HopOn / HopOff Buses in Rome

I've never used a "hop on hop off bus" but wherever I see their stops there's always a not very well regulated waiting line. In Rome you can easily walk from major metro stops to the major sites, or for harder to reach places take a cab. The ancient tourist area is easily walkable (even for my sister who uses a cane sometimes). Cabs are cheap (compared to most of Europe) and can be used to get to point A - say by the Spanish Steps and then you can walk back to say B then metro close back to your hotel. Just avoid the metro during rush hour - ditto cabs. Metro tickets can be purchased by vending machines at the metro stop - select "English". Brush off anyone (not in a uniform) who wants to "help" you buy an automated ticket. I have see official metro assistants at some of the major tourist stops. One I observed was doing a passable job of Japanese (I suspect this was more of a parrot reciting info but the Japanese tourists were sure happy). If you want to take a once over tour of the city the hop on hop off buses are great - just get on and stay on AND avoid rush hour.

This website tells you about all the different ones, their prices, their routes... http://www.rometoolkit.com/whattodo/rome_hop_on_tour_bus.htm I don't remember which one we did in Rome, but they're all basically the same imo. We always do Hop On Hop Off open top bus tours everywhere they have them in Europe.. we love them. We've even done one here in SF where we live. They're fun. They're a great way to rest, get off your feet, and still see the city and all the sights at the same time. Maybe the TripAdvisor Rome Forum will have more current feedback. Edit: I should have said we don't get on and off.. we don't use them to get to sites.. we stay on the entire time. And we like sitting on top in the open air.

Personally think that hop on/off buses are a good way to get an orientation to any new city. Several years ago we use the one of the bus in Rome which cover most of central Rome. There has been reports that recently the bus stops for the center part of Rome have been move further away from some of the sites because of traffic congestion making the bus a little less convenient. There are several companies so pick the one that matches your interests. If on Sunday, you might consider the Archeobus which goes out to the catacombs and down the Appian Way plus a number of sites between center of Rome and the Appian Way. I would only do it on a Sunday when the traffic on the Appian Way is restricted.

Rosann, I've used the red hop on/hop off Buses in Rome, and as Frank says it's a great way to get an overview of the major sites while somebody else does the driving. It's also a wonderful way to rest tired legs and an aching back, and provides a nice elevated platform for getting photos (if you sit on the top deck). The routes may change for the HO/HO Buses in Rome due to a new initiative by the Mayor to eliminate traffic around the Colosseum, and make that area a pedestrian zone. I haven't seen any details on whether that will result in any changes for the Buses. The route shown on THIS Map seems to indicate that it still covers the Colosseum, but I can't remember the exact route in that area. I'd suggest taking your own Earphones, as the cheap red ones they provide aren't too good. Happy travels!