Tourbus, Rome

I know it's the lazy way to do it, and there are lots of places in Rome that these buses can't get near so you're still going to do quite a bit of walking, but for all that, we found the time we spent riding the hop on/hop off bus around the city was both enjoyable and worthwhile.

Tickets are valid for 24 hours - though the buses only run from 0900 until about 2100. We found that by catching our first bus after an early lunch one day, riding it until about 1800 in the evening and then picking up the first bus in the morning and using our ticket right up to the last minute of the 24 hours, we really felt we got better use out of it. The overnight break suited us very well.

There are several of these hop on/hop off buses operating in Rome. The one run by City Sightseeing (the biggest players in this game with operations in cities all over the world) has 2 routes that interconnect at set points with the one ticket valid for both routes. Disposable headphones are included and commentaries offered in several languages. We found this worked well - the commentary was fairly basic but quite broadranging and there were no problems with clarity.

The open top double-decker buses offer great view, though taking photos can be a bit hit and miss. You wouldn't want to sit downstairs however- we did this for a short time when a sudden rain shower hit and the view is very restricted. I could see this being a problem later into the season as the crowds build up.

You can start your tour at any one of the stops along the way. You'll be given your headphones - keep them with you as you hop off - and a card that gives you the times the buses will be at each of the stops along the different routes.

Check the website here for current prices, times, etc.

I hate to do this but I'd like to recommend to all tourist traveling to Rome and wanting to do a "Bus tour" to AVOID the red City sightseeing bus at all costs!!
I chose this tour cause I have done it on 2 other occasions, (Edinburgh & Cambridge) and absolutely loved it. However, the bus in Rome is horrible.
in 4 days, my husband and I never caught the bus. It only comes every 2-3 hours, not every 20 minutes like I asked the gentleman who sold me the tickets.
Not to mention, when I bought the tickets, I first asked (in italian) if he spoke english and he said yes, and i said, i'd like to make sure this bus comes every 20 minutes, and he said yes mam!
I still have the unused tickets that I paid 15 euro each for. I do plan on complaining to the company. We went back to the place that i bought the tickets, and they offered to trade if for the Christian bus, which was no good for us considering my husband is not religious at all.
There is, however, a green city sightseeing bus, and while we sat on the curb waiting for ours (only to have it never show up) we saw plenty of those busses passing by... I would recommend that bus!

Hope i've helped!

These are buses that look like trams. You can get info about there tours from your hotel or the Tourist infomation.
Head Office & Incoming Department:
Via del Viminale, 38 00185 Rome
Phone: +39 06 4620651, +39 06 4828647, +39 06 48772253
Fax: +39 06 47823335
E-mail: info@greenlinetours.com or incoming@greenlinetours.com.

This green bus takes you to all main archaeological ruins and important buildings. It has got more than 15 bus stops. The service is active everyday in summertimes. Departures every 40 minutes from Stazione Termini from 09:00am to 04:00pm. The journey lasts about 2 hrs.

You can buy tickets at Piazza dei Cinquecento and on board. 10% discount for online orders. Price is 13 euro with stop&go stlye.

Archeobus ticket also allows you to visit the catacombs of San Sebastiano, San Callisto and Domitilla at a special price of 3 euro. And also rent a bike at the Appia Antica info point for 2 euro. They have some special offers too. You can check their website.

This red bus takes you to all the main historical and important sights. It has got stations more than 10 different points of the city. This daily run double-deckers work everyday between 09:30am to 07:30pm. Daily tickets are 13 euro with stop&go style. The journey lasts about 2 hrs.

You can find ticket and more info at Termini information desk at Piazza dei Cinquecentro, platform D. It's also possible to get your tickets on board. They have 10% discount if you do it online.

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when Rome is very crowded especially on hot days why not take a tour on one of the open topped busses to get an overview of the city

there are several to choose from, one specialises in Christian sites, another on Ancient Roman ones, and others are a mixture of both, you can get on and off as often as you wish to visit your must see places and of course there is a commentary on the bus for information about the things you see

although you should be able to join the busses at any stop we found it best to go to Termimi, one young lady on the 110 bus would not let us board without a ticket and would not sell us one, at Termini there are ticket sales booths for the busses, and the busses stop there for longer

Rome is a wonderful place to explore on foot because the historical sites are close together and the public transport leaves little to be desired. However, if you're lazy to walk and not good with the guidebooks, another option is to go on an open top bus.

It's not the best way to discover Rome but it will bring you close to most of the major spots. It will cost about Euro 13 which will include the price of the ride & audio guide. You can hop on & off as much as you like or stay on board for a panoramic 90 minute tour.

I saw a few of these buses aorund, but if I compare their frequency to the city of London or Paris, there are far fewer. I think this is because they are just not as popular to use in Rome. Many roads (most I would say) are far too narrow for buses to travel down, and one would miss out on many sights! It was a lovely day though when I took this and viewing must have been good from on top of the bus. I definately prefer to just walk :)