Rome Day Trip 10am - 5pm

You don't have much time but you can see the major sites of ancient Rome (Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Circo Massimo) then walk to the Pantheon and the many piazzas nearby.

Buy your tickets in advance (to skip lines at Colosseum & Forum) here: http://www.coopculture.it/en/

To get to the Colosseum, you can take the Metro (Line B) at Roma termini to 'Colosseo'

I don't think you have time to see the Vatican City or other major sites.

I may be wrong, but the hop-on-hop- off bus is no longer available in Rome.

I'm sure others will chime in with more info.

If you can swing the cost, a private guide might be the best way to maximize your experience. You could arrange for them to meet you at Termini and show you through the places that interest you. I really like Context Rome, and there are number of other good recommendations in the RS guidebook.

When you say "take the train to the Colosseum station", that's the Metro. In that time frame, I would hire a guide for the day who can get skip-the-line tickets for you.

Is anybody in Rome now who can confirm the status of Hop On Hop Off buses? I was at Rome in September and they were still going strong, I even boarded some.

They are no more.

They have passed on! This facility is no more! It has ceased to be! It is expired and gone to meet its maker! It's a stiff! Bereft of life, it rests in peace!... THIS IS AN EX-HOHO!!

You may not believe me so I quote the (Norwegian Blue) Book update - in this very emporium:-

Hop-on, hop-off bus services 110open Bus and Archeobus have gone out of business. If you've pre-purchased tickets, you can apply for a refund though [email protected].

Yes, that website says service stopped December 17, 2014. Thank You Nigel.

KL,

You may want to read this thread that recommends some private tour guides for Rome:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/need-reccommendation-for-tour-of-rome-forum

There is also a free app you can download from the RS website: http://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-tours/italy

NOTE : If you decide to explore Rome on your own, make sure you leave your luggage at the train station as you will not be allowed to enter
the Colosseum (read the new rules on the website given on previous post) &/or other museums.

There were several ho-ho buses in Rome: Roma Cristiana, Archeobus, the 110, and a couple of other regular ho-ho. I'm betting that the first three, specialized buses are gone, but I would check on the regular red ones. Their website is still selling tickets.

Hi all

Thank you for the replies and links.

Just now looking at the private tour suggestions.

Cheers