Recommend Rome hop on/hop off tours?

Generally they don't get good play here because the majority of the places you will want to get close to or visit are in pedestrian areas so buses or HoHo buses can't get close enough - and the traffic in Rome is slow.

Local buses are easy and cheap. Walking is easy and the most productive way to see things.

Rick Steves has audio tours you can down load for free which will help you see the sort of sights that the bus would try to take you to.

Sorry, no I do not, but would suggest you review the itinerary of whatever tour and assess whether it is worth the cost. I have taken several in different cities over the years; London and Paris worked well and we enjoyed them, but Rome was a bit of a letdown.

I think it was mainly due to the nature of Rome. The route did not really hit many of the sights, sure past the Vatican, past the Colosseum and Forum, Borghese Park, etc; but many of the best sights (The fountains, Piazzas, Pantheon) are pretty compact and in a pedestrian zone where the buses can't go. If they do list a sight, then try to find out where the stop actually is, vs where the sight is, it may just be a drop-off, the actual sight not visible and several blocks away. Most of those sights plus the Vatican and Forum/Colosseum are easily walk-able. In a number of trips back, we didn't miss the bus at all.

I have just returned from Rome, and my daughter and I did the Big Bus Hop On Hop Off tour. We only had one full day in Rome this trip, so we decided to try this. It is true that there is still a lot of walking. For instance, at the stop for the Borghese Gardens, it is a 15 minute walk to get there. However, I did enjoy the narration of the sights we were passing, and overall, covered more ground than we would have on foot.

As far as which bus to pick, I think they all pretty much take the same routes.

They are not a good option for Rome due to the many pedestrian only areas near historic sites.

Voting with the nay gang here: not a good option. As stated, they can't drive into the many pedestrian or otherwise restricted areas, can and do get stuck in heavy traffic, and reviews have largely fallen around the lukewarm-to-terrible ratings for a long time. Other common complaints are buses too full to pick up new passengers at the stops; stops difficult to find; dirty windows; broken audio; no air conditioning in intense summer heat; etc.

Kathy, I'm surprised to hear the air conditioning issue. I certainly wouldn't get on an enclosed tourist bus in summer heat in Rome. Aren't the top floors topless like here so the tourists can stand up and look around? In that case air conditioning wouldn't help much. Maybe for the poor sods downstairs?

Local buses are easy and cheap. Walking is easy and the most productive way to see things.

B,

As everyone is saying - "save your money."

Rome is a very walkable city. I like to say, "A surprise around every corner, down every little alley way."

Coffee bars, eateries, restaurants, shops, Churches, little homes to marvel at, ornate sculptures, beautiful inspiring architecture. (Can you tell I love Rome? lol. Working on my third trip :)

Beautiful Piazzas are quite close in proximtiy -- The Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, The Pantheon, The Spanish Steps, Campo de' Fiori.

What is a bit farther out, provided you are staying in or around the city centre, are The Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica, and Castel Sant'Angelo. You "can walk it" from your lodgings depending on where you stay. Some have done it.

Bus #40 is an Express -- bypasses the "every stop" -- that bus comes often since it is popular.

Also, another well traveled bus is Bus #64 -- can get very crowded and stops to many areas of Rome's city.

Just be more mindful of your valuables in tight spaces. You may know this anyway - cross body bag in front of you with a hand covering the zip. If you are carrying a backpack, don't put your money or phone at the top or a near accessible pocket for people to tip toe in.

The Colosseo is also farther out. Unless you are staying in that neighborhood - There is a metro stop. It may be under construction unless I am wrong. Best to check it out.

You can purchase BIT tickets at a Tabacchi store, a corner market, a coffee bar, or even in some small gift shops. I found this to be true. I usually purchased a "few" at the Tabacchi a couple of blocks from my hotel to have on hand for a few days if needed.

Personally, I found it better to buy individual ones -- 1,50€ -- good for 100 minutes of travel and a transfer.

