Rome is a beautiful city with countless historical landmarks and attractions that deserve to be explored at a leisurely pace. From the legendary Colosseum and Palatine Hill to epic Renaissance architecture and museums, there's a lot to experience in the Eternal City.
Given that there's so much to see, figuring out the itinerary can be challenging for first-time visitors. Planning the itinerary to ensure that all the important landmarks are covered also becomes a challenge, especially since transport options also need to be figured out.
This is when Big Bus Rome tour comes into the picture. This Hop-On Hop-Off Tour in Rome runs on predetermined routes while still giving you the flexibility of choosing your own itinerary.
For the uninitiated, a Big Bus tour is different from regular bus tours because of the handy hop-on hop-off facility. Essentially, the bus will cover all the planned stops on the route but you're free to get off the bus at any attraction of your choosing and spend as much time as you want to explore it. Once you're done, you can head back to the bus stand and hop on the next bus on the route; no questions asked!
Why Choose Rome Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours?
The double-decker buses of the Big Bus Paris HOHO tours offer an excellent vantage point from which to take in the breath-taking beauty of the city.
- Even if you just ride the bus, you can see all the major spots in the city so you can rest assured that you won’t miss out on anything.
- Rome Big Bus Tours are an easy way to get around the city without getting lost in the crowd.
- Also enjoy additional services such as a panoramic night tour, and self-guided walking tours
- Since the buses stop at all the major attractions, you can save money on transportation when compared to visiting each landmark on your own.
- There are audio guides in 9 languages to learn more about the city throughout your journey.
Your Rome Big Bus Ticket Options Explained
1/2/3 Day Hop-On-Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour & Free Walking Tour
- Ticket options are available in 1, 2 and 3-day bus passes (in Classic, Premium, and Deluxe packages) to customize your Rome itinerary on your own.
- The ticket also includes free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and comfortable seats.
- Enjoy access to 4 self-guided walking tours accessed via an app
- Listen to pre-recorded commentary and audio guides in 9 languages with the free headphones provided on the bus.
Flexible Cancelation Policy: You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Discounted Ticket: Children below 15 years of age enjoy reduced ticket pricing.
Panoramic Night Bus Tour
- Witness the unforgettable, illuminated streets of Rome after dark
- Drive past iconic landmarks of Rome on a feature-packed double-decker tour bus with air-conditioning and free wifi onboard
- This panoramic hour-long tour passes sightseeing attractions such as the Colosseum, Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Barberini, Circo Massimo, and The Vatican.
- Learn more about the city with the help of an audio guide available in 9 languages.
Cancelation Policy: These tickets cannot be canceled, amended, or rescheduled.
Discounted Ticket: Children below 5 years of age can board free of charge.
Pre-recorded audio guides are available in English, Italian, Spanish, French, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Mandarin, Arabic, and Russian.
Rome Big Bus Tour Timetable
Big Bus Route
- Timing: 9 AM to 6:40 PM
- Frequency: Every 10 - 15 minutes
- Tour Duration: 98–103 minutes
Walking Tours
- Vatican & St. Peter's Square: 12 PM
- Roman Forum & Colosseum: 3:30 PM
- Pantheon & Piazza Navona: 2 PM
- Barberini Square & Spanish Steps: 5:15 PM
Night Bus Tour
- Timing: From 8:30 PM
- Duration: 1 hour
Classic Red Route
The Red Route passes all of Rome’s must-see sights across 8 stops. These include the Santa Maria Maggiore, the Colosseum, Circo Massimo, Piazza Venezia, Vatican City & Castel Sant’Angelo, Ludovisi, the Spanish Steps, and Piazza Barberini. .
The first bus leaves the Termini Station at 9 AM and the last bus leaves at 6:40 PM. The entire route takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes to finish.
Walking Tours
There are also 4 Self-Guided Digital Walking Tours.
One starts from Vatican & St. Peter's Square (Big Bus Stop 6) at 12 PM.
