In November we'll be arriving in Rome and will be on a tour but after arriving midmorning we're on our own for the first day. I'd like to do something to get an over-view of the city. Would some of you recommend the hop on hop off bus or a city bus to get around and we'll be too tired to do a lot of walking since I can't sleep on the plane.

Hi Mckim - The hop-on hop-off tours generally don't get good reviews - and personally I wouldn't bother.

Much better IMO to get a day-pass for the buses (- €6) - and do it yourself.

2 or 3 buses connect most of the main sights and have much more frequent service than the tour buses.

Steve

Yes,I would recommend the "hop-on hop-off" that first day. We rode in May half-way during our 10 days in Rome,because we needed a break from all the walking. The best seats are up top in the front rows. It would be a relaxing way to get an "introduction" to Rome while being so tired from flying all night. Have fun !!!

By the way, there are several different hop-on, hop-off bus providers in Rome. ATAC bus 110 was the bus we took. www.atac.roma.it

I would recommend that you first check the itinerary of your tour so that you do not duplicate what is part of what the tour has in store for you to see...and then plan something that won't be covered.

Do they have hop on / hop off tours in English?

I wish there was an English version of that ATAC web site. Where does the 110 start and where do you purchase the ticket?

SkiItaly - Yes.

You can find details of the 110 Tour on:

http://www.romeguide.it/110_city_tour_ing.htm

http://www.romeguide.it/percorso_110_ing.htm

There are others:

http://www.romeguide.it/index2.php?m...mp;p2=bus_tour

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Steve: Thank you for all of the web sites. They're very helpful. The 110 bus sounds good. We could do that the first day and not get off -- just get an overview of Rome. Day 2 we'll be on a tour and day 3 we're on our own. I spent 4 months in Rome a LONG time ago when I was a teenager.

Thank you Steve James! This is very helpful.

We took the hop on hop off bus late afternoon of our first day. It was nice not to have to muck about with bus numbers, fares and schedules as we were a little jet lagged. We just didn't hop off at all and enjoyed having an overview of the city. Over the next few days, we visited many of sites seen from the bus on our own.

Thanks Steve!!

Lily;
Where did you pick it up? At the Termini?
Thanks,
Jane

bookmarking

Jane - You can buy tickets at the Piazza dei Cinquecento ATAC office - or on board the bus if you start the tour elsewhere.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

bookmarking...

We caught it at the Collesium as we were staying near there but there are many stops around town. Ask for the pamphlet at your hotel.