Rhodes: Hop-on Hop-off Bus and Submarine Tour

Rhodes looks best from two angles. For $41, I like the hop-on hop-off route for getting your bearings around Rhodes City, and I like the Poseidon submarine for its clear underwater viewing windows and fish-feeding stop. The main catch is timing: buses may run about once an hour, so getting off for a quick photo can mean a long wait.

This is a good first-day activity, especially if you want history without arranging several separate visits. I also like that you can use the bus and submarine on the same day or on different days. Just check the audio equipment before settling in, since some passengers have found that headphone sockets did not work.

Key points to know before you book

• The Poseidon is not a fully submerged submarine: The vessel stays above the water, while its viewing hull sits 2.5 meters below the surface.
• The bus covers 12 Rhodes City stops: The route includes Monte Smith, the Old Town, Mandraki area, the Aquarium, and the west side of town.
• The underwater viewing is the strongest part for many people: Clear water, fish, and a diver feeding the fish make this especially appealing for children.
• You can split the activity across two days: The pass is valid for one day from first activation, but the bus and boat can be used on different days according to the tour information.
• Audio commentary is widely available: The bus guide is offered in nine languages, while the submarine guide is in English.
• Plan around the bus interval: If you leave the bus at a stop, you may need to wait roughly an hour for the next one.

A simple way to see Rhodes City

Rhodes is an island of big historical names and easy seaside views. This tour gives you two different ways to see the capital: from the upper deck of a double-decker bus and from the lower viewing cabin of the Poseidon submarine.

The bus is most useful as an introduction. You pass through the main parts of Rhodes City, hear recorded commentary, and get a broad sense of where the Old Town, harbor, beaches, and hilltop viewpoints fit together. It is not a substitute for walking through the medieval streets, but it helps you decide where to spend your limited time.

The pass begins when you first use it and is valid for one day. You can start at any of the listed stops, including Mandraki Harbor, rather than having to reach one central departure office. That makes it handy for cruise passengers and anyone staying near the waterfront.

The route includes these stops:

• Acropolis of Rhodes and Monte Smith
• San Francisco
• New Marina
• Tourist Harbor
• Old Town of Rhodes
• Rhodes City Center
• Town Hall
• Psaropoula Square and the Diagoras Statue
• Aquarium
• Rhodes Horizon at Kato Petres
• Grand Hotel on the west beachside

The tour information describes 12 bus stations, though the supplied stop list names 11 locations. If a particular stop matters to your plans, confirm its position with the operator before setting off.

What each bus stop adds to the day

Acropolis of Rhodes and Monte Smith

This is one of the more useful stops if you want views from above. Monte Smith gives the bus route a change of pace from harbor roads and city streets, with broad views over Rhodes Town and the sea.

One practical point matters here: this is a stop for seeing the area, not simply a photo pause. If you get off, allow time for the next bus. The service can be about hourly, so a quick stop may not be as quick as you expect.

San Francisco

San Francisco is one of the route’s city stops and can help connect the hilltop area with the central parts of Rhodes. It is useful mainly as a transport point, particularly if you are joining the circuit partway through.

New Marina and Tourist Harbor

These stops place you near the working and sightseeing side of the waterfront. The exact appeal depends on your plans, but they are useful points for joining the bus or continuing toward the harbor and Old Town.

The water views are also part of the pleasure of this route. You are not locked into a museum or enclosed coach for the whole circuit. The bus gives you a moving look at the port areas before the submarine adds a closer view from sea level.

Old Town of Rhodes

This is the essential stop for most first-time visitors. The bus can show you where the Old Town sits in relation to the newer city, but you should get off if you want to spend real time among the historic streets and walls.

A bus tour can only introduce the Old Town from the outside and around its edges. The best use of this stop is to leave the bus, walk at your own pace, and return when your visit is finished. Since buses may be an hour apart, do not assume you can make a short visit and immediately catch another one.

Rhodes City Center and Town Hall

These central stops are practical for shopping, city errands, and connecting the Old Town with the modern part of Rhodes. If you are using the tour mainly as transportation, these may be more helpful than scenic stops.

The audio guide adds value here because you can hear background information while sitting above the traffic. That said, test your headphone socket early. Several people have found that only some outlets worked, and a bus ride without commentary becomes much less informative.

Psaropoula Square and the Diagoras Statue

This stop brings you toward the seafront and the statue named in the route. It is a useful choice if you want to combine the bus with a walk along the coast.

