Big Bus Tours
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sightseeing, Tourism |
| Predecessor | Les Cars Rouges, The Big Bus Company |
| Founded | May 2011 |
Area served | 23 cities in 11 countries |
Key people | Abdallah El Azm (founder of Les Cars Rouges) |
| Products | Open-top bus sightseeing tours |
| Owner | Exponent Private Equity, Merlin Entertainments (15%), Al Fahim Group (30%) |
| Website | bigbustours |
Big Bus Tours—previously known as Les Cars Rouges and The Big Bus Company—is a privately held enterprise specializing in open-top bus sightseeing services. Formed in May 2011 through the consolidation of the two firms, it now manages a fleet exceeding 150 vehicles across 23 cities in 11 countries, with a notable footprint in the United States. The company primarily utilizes burgundy and cream-colored double-decker open-roof buses to serve international tourists.
History
Established in 1990 by Abdallah El Azm in Paris, France, "Les Cars Rouges" grew steadily over more than twenty years, expanding its presence to cities such as Paris, Rome, Washington DC, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Miami, and Istanbul. Meanwhile, "The Big Bus Company" originated in London in June 1991 with an initial fleet of four buses under the management of the Maybury family. It later extended operations to locations including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Philadelphia.
In May 2011, the two companies combined forces to create "Big Bus Tours." Despite "Les Cars Rouges" being the larger party, the merged entity adopted the "Big Bus" brand for its global identity.
The Al Fahim Group from Abu Dhabi acquired a 30% ownership share in May 2007. Subsequently, Exponent Private Equity took over the company in February 2015, followed by Merlin Entertainments securing a 15% stake in February 2016.
Overview of operation
Big Bus Tours offers hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus services that operate near prominent city attractions. Guests are provided with either live or pre-recorded commentary delivered through headphones. The system permits unlimited boarding and disembarking at designated stops along circular routes. In metropolitan areas with higher demand, multiple routes run concurrently. Certain cities, like Hong Kong, also feature boat tours integrated into their sightseeing packages.
Australia
- Big Bus Sydney
Austria
- Big Bus Vienna
Canada
- Big Bus Vancouver
France
- Big Bus Paris
Germany
Greece
- Big Bus Athens
Hong Kong
- Big Bus Hong Kong
Launched on 15 December 2008, it operates the largest open-top bus fleet in the city with three distinct sightseeing routes: Red Tour on Hong Kong Island, Blue Tour covering Kowloon, and Green Tour to Stanley. Tour packages include access to attractions such as the Peak Tram, Sky Terrace at Victoria Peak, traditional sampan rides, and harbour cruises on the Star Ferry.
Hungary
- Big Bus Budapest
Ireland
- Big Bus Dublin
Introduced in August 2018 featuring a modernized fleet, it offers two routes: Red (covering the city centre and Phoenix Park) and Blue (including city centre highlights like Docklands, Glasnevin Cemetery, and Croke Park Stadium).
Italy
- Big Bus Rome
Singapore
- Big Bus Singapore
Operating three routes since its launch on 14 January 2011 with Scania K230UB and MAN 18.240 HOCL-NL double-decker buses. In September 2018, Big Bus Tours expanded its Singapore operations by acquiring local sightseeing company Duck & Hippo.
Spain
- Big Bus Madrid
United Kingdom
- Big Bus London
Runs three separate routes connecting key tourist sites such as Madame Tussauds, Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Bridge, the London Eye, Covent Garden, St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace.
- Big Bus Edinburgh
United States
- Big Bus Chicago
- Big Bus Las Vegas
- Big Bus Los Angeles
- Big Bus Miami
- Big Bus New York
- Big Bus Philadelphia
- Big Bus San Francisco
- Big Bus Washington, D.C.