Your ideal pass: Best Hop-on Hop-off bus in Rome

Rome has no less than five Hop-on Hop-off tour operators - Big Bus, City Sightseeing, Green Line, I Love Rome, and a Boat Hop-on Hop-off tour. While the routes of most bus tours are similar, there are slight differences in the inclusions and validities, making the choice of an operator difficult. We have gone into the nitty-gritty of each of these services to spare you intensive research. Instead of buying tickets from street vendors or at the hotel, read the following to make an informed decision, and purchase your tickets online. 

The best Hop-on Hop-off Rome bus tours - a detailed look at your experience

What is best is always subjective and depends on your needs, travel group, and time at hand. So instead of deciding for you, we will examine all the parameters of the Rome Hop-on Hop-off buses and let you make that decision yourself. Below are some common scenarios and which operator to choose:

• Pocket-friendly: The Rome Hop-on Hop-off boat tour would be the cheapest such tour, but if you wish to take a bus tour, I Love Rome offers a good yet affordable alternative. 
• Greater coverage: Most Hop-on Hop-off operators in Rome follow a relatively similar and singular route but Green Line has 3 routes that include the classic city center attractions (green), landmarks in the north (blue) and south (orange) of the city (keep in mind that the latter two routes have limited services compared to the green route). A close second option would be Big Bus or City Sightseeing whose 72-hour pass also includes a night tour of the city.
• Quick exploration: While all operators are quite similar in the loop durations and routes, you can opt for the 1-run I Love Rome pass for a quick overview of the city. However, since this is not a Hop-on Hop-off tour, you can opt for the 3-stop Green Line ticket and get down at any three stops of your choosing. 
• Beat traffic: The narrow historic center of Rome is often subject to heavy tourist traffic during high season. In such case, a boat Hop-on Hop-off tour would be your best bet to beat traffic.
• Unsure itineraries: Flexible cancellation policies are necessary if you are unsure about your trip plan. All operators have flexible cancellation policies, therefore your choice should depend on other factors.
• Language accessibility: Green Line offers audio guides in the most number of languages. A second option would be I Love Rome. However, check in advance which operator offers commentary in your language.
• App: Given that Big Bus provides Hop-on Hop-off tours in many cities across the world, it has the most streamlined, easy-to-use, and updated app. However, apps of all operators (no app assistance for boat tours), offer accessible features including live-bus tracking.
• Unique experiences: Not many cities have boat Hop-on Hop-off tours, where you get to enjoy varied perspectives of the city, so choose boat tours if you are looking for something special. On the other hand, Green Line’s orange route is specially catered for foodies and the blue route is for culture and art seekers.
• Pet policy: Pets are permitted in most buses as long as they are secured in proper carriers or leashes and do not pose any threat to other passengers. Kindly check your ticket details for more specifics. 
• Traveling with kids: Most bus tours provide pram/stroller accessibility but I Love Rome also offers kids’ special commentary in English and Italian making it a good choice for families with young children. The child ticket rates are also budget-friendly. 
• Accessibility: Hop-on Hop-off buses have wheelchair spaces and boarding ramps. However, usually, there's just one such space onboard. You can call all the service providers to get information on special requirements and find assistance onboard. Keep in mind that boarding the boat tour would be difficult for wheelchair users. 
• Best perks: Big Bus and City Sightseeing passes are valid on ORP buses as well (which means less waiting time and more coverage) and also include self-guided walking tours, making it a good choice for extensive exploration. The 72-hour pass comes with a complimentary night tour.

More city tours and valuable combos by Rome Hop-on Hop-off service providers

You will find many useful combo tickets that come with a Hop-on Hop-off pass and entry to attractions like the Pantheon or Bioparco or access to the shuttle buses or Leonardo Express for quick trips. These combos also save you a few bucks. Big Bus operates other tours in Rome (that are not Hop-on Hop-off) like the Panoramic Night Tour. Browse the list below and choose your pick for a cost-effective and hassle-free trip:

• Big Bus: Rome Panoramic Night Bus Tour
• Big Bus: Rome Appian Way Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with San Sebastiano Catacombs Guided Tour
• Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Shuttle Transfers
• Combo: Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Pantheon Skip-the-Line Tickets