The Complete Guide to City Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Bus with Audioguide in Rome

Do you want to catch a glimpse of all that Rome has to offer in a short amount of time? Take a spin with a City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with an audio guide! This type of tour is perfect for first-time visitors or those with limited time in the city. Here, we review the City Sightseeing Bus in Rome: what it offers, what the tour encompasses, cost, and the tips and traps of a hop-on hop-off experience.

What is a City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus?

A City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus is exactly what it sounds like – the chance to explore Rome through the comfort of a self-guided bus tour. The idea is that you select points along the route that you want to hop off and explore, then when you want to move on to the next destination you hop back on the bus. It’s a great way to tick off some of Rome’s top sights in a short amount of time without spending your time waiting for a tour guide at each and every site – or trying to figure out public transport!

The City Sightseeing buses use audio guides that provide facts, trivia, and stories about the various points (or stops) along the route. With headphone jacks conveniently placed at each seat, you get to choose when and how much information you want to learn.

What makes the City Sightseeing buses stand out from other hop-on hop-off bus tours is their large fleet size – which allows more frequent departures, convenient pickup and drop off locations, as well as ample room to store your bags while you explore Rome.

What Does a City Sightseeing Bus Tour Include?

City Sightseeing’s bus route in Rome covers 35 stops throughout the city, spanning four different routes that include Italy’s famous cities.

The Red Route: Vatican & Ancient Rome

This is the main route that covers all the major sights in Rome – from the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill to the stunning St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. It takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, whereas if you were to do it on foot it would take several days.

The Blue Route: Imperial Rome & Piazza del Popolo

The blue route takes you around central Rome, exploring some of its oldest neighborhoods and iconic sights including the Mouth of Truth, the Circus Maximus, Camp de’ Fiori, and the magnificent Piazza del Popolo. Total time for this tour is 2 hours and 10 minutes.

The Orange Route: EUR & Villa Borghese

This route takes you around Rome’s modern suburb of EUR and its spectacular botanical gardens at Villa Borghese. It stops near some of Rome’s most luxurious restaurants and hotels as well as fascinating sites like Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana. This tour takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete.

The Green Route: Ostiense & Aventino

The green route takes passengers to off-the beaten-track places like Ostiense, where there are plenty of trendy bars and pop up food stalls, as well as more tranquil locations like Aventine Hill where visitors can explore some of Rome’s lesser-known churches and gardens. The green route takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How Much Does a City Sightseeing Tour Cost?

The cost of a City Sightseeing tour depends on how many days you want to explore Rome. For 1 day pass it costs € 18 Euros for adults, € 16 Euros for students (with ID proof) and seniors over 65 years old , € 8 for children (under 10 years old). If you plan on visiting multiple cities then there are discounted passes available for both 2 or 3 days.

In addition to these prices, there is also the option to buy various combo tickets that give access to some of Rome’s top attractions such as the Colosseum or Galleria Borghese as well as bus passes. These tickets are a great value for money if you plan on doing lots of sightseeing in Rome.

Tips and Traps for a City Sightseeing Experience in Rome

For most people, taking a city sightseeing tour is the perfect way to get an overview of a city’s key sights and attractions before doing more in-depth exploration at your own pace. Here are some tips and traps to keep in mind when taking a City Sightseeing tour in Rome:

• Wear comfortable shoes: While the bus is an ideal way to explore quickly, experiencing some of Rome’s top sights on foot is key to getting an authentic feel for the city. Therefore wear comfortable shoes as there will be some walking involved.
• Bring snacks and water: With so many amazing cafés and restaurants enroute, it can be tempting to buy snacks on the go. However, bringing snacks along will help keep your energy levels up during your long day of exploration.
• Select interesting stops: The City Sightseeing Bus stops at 35 stops throughout Rome and it can be overwhelming trying to select which ones to hop off at. The great thing about this type of tour is that you can hop on and off when you want so make sure you get off at some interesting places that capture your interest.
• Pack essential items: As this is a self-guided tour it is important to be prepared for all weather conditions. Make sure you pack sunscreen, water, umbrella and a comfortable bag for your day.

Taking a City Sightseeing Tour is the perfect way to see some of the main sights in Rome without spending a fortune on guided tours or having to worry about getting from point A to point B using public transport. The tour combines comfort, convenience and historical facts through an audience friendly audio guide. This semi-guided experience is ideal for those who love hearing stories and finding out new facts while also giving travelers freedom explore Rome at their own pace with stops at 35 points along the route.

For your next trip, be sure to secure your spot on one of City Sightseeing’s Hop On Hop Off buses with an audio guide in Rome by booking online at GetYourGuide .