City Sightseeing Seattle: HOHO Bus Tour + Locks Cruise

Seattle is easiest from above. This hop-on hop-off bus tour links Pike Place Market, the waterfront, Pioneer Square, Chinatown, the Space Needle, and other central sights without asking you to master the city bus system. I like the freedom to ride the full 80-minute loop first, then return to the stops that catch your eye. I also like the included two-hour Locks Cruise, which adds a different view of Seattle from the water.

The main catch is timing. The bus runs from 10am to 4pm, and the Locks Cruise leaves Pier 55 at 10:30am each day. If you want both experiences, you need to plan your morning carefully. The $109 price can be fair for a full two days, but it is harder to justify if you only use the bus for a short ride and skip the included cruise.

Key points to know before you book

• The 10:30am Locks Cruise shapes your day: It departs daily from Pier 55 and lasts two hours, so plan around it rather than treating it as a casual extra.
• The full bus loop takes 80 minutes: Buses run about every 30 minutes, with the first departure at 10am and the last at 4pm from Stop 1.
• Pike Place and the waterfront have several stops: This makes it easy to combine the market, Great Wheel, piers, and Seattle Aquarium area, though attraction admission is not included.
• Pioneer Square gets more than a quick drive-by: You can use the included 1.1-mile audio walking tour to explore Seattle’s early days at your own pace.
• The 48-hour ticket offers the best value: Two days give you time for the cruise, the full loop, market browsing, and several short stops.
• Printed and mobile vouchers work: You can join at any listed stop, and the voucher can be used on any day within 12 months of the selected travel date.

What this Seattle tour actually gives you

This is a sightseeing transport pass with three parts: an open-top or double-decker bus route, a one-way Locks Cruise, and an audio-guided walk through Pioneer Square. The bus ticket is valid for either 24 or 48 hours, depending on the option you choose.

The route covers central Seattle with stops near major sights. You can stay aboard for the complete 80-minute circuit, use the English audio guide to get oriented, then hop off when you want more time on foot. That format works well in a city where several attractions are close together, but the hills and changing distances can make a planned route tiring.

You can board at any stop. That is useful if you are already at Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Chinatown, or the waterfront. You do not need to begin at Stop 1, although Stop 1 at Seattle Center is helpful if you want to start with a full circuit.

The bus operates from 10am to 4pm, with service about every 30 minutes. The last departure from Stop 1 is at 4pm, so do not leave your final ride until late in the day without checking where the bus is in the circuit.

Start at Seattle Center and the Space Needle

Stop 1 is at the Space Needle and Seattle Center, one of the most recognizable parts of the city. The Space Needle admission is not included, but the stop puts you close to it if you already have tickets or want to see it from ground level.

This is also a practical starting point because you can board at the beginning of the route. I would use the first loop as an orientation ride if Seattle is new to you. Keep the audio guide on and note the stops that deserve a second look.

The tour also includes Seattle Sky View Observatory at Stop 9, near the Columbia Center area. Again, entry is not included, but the bus removes some of the guesswork involved in getting between the city’s main viewing points.

The route also passes the Seattle Convention Centre and the Seattle Central Library. These stops are useful for understanding how the city’s central districts connect, even if you do not plan to spend long inside each place.

Make the waterfront your main stop

Seattle’s waterfront is where this tour earns much of its keep. Stops include the Edgewater Hotel, Pier 66, Pier 55, and Argosy Cruises. There are also stops near the Great Wheel and the waterfront attractions, although admission fees are separate.

The waterfront is best handled slowly. You can get off, walk beside the piers, look across the water, and continue when you are ready. The bus gives you transport between sections, so you do not need to make the full waterfront stretch on foot.

Stop 5 and Stop 15 both reference Pier 55 and Argosy Cruises. That is especially important for the Locks Cruise, which departs from Pier 55. Show your voucher at the stop and you will receive separate tickets for the bus and cruise.

