Has anyone ever used the hop on/hop off tour bus in Rome? Apparently it is only 8 euro p.p. for a day pass. Thought it might be a good way to get around the city.
Originally posted by JuniorCruiser: Is there any good tour-busses in Rome? Anything to recommand? Are you Kentishgirl planning to do on of the RCCL Rome excursions?
JuniorCruiser, might do RCCL "Rome on your own tour". I was wondering if anyone had used the open top bus tour of the city as a way of getting around. Apparently, you can hop on/off all day.
My wife and I were in Rome June 9-12 prior to our 12 Nite E. Med. cruise on RCCL. Just a few comments about Rome. (1) You aren't going to see everything in one day. Get a good guide and make a list of what is important to you. (2) Most of what you want to see will require a lot of walking. You could easily spend a whole day at the Forum, Colosseum, and the Palatine. See (1) above. (3) The HoHo (Hop on/Hop off) makes a lot of sense for a one day trip. You see something you want to explore further, hop off for 15-30 minutes, then get the next bus. All buses start/stop across the street from Termini. (4) If you want to see the Vatican, book a tour that will take you there first and then (hopefully) give you some free time on your own. Lines there can be extremely long. (5) A RCCL 'Rome on your own' excursion makes a lot of sense. If you get tied up on traffic on the way back and cannot make it back in time for departure, the ship will wait for you. If you are totally on your own and the same thing happens, the ship will not wait for you. (6) Whatever you do, relax and enjoy, you are on vacation.
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We were in Rome in May for two days and bought the passes on line prior to going. There was no need to do that. The Hop On Hop off leaves right across the street from the train station, it was fantastic, cheap and lots of fun. It will save you lots of $$ on taxi's etc. Go for it.
First thing, are you sure the price is 8 euros per person? I think it is closer to about 20 -25 US$ for one day. I have actually never experienced those tours, but they look like a good way to get a tour and a shuttle around town. Especially when you only have a day. We have been to Rome a few times on our own, but never took the ship excursion. If you decide on the ship tour, make sure of the exact stops and what you will actually be able to go and see and not just drive by. I might recommend the hop on hop off bus instead as at least if you see something you will be able to get off the bus and really see it. But going on your own, you do have to allow for time to take the train from Civitavecchia (if this is just a port stop) and back. It takes a little over an hour each way depending on the train. Have great trip.
Thanks for all the information. We have decided to do the RCCl "rome on your own" which is the coach in to the city and then you get time on your own to explore. Ho/Ho bus looks good. Just got to plan what we want to see without getting too exhausted!!
Just some food for thought. The train between Rome and Civitavecchia is about 7-8 US$ one way. So I am not sure how much the bus by RCCI is but something to think about. Also trains don't run into traffic, although if the bus runs late on the way back the ship will wait for it. If you need a train schedule check on Raileurope.com. But don't pay attention to the ticket prices, they are too high. YOu can just buy your ticket at the train station when you get there. I don't know if you are a do it your selfer, or on a budget, but just something to think about. Also the metro in Rome is pretty good to get around. Also remember if you only have a day I think you have to make a choice between historic Rome (Colloseum, etc) or Vatican as you won't be able to do those all in one day. Proably one of those and Trevi fountain/Spanish steps, something like that. Just some more to think about, plan well. have a good trip.
We purchased the HOP ON HOP OFF on VIATOR.COM prior to taking our trip ~ $21.46 USD. The pass is about $5.00 cheaper if you buy in Rome the day of your trip. The advantage of having the pass in advance is that you don't have to go to a ticket booth, rather just walk right up to the bus and they scan the ticket you have from your receipt. Seamless procedure, would do it again. We also did the Hop on Hop Off in Florence as we did the day on our own.
Originally posted by Kentishgirl: Has anyone ever used the hop on/hop off tour bus in Rome? Apparently it is only 8 euro p.p. for a day pass. Thought it might be a good way to get around the city.
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Thought I might post a little first-hand info on Rome and Florence. Regarding Florence, I would not recommend using a HOHO bus (have never even seen one. Why? Because the main tourist area is very walkable and a bus would be a total waste. The only area that is a bit of a stretch for a stoll is the Academia Museum (its a good half hour walk), but it would be cheaper to just grab a taxi to that museum than to pay for a HOHO that you would only need for the one ride. Rome is a bit different. There are several different areas that attract first-time visitors including the Vatican, Palatime Hill, Colluseum, and the shopping oriented neighborhood that has the Spanish steps and Trevi Fountain (its generally best to walk between these two sites). So, in Rome the use of the HOHO bus can be a good idea, although you do save some time by using other public transit (bus, subway) and walking. Keep in mind that with HOHO buses you do lose some time waiting for the bus at each stop. Hope this helps you folks.
I would also tell you that we have been traveling to Europe for over 35 years, been to Rome and Florence many times and have never used a HOHO bus or any other bus in these cities. Assuming you are capable of doing a lot of walking, using your feet is the best way to see almost any city. In Rome, when you walk distances between major sites, you see lots of neat places, buildings, piazzas, etc. This stuff is all missed when you take a bus (or subway).
Thanks Hank. We love walking and feel it is the best way to see the sites but as we only have a few hours thought we might use hoho in Rome. Have used these open top buses in other cities successfully. Would like to see the Vatican, Colluseum, Trevi Fountain etc. Be nice just to spend a liitle time at each and then move on. Want to be able to sit and people watch for lunch with a nice glass of wine or beer as well !! Getting excited now just writing about it!!
We´ve been in rome this may and used the Hoho buses. Actually we were quite satisfied with it. We got to see the collosseum, st.pete´s cathedral and alle the other famous sights at least from the outside. Please be aware, taht depending on which day you are in rome it may be possible, that collosseum as well as st.peters won´t be stops that day. We noticed that on our second day in town, a sunday. If in doubt, ask before purchasing your tickets. There´s also public transport to the vatican running from statione termini, however, it´s a pickpockets paradies...
Hth
Marion
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I think we must be on the same cruise -- Princess Star leaving Rome Oct 28th. We appreciate all of your excellent research and are benefitting from the great answers. We are more adventure tour types so a cruise is new to us. Hopefully we don't get carried away and miss the boat!
Torontocruisers, we are on Voyager of the Seas from Barcelona. This is our first cruise as well. My husband and I aren't beachy people, so we thought a cruise would suit us, as we like to explore the places we visit.
kentishgirl we were on Voyager in September and did the Rome on your own tour. The bus drops you near the Vatican (opposite). The guide on the bus told us not to go to the Vatican first but to do all the other stuff first. In the morning the lines are very busy but from about 14h00 you wait 5 minutes and you're in. WE took a taxi in front of the Vatican to the Coloseum and walked amongst the ruins for a while, then took a taxi for about 7 euros to the Spanish steps (waste of time in my opinion) from there we walked to Trevi fountains - then to the pantheon. We also walked back to the Vatican. We made it before 14h00 and there was still enought time to see the museum and the churches.
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Originally posted by Kentishgirl: I have booked the "Rome on your own" tour with RCCL. Does anyone know where the coach drops you off and picks you up again?
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