Rome Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Open-Top Sightseeing Tour
Rome, Italy
+10
- 1 hour 40 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Skip the hassle of navigating Rome’s busy streets and piecing together transportation with a flexible sightseeing pass that brings top landmarks like Vatican City, the Colosseum, and the Pantheon into one easy route. With the freedom to explore at your own pace and onboard insights to add context, these flexible sightseeing tickets make it easy to see more of the Eternal City, with the 72-hour option also including a panoramic night tour.
- Discover the capital when temperatures are more comfortable
- Hop off to visit sights including the Colosseum, Vatican City, and Trevi Fountain
- Explore Rome at your own pace with unlimited hop-on hop-off bus travel
- Enjoy onboard audio commentary and included digital walking tours around the city
What's Included
- 1-day or 24-, 48- or 72-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour (depending on option selected)
- Digital commentary in multiple languages
- Free Wi-Fi on Board
- Free VOX digital self-guided tour download
- Night tour (72-hour ticket option 10th April-2 Oct only)
- Free Gelato from "The Gelatist" OR Glass of Prosecco with selected products
- Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation)
- Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Operating hours
Select your preferred tour option to see hours.
View tour option
Departure Point
- You may start this tour at any of the stops listed.
Ticket Redemption Point
Via delle Terme di Diocleziano, 34, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Itinerary
Board the bus for your hop-on, hop-off tour at any of the stops along the route. Exchange your voucher for a ticket that is valid for three, 24, 48, or 72 hours, depending on your schedule and preferences.
Disembark at any point to explore areas that interest you. Spend as much time as you like at any one stop, or skip those that don't interest you. Climb down to explore Vatican City and learn about the history of the Catholic Church, or throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, which legend has it ensures you return to Rome. Sit on the Spanish Steps and sample a local gelato or explore the Pantheon. Disembark to learn about the times of Roman gladiators in the Colosseum or stroll through the ancient Roman Forum.
While on the bus, listen to recorded audio commentary in nine languages through the provided headphones. The recorded narrative gives a comprehensive history of Rome and details its current role as a thriving Italian metropolis.
Each ticket option includes a VOX digital walking tour. Please see the Itinerary section for a full list of stops.
Disembark at any point to explore areas that interest you. Spend as much time as you like at any one stop, or skip those that don't interest you. Climb down to explore Vatican City and learn about the history of the Catholic Church, or throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, which legend has it ensures you return to Rome. Sit on the Spanish Steps and sample a local gelato or explore the Pantheon. Disembark to learn about the times of Roman gladiators in the Colosseum or stroll through the ancient Roman Forum.
While on the bus, listen to recorded audio commentary in nine languages through the provided headphones. The recorded narrative gives a comprehensive history of Rome and details its current role as a thriving Italian metropolis.
Each ticket option includes a VOX digital walking tour. Please see the Itinerary section for a full list of stops.
Red Route
8 Stops
22 Points of Interest
Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes
Operating Schedule: The Hop-on, Hop-off tour runs daily from 9 AM to 6 PM, with buses every 15 minutes and a full loop lasting approx. 1 hour and 45 minutes. Download the Big Bus Tours app to track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.
1
Rome Termini station
2
Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major
3
Colosseum
4
Circus Maximus
5
Piazza Venezia
6
Vatican Museums
7
Spanish Steps
8
Piazza Barberini
Points of interest passed by on this route
Trevi Fountain
Piazza Venezia
Vatican Museums
Piazza Barberini
Big Bus Tours
Campo De' Fiori
Piazza Navona
Vatican City
National Roman Museum - The Baths of Diocletian
Piazza del Campidoglio
Piazza Venezia / Ancient City
St. Peter's Basilica
Castel Sant'Angelo
Basilica di San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Circo Massimo
Roman Forum
Navona / Pantheon / Campo de’ Fiori
Vatican Museums
Vatican City
St. Peter's Basilica
Spanish Steps
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Luggage is not permitted on board for security reasons
- The 72-hour ticket includes a panoramic Night Tour (May to October only), which is not hop-on, hop-off
- Download the Big Bus Tours app to access and activate your ticket, track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile pass.
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
3.4
based on 2,873 reviews
Sort by: Most recent
Dana_F, Aug 2026
A good price-it’s nice to have an option I’m going a few days in a row. I didn’t feel the stress of needing to get off at anyone stop and spending all that time and then worrying about getting back on the bus.
