Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

Rome is one of the oldest cities in the world, so it boasts a vast historical and cultural heritage. Exploring its many treasures on foot can be exhausting, especially in summer. So, how can you see them all during a short visit without it being too tiring? With the Rome tourist bus!

Before your trip, you can book your ticket online and activate it once you’re in the city, when you board the vehicle on the day you wish to use the service. Depending on the option you’ve chosen (24, 48 or 72 hours), you can use it as often as you like during the selected period, starting from the time of your first use.

The most economical option

Rome Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Bus Tour

Explore Rome by bus for 1, 2 or 3 days at the best price.

If you fancy exploring the Eternal City without having to endure long walks or the summer heat, this option allows you to choose the duration of your ticket (24, 48 or 72 hours). It also includes audio commentary throughout the tour, explaining the main points of interest.

From ₹3,592 at Hellotickets

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The City Sightseeing tourist bus can be used in two ways. Firstly, you can use it as a means of transport to get to the tourist attractions you wish to visit quickly and easily. With the hop-on, hop-off system, you can get off at whichever stops you like to explore the area at your leisure and then get back on to continue your tour of Rome.

Another interesting way is to do the entire route at least once: this will allow you to discover the city of Rome from a different perspective and enjoy panoramic views of the scenery whilst travelling in comfort, listening to the audio guide’s commentary on the city’s various monuments.

** Why I like this option**: as well as being the most economical, it’s a flexible option.

Recommended if... you’re thinking of booking your tourist bus tickets in advance at the best price.

A very interesting option

Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Tour

Discover Rome in comfort and at your own pace

With your 24-, 48- or 72-hour Big Bus ticket, you can explore the Italian capital in comfort, hopping on and off at all the sights along the route whilst discovering the city’s history through the recorded commentary.

From ₹3,156 at Hellotickets

With Rome’s Big Bus tourist bus, you can hop on and off at all the tourist attractions along the route and get back on whenever you like. What’s more, whilst on the bus, you can listen to the recorded commentary, which will keep you up to date with all the city’s interesting facts and history.

The buses run from morning until evening, with a bus departing every 20 minutes, covering the city’s most essential monuments such as the Colosseum, the Circus Maximus, Castel Sant’Angelo, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and Piazza Venezia, amongst others. What’s more, this option allows you to hop on and off the City Sightseeing Rome and Vatican&Rome Open Bus services, as well as the Big Bus.

Why I like this option: it’s a very convenient and flexible way to explore the city and offers plenty of choice, as you can hop on and off the City Sightseeing Rome and Vatican&Rome Open Bus services, as well as the Big Bus.

Recommended if... you want to get a general idea of the city and then explore each of the points of interest and monuments in more depth.

With your ticket for either the City Sightseeing or Big Bus Rome tourist buses, you can purchase 24-, 48- or 72-hour passes.

Firstly, because I think it’s the most practical way to get to know Rome if you’re short on time or visiting the Italian capital for the first time, as on board the sightseeing bus you can admire several of the city’s main attractions on a comprehensive tour, such as Vatican City, the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain (one of Rome’s most beautiful fountains), amongst others.

Secondly, because you can use the bus as a means of transport. It’s a very comfortable and fun way to explore Rome, especially if you’re travelling with children. They won’t get tired walking from one monument to another, as with this tourist bus you can get off at any stop along the route to explore an area and then get back on to continue the tour to the next attraction.

Thirdly, because with the tourist bus you can download the free mobile app that shows you an interactive map with the buses’ real-time locations and waiting times at each stop, so you can plan your route better. What’s more, this app includes a free walking route, which I think is a brilliant idea if you’re not sure where to start your visit. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Trevi Fountain

The most beautiful Baroque-style fountain in the world. Its origins date back to 19 BC, although the current monument dates from the 18th century.

It is a wonderful open-air work of art attached to the façade of the Palazzo Poli, depicting the god Neptune taming the waters. Legend has it that if you wish to return to Rome, you must throw a coin into its waters.

