Tourist Buses in Rome

Double-decker tourist buses, known as Hop On Hop Off, have more than one interest in Rome. Already they connect the main tourist areas of the city, which is an easy way to get around, without the constraints and slowness of public transport. On the other hand they offer a somewhat elevated and pleasant view of the city in open terrace.
You can travel in this way, without time constraints, by getting on or off any bus network, during the validity of the ticket (1 to 3 days in general). The passage frequency is about 15 minutes.

In Rome, these buses follow a «standard route» common to the various companies (Open Bus Vatican & Rome, City Sightseeing, Big Bus Rome, Green-Lines, City-Tour I Love Rome). Moreover, some tickets allow you to use the buses of different companies. However some routes have variants, and many even have extensions to the original route outside the center.

The Standard Route : Termini Station → Saint Mary Major → (Option Saint John Lateran) → Colosseum and Roman Forum → Maximus Circus – Bocca della Verità → Piazza Venezia → (Option Largo Argentina, Piazza Navona) → Vatican, Saint Peter’s square, Saint Angelo Castle → Spanish Steps / Piazza Barberini, Trevi Fountain → Termini Station

For most companies, the wifi on board is free, an audioguide system accompanies the visitor along the route by describing the places and curiosities. Some companies offer walking tours at certain stages, included in the price, as well as a smartphone app, etc.

Interesting or not?
Yes, for moving on the bus terrace, with comments of the places, and especially if you do not want to walk too much. A bit expensive for one day, but not for more

Which company?
Services are broadly equivalent. However, Open Bus also allows you to use the standard network of two other companies (Sightseeing and Big Bus). Big Bus offers a trip (dedicated ticket) to the catacombs with visit of these. Green Lines offers 2 extensions to the standard route with the same ticket.

We present here the characteristics of each company, with prices, schedules and specificities

Open Bus Vatican&Rome

The Vatican & Rome Open Bus passes through key points of Christian and historical Rome (including Saint John Lateran in addition to the standard route). The audioguides are in eight languages.
The ticket (or the Omnia Card) can be used on the entire Vatican&Rome fleet, but also the Big Bus Roma and City Sightseeing Roma buses. See also information on the Omnia Card pass if you are interested.

City Sightseeing Rome

City Sightseeing is a company that offers its services in many European cities, including Rome. These two-storey Hop On Hop Off buses pass through the main attractions of the city. In Rome, the ticket is in association with the Open Bus Vatican&Rome buses described above. It also offers an audio guide system in eight languages, the Sightseeing Experience App, an audioguide of the historic center in 5 languages.

Big Bus Tours Rome

Big Bus Rome offers besides the usual circuit common to the others (designated as red), a purple circuit that goes to the catacombs on the Appia Antica. Their ticket also allows you to take the Omnia Vatican & Rome buses previously described.
Additional services are offered such as audio-guided walking tours included, a bus tracking system, etc.

Green Line Tours Rome

Green-Lines offers three circuits, including the most classic route with the famous places of the eternal city with the Green Line. The Orange Line (dedicated to Italian flavors) has an extension to EatItaly to the south, and the Blue Line goes off the beaten track with an extension to the north, passing through the Villa Borghese, to the Flaminio district.
The ticket allows, during its validity, to go down and up whenever you want on these three lines.
Free Wi-Fi, 16 languages multilingual audio guide, free GLT app.

I Love Rome City Tour – Gray Line

City-Tour offers with I Love Rome a standard itinerary with 8 stops to the most interesting places in Rome. Audioguide 12 languages, walking tours available at 4 Cirque Maxime/ 5 Piazza Venezia/ 6 Vatican & Castel Sant’Angelo, etc

IOBUS

The “Italian” company, with the classic route of the historic center, audioguide, commentary in 8 languages, POP GUIDE application, walking route via the POP GUIDE application, etc

Others informations

Officials websites

Tourist site of the municipality : https://www.turismoroma.it/en/node/18689

• Omnian Vatican : www.omniavaticanrome.org
• Sightseeing : www.city-sightseeing.it/it/hop-on-hop-off-roma/
• Big Bus Tours : www.bigbustours.com
• Green line tours : www.greenlinetours.com
• City Tour : roma.city-tour.com