Hoang_G, Aug 2026
24 hrs ticket and same day ticket is the same! They both expires at 7pm. The bus doesnt stop near any attractions, it requires at least 15 mins walk from the bus stop to all attractions. Staffs and bus drivers are rude, once you have the ticket, they talk to you without even looking at you. Only 48hrs-72hrs offer free gelato and you have to walk to the store to get it, 24hrs ticket doesnt include free gelato even though it says online as such
John_F, Aug 2026
I didn’t use the tour as I booked it from home in Canada, and when I arrived in Rome on a cruise ship, there was no shuttle from the cruise port
I just had knee surgery and couldn’t get to the bus station
Did not use my ticket
Sonia_S, Aug 2026
Brilliant way to see and get round most of Rome. If there for a few days would suggest getting 2 day ticket as drops you off at all main attractions or near and helps save some money. Just be aware last bus is 7pm.
Lloyd_M, Aug 2026
3rd time booked Red bus tour to travel around Edinburgh, Dublin and now Rome is a fantastic way to view the city.
Angelica_O, Aug 2026
Great and nice view the city of Rome, staff is friendly and dedicate to the tour, accessible meeting point, i recommend not traveling in summer as the heat is extreme and street vendors can be a nuisance when you board the bus; its is better buy the tour online
Tara_E, Aug 2026
A crucial stop on the Rome bus is closed.
A Big Bus representative was rude and abussive to me and my 8 year old daughter. I have not had a resolution to this.
Please be very careful engaging in business with this company. The employees are not safe for women and children in Rome city, and the follow up is unsatisfactory.
Wendy_W, Aug 2026
Good. Pity everyone upstairs stands up so if you are small and bus is full it's not good. Night tour is good too but same issues.
Eveliz_B, Aug 2026
This option is great if you plan accordingly. The stops are pretty far apart, but if you want to explore, this works. I would recommend staying on for the full route, before hoping on and off.. My family and I did not use it as much as we should have.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi Eveliz,
Thank you for sharing your feedback and for choosing Big Bus Tours during your family's visit to Rome!
We appreciate your tip about taking a full loop first—that is actually one of the best ways to get oriented with the city before jumping off to explore! Due to Rome’s unique historical layout, some major landmarks are spread out, but we are glad the tour still worked well for your sightseeing plans.
We hope you and your family had a wonderful trip overall, and we would love to welcome you aboard again on your next adventure!
Madalina@BigBusTours
Patricia_I, Aug 2026
I booked my ticket online and was not aware that the stops I wanted to use had been cancelled. There is no feedback as to what alternative to use. When I did ride the bus on the last trip of the day the driver did not say one word from the time we boarded the bus until the arrival back at the starting point. Very disappointing.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review!
We're very sorry to hear about your experience. We understand how frustrating it must have been to discover that the stops you planned to use were unavailable, especially when you were not aware of the cancellations in advance and were unable to find clear guidance on alternative boarding locations. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We will pass your comments regarding stop information and onboard communication to the local team for review.
BigBusTours@VladL
Allen_B, Aug 2026
Personally didn't make use of the bus enough to have made it worthwhile. Walked between many of the sites of interest so with hindsight getting a couple taxis would have made more sense for our trip.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We appreciate your honesty and understand your perspective. We're sorry to hear that, looking back, the hop-on hop-off bus didn't provide enough value for the way you chose to explore the city.
Many guests enjoy the flexibility and commentary, while others find that walking between attractions or using taxis better suits their itinerary, especially when the main sights are close together.
BigBusTours@VladL
Mohammed_P, Aug 2026
Watch were U are dropped off at 7pm...U need taxi fare to get back to ur hotel in Rome..very bad service
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello!
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us.
We are sincerely sorry to hear about your experience at the end of your tour and the inconvenience it caused regarding your return to the hotel.
Our buses operate until a specific time in the evening, after which they complete their final circuit at our main hub (Termini Station) to end the day's operations. We apologize if this schedule and the final drop-off location were not made sufficiently clear by our team during your day with us.
We strive to provide a seamless experience for all our guests, and we are sharing your comments with our local team in Rome to improve how we communicate our last loop schedules.
If you would like to discuss your experience further, please feel free to reach out to our customer support team directly.
MariaS@BigBusCustomerTeam
Jamie_M, Aug 2026
Great way to see the city and work out where everything is.
The map was helpful, as we had trouble finding the starting point on Google Maps. It would take us to the main office just down the road not the actual bus starting point.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi Jamie! Thanks so much for your review. We're delighted to hear that you had a wonderful time seeing the city and that the map was beneficial. We hope to see you again soon! Warm regards, Ana from Big Bus Tours.
Sejal_T, Aug 2026
Very crowded, waiting for buses for a long time, a few stops we could not get on the bus because of how crowded it was
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi!
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that your experience was affected by long waiting times and overcrowded buses, and we understand how frustrating it must have been to be unable to board at some stops. Your comments are very important to us, and we’ll make sure they are shared with the local team as we continue working to improve the service for our guests.