To find out more about the beautiful Trevi Fountain, don’t miss the article ‘Trevi Fountain: stories, interesting facts and what to see near the fountain in Rome’

Circus Maximus in Rome

Today, barely any remains are left of what was once the Circus Maximus, the largest in the city, so one has to imagine what that venue was like in its heyday. Public games were held here, consisting of horse-drawn chariot races, foot races, equestrian displays and mock battles.

Piazza Venezia

One of Rome’s most important squares, named after the Palazzo Venezia, the first Renaissance-style building constructed in the city. In the centre of the square stands the national monument to King Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the architects of Italian unification alongside Giuseppe Garibaldi.

Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

It is considered the largest of the churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Rome. It dates back to the 4th century AD, and legend has it that the Virgin Mary herself appeared to Pope Liberius to give him instructions for its construction. The basilica features a wide variety of architectural styles that reflect the different periods of Christian art in Rome. It is one of the four Major Basilicas of Rome that you simply must not miss.

The Colosseum

The Colosseum is the symbol of Rome and one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World. Almost 2,000 years old, it is the largest amphitheatre built during the Roman Empire, which hosted gladiatorial games, naval battles, animal fights and even the executions of prisoners.

Would you like to see it in person without having to queue for hours at the gate? Then take a look at the post ‘Colosseum Tickets in Rome’!

Piazza Barberini

This is one of Rome’s most iconic squares, famous for being home to the Triton and Bee fountains, created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Nearby is the Barberini Palace, which houses the National Gallery of Ancient Art.

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II

Also known as Piazza Vittorio, it was one of Rome’s main food markets. In the centre is a garden where you’ll see the remains of Alexander’s nymphaeum and the so-called Magic Gate, the entrance to the ancient Villa Palombara, which was the residence of the alchemist Massimiliano Palombara.

Vatican City

It is a city-state situated in the heart of Rome and the headquarters of the Catholic Church.

There are three must-see attractions here during your visit: St Peter’s Square and Basilica, and the Vatican Museums, home to the Sistine Chapel.

If you’re wondering how to get tickets to see this gem, click on Where to buy tickets for the Vatican or The best guided tours of the Vatican.

Both City Sightseeing Rome and Big Bus Rome operate every day of the week with a continuous service from 09:00 to 18:00. These timings are perfect for exploring the city throughout the day, with plenty of daylight to enjoy the panoramic views from the top deck of the bus.

Buses run regularly at approximately 20-minute intervals, allowing you to hop on and off without long waits.

• Choose the date you wish to take part in this activity and the number of people joining. Then select the 24, 48 or 72-hour option. You will be taken to a page where you will be asked for your personal details and an email address.
• Important: please provide a valid email address as you will receive a confirmation email once the booking is complete. Check that all your booking details are correct and keep this email to hand so you can show it to the sightseeing bus driver when boarding.
• If you are unable to take part in this experience for any reason and wish to receive a full refund, please remember that you must cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the start of the activity. You will find the cancellation instructions in the confirmation email.

As well as the classic hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses, in Rome you can find other original and comfortable ways to explore the city. Some of these options include night-time tours or guided visits to lesser-known historical sites, allowing you to discover another side of the Eternal City without sacrificing the comfort of the panoramic bus.

• I Love Rome sightseeing bus from ₹1,959 Pass valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours to hop on and off at the main stops, with a multilingual audio guide and Wi-Fi on board.
• Panoramic bus with guided tour of the catacombs from ₹4,898 Includes return transport and skip-the-line entry to the Catacombs of San Calixto or Domitilla, with a specialist guide.

Rome is an open-air museum with plenty to offer. In every corner there’s a fountain, a palace or an ancient monument with a fascinating history. If, after taking the Rome tourist bus, you fancy finding out more about Italy’s capital, its culture, cuisine and customs, I recommend you book a guided tour.

There’s a huge variety on offer, especially in summer: on foot, by bike, during the day, at night, in small groups, private tours, food and wine tours… Take a look at the article ‘The best tours of Rome’ to choose the one you like best.

And if you have time to spare during your break in Rome to get out of the city, then be sure to visit the surrounding area. There are wonderful places you’ll love! Check out the article ‘The best day trips from Rome’ for some of the coolest suggestions.