Trevi Fountain - Throw in a coin to make sure you'll return again.
The Eternal City is congested and confusing, so renting a car would not be recommended. While exploring Rome by foot is the best way to get to know the place, bus tours give an excellent overview of history and the layout of the city. They are affordable and can help transport visitors to parts of the city and its outskirts that are not easily accessible by walking or on underground transportation.
Self-Guided Tours by Public Bus
Riding along with the natives is one way to tour the city by bus and to become immersed in daily life. ATAC, the city's bus system, has frequent and widespread routes. The website has an English translation, and it has thorough maps and other useful information. Public transportation is included in many of the tourist passes that include admission to museums and historic sites. A single ticket is valid from 75 minutes. A one day ticket costs #x20AC;4, and a 3 day pass is #x20AC;11 (based on 2010 prices). All are valid on the Metro and regional trains as well. With any tickets it is essential to validate it in the stamp boxes on board the bus or else face a stiff fine. Bus line #64 departs Termini station and terminates at St. Peter's Basilica, traveling through the heart of Rome. Electric minibus #116 drives near the Castel Sant'Angelo to the Campo de'Fiore, past the Panthone and through Villa Borghese park. Electric minibus #117 stops at many favorite places like the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and the Piazza di Spagna.
+39-6-57-003
atac.roma.it
Gray Line Tours
The Vatican
Gray Line Tours is a leader in the field of guided bus tours. There are city tours of Rome itself plus day trips outside the city. Gray Line offers coach tours to the Vatican, including a Wednesday morning tour Papal audience. Sunday mornings from July through September there is a tour that covers city highlights and then travels to Castelgandolfo, the Pope's summer home, for a Papal blessing. For tourists who want to see Rome lit up at night but are uncomfortable venturing out alone, the company has a Rome by Night tour with dinner option. Prices start at $28 (prices effective through 2010).
Gray Line Rome
Piazza Dell Esquilino 6/7
00185 Rome
Italy
+39-6-48786601
grayline.com
Dark Rome
Small group size and in depth tours and walks are the focus at Dark Rome. Journeys include a Frascati wine tasting on the hilltops outside the city and a full eight hour tour of the highlights of the Rome. Dark Rome also gives walking tours, like their Crypts Catacombs Tour.
Dark Rome
+39-698968955
darkrome.com
Trambus Open
Trambus Open runs two separate routes through Rome on its open top buses with audioguides in eight languages. The 110 Open and the Archebus runs every 20 to 30 minutes along different routes and allow passengers to hop on and off. Archebus drives out to the Catacombs, which are otherwise cumbersome to reach by public transportation. Tickets for both can be purchased online, on board, or at the company's kiosk in Termini train station. On summer weekend nights only the Trambus operates a Rome by Night Summer Tour. Regular tickets cost #x20AC;20 (prices effective through 2010). Save 5% by booking online.
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Via Urbano VIII 16/C
Terminal Gianicolo
00165 Rome
Italy
+39-6-6840901
trambusopen.com
City Sightseeing -- Hop On, Hop Off
City Sightseeing operates bus tours in cities around the world on open top, double decker buses. There are two bus routes, tickets are valid for two days on both routes, and passengers can hop on/hop off as often as they like. Pre-recorded commentary comes in eight languages. The company also has buses in nine other Italian cities, and discounts are available with the Rome receipt. Tours cost #x20AC;18 for adults, #x20AC;10 for children (prices effective through 2010).
City Sightseeing Worldwide
Purfleet Industrial Park
Juliette Close
Purfleet, Essex RM15 4YF
UK
+44-1708-866000
city-sightseeing.com
Tags: best, tours, rome, italy, Dark Rome, Gray Line, City Sightseeing, effective through, effective through 2010, prices effective, prices effective through, prices effective through 2010