Best regards,
Denis@BigBusToursTeam
EricaWarren, Jul 2026
Easy to find and get on and off at your leisure. It helped reprieve us from the heat some while navigating the city on foot. We got the 48 hour pass and used it to go to the different attractions we wanted to see.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello! Thank you so much for the 5-star review! We're thrilled that our 48-hour pass made exploring Rome easy and gave you a comfortable, cool break from the heat. We hope to welcome you aboard again soon! Melisa@BigBusTours
Philip_M, Jul 2026
very cool evening tour, great way to start our Rome adventures. Planning your walking trips is essential to make maximum use of the pickup points for the bus.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello!
Thank you for the great 4-star review! We're so glad you enjoyed the evening tour and found it to be a fantastic start to your Rome adventures. Thanks as well for sharing that helpful tip about planning walking routes around our stops!
Melisa@BigBusTours
Elyse_R, Jul 2026
I would never book again. They don’t have anyone live. Their staff is useless. They don’t even talk to you. They sit on their phones and don’t help at all. It was terrible.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi, Elyse!
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're very sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations.
We sincerely apologize that you felt let down by our service and that your interactions with our team were disappointing. This is not the level of customer service we aim to provide, and we appreciate you bringing your concerns to our attention.
We would like the opportunity to investigate your experience further. Please contact us via email or through our live chat with the details of your tour, and our Customer Support team will be happy to look into the matter and assist you. Andreea@BigBusTours!
Sharona_N, Jul 2026
Excellent way to get to many historic sites easily. Would definitely recommend and fo it again the next time we visit Rome.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback!
We're delighted to hear that you found the tour to be an excellent way to visit Rome's historic landmarks with ease. One of our main goals is to help guests explore the city's highlights conveniently while learning more about its rich history, so it's great to know you had such a positive experience.
Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we're especially pleased to hear that you would choose to tour with us again on your next visit to Rome.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience. We look forward to welcoming you on board again in the future!
Flavius@BigBusTours
R_M, Jul 2026
Good HOHO experience in Rome, Italy. Some essential stops were included but more could be added for a better experience.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We're pleased to hear that you had a good hop-on, hop-off experience in Rome and that the tour included many of the key sights you wanted to visit.
We also appreciate your suggestion regarding the route. We understand that having additional stops at certain attractions could make the experience even more convenient and comprehensive. Feedback like yours is extremely valuable as we continuously review our routes and service to ensure we provide the best possible sightseeing experience.
Thank you again for your comments and for choosing Big Bus Tours. We hope to welcome you on board again in Rome or another destination in the future!
Flavius@BigBusTours
bella1t, Jul 2026
Although advertised as stop 3 Colloseum, it does not stop there. They would not pick up the people waiting at the stop and did not allow us off the bus. The driver pointed to a Do Not Bothrr the driver sign This resulted in a missed scheduled tour. He shook his finger No to the people waiting to get on and knocking at the door.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi,
We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. We understand how disappointing it must have been to miss your scheduled plans due to the difficulties you experienced during your tour.
We appreciate you bringing these concerns to our attention. If you would like to provide any further details regarding your experience, please feel free to contact us directly. Alexandra@BigBusTours
Charles_N, Jul 2026
BigBus in Rome is a great way to get around. Buses have Air Conditioning, and while not as effective as in a car, did work reasonably well. The commentary was interesting and all the outlets we tried worked. Can get crowded, but we never had to stand. The App is also very functional.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Big Bus Tours experience in Rome and found the service, commentary, and app helpful during your visit.
We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you on board again soon. Alexandra@BigBusTours
Raimo63, Jul 2026
I purchased a 1 day pass and thought it was 24 hours not just the day i purchased it. We had a delay at the airport so we arrived at our hotel at 4 pm. We only could do one loop around
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We're sorry to hear about your experience and completely understand your frustration.
Our 1-day ticket is valid for one calendar day of service, rather than for a rolling 24-hour period. We appreciate that, due to your airport delay and late arrival at the hotel, you were only able to complete one loop of the tour and didn't get the full value you were expecting from the ticket.
Kind regards,
BigBusTours@VladL
Ciara_M, Jul 2026
Well organized trip with excellent tour guide Chiara. Really recommend the cruise option. Stunning. A must see.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi, Ciara,
Thank you so much for your fantastic feedback! We are thrilled to hear that you had such a stunning experience and enjoyed the cruise option.
I will be sure to pass along your kind words to Chiara—she will be delighted to know she made your trip so memorable!
We hope to welcome you on board again soon!
If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out!
