Starline Tours Hop On Hop Off Bus - Los Angeles

What is Starline Tours?

Starline Tours is essentially is a company which operates a variety of tours to see different sites in Los Angeles. More specifically I’ll be commenting on the hop on hop off bus tour. It will take you through six routes around the Los Angeles area. From Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Downtown to Venice, Universal, Hollywood Bowl and Marina Del Rey, it will keep you very busy.

24, 48 or 79 hour tour?

You can choose between a 24,48 or 72 hour tour to explore Los Angeles. Due to time constraints I have only chosen 48 hours. This gave me the perfect amount of time to explore two very different areas of Los Angeles. These were Hollywood and Beverly Hills as well as Santa Monica and Venice.

Different Loops or Routes

The routes or loops are named after colours, and following a particular colour means you’ll end up in a different place than others. Often times you will need to combine routes to get to a particular destination. For example, to get to Venice Beach you will need to combine the red, yellow and green route. Keep in mind this can result in a lot of travel time so be prepared to send a fair amount of time stuck on a bus with hard plastic seats.

Click on the map to be taken to the Starline website

What to expect

Los Angeles is a very large area which is something I strangely didn’t consider when researching all these attractions I wanted to do. Expect to spend a lot of time sitting in the bus. Even though it is a ‘hop on hop off’ tour you don’t necessarily need to hop off. I actually spent my first afternoon/evening in Los Angeles doing the red loop. Its quiet relaxing just sitting down, taking in the sights and listening to the commentary, especially after a twenty something hour flight.

The commentary can be boring in parts, but it is interesting to learn the history and back stories of a lot of popular sights. If you do get off the bus, make sure you time your day appropriately so you aren’t stranded. The hop on hop off buses can be notoriously late, don’t expect the twenty minute intervals– just a warning.

Tips for the bus

You’ll be spending quite a lot of time on the bus. Dress appropriately depending on the time of year. If it is summer bring sunscreen. During winter bring a warm jacket. Often times the bus can be quite full. You’ll be forced to sit up top with no hiding from the intense elements. Other times you’ll be wanting to spend the day up top to witness the sights. The windows downstairs are covered in advertisements, limiting visibility. Bring a bottle of water to keep hydrated as it could be a while before you get off the bus.

Would I recommend it?

I would recommend the Starlines Hop on Hop off Tour depending on what type of traveler you are and how much time you have to explore the area. If you are limited on time, for example only spending a day or two in the area, then it could be the perfect option. It will allow you to see quite a lot of Los Angeles in a minimal amount of time. Whilst also giving informative commentary, making the most of your day. Also, if you are the kind of person who wants to see a lot of the area, but aren’t the best planner. Then the hop on hop off tour would probably be the best option for you.

On the other hand, this tour can be quite expensive. You would save a lot using public transport to get around. This may not be the most informative way to travel, and you may not know what you are looking at. Though, it will give you a lot of freedom. I would only say to do the public transport thing if you’re confident about navigating the Los Angeles transport system. – You don’t want to be spending your entire time waiting for buses.

Still unsure whether the Starline Hop on Hop off Tour is right for you? Click here to be taken to the TripAdvisor reviews.

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