They do sell "day passes" - you have to figure out if buying a 24-, 48- or 72-hour pass is cost effective; using the bus and/or metro "alot" to reap the benefits of the "pass." In most cases, no. Unused tickets do not expire.

Metro stop is one use only - same price. You can buy tickets at a self-serve kiosk at the stations or go to window service.

It is important you validate your bus ticket either before or as soon as the bus leaves the curb. Transit Inspectors have been increasing their presence boarding buses and checking valid tickets and passes. If not correct, you could face a big fine.

In the rare occurrence this happens, and it did to me and a few others one morning - we boarded a bus - the bus started to take off right away, we tried to validate our tickets. No go.

We looked down at the machine and I saw it read - "Non Valido." You gotta be kidding me. There was nothing we could do. As luck would have it, the bus got flagged a few blocks down.

A team boarded. I got the "head guy," lol. He was really nice. I explained the situation for myself as well as the "strangers" too. He told me to wait. Those that had valid passes and tickets got off. Myself and the others were taken each by a team member off the bus.

Anyway, they verified the machines were down. So, no fine!

The Inspector told me if that happens again - to write down the stop you got on, the bus #, the time, and if possible, the bus ID# located on the outside rear. So they can fix the issue at Termini.

Ha ha, yes, more explanation than need be, but hey, what's a little Saturday drama for effects.

Maybe you'd like to watch this to get a familiarity about Rome and its centre. It's a ten-minute video and well versed to the point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2VcEkPaeF4 -- "Rome In A Nutshell"

I don't know if you are aware of these guys - a fun watch, check out The Roman Guy --

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCobaqk2JEYLiBJAhJZG0Oiw Scroll down to check out their helpful videos.

Have fun.

B, I ran out of room, ha ha.

Perhaps this may be a fun watch too

Rome Travel Guide - Attaché

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnL-zJ5DcQw

This guy/narrator has a sense of humor. Different and funny. No crazy background music drowning out. Good production.

He gives some good tips too. "Reviews" some things as he tries them.

Maybe for the poor sods downstairs?

Yep, it's mostly those poor sods, Nigel. Not everyone can get a seat up top and even those who do are sometimes finding it too hot (see below)

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187791-d1741003-r693180538-City_Sightseeing_Rome-Rome_Lazio.html

Other recent unhappy campers:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187791-d1741003-r694079658-City_Sightseeing_Rome-Rome_Lazio.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g187791-d11455001-or15-Rome_Hop_On_Hop_Off_Sightseeing_Tour-Rome_Lazio.html

This is Rome's public transit website:
https://www.atac.roma.it/index.asp?lingua=ENG

Click on "tickets and passes" in the menu bar for info on single-ride (BIT) tickets, 1 -day or multi-day passes. Clicking on each option will bring up more info, such as how to use them.

Looks like just the Barberini metro stop (Line A) is currently closed, which is good as they had a couple more closed on that line a few months ago (map of active A line below). I'm not seeing anything closed on the B line.

http://viaggiacon.atac.roma.it/?service=trovalinea&linea=METROA&percorso=METROAA

Rome Metro and Urban train map...which annoyingly refuses to come up with its own URL.

Go here: https://www.atac.roma.it/page.asp?p=18
Click on "Metro e ferrovie metropolitane"

As others have said the center part of Rome is not well suited for hop on/off bus. Too much traffic and restricted areas. However, do think the Archaeological Bus that loops out to the Appian Way is worth it. Best to do it on a Sunday.

I think that the Archaeological Bus gave up the ghost a few years ago. Has it been resurrected?

I don't know. It was three or four years ago (I think) when we used it. It was really convenient. Took us out to the Appian Way, stopped at one of the catacombs, hit the Baths of Caracalla. Too bad if it is gone.

I'm pretty sure that the Archeobus died years ago - along with the 110 - and has not made a resurrection.

LOL, the way I got us to a way-out-there point to jump onto the Appia is NOT something my Other Half wants to do again but hey, it was cheap and we're still alive, right?

Do tell......