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 the 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 bus on the day you want to take the tour. Depending on the option you’ve chosen (24, 48, or 72 hours), you can use it unlimited times 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 at the best price for 1, 2, or 3 days.

If you’d like to explore the Eternal City without having to walk long distances or endure the summer heat, this option lets you choose the duration of your ticket (24, 48, or 72 hours). It also includes audio commentary along the route explaining the most important points of interest.

From $39 at Hellotickets

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

Another interesting way is to take the entire route at least once: it will allow you to discover the city of Rome from a different perspective and enjoy panoramic views of the scenery while traveling comfortably seated, listening to the audio guide’s commentary on the city’s various monuments.

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

Recommended if... you’re planning to book your sightseeing bus tickets in advance at the best price.

A very interesting option

Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Tour

Explore Rome comfortably and flexibly

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

From $34 at Hellotickets

With Rome’s Big Bus sightseeing bus, you can hop on and off at all the tourist attractions along the route and get back on whenever you like. Plus, while you’re on the bus, you can listen to the recorded commentary to learn all about the city’s history and interesting facts.

The buses run from morning until afternoon, with a bus departing every 20 minutes, covering the city’s must-see monuments such as the Colosseum, the Circus Maximus, Castel Sant’Angelo, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, and Piazza Venezia, among others. Additionally, this option allows you to ride the City Sightseeing Rome and Vatican&Rome Open Bus routes, 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 many options since you can ride the City Sightseeing Rome and Vatican&Rome Open Bus routes, as well as the Big Bus.

Recommended if... you want to get a general overview of the city and then delve deeper into each of the points of interest and monuments.

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

First, because I think it’s the most practical way to explore Rome if you’re short on time or visiting the Italian capital for the first time. From the comfort of the tour bus, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive tour of several of the city’s main attractions, including Vatican City, the Colosseum, and the Trevi Fountain (one of Rome’s most beautiful fountains), among others.

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

Third, because with the sightseeing bus, you can download the free mobile app that shows you an interactive map with the buses’ real-time locations and wait times at each stop, so you can better plan your route. Plus, this app includes a free walking tour, which I think is a great idea if you don’t know where to start your visit. Sounds good, right?

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 marvelous outdoor work of art attached to the façade of the Palazzo Poli, depicting the god Neptune taming the waters. Legend has it that if you want to return to Rome, you must toss a coin into its waters.

To learn more about the beautiful Trevi Fountain, don’t miss the article Trevi Fountain: stories, fun 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 must imagine what that venue was like in its heyday. Public games were held here, consisting of horse-drawn chariot races, foot races, equestrian exhibitions, or 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 center 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 cannot miss.

The Colosseum

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

Want to see it in person without having to wait in line for hours at the gate? Then check out the post on Colosseum Tickets in Rome!

Piazza Barberini

It 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 center 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 located in the heart of Rome and the headquarters of the Catholic Church.

There are three must-see attractions here during your trip: St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, and the Vatican Museums, where the Sistine Chapel is located.

If you’re wondering how to get tickets to see this gem, click on Where to Buy Vatican Tickets or The Best Guided Tours of the Vatican.

Both City Sightseeing Rome and Big Bus Rome operate every day of the week with continuous service from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This schedule is perfect for touring the city throughout the day, with plenty of daylight to enjoy the panoramic views from the upper deck of the bus.

Buses run regularly approximately every 20 minutes, allowing you to hop on and off without long waits.

• Select the date you want to take this tour and the number of people participating. Then choose the 24-, 48-, or 72-hour option. You’ll be taken to a page where you’ll be asked for your personal information and an email address.
• Important: Make sure to provide a valid email address because you’ll receive a confirmation email once your booking is complete. Check that all your booking details are correct and keep that email handy to show to the tour bus driver when boarding.
• If you are unable to take part in this experience for any reason and would like a full refund, please remember that you must cancel your reservation at least 24 hours before the start of the activity. You will find cancellation instructions in the confirmation email.

In addition to classic hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses, Rome offers other unique and comfortable ways to explore the city. Some of these options include night tours or guided visits to lesser-known historical sites, allowing you to discover another side of the Eternal City without sacrificing the comfort of a panoramic bus.

• I Love Rome Tourist Bus starting $21 Pass valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours to hop on and off at major stops, with a multilingual audio guide and Wi-Fi on board.
• Panoramic bus with guided tour of the catacombs starting $52 Includes round-trip transportation and skip-the-line admission to the Catacombs of San Calixto or Domitilla, with a specialized guide.

Rome is an open-air museum with countless attractions. In every corner, there’s a fountain, a palace, or an ancient monument with a fascinating history. If, after riding the Rome tourist bus, you’re eager to learn more about Italy’s capital—its culture, cuisine, and traditions— I recommend taking a guided tour.

There’s a huge variety of options, especially in the summer: on foot, by bike, during the day, at night, in small groups, private tours, food tours… Check out the article “The Best Tours of Rome” to pick the one you like best.

And if you have some extra time during your trip to Rome to get out of the city, then be sure to visit the surrounding areas. There are wonderful places you’re going to love! Check out the article “The Best Day Trips from Rome” for some of the coolest suggestions.