Booking choice: The Vantigo VW bus tour, from $103 per person. Check dates Tour details
Prices below are the from-prices on the live Viator listings in October 2026, in US dollars per person. They move by date, and some are sale prices, so the checkout price is the one that counts.
We also show the do-it-yourself baseline from the SFMTA, because the cheapest way to see the city is not a tour at all.
The quick answer
Guided city tours on Viator cost from $67 (Movie Sights, 3 hours) to $129 (Skip the Bus, 4 hours) per person. The listing called San Francisco City Tour, Vantigo's VW bus, is from $103 on sale against a regular $129. The Big Bus hop-on hop-off ticket starts at $56. Tips are extra on all of them.
How much does a San Francisco city tour cost in 2026?
Between $56 and $129 per person for the tours compared here, depending on the vehicle, the length and whether a live guide drives you.
Every tour in the table cancels free up to 24 hours before on Viator.
| Tour | From | Length | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vantigo VW bus (San Francisco City Tour) | $103 | 3 hours | 5.0 (836) |
| Painted Ladies VW tour | $82 | 2 hours | 4.9 (2,479) |
| Love Tour (70s VW bus) | $99 | 2 hours | 4.9 (3,175) |
| Movie Sights City Tour | $67 | 3 hours | 4.9 (1,325) |
| Skip the Bus van tour | $129 | 4 hours | 5.0 (932) |
| Gray Line Grand City Tour | $69 | 4 hours | 4.2 (612) |
| Afternoon small-group tour | $79 | 3.5 hours | 4.6 (347) |
| Big Bus hop-on hop-off | $56 | 24 to 72 h pass | 4.1 (4,768) |
Have a date in mind? Check the current price of the VW bus tour.
Check dates for the Vantigo VW bus tourWhy is the VW bus tour $103 and not $129?
Because $103 is a special-offer price: on 7 October 2026 the Vantigo listing still showed $103.20 against a regular from-price of $129.
Special offers can change or end, so check your date before you plan around it. At the regular $129 it would cost the same as the four-hour Skip the Bus van tour.
What does the price include?
On the Vantigo tour: a live guide, the vintage VW bus, five photo stops and bottled water. Hotel pickup is not included.
The Painted Ladies tour adds snacks to water; the Skip the Bus tour includes water and snacks too. The Big Bus price covers the ticket, the audio commentary with earbuds and the app; its 48 and 72-hour options add a sunset tour, a digital Chinatown walk and, on 72 hours, a bay cruise.
How much should you budget for tips?
The Vantigo and Painted Ladies listings suggest $15 to $20 per passenger; the Love Tour suggests 15 to 20 percent, or at least $10 per person.
Gratuities are listed as not included on the Painted Ladies, Love, Movie Sights, Skip the Bus, Gray Line and afternoon tours. On a $103 tour for two, plan roughly $30 to $40 on top.
Want the VW experience for less? The two-hour Painted Ladies tour includes snacks and water.
Explore the Painted Ladies VW tour Tour detailsIs the hop-on hop-off bus the cheapest tour?
Yes. The Big Bus ticket is from $56 for 24 hours, and the longer 48 and 72-hour options cost more.
It is also the most reviewed tour here, but rated 4.1, so experiences vary. See hop-on hop-off vs a guided tour before you decide on price alone.
Do children pay less?
On some tours. Vantigo has a lower child price for ages 5 to 11, and the Big Bus for ages 3 to 12, but the Painted Ladies and Love tours charge one price per seat.
Vantigo does not take children under 5 on its shared tour. Details by tour in city tours with kids.
Is a Muni Visitor Passport a cheaper alternative?
For getting around, yes: a cable car ride is $9 and a one-day Visitor Passport is $15, covering cable cars, buses and streetcars.
Three and seven-day passports cost $35 and $47, per the SFMTA fare table. The catch is that there is no guide and the classic viewpoints, such as Twin Peaks, are not on one line. Many visitors do both: a tour first, then the pass.
A guided overview first, then the cable cars: the VW bus tour takes three hours.
Check dates for the Vantigo VW bus tourWhich tour suits which budget?
It depends on what you value: the Movie Sights tour is the cheapest guided option at $67, the Big Bus the cheapest overall, and Vantigo and Skip the Bus carry 5.0 ratings.
If you want a live guide and a small group, the Painted Ladies tour at $82 and Vantigo at $103 are the core choices. Compare them in VW bus tours compared.
Frequently asked questions
Are the prices per person?
Yes. Every price on this site is a from-price per person in USD, as shown on the Viator listing.
Is the San Francisco City Tour price per vehicle?
No. Vantigo prices per traveler, with a lower child rate for ages 5 to 11.
Can I cancel if the weather is bad?
Every tour here can be cancelled for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start on Viator.
Do I pay extra for the photo stops?
No. The listings show the stops on the guided tours as free of admission charges.
Ready to book
Choose your tour
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
San Francisco City Tour by Vintage VW Bus
- Live guide and commentary on San Francisco history
- Vintage Volkswagen bus, maximum 7 travelers
- Stops: Coit Tower, Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Twin Peaks, Painted Ladies
Painted Ladies City Tour by VW Bus
- Live guide in a vintage Volkswagen bus, maximum 7 per vehicle
- Snacks and bottled water
- Stops: Palace of Fine Arts, Painted Ladies, Golden Gate Bridge; passes Lombard Street
Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Open-Top Tour
- 24, 48 or 72-hour ticket; Red Route 10 AM to 5 PM, about every 15 minutes
- Digital audio commentary with earbuds; Big Bus app with live tracking
- 48 h adds a sunset tour and digital Chinatown walk; 72 h also adds a bay cruise
