FAQ

Check out our most Frequently Asked Questions about THE RIDE here! If you have additional questions, please contact our Box Office at 212-221-0853 or email our Box Office staff at: [email protected].

COVID-19 Safety Measures:

  • Before and after each departure, the Customer Care Representatives spray the seats with Lysol and wipe down the high touch points with Clorox wipes. There is a hand sanitizer dispenser on the bus for all guests to use before taking their seats. We have masks for any customers that forget to bring their own.

Mask Notification:

  • Per recommendations from the CDC, due to the small, enclosed nature of THE RIDE, we strongly encourage the use of masks during this experience, but we do not require them.

Just like a regular tour, city or private charter bus, there are no seatbelts on our vehicles. And you’ve heard about NYC traffic, right? We don’t go fast enough to warrant seatbelts! However, we do have a SAFETY ADVISORY. THE RIDE AND THE TOUR COULD AGGRAVATE CERTAIN HEALTH CONDITIONS. The experience involves motion, sideways seating on the bus, constant starting and stopping, loud music, sound effects, theatrical and strobe lighting, and multiple television screens. There is also a simulation which involves floor shaking, sudden tilting and jarring actions, in addition to loud sounds and flashing lights. THE RIDE is not recommended for guests with motion sickness or dizziness, sensitivity to strobe or other lighting effects, back, neck, or similar physical conditions, heart conditions or high blood pressure, or sensitivity to loud sounds. You are responsible for the use of your best judgements when deciding to experience our products.

Advance reservations are required. Tickets can be booked online here, or by emailing our Customer Care Team at least 48 hours in advance: [email protected]. Please note THE RIDE is a timed event with limited seating per departure. All tickets are delivered electronically to your email address via your confirmation email.

It’s simple! All tickets for THE RIDE are delivered electronically to your email address via your confirmation email.

You bet! Group rates and private charter information for THE RIDE can be found under Group Sales.

As a passholder, you can now reserve your tickets for THE RIDE online! Visit the applicable link below and follow the instructions. You will receive a confirmation email and eTickets for boarding. Be sure to read the confirmation email thoroughly; your boarding location and instructions are inside!

  • For the New York Pass, reserve your tickets here.
  • For the Go City: All Inclusive/Explorer Pass, reserve your tickets here.

If pass eligible tickets for your desired date and time are unavailable, please contact our Customer Care Team at (212) 221-0853 or email us at [email protected]. You will be asked to enter a valid credit card to hold your reservation. Your card will not be charged at the time of purchase. If you cannot present your pass at boarding, if your pass is invalid/expired, or if you do not show up for your departure, your card will be charged the full-price amount for your purchase.

Your plans may change, we get it! The Flex Ticket upgrade is an additional $10 per ticket for THE RIDE. This upgrade enables you to change the date and time of your reservation once before your scheduled departure. Select the “Upgrade to Flex Ticket” option while making your reservation online at experiencetheride.com. Flex Ticket exchanges can be made with our Customer Care Specialists by the phone number or email address provided in the emailed ticket confirmation. Your one-time change must be made at least 1 hour in advance of your scheduled departure time and is dependent upon space available.

Non-Flex Ticket reservations requesting a change are subject to an exchange fee of $20 per ticket for THE RIDE. No reservation changes are permitted within 1 hour of your scheduled departure time.

THE RIDE tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

All guests are required to meet at their designated boarding locations 15 minutes prior to their show. We want to get this show on the road on time, don’t we? If you miss your bus, we cannot move you to another show. If you would like to change the date and time of your reservation and do not have Flex Tickets, you will be subject to a rebooking fee of $20 per ticket for THE RIDE. No reservation changes are permitted within 1 hour of your originally scheduled departure time.

If you purchased the Flex Ticket option, exchanges can be made with our customer care specialists by phone or email provided in the emailed ticket confirmation. Your one-time change of reservation must be made at least 1 hour in advance of scheduled departure time and is dependent on space available.

THE RIDE tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

THE RIDE isn’t a bus tour through New York, it’s a 75-minute entertainment experience that highlights Midtown Manhattan. So, hopping on or off THE RIDE would mean you’d miss a huge part of the experience. Not to mention you’d probably really hurt yourself hopping on or off the tallest vehicle allowed on the streets of New York by federal law! Once THE RIDE begins, there is no exiting the vehicle.

Our buses are not wheelchair accessible. However, THE RIDE, LLC does try to accommodate passengers of all abilities, when possible. Patrons must be able to ascend and descend 6 steps to board and deboard the bus.

  • Motorized Scooters: Unfortunately, we cannot put motorized scooters on the buses, and we cannot store the scooter elsewhere. Customers need to make arrangements to have the scooter stored elsewhere before boarding.
  • Service Animals: Patrons must provide proof that their animal is a service pet. Customers with service animals will load the bus last and sit by the door just in case the pet is sensitive to loud noises and must exit the bus.

If you get stuck in traffic consider it free entertainment! THE RIDE performers and hosts are handpicked from the worlds of stand-up and improv comedy and can turn even the most unexpected situations—traffic, weather, police motorcades—into hilarious moments.

Just like a regular tour, city or private charter bus, there are no seatbelts on our vehicles. And you’ve heard about NYC traffic, right? We don’t go fast enough to warrant seatbelts!

Our Customer Care Representative will seat patrons based on party size and may adjust your place in line to ensure your party is seated together. We cannot make seating guarantees of any kind. Every seat on our bus provides an excellent view of the city and of our show! As our bus moves along our route, your perspective is constantly changing offering spectacular sights at each turn! Take lots of photos and tag us @TheRideNYC!

Sorry, there are no bathrooms on the bus. THE RIDE cannot guarantee access to available facilities in any surrounding retail store or restaurant.

We only allow bottled water on THE RIDE—all other beverages and food are prohibited.

THE RIDE departs 42nd Street at 8th Avenue in front of Five Guys (259 West 42nd Street) and returns to the same location. Please note there is no climate-controlled area to wait for the bus during the boarding process. All guests must line up outside. Please dress appropriately.

THE RIDE is a 60 – 75 minute interactive entertainment experience. Please note that the flow of New York City traffic can vary based on a variety of factors that are beyond our control. While planning your activities, we strongly advise allowing extra time between the conclusion of THE RIDE and your next activity.

THE RIDE (January – Mid-November): THE RIDE offers a unique blend of a guided tour and live performance through NYC, featuring actors, musicians, and dancers. This immersive experience showcases New York’s iconic landmarks and vibrant culture, combining sightseeing with theatrical entertainment.

THE HOLIDAY RIDE (Mid-November – December 30): THE HOLIDAY RIDE transforms THE RIDE into a festive celebration, highlighting the magic of New York during the holiday season. Along with live performances, it includes seasonal music, themed acts, and a special focus on the city’s holiday decorations and lights.

Please keep in mind that THE RIDE is an interactive entertainment experience, not a city tour. The route is subject to change, but you usually will see some of the most iconic sights of Midtown Manhattan and Times Square such as The Chrysler Building, Grand Central Station, Bryant Park, NYC Main Branch of the Public Library, 42nd Street, Carnegie Hall, Columbus Circle and Central Park.

Yes, we operate in all kinds of weather except for the occasional blizzard or hurricane. If either of those freak weather occurrences do happen, we will be in touch by phone or email.

THE RIDE is a family-friendly entertainment experience, however, we do not allow patrons under the age of 6. Please be advised that certain content may not be appropriate for children. You never know what might happen on the streets of New York!