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Explore Rome at your own pace on the Big Bus Rome Hop-on Hop-off Tour — one of the city's most popular and flexible ways to see every major landmark without the stress of navigating Rome's traffic on your own. Choose from 3-hour, 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour tickets, hop off at the Colosseum, Vatican, Pantheon, and more, and reboard whenever you're ready. With free walking tours, a night tour option, and audio commentary.

Key Highlights

  • Hop on and off freely at 10 central Rome stops — the Colosseum, Vatican City, Piazza Venezia, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and more
  • Enjoy pre-recorded audio commentary in 7 languages with included headphones on every ride
  • Join exclusive free guided walking tours of Rome's most famous landmarks — included for all Big Bus ticket holders
  • Choose from flexible ticket durations — 3-hour, 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour passes to suit any itinerary

About Big Bus Rome Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

The Big Bus Rome Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour is one of the most recognisable and trusted names in open-top sightseeing, operating across Rome with a route that covers 10 strategically placed stops connecting the city's greatest landmarks. Whether you ride the full loop for a panoramic city overview or hop off to explore Rome's iconic sites up close, the Big Bus delivers a genuinely enjoyable and flexible way to spend one, two, or three days in the Eternal City.

The Red Route — Big Bus Rome's main circuit — departs from Termini Railway Station and passes through Termini Square, Santa Maria Maggiore, the Colosseum, Circus Maximus, San Giovanni, Piazza Venezia, Castel Sant'Angelo and Vatican City, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon area, and the Spanish Steps, before completing the loop back to Termini in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes without hopping off. Buses run every 15 to 20 minutes throughout the day, and the pre-recorded commentary in English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian begins the moment you board and take your seat on the upper open-top deck.

What sets the Big Bus Rome apart from other hop-on hop-off operators is the programme of free exclusive walking tours included with every ticket — expert-led walks through Rome's most celebrated areas that are reserved solely for Big Bus guests. The 72-hour ticket additionally unlocks the Panoramic Night Tour, a guided evening circuit of Rome's most atmospheric illuminated landmarks running between April and November — one of the most memorable ways to experience the city after dark. Tickets are activated via the Big Bus app or by presenting your voucher to any driver or team member at any stop. Book your Big Bus Rome Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour now on Thrillark and save up to 14%.

Inclusions

  • Hop-on hop-off access for your chosen duration
  • Access to all 10 stops on the Big Bus Rome Red Route
  • Pre-recorded audio commentary in 7 languages with included headphones
  • Exclusive free walking tours 
  • Panoramic Night Tour access 
  • Free gelato or a glass of prosecco or soft drink 
  • Big Bus app access for route tracking and ticket management

 

Exclusions

  • Food and beverages beyond any included complimentary drink
  • Personal expenses

Insiders' Tips

Start your first journey at Stop 1 at Termini Station and ride the full loop once without hopping off — it gives you an excellent overview of Rome's layout before deciding where to spend your time. On weekends, the Trevi Fountain stop is skipped — alight at Piazza Barberini or the Spanish Steps and walk to the fountain in around 10 to 15 minutes. If you have the 72-hour ticket, save the Panoramic Night Tour for your last evening in Rome.

Additional Information

Ticket validity
  • 3 hours, 24, 48, or 72 consecutive hours from first boarding
Child policy
  • Children under 5 years are free of charge but will not be entitled to a seat.
  • Children under 15 years must be accompanied by an adult.
Red route stops:
  • Stop 1 - Termini Railway Station
  • Stop 2 - Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore
  • Stop 3 - Colosseum
  • Stop 4 - Circo Massimo
  • Stop 5 - Piazza Venezia
  • Stop 6 - Vatican
  • Stop 7 - Ludovisi / Spanish Steps
  • Stop 8 - Piazza Barberini / Spanish Steps
Languages for Audio Headset material:
  • English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Portuguese

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellation at least 24 hrs before the travel date for a full refund