The cruise is one-way and lasts two hours. It is not simply a short harbor loop, so reserve a substantial part of your day for it. The included boat ride gives the experience a welcome change of pace after the city traffic and recorded commentary.

Plan to reach Pier 55 before the 10:30am departure. Since the cruise leaves daily at that time, missing it may affect the value of the package. The supplied timing does not list later cruise departures, so do not assume you can simply take it in the afternoon.

Pike Place Market needs unhurried time

Pike Place Market has multiple nearby stops, including Stop 12, Stop 16 at the Original Starbucks location, and a stop near Pike Brewing Company. That cluster lets you get off once and explore several central sights on foot.

The market itself works best as a walking stop rather than a quick photo break. Give yourself enough time to browse, then use the bus for the next section of your day. The Original Starbucks stop is convenient for people who specifically want to see the location, but the package does not include food, drinks, or attraction admissions.

Pike Place can also become a timing trap. It is easy to spend longer than planned among the stalls, shops, and nearby streets. That is not a bad thing, but it means you should watch the bus schedule if you have the Locks Cruise or another fixed plan.

I like this part of the route because it lets you combine famous Seattle sights with ordinary city wandering. You can make the market the center of your day, or use it as one stop among several.

Pioneer Square adds context and a useful walk

Stop 6 serves Pioneer and Occidental Square. This is one of the better places to leave the bus and slow down. Pioneer Square is tied to Seattle’s early days, and the included audio-guided walking tour gives you more context than a passing bus commentary can provide.

The walk covers 1.1 miles. You use your smartphone to guide yourself, with images of the objects discussed displayed on your screen. That makes the walk more active than simply following an audio track from a seat.

I would allow extra time here rather than trying to squeeze it between two scheduled rides. The bus route is useful for reaching Pioneer Square, but the walking tour is the part that gives the district meaning. You need your phone for the guide, and the tour is in English.

This is also a good option if you want a break from sitting on the bus. The distance is manageable for many people, but the package does not provide a private guide or a live walking tour leader. You explore with the phone-based instructions.

Chinatown and the city center by bus

Stop 7 is at the Historic Chinatown Gate, followed by Stop 8 near the Panama Hotel and Tea House. These stops offer a practical way to reach Seattle’s Chinatown area without making a separate transport plan.

Stop 9 serves Seattle Sky View Observatory, while Stops 10 and 11 cover the Seattle Central Library and Seattle Convention Centre. Together, they make this section useful for visitors who want to see several parts of central Seattle in a single day.

The bus is particularly helpful here because you can choose how much time to spend at each location. If you only want an overview, stay aboard. If one stop interests you, leave the bus and wait for the next one, keeping in mind that service is approximately every 30 minutes.

The English audio guide fills in the gaps as you ride. It will not replace entering the attractions themselves, and the ticket does not include admission, but it gives you a basic framework before you decide where to spend money and time.

The 17-stop route, from the Edgewater Hotel to Amazon

The listed route includes 17 stops covering Seattle Center, the waterfront, Pioneer Square, Chinatown, the library, Pike Place, and the Amazon Spheres.

A useful way to think about the route is by area:

• Seattle Center and the Space Needle
• Piers 55 and 66, the Edgewater Hotel, and waterfront sights
• Pioneer Square and Occidental Square
• Chinatown and the Panama Hotel
• Seattle Sky View Observatory, the library, and convention centre
• Pike Place Market, Pike Brewing Company, and the Original Starbucks
• Amazon Spheres

The Amazon Spheres stop gives you another central landmark to add to the route. The stop information includes a note that every Saturday in summer, Stop 18 is located in front of the Via 6 building at the west corner of Sixth and Lenora. Because the route list otherwise identifies 17 stops, check the current stop position before setting out on a Saturday.

That small scheduling detail matters because hop-on hop-off tours are only convenient when you know where to wait. Mobile and printed vouchers are accepted, and you can redeem them at any stop along the route.

