In October, we'd like to take a day trip to Tivoli (& the nearby villas) from Rome. I've read that this isn't so easy to do by public transportation -to go on a tour instead. The tours I've checked into are for only 4 hours and I'm wondering if the 4 hours includes transporation to & from Tivoli.
Would appreciate hearing from anyone who has taken a tour or used public transporation to Tivoli.
Thanks.

It is more difficult to do via public transport (rail for example) which is how I prefer to travel...but the bus tour was more than adequate when we did it this past May. The four hours or so includes the transport back and forth as I recall...many of the tours combine Tivoli (a town which doesn't offer a great deal of super interest to see other than Villa d'Este and immediate environs) and Villa d'Este with Hadrian's Villa..four hours or so seemed like plenty of time to do these two justice IMO. Hadrian's Villa is basically a few ruins and rather spread out...nothing like going to Pompeii.

It's fairly easy on your own by metro and bus.
These directions are a few years old but I'm certain they are still valid.
The metro ends right alongside a very busy street from Rome to basically Tivoli in a built-up area, so it's not like you're out in the boondocks.
And Hadrian's Villa is ~1mi off this street.
Go to www.twenj.com click-on Italy and then Excursions on the sidebar. Regards, Walter

Suzy - I don't think 4 hours does allow enough time IMO, especially as half of that is travelling time to/from Rome. Personally I can spend 3 hours in Villa Adriana alone, - but it depends on your interest.
I'd go independantly if I were you.

There are 2 bus routes from Rome, one goes via Villa Adriana (infrequent service), the other goes directly to Tivoli (departs every 10/15 mins). Both buses leave from PONTE MAMMOLO bus station.

[To get there take Metro line 'B' (direction 'Rebibbia') to Ponte Mammolo (penultimate stop).
The bus station at Ponte Mammolo is on two levels - take the escalator to the upper level for Tivoli buses].

You can find timetables for both services on the Acotral website:
www.cotralspa.it/linee_orari.asp

If you go to Villa Adriana first, there is a regular shuttle bus (No.4) up to Tivoli town centre - about every 20/30 mins. I think.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

P.S. Villa d'Este is closed on Mondays.

Thanks to those who responded.
Special thanks to Steve James for the detailed instructions.
We previously went to Italy with a tour group, which included a short visit to Pompeii. We opted to go on our own to Pompeii and spent 5 1/2 happy hours there. So you're right - 4 hours wouldn't be enough for us at Tivoli et al.