The second is from the Pantheon & Piazza Navona (Big Bus Stop 6) at 2:00 PM, and the third is from the Roman Forum & Colosseum (Big Bus Stop 5) at 3:30 PM.
The last starts from Barberini Square & Spanish Steps (Big Bus Stop 8) at 5:15 PM.
Night Bus Tour
This 1-hour long non-stop tour will take you on a specific route along Rome’s main landmarks including the Colosseum, Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Barberini, Piazza Venezia, Circo Massimo, the Vatican, and more.
You’ll get endless panoramic views and photo ops of these attractions without having to worry about transport.
The first bus leaves from Termini Station at 8:30 PM.
Big Bus Rome Red Route Stops
1. Termini Railway Station
- First Bus: 9 AM
- Last Bus: 6:40 PM
- Attractions Nearby: Termini Station, Baths of Diocletian
2. Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore
- First Bus: 9:12 AM
- Last Bus: 6:47 PM
- Attractions Nearby: Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli, Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
3. Colosseum
- First Bus: 9:27 AM
- Last Bus: 7 PM
- Attractions Nearby: Palatine Hill & Museum, Colosseum
4. Circo Massimo
- First Bus: 9:34 AM
- Last Bus: 7:05 PM
- Attractions Nearby: Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Circus Maximus
5. Piazza Venezia
- First Bus: 9:44 AM
- Last Bus: 7:13 PM
- Attractions Nearby: Pantheon, Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia & Altare Della Patria, Trajan's Market, Piazza del Campidoglio, Campo de' Fiori, Capitoline Museums, Piazza Navona, Dorothy Circus Gallery, Trajan’s Column
6. Vatican
- First Bus: 9:33 AM
- Last Bus: 7:24 PM
- Attractions Nearby: Vatican Museums, Vatican City, Castel Sant Angelo, St. Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel
7. Ludovisi / Spanish Steps
- First Bus: 9:53 AM
- Last Bus: 7:44 PM
- Attractions Nearby: Villa Borghese Gardens, Galleria Borghese, Spanish Steps
8. Piazza Barberini / Spanish Steps
- First Bus: 9:40 AM
- Last Bus: 7:50 PM
- Attractions Nearby: Villa Borghese Gardens, Quirinal Palace,Trevi Fountain, Nazionale d'arte Antica
Suggested Big Bus Rome Itineraries
Here are some suggested Big Bus HOHO routes you can follow in Rome:
1 Day Itinerary
2 Days Itinerary
In Rome for just one day, opt for the 1-day Big Bus Rome ticket. Here is a sample itinerary you can use:
Get on the Red Route of the Big Bus Rome tour and you're sorted for the day. The route covers all the landmarks you should see in Rome including the Colosseum, Piazza Venezia, Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, Vatican City, Circo Massimo, and more. Do a little research before you leave so that you're aware of which landmark you want to hop off and explore.
If you have two days in the Eternal City, you can explore at a more leisurely pace with a premium or a deluxe ticket. Here is a sample itinerary to use:
Day 1 – Spend your first day seeing the highlights of Rome on the Red Route of the Big Bus Rome tour, such as the Colosseum, Piazza Venezia, Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, Circo Massimo, and more.
Day 2 – On the second day, take the Red Route to Vatican City, and spend your day exploring the splendid cathedrals, and museums. End the day by opting for a Night Tour of Rome for a spectacular view of the city at night.
Highlights of the Big Bus Rome Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
The Colosseum
The Colosseum is a proud monument of Ancient Rome. Located near the Roman Forum, it is also called the Flavian Amphitheater. Since it was built in 70 AD it has witnessed everything from animal fights to gladiatorial matches.
Circo Massimo
The Circo Massimo (or Circus Maximus) was the largest chariot racetrack in ancient Rome. Today you can visit the southern section, the Torre della Molett, and see the tiered seating, shops, and taverns of the once magnificent stadium.