How to fit the cruise and bus into one day

The cruise departs at 10:30am from Pier 55, while the first bus leaves Stop 1 at 10am. You could start near Seattle Center, but that leaves little time to ride far before reaching the pier. For most people, the simplest plan is to go directly to Pier 55 for the cruise, then use the bus afterward.

Once the cruise finishes, you can use the afternoon bus departures to visit Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, Chinatown, or Seattle Center. The bus runs until 4pm from Stop 1, so the later part of the day is best for nearby stops rather than a long cross-city plan.

With a 48-hour ticket, split the experience. Take the cruise and a short bus ride on the first day, then use the second day for the full loop, the market, Pioneer Square, and any stop you skipped. That approach gives you more value and less rushing.

A 24-hour ticket can work if your schedule is tight and you are disciplined about the order. It is less suitable if you want to enter paid attractions, eat at the market, and complete the walking tour in the same day.

Is $109 a fair price?

At $109 per person, the value depends almost entirely on how much of the package you use. The cruise is a substantial two-hour addition, and the bus can save time and effort between districts. If you combine the cruise with several rides and the Pioneer Square walk, the price is easier to defend.

The 48-hour option should provide the better value for most people who have two days in Seattle. You have time to ride the full route, return to Pike Place, visit the waterfront, and use the walking tour without treating every stop like a timed appointment.

The price does not include food, drinks, hotel transfers, or admission to the Space Needle, Seattle Sky View Observatory, the Great Wheel, or other attractions. Build those costs into your budget before booking.

I would be cautious about buying this for a single short ride. If you already know Seattle well and prefer walking or public transport, the package may feel expensive. If you want a simple overview and plan to use the cruise, it becomes a more practical purchase.

Comfort, access, and basic restrictions

The bus tour is wheelchair accessible, which is useful for visitors who need step-free sightseeing options. The available information does not give further details about individual vehicle layouts or boarding procedures, so confirm any specific access needs before departure.

Pets are not allowed, and smoking is prohibited. Food and drinks are not included, so plan your market or waterfront meals separately.

The audio guide is in English. You need your smartphone for the Pioneer Square walking tour, where images of the subjects discussed appear on your screen.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Seattle schedule is still taking shape. The voucher can be used on any day within 12 months of the travel date selected at checkout.

Who should book this Seattle experience?

I would recommend it to a first-time Seattle visitor who wants a broad view of the city without arranging several separate rides. It is also useful for families, older visitors, and anyone who wants the option to sit between walks.

The package suits you best if you have at least a full day and intend to take the Locks Cruise. The 48-hour version is stronger for anyone who wants to combine the bus with Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, Chinatown, and one or two paid sights.

I would skip it if your visit is very short, you only want one attraction, or you prefer to explore entirely on foot. The fixed 10:30am cruise departure and 4pm final bus departure also make the tour less flexible than a normal transit pass.

FAQ

How long is the bus tour?

The complete bus route takes about 80 minutes.

How often does the bus run?

The bus runs approximately every 30 minutes.

What time does the first bus leave?

The first departure from Stop 1 is at 10am.

What time is the last departure from Stop 1?

The last departure from Stop 1 is at 4pm.

Where does the Locks Cruise depart?

The Locks Cruise departs from Pier 55.

What time does the Locks Cruise leave?

The Locks Cruise departs every day at 10:30am.

How long is the Locks Cruise?

The cruise lasts two hours and travels one way.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.

Can I use a mobile voucher?

Yes. Mobile and printed paper vouchers are accepted, and you can redeem them at any stop along the route.

Should you book the bus and cruise?

Book it if you want a simple Seattle overview, plan to take the two-hour cruise, and can use the bus for several rides. The 48-hour option gives you the breathing room this package needs, especially if Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square are priorities.

Choose the 24-hour ticket only if you can organize your day around the 10:30am cruise and the bus timetable. Used that way, the tour connects Seattle’s waterfront, market, historic districts, and major viewpoints in a useful first look at the city.