Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley, 13 Stops

Ride the hop-on hop-off trolley and get off at any of the 13 stops around Boston to explore, then board the next trolley to continue the route. A full loop takes 2 hours.

Overview

This trolley loop from Historic Tours Of America links 13 stops across downtown Boston and Back Bay, with live narration from a tour conductor on board. The listed duration is 2 hours, but the point of a hop-on hop-off pass is that you are not tied to the vehicle. Riders board at stop 1, ride as long as they like, and step off wherever the route passes something worth lingering over, whether that is the USS Constitution Museum, the bar that inspired Cheers, or Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Passes come as a 1-day or 2-day option, so the pace can be a quick circuit or a two-day exploration with stops built in.

The route is split into two loops. The Green City Tour covers the downtown core, while the Orange Back Bay Loop adds about 30 minutes through Copley Square, Trinity Church, and the Prudential Center area, with a transfer back to the city loop at stop 7. Along the way the trolley passes a long list of sights, including the Old North Church, Copp's Hill Burying Ground, Boston Common, the Massachusetts State House, and the Edgar Allan Poe Statue. The trolley is enclosed, which helps in bad weather, and the pass includes discounts to the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum and a Boston Harbor Cruise, plus free GPS-triggered walking tours of the Boston Common and the Waterfront.

It suits first-time visitors who want a narrated overview without walking the whole city, and several reviewers described it as a convenient way to get around while hopping off to explore.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Board at stop 1The tour starts at stop 1, 200 Atlantic Avenue, at the end of the Marriott Longwharf Hotel. Trolleys run from 9am to 4pm on the Green City loop.
2. Downtown and waterfront stopsThe route passes the USS Constitution Museum, 28 State Street, the Cheers bar, and Beacon Hill, with sights such as the Old North Church, Copp's Hill Burying Ground, and the Charlestown Navy Yard along the way.
3. Market and Common stopsFurther stops cover Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Quincy Market, Park Plaza, and Boston Common, passing the Granary Burying Ground, Park Street Church, and the Massachusetts State House. Hop off here at will.
4. Optional Tea Party MuseumThe Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum sits on the route and admission is not included, but the pass carries a discount. Hop off here if you want to visit.
5. Orange Back Bay LoopAn additional 30-minute loop runs from 9am to 4pm, covering Back Bay sights including Trinity Church, Copley Square, the Boston Public Library, Symphony Hall, and the Prudential Center. Transfer back to the city loop at stop 7, with the last departure from stop 7a at 4:15pm.
6. Finish the loopThe last departure from stop 1 on the Green City loop is 4pm. Riders can finish anywhere along the route or ride back to the start.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the listing and from repeated reviewer comments will help you plan the day.

• Timing. Both loops finish early, with the last departure from stop 1 at 4pm and from stop 7a at 4:15pm. If you want multiple hop-offs, plan them for earlier in the day so you are not racing the final trolleys.
• Expect waits. Trolleys are meant to arrive at regular intervals, but reviewers often mention waiting longer than expected at busy stops, and some could not board the first trolley that came. Build slack into any planned stops, especially the Tea Party Museum.
• Cruise days. If your visit coincides with a ship arrival, expect slower boarding and consider an off-peak day if your schedule allows.
• Weather. The trolley is enclosed, which the listing highlights as protection from weather.
• Stops and signage. One reviewer found the stops poorly marked and hard to locate. Have the route map handy before you hop off, and confirm the stop location with the conductor if you are unsure.
• Accessibility. The tour is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, though the listing asks you to advise at booking if you need a wheelchair-accessible trolley. Infants must sit on laps, and only service animals are allowed, so leave pets at home.

Common issues. The most frequent complaints are crowding and waits. Several reviewers said the operator sells more tickets than the trolleys can carry, leading to long boarding lines, full trolleys at mid-route stops, and in some cases an hour lost at the start. Cruise ship days draw particular criticism for this reason. Weather is a real factor too: the experience requires good weather, and if it is cancelled for poor conditions you are offered a different date or a full refund. One reviewer described a booking mix-up with ticket dates that cost them part of their pass, so check your confirmation details before you go. The tour does not run on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day.

Common Questions