Big Bus Rome Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Big Bus Rome Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour?
The Big Bus Rome Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour is an open-top double-decker bus service operating a 10-stop Red Route circuit covering Rome's greatest landmarks, including the Colosseum, Vatican City, Piazza Venezia, Castel Sant'Angelo, the Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps. Tickets are available in 3-hour, 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour durations, with buses running every 15 to 20 minutes from Termini Station throughout the day.
How many stops does the Big Bus Rome tour have?
The Big Bus Rome Red Route has 10 stops covering the city's most visited landmarks, including Termini Station, Santa Maria Maggiore, the Colosseum, Circus Maximus, San Giovanni, Piazza Venezia, Castel Sant'Angelo, Vatican City, the Pantheon area, and the Spanish Steps. The full loop without hopping off takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
What languages is the Big Bus Rome audio commentary available in?
Audio commentary is available in 7 languages — English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian — delivered through included headphones that come with every ticket. Commentary is pre-recorded and begins automatically as the bus passes each landmark on the route.
What are the free walking tours included with the Big Bus Rome ticket?
Big Bus Rome includes a programme of exclusive free guided walking tours reserved solely for Big Bus ticket holders, covering Rome's most iconic landmarks on foot with an expert guide. Walking tours must be booked in advance via the Big Bus app once your ticket has been activated, and availability varies by date and time.
What is the Big Bus Rome Panoramic Night Tour?
The Panoramic Night Tour is an evening circuit of Rome's most dramatically illuminated landmarks, available exclusively to 72-hour Big Bus ticket holders and operating on select evenings between April and November. It is one of the most atmospheric and talked-about experiences available on any hop-on hop-off bus in Rome, showing a completely different and magical side of the city after dark.
Which ticket duration should I choose for the Big Bus Rome tour?
The 24-hour ticket is the most popular choice for visitors spending one full day in Rome, while the 48-hour pass suits a two-day stay with a more relaxed pace. The 72-hour ticket is the best value for visitors spending three or more days, particularly as it includes the Panoramic Night Tour and additional flexibility across multiple days.
Does the Big Bus Rome tour stop at the Trevi Fountain?
The Trevi Fountain stop is included on weekdays, but on weekends the route adjusts and the Trevi Fountain stop is skipped. Weekend visitors should alight at Piazza Barberini or the Spanish Steps and walk to the fountain in approximately 10 to 15 minutes, with the Big Bus app providing walking directions from each stop.
Where does the Big Bus Rome tour start?
The recommended starting point is Stop 1 at Termini Railway Station on Via Giovanni Giolitti 32, where the Big Bus Information Centre is also located nearby at Via delle Terme di Diocleziano 34 — offering free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and assistance from Big Bus staff. You can also board at any of the other 9 stops along the route at any time during operating hours.
Is the Big Bus Rome tour accessible for wheelchair users?
Some Big Bus Rome vehicles are wheelchair accessible, but availability varies by departure — wheelchair users should contact Big Bus in advance to confirm accessible vehicle scheduling before booking. The Big Bus Information Centre near Termini Station can also assist with accessibility queries and vehicle planning on the day.
Do I need to book the Big Bus Rome Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour in advance?
Advance booking is recommended to save up to 14% on the standard rate with instant confirmation and a digital ticket ready on your phone for immediate boarding. Walk-up tickets are available from drivers and the Big Bus Information Centre on the day, but online booking always offers the best price and avoids any uncertainty during Rome's busy peak season from April to October.

Ratings & Reviews

Big Bus Rome Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

USD 24.44

Insiders’ Tips

Start your first journey at Stop 1 at Termini Station and ride the full loop once without hopping off — it gives you an excellent overview of Rome's layout before deciding where to spend your time. On weekends, the Trevi Fountain stop is skipped — alight at Piazza Barberini or the Spanish Steps and walk to the fountain in around 10 to 15 minutes. If you have the 72-hour ticket, save the Panoramic Night Tour for your last evening in Rome.

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