The Big Bus sightseeing tour bus of Rome will stop at all the major attractions in Rome including the Colosseum, Circus Maximus, Piazza Venezia, Vatican, Spanish Steps/ Trevi Fountain and more.
Big Bus offer a very similar service to its main competitors in Rome, such as City Sightseeing. They all offer the classic double deck open top sightseeing bus on a hop on, hop off basis.
However, Big Bus does have a few stand out features that its main rival does not offer. See below for more details.
In addition to the online discounts you automatically get against the standard walk-up price, we also offer a further 10% discount by clicking our link below.
You can purchase tickets directly from the website or from a member of the Big Bus street sales team.
The validity of your ticket starts when you board the first bus.
The Purple Tour - Catacombs line Big Bus service is not included in the one day ticket.
The Panoramic Night Tour is included with the 3-day ticket.
Purchasing your tickets online provides you with the opportunity to save money over buying on the day before boarding the bus.
Purchasing your tickets online through this web site enables you to obtain a further 10% discount using the discount code displayed.
When you purchase your on-line ticket you can travel on any day within 6 months of purchase.
Show your printed ticket to a member of staff at any stops on boarding your first bus. You'll be issued with a receipt that you'll be able to use to hop on the bus throughout the validity of your ticket.
If you requested to have your tickets sent via SMS, there is no need to print your tickets. Just bring your phone with you with the ticket page open to show it to one of our on street staff who will issue you with your ticket.
A child ticket is available for children between the ages of 5-15. Children under 5 may travel free of charge. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
A family ticket is available covering up to two adults and two children. There is no seniors concession.
• Choice of 3 different fares • Free walking tours • Free Wi-Fi • Audio commentary in 9 languages • 10% online discount
In several ways Big Bus offer the most complete Rome hop-on, hop off service. Beyond the classic bus service around the main sights of Rome, Big Bus Rome offers:
Free walking tours - Several free walking tours are led by friendly Big Bus tour guides covering some of the city's most famous landmarks.
These walks are exclusively reserved for Big Bus Tours Rome guests.
Catacombs & Caracalla circuit - Separate service included in tickets venturing outside the city centre. Main stops outside the city being the Catacombs & Church of San Sebastiano, Via Appia Antica and the Baths of Caracalla.
The Catacombs & Caracalla circuit service is not included in the one day ticket.
The Big Bus service operates year round.
You also get an informative and friendly audio guide (in 9 different languages) providing background to what you are witnessing.
You have the choice of 1, 2 or 3-day tickets.
If you stayed on the bus a full tour takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes, an excellent strategy to get orientated and a good overview of Rome, perhaps revisiting in your own mind the itinerary you had in mind.
Like all the hop-on hop-off sightseeing services the main starting point for all tours is Termini Station, the main public transport hub for the centre of Rome. However, you may board buses and start your tour at any of the hop-on hop-off stops.
Bus stops are conveniently located near all popular landmarks and attractions, so you are able to hop-on and off as you please.
The Big Bus service operates daily and the tour starts from Termini Station, although you can board or start your tour at any stop.
Big Bus operates two slightly different tour routes that operate at different times of the week.
The Red Tour operates on weekdays (Monday - Friday). This route drives through the ancient city and stops at the Trevi Fountain on the way to the Spanish Steps from the Vatican.
The Blue Tour operates on weekends (Saturday & Sunday), holidays and holy days. This route after leaving the Vatican goes around the ancient city through the Villa Borghese to the Spanish Steps stop. The Trevi Fountain is about a 10-15 minute walk from the Spanish Steps stop.
Free daily walking tours are led by friendly Big Bus tour guides, who will take you on an informative walking tour that visits some of the city's most famous landmarks.
These walks are exclusively reserved for Big Bus Tours Rome guests and are included free with your Big Bus Tours ticket.
Several different walking tours covering different parts of Rome depart on a daily basis, (for full details click through to the Big Bus website).
The Rome Tourist Pass is aimed at first time visitors to Rome who want to visit the top tier attractions (St Peter’s Basilica, Colosseum and Roman Forum, Vatican Museums) within two days and still have time to experience the rest of Rome.
Included is a guided tour of St Peter’s Basilica, plus fast track entry tickets to the Colosseum and Roman Forum and the Vatican Museums with audio guides.
Timeslot entries are now in place at the Colosseum in Rome. You are required to select your timeslot in advance. You will receive a confirmation email upon booking and and on your voucher you can read how to reserve your timeslot. Although you can do this at the Colosseum Ticket Office, it is sensible to do this online in advance because otherwise there is no way of securing your preferred date and time.
Also included is a comprehensive Rome City audioguide app including 130+ points of interests in the city with high-quality visuals, descriptions and audio commentaries by local experts, and offline, interactive digital maps and navigation.
Guided tour of St Peter's Basilica
Vatican Museum skip-the-line tickets inc. audio guide
Colosseum + Roman Forum skip-the-line ticket
Rome City Audioguide app including offline interactive digital maps
With the Rome Tourist Card you get tickets for three of Rome's biggest attractions plus some extra bonus discounts.
You will still need to book your entry times in advance and plan your days carefully, but if you are going to visit all three then it can save you money on buying equivalent tickets individually.