would extend their tour until tomorrow at 10am. But they are now sour with the whole experience and are not interested in going again. Grab yourself a cab to go around the city it will be cheaper and more comfortable.

Negative experience: Typical bus, however the mechanics are outdated, so noisy that it's difficult to hear the narrator. We had to stop to cool down the engine. Moreover, most of the sites are near the departure point. Too expensive for this tour. It is surprising that Gray Line offers this route, which is nothing like the other tours we have done in different cities and countries for less money. Note that the ride is not valid for 24 hours. Avoid.

Fantastic experience: Started with Peggy (I believe, the older woman) and Billy the driver I believe. Fantastic. She was lively and had fun with us. Jack and Jojo I think, knowledgeable and funny. Lily and Kevin were the best. Got is back to the pearl on time. Fantastic!

Positive experience: We thought the tour was great. Knowledgeable tour guides, convenient and didn't have to wait long for the next bus.

Fantastic experience: Great tour. I actually did not know the tour came with narration and we learned a lot about Halifax! I did not know the city had so much significant history. Kinda busy when we went due to three cruise ships in port but we got around. Great way to see the city and learn something! Ask about the great Scottish restaurant in town!

Positive experience: Our experience was both wonderful and tragic. Our first tour guide was a young woman who had so much knowledge about the history of the town and was pointing out lots of great things about the city. I wish I remembered her name . The narrator we had ending our tour (Andrea I believe ) was so crass and all she talked about was places to drink or buy beer or coffee . She knew nothing of the history , missed each landmark and was VERY LOUD AND OBNOXIOUS talking about her caffeine addiction. I wish I rode with our frost guide again. So if you happen to ride with this woman make sure to just wait for the next bus unless you like that kind of thing.

Negative experience: Very long wait no worth the money overpriced better off Walking

Fantastic experience: We enjoyed our hop on/hop off. I wish we had more time, they pointed out some things that I would have liked to see. We’ll come back.

Fantastic experience: Fun and funky old busses. Great stops that made it easy to get back on. Great guides too! I learned a lot about Halifax

Fantastic experience: The guide was amazing so informative plus being able to hop off tour a site then ride to next was perfect

Positive experience: Informative 2 hour long tour. Live commentary in English. Recorded narration in other languages over provided earphones.

Negative experience: They tried, but failed miserably. The buses are old and have character. The price is set by "the cruise line". Two buses broke down. We had to get back to the boat, so we got an Uber. Save your money. Decide where you want to go (like The Citadel) , take an Uber, Lyft or taxi

Fantastic experience: Such a great experience. The drivers are experts. The tour guides were patient and answered all questions. Great historical tour.

Fantastic experience: Great tour!

Negative experience: Be prepared as you take on this adventure. What is advertised is different then the experience you may end up receiving. Booked on the bus in July 2019 while vacationing in downtown Halifax. We asked a lot of questions when we booked the tour and we're told you could jump on and off at any location and the buses ran every 30 minutes. We were also given a time to get on the bus (10:15am) at stop number three. As we arrived in the morning approximately 10 minutes before the bus departed we saw it driving away. We spoke to the lady working the counter at the stop and advised we were given the wrong info. Ok. No harm or foul as we are on vacation. Wait 30 minutes for the next bus and all will be good. We waited 55 minutes for the next bus. Extremely frustrating but it finally arrived. When we went to get on the bus they could only take 6 people. There were approximately 12 waiting. Mornings are busy and the buses start at Stop 1 which is the cruise ship terminal and they fill up the bus there not allowing other guests to get on. We were fortunate enough to get on but there were over half the people that had to wait. The tour was OK. Nice overview of Halifax but unfortunately the older gentleman providing the tour info was extremely dry and boring. I say that with due respect but the tour company has to get younger more enthusiastic people on the bus. Make it a little more fun and exciting. We continued on the tour and at approximately Stop Six the next group of people tried to get on and the bus was full. There was room for one person. I sat beside the person who got on and they stated they had already been on the bus, got off and waited over 50 minutes to get back on. A family of four had to wait for the next bus. It is bad enough to wait for 30 minutes and not be guaranteed a seat but almost an hour is crazy. My point is don't expect you may be able to get on the next bus or two that comes along there is no guarantee. Also no matter where you get on the bus you may have to get off at Stop One if there is a bunch of people that are waiting. This is not something they tell you when you book. You assume you can go around the whole loop and make the decision to get off at your leisure. Just be prepared. Buses are not air conditioned. I expected this but be prepared. Not saying not to do the tour but for the price and the possible inconviences just be prepared.

Fantastic experience: We went on the hop on/hop off city tour in July 2019. Our driver was great and our host (Joanne) was fantastic! She was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. This tour was a great way for us to learn more about Halifax. Thank you.

Fantastic experience: We went on the hop on/hop off city tour in July 2019. Our driver was great and our host (Joanne) was fantastic! She was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. This tour was a great way for us to learn more about Halifax. Thank you.