Pantheon
Once an ancient Roman temple, the Pantheon is now a church dedicated to St Mary and the Martyrs. It is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings today, known for its large circular domed roof and portico front. sculptures.
Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps, or the ‘Scalina Spagna’, are another beautiful example of Roman Baroque Style. Its mix of terraces, vistas, and 138 steps are the perfect place to sit down and breathe in the Roman atmosphere.
Palazzo Barberini
The Palazzo Barberini is a 17th-century Baroque palace that houses some of the most famous artworks in Italy. This includes frescoes designed by Pietro da Cortona, and art by Raphael, Caravaggio, Bernini, and more.
Trevi Fountain
The most famous fountain in Rome, the Trevi Fountain is an exquisite example of late Baroque architecture. It was designed by Nicola Salvi and Giuseppe Pannini and features an arch with mythological figures and natural rock formations.
St. Peter’s Basilica
A monument of Renaissance architecture, St. Peter’s Basilica is believed to be situated at the site where Saint Peter, the chief apostle, was buried in 64 AD. It was completed in 1614 and is often said to be the world’s largest church.
Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums were established in 1503 and are a treasure trove of ancient art, paintings, sculptures, and classical antiquities. It is also home to the famous Sistine Chapel, famous for Michelangelo's painted ceiling.
Rome Big Bus Visitor Tips and Guidelines
- Know before the tour begins which attractions you want to explore further. The bus will stop at every designated stop but if you're not aware of what the attraction entails, you wouldn't know whether to explore it or not. Avoid this confusion and be prepared beforehand.
- The buses across different routes arrive at different frequencies. To avoid wasting time waiting for the next bus, be aware of the frequency and go to the stop only when you know a bus is scheduled to arrive.
- While the Big Bus Rome tour stops as close to the attractions as possible, there's still a fair bit of walking involved. Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a hat or sunglasses along if you're visiting during the summer season.
- The Big Bus Rome tour happens on an open-deck bus and it can get pretty windy, especially during the evening. Bring a light jacket along to stay comfortable throughout the journey.
- If you're confused between different tour operators, make the route and price your biggest consideration. The operator that stops at landmarks that interest you would be a better choice.
- Don't plan anything immediately after your Big Bus Rome tour ends. The bus will drive through some of the busiest parts of Rome and there might be a delay of 10-15 minutes depending on the particular day. Keep a buffer of at least 30 minutes between your tour and the next activity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rome Big Bus Tours
Q. What is a Rome Big Bus tour?
A. Big Bus is one of the top hop-on hop-off tours in Rome.
Q. How do Big Bus hop-on hop-off buses work in Rome?
A. Hop-on hop-off buses are tourist buses that allow you to board and leave whenever you like and sightsee at your own convenience.
Q. Where can I buy Rome Big Bus hop-on hop-off tickets?
A. You can purchase Rome Big Bus hop on hop off bus tour tickets online.
Q. Are Rome Big Bus hop-on hop-off tickets available online?
A. Yes, you can buy Rome Big Bus hop-on-hop-off tickets online here.
Q. How much does a Rome Big Bus hop-on hop-off bus cost?
A. There are multiple hop-on hop-off bus tour tickets, starting from €27.
Q. How often are the Rome Big Bus hop-on hop-off buses?
A. Rome Big Bus hop-on hop-off bus tours run at a frequency of 15 to 20 minutes.
Q. How many Rome Big Bus routes are there?
A. There are two Big Bus tour routes in Rome - the red and blue, as well as a night tour
Q. Are there audio guides on the Rome Big Bus hop-on hop-off bus tours?
A. Yes, you will get access to audio guides available in up to 9 languages to learn more about the city.
Q. Are the Rome Big Bus hop-on hop-off bus tours accessibility-friendly?
A. Yes, the Rome Big Bus hop-on hop-off tours are accessibility-friendly for wheelchair users.