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TootBus Paris by Night bus tour--UPDATE

UPDATE from first post: When I complained to TootBus, they responded by refunding me 50% of the cost of the tour. I thought that was fair. I also recommend carefully thinking about what you want from a tour and do some research before booking. If you are looking for the lighted buildings, make sure you go at a time of the year when that will actually be possible. If you want good commentary all through the tour, I would avoid TootBus.

We were really excited about the bus tour so we could see the fascinating sights lit up at night. Unfortunately, we were there in early July when the sun doesn't set until almost 10 PM. The 2 hour tour started at 9 PM and immediately went past the best sights while they were still unlit! The Eiffel Tower, the Arch de Triumph, the palaces, the Opera, all unlit. The biggest problem was the lack of the audio guide!! The first hour or so of the trip there was no audio; also no explanation from the driver as to the lack of audio! We passed buildings we did not recognize and had no idea where we were or what we were seeing. At some point, the audio was restored but even at full volume it was not easy to hear. The audio broke up many times for long periods of time. We finally gave up trying to listen because it was more trouble than it was worth.

The final problem was the 2 hour bus ride with no restroom on board and no stop for one. My 12 year-old granddaughter had a real need for a restroom by the end of the trip. We got off the bus in front of the Louvre at 11 PM. Everything in the area was closed at that time!! We had to run with her about 5 blocks before we found a cafe where we could use the restroom and buy a coffee. No apology and no offer of a refund was forthcoming over the audio issue. I would avoid this tour as it was not worth the money we paid!!

Posted by
11053 posts

Soory to read that you are encountering a lot of problems on your trip.

Posted by
2252 posts

Gosh, I’m with suki in feeling badly that seemingly nothing went right with your Paris visit. This is especially sad since this was a trip with your young and impressionable granddaughter. I do hope things improve as you go along.

Posted by
3217 posts

I hope your granddaughter managed to have a good time. My brother and his wife took their granddaughter/my great niece to London and Paris for her 12th birthday. She told me it was the best thing that ever happened to her. And I had the privilege of relaying that comment to them!

Posted by
32518 posts

you can't really blame the sunset time on the tour company.

Posted by
8 posts

I am not complaining about the sunset time, but rather giving a warning to others who are considering this tour. When I booked it, I hoped the tour would drive by things like the Eiffel Tower towards the end of the 2 hours not at the beginning of it. If you want to see things lit up in the summer, this is not a tour for you!

Posted by
23177 posts

Given your other posts and reviews, you are not having a good time. That is unfortunate as Paris can be a great experience. I don't think I have ever seen a toilet on a city bus tour.