Rome - suggestions on discount passes/hop on hop off buses?
 

Hello,

We are going to be in Rome for 4 nights and were looking for the best way to explore the city? Any HOHO buses that are recommended? Or any discount passes for visiting the sights?

Also can Florence be done as a day trip from Rome? Or any other day trips suggested from Rome?

Thanks

There is a lot to see in Florence. Whether it is a day trip or worthy of more time depends on your interest level. It is close enough to do a long day, though.

Look at www.trenitalia.com and pick a close day to see train costs, frequency and journey length.

I would just go around Rome on my own.

I'm not a fan of the Rome HOHO buses. Get a Roma Pass and use the regular buses.
http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=2

Thanks vjpblovesitaly and kybourbon. Will checkout the romapass and www.trenitalia.com for more info.

FWIW - One of the benefits of the Roma Pass is a discount on the HOHO bus, but you have free use of the public buses/trams/metro for three days
http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=19

I, like kybourbon, am not a fan of the HOHO buses. Since last yearm their stops were limited due to traffic rules created by the city of Rome. Thus, instead of the 13-14 stops in the past, now there are only 7-8. So a little more walking. For options on the many HOHO services, see http://tinyurl.com/Rome-HOHO.

That said, there are many GREAT regular buses to ride. The 115 takes you up to Janiculum HIll from Trastevere; the 492 runs from the Vatican all the way through Piazza Navona, Via dei Corso, and Piazza Barberini. And the little electric buses, like the 116 squeeze through some of the smaller streets. The buses are easy to ride - see this post for some basics and more great bus routes: http://tinyurl.com/rome-bus

Thanks kybourbon and rineurope. The links you provided are very helpful. Thanks.

I'll be using this info as well :)

This is the route map for the little electric buses that run through the center (116, 117 mentioned above).
http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=9

i'll be using this info as well. will be in rome for 5 nights stay :-)

Another "no" vote for the HOHO buses. Traffic is so heavy you could walk faster, canned commentary is terrible, assuming it's working, and stops are long with everyone jostling for position.

Thanks a lot everyone. This really helps. We wont be wasting our time on the HOHO buses, and will rather use the local buses and trains to explore the city.