2-hour cruise through the Ballard Locks + Hop-On Hop-Off Seattle Ticket
From
€126.00
Attention: Saturday Stop 18 Relocation (June 6 – October 31)**: On Saturdays only, Stop 18 is relocated to the front of the Via 6 building at the corner of 6th Avenue & Lenora Street (west corner, right-hand side of the street).
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World’s leading hop-on hop-off company
Stops near all major sights
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Hop on and off as many times as you want
Travel at your own pace
Flexible Booking
Flexible Vouchers: Valid for 12 months
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13 million happy customers every year
100+ cities around the world
Highlights
Take a picturesque, fully-narrated 2-hour cruise through the Ballard Locks.
Learn about the local fishing industry, including the fascinating Ballard Locks fish ladder.
Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour with 360º panoramic views of Seattle’s top sights.
Choose between a 24 or 48-hour Hop-On Hop-Off ticket.
Audio-guided walking tour exploring the colourful history of early Seattle
Enjoy audio commentary on your own device, available in multiple languages via download.
Main Stops
SPACE NEEDLE
Must-See Seattle
SEATTLE AQUARIUM & THE GREAT WHEEL & WATERFRONT PARK & MINERS LANDING
Must-See Seattle
BEST WESTERN HOTEL & PIONEER SQUARE
Must-See Seattle
WATERFALL GARDEN & SMITH TOWER & KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH
Must-See Seattle
HISTORIC CHINATOWN GATE & INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT
Must-See Seattle
Included
24 or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour to enjoy amazing views
Hop off near must-see sights
Immersive Audio-Guided Walking Tour
Save 10% at Handpicked Local Restaurants
Set sail on a scenic 2-hour One-Way Locks Cruise
Description
Ballard Locks Cruise
Start your Seattle adventure at the Space Needle on any of the City Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off tour buses. Hop Off at Sightseeing stop 5 to board your Ballard Locks Cruise, also known as the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. Our fully-narrated Ballard Locks Cruise takes you on a 2-hour journey along this remarkable waterway system.
The locks link the saltwater Puget Sound with the fresh water of Ship Canal, which sits over 20 feet above. It’s quite a sight to watch boats rise and sink 22 feet as they make their way between salt and fresh water. And you’ll get to experience this for yourself as you take a fun ride on our “boat elevator”!
During the cruise, expect to see all sorts of other unusual sights, from boathouses to seaplanes and fishing boats to the unique Ballard Locks fish ladder. This ladder was built to give migrating salmon a helping hand (or should that be fin!) as they try to get to their mating grounds. During spawning season (June to September), you may even see gangs of hungry sea lions pouncing on the unwitting salmon.
Hop-On Hop-Off Seattle
To complete your Seattle experience, we’ve included a choice of 24 or 48 hours on our hop-on hop-off bus around Seattle. We’ll show you the best of the city, and you can hop off at any stop you like the look of! Hop back on again to continue your journey.
Naturally, you can hop off right next to the scenic Seattle waterfront to soak up the salty ambiance, as well as Pier 55, where you board your Locks Cruise. We’ll also take you to Seattle’s top sights, from the iconic Space Needle to the giant Great Wheel and buzzing Chinatown to bustling Pike Place market. Book today with City Sightseeing!
Before you go
Hop-On Hop-Off Seattle
- Daily departures.
April 17 - May 22, 2026 and May 25 - June 27, 2026 and September 7 - October 31, 2026
- First departure 10:00, Last departure: 16:00, Frequency: 30 mins
May 23 - May 24, 2026 and June 27 - September 6, 2026
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First departure 10:00, Last departure: 17:00, Frequency: 20 mins
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Our buses are wheelchair accessible.
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Dogs are not permitted on the bus.
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Recorded commentary is provided in English.
Locks Cruise
- Departures from Pier 55
- Show your ticket at the stop and you will be provided with separate tickets for the bus and Locks Cruise.
- Operating days: 23 October 2025 – 10 May 2026: operates Thursday to Sunday. Also available on Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 December. 14 May – 11 June and 8 July – 11 October 2026: operates every day. 25 December: closed
Locks Cruise Schedule
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IMPORTANT: Departure times are subject to change - please check online before you depart. A link to check departure times will be provided on your voucher.
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Operating Seasons: 23 October – 7 December: Departure Time: 11:30. Departure Point: Thursdays and Saturday from Lake Union to Elliott Bay, Fridays and Sundays from Elliott Bay to Lake Union
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11 December 2025 – 8 March 2026: Departure Time: 12:30. Departure Point: Thursdays and Saturday from Elliott Bay to Lake Union, Fridays and Sundays from Lake Union to Elliott Bay
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12 March – 11 June and 8 July - 25 October 2026: Departure Times: 10:30 and 13:30. Departure Point: 10:30 (Elliott Bay to Lake Union), 13:30 (Lake Union to Elliott Bay).
Audio-guided walking tour
- Distance: 1.1 miles
- Explore the Pioneer Square historic district and learn about Seattle's early days
- Use your smartphone to guide you. Images of the objects talked about will be displayed on your screen
Discounts at Restaurants
Enjoy an exclusive 10% discount at 9 local restaurants. The participating restaurants include:
- Bambinos Pizzeria (Stop 1)
- Frankfurter (Stop 5)
- SuperKim Crab House Restaurant (Stop 7)
- Tidal+ Restaurant at Hyatt Olive 8 (Stop 12)
- Andare Restaurant at Hyatt Regency (Stop 12)
- Qiao Lin Hotpot (Stop 12)
- Bistro on Yale Bar at SpringHill Suites (Stop 11)
- Pike Brewery Company (Stop 13)
- Can Can Caberet (Stop 16)
Audio commentary available on your smartphone
- Languages available via download: English, German, French, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin-Chinese, Japanese. Link to download available on your ticket.
- Please bring your own earbuds and smartphone
Any queries? Please contact City Sightseeing Seattle on (206) 829-9267.
Map
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the chosen travel date.