Choose a sightseeing bus company such as Gray Line, CitySights NY, or OnBoard New York. Each of these companies utilize a hop-on, hop-off system so you can choose when to get off the bus and see the sights up close.
Purchase tickets online at the bus company's website. Sightseeing packages vary in length and may include tickets to the Empire State Building or the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. A basic five-and-a-half-hour tour can cost about $60 for an adult.
Meet your chosen tour at its pickup location. This should be listed on the website and possibly on your ticket. Hop-on, hop-off tours offer a variety of locations where you can board.
Use public buses for an authentic and less expensive New York City experience. Maps can be downloaded at New York's MTA website. The website also offers a trip planner that tells you exactly how to get from one location to another.
Purchase a MetroCard at any subway station with cash or a credit card. Swipe your MetroCard when boarding a bus to pay for the bus fare. One local bus ride costs $2.25 per person, while an express bus costs $5.50.