Best regards, Mihaela@BigBusToursTeam
Lisa_L, Jul 2026
Not what we expected at all. The tour sits in traffic most of the time and drops you quite far from all the main sights.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi, Lisa,
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. I am very sorry to hear that your tour did not meet your expectations.
While we strive to provide a smooth and comprehensive sightseeing experience, our buses operate on public roads, which means journey times and pace can unfortunately be impacted by city traffic and road conditions. Regarding our stops, they are carefully selected to provide the closest possible access to major landmarks while adhering to local transport and safety regulations, though a short walk to certain attractions may sometimes be required.
We truly appreciate your comments, as guest feedback is essential in helping us monitor and improve our service. We hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a much better experience in the future.
Best regards, Mihaela@BigBusToursTeam
Nancy_T, Jul 2026
Activated 72hr ticket but could not use it except for the night tour. Didn’t not get Free gelato due to companies cumbersome policy. Gelato store needed printed tickets when we asked the bus attendant he said he can’t because he is changing shifts then the next one said he didn’t have the tickets with him we have to wait for the next bus. It was very hot and we couldn’t wait therefore we abondenes the idea. 72hr tickets for 4 people never used because it was always out of our jurisdiction or the stops being closed. Not the best experience and waste of $$
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi, Nancy,
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. I am very sorry to learn about your experience and the frustration caused regarding your 72-hour tickets, the bus stop availability, and the issues you encountered while trying to claim the free gelato. We completely understand how disappointing this must have been, especially when traveling with a group.
Our goal is always to provide a smooth and enjoyable tour, and I apologize for the inconvenience and confusion you experienced with our staff and routes during your visit.
For further assistance regarding your query, please contact our Customer Service team directly through our website at bigbustours.com/contact-us, ensuring you provide all relevant details of your journey and booking.
Thank you for your understanding.
Best regards, Mihaela@BigBusToursTeam
Rutger_H, Jul 2026
You don’t see anything, airco is not working. So hot. Evevry stop they leave the back door open so long that it’s becomes a sauna.. just take a taxi easier better! Roof top bus have no sun cover… how is that even possible ☹️
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Rutger_H,
Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear that your experience was impacted by the heat and that the air conditioning did not meet your expectations.
We understand how uncomfortable this can be, especially during warmer weather. The upper deck is open-air by design, but we appreciate your comments regarding comfort onboard and will share them with the local team for review.
Alexandra I. @ Big Bus Tours
Sam_M, Jul 2026
For our first time visiting Rome, this was a great way to get a good feel for the city and see all the key historic sites. Easy and fun way to experience Rome.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Sam_M!
Thank you for your lovely review! We're delighted to hear that your first visit to Rome was made even more enjoyable by the tour.
It's wonderful to know our service helped you discover the city's iconic landmarks in a fun and easy way. We hope to welcome you onboard again on your next adventure!
Alexandra I. @ Big Bus Tours
Melinda_H, Jul 2026
We asked two different employees to help us find a bus stop both told us they would not help us since we didn’t buy our tickets directly from them. The third one we found said it’s down there by a white building. Good news there was nothing but white buildings. So unfriendly and unwilling to help. Very disappointing.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Melinda,
Thank you for your feedback. We're very sorry to hear about your experience and understand how frustrating it must have been when trying to find a bus stop.
Providing helpful and friendly assistance to all guests, regardless of where tickets were purchased, is the standard we aim for. We're disappointed to learn this was not your experience and will share your comments with the local team for review.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Alexandra I. @ Big Bus Tours Team
Judith_B, Jul 2026
There was no commentary whatsoever. All other bus tours in other cities we have been to have had a commentary This was very disappointing.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Judith!
Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear the commentary was not available during your tour and that this impacted your experience.
If you ever encounter an issue like this, our team can assist on the day, and guests are welcome to hop off and catch the next bus or change seats if there may be a problem with the audio equipment.
We appreciate your comments and will share them with our team for review.
Alexandra I. @ Big Bus Tours Team
Jen_W, Jul 2026
There are plenty of people helping and guiding you at each stop. The buses run every 9 minutes. It’s great if ypu want to get a sneak peak at every thing. We had the 3hr tour and my only suggestion is if you want or plan to visit these locations and take your time, a longer tour is necessary.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Jen and thank you for taking the time to share your experience and recommendation.
We're delighted to hear that you found our team members helpful and that the frequent service made it easy to explore the city. We also appreciate your feedback regarding the 3-Hour Taster Tour. You're absolutely right that while it's a great way to get an overview of the city's highlights, guests who wish to hop off and spend more time at the attractions may benefit from one of our longer-duration tickets. We can't wait to see you again for more unforgettable adventures! Calin@BigBusTours
From $23.27
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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