The tour is not a walking excursion, so do not expect a guide to lead you around each stop. It gives you the route and the recorded information, then leaves you to choose how much time to spend on foot.

Aquarium

The Aquarium stop is a natural pairing with the submarine experience, especially for families interested in marine life. The tour data does not include admission to the Aquarium, so treat the stop as a drop-off point rather than part of the ticket.

If your main reason for booking is underwater viewing, the submarine itself may be enough. If you want a longer indoor look at sea life, you would need to arrange the Aquarium separately.

Rhodes Horizon at Kato Petres

This stop is on the western side of Rhodes Town and adds another coastal viewpoint to the route. It may suit you if you want a break from the central city and a change of scenery without arranging a separate taxi or bus.

Again, keep the return interval in mind. The route works best when you accept its slower pace rather than trying to use it like a frequent urban shuttle.

Grand Hotel and the west beachside

The Grand Hotel stop is useful for the west beach area and for anyone staying near that part of town. It also gives the route a pleasant final contrast to the Old Town and harbor.

The exact order in which you visit stops depends on where you board. I would use the full circuit first, then decide where to get off. That way, you understand the route before committing to a long wait between buses.

The Poseidon submarine at Mandraki Harbor

The boat leaves from Mandraki Harbor, in the center of Rhodes. This is also the place to pay close attention to signs and staff instructions, since the harbor has several boats and the correct kiosk may not be obvious.

The Poseidon has a double-decker design. It remains above sea level, while the underwater observation section extends about 2.5 meters below the surface. You can sit at your own viewing window and watch the sea life pass by.

That detail is important. You are not spending the entire trip inside a traditional submarine. You can leave the lower cabin and walk on deck whenever you want, which gives you fresh air and views of Rhodes from the water.

From the deck, you can look back toward the Old Town walls, the windmills, and the calm water around Mandraki Harbor. The lower cabin offers a different kind of sightseeing, with fish and underwater details close to the windows.

A diver feeds the fish during the trip. This is the part that tends to create the most excitement for children, since the fish gather near the viewing windows. The clear water can make the short underwater portion surprisingly engaging, though the length of time below the surface may feel brief if this is your main reason for booking.

The submarine has an English audio guide. There is also a bar onboard, but drinks cost extra. Food and drinks are not included, so bring your own budget for any refreshments.

How the bus and boat work together

The two parts make sense because they show Rhodes at different levels. The bus gives you city orientation, hilltop views, historical context, and access to several neighborhoods. The submarine shows the harbor, coastline, and marine life from below the surface.

You can use both on the same day, but you do not have to. The information provided for the activity says you can use the bus tour and submarine cruise on different days. This is helpful if you want to give the Old Town proper time instead of squeezing everything into one schedule.

If you have only one day in Rhodes, start by checking the submarine departure time. Then work the bus around it. The harbor location makes Mandraki a sensible anchor, but you can also join the bus at any of the route stops.

If you are staying longer, split the experience. Use the bus for a general circuit on one day, then take the submarine when the harbor fits naturally into your plans. This avoids turning the day into a race between stops.

Audio guides, comfort, and the small practical snags

The bus audio guide is offered in Greek, English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Turkish, and Hebrew. That is a strong range, especially for a simple city circuit where you want information without joining a fixed walking group.

The submarine guide is in English. If you need commentary in another language, the bus is the more useful part of the package.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and free WiFi is included. The bus is described as brand new, which should help with general comfort, but working audio sockets can vary by seat. I would test the headphones as soon as you board and ask to move if your outlet does not work.

The submarine includes free underwater photos taken by the diver. This is a nice extra because it gives you a souvenir of the fish-feeding moment without requiring you to take a clear photograph through the glass yourself.

The main weakness is the pace of the bus. A route that runs about once an hour rewards patience but punishes loose planning. If you have a timed museum visit or a restaurant reservation, leave a generous cushion.

The harbor meeting point can also take some finding. The correct boat may not be instantly clear among the harbor vessels, so look for the Captain’s Tours staff or kiosk and allow time before departure.

Is $41 good value?

At $41 per person, the price is reasonable if you will use both parts. You are paying for a full day of city transport and recorded information, plus a separate harbor cruise with underwater viewing. Families may find the submarine especially worthwhile because the fish and diver give children something concrete to watch.

The value is weaker if you only want a fast way around town. An hourly hop-on hop-off service is not ideal for short errands, and the bus does not replace a proper visit inside the Old Town.

The value also depends on your interest in marine life. The underwater section is a special feature, but it is not a long expedition below the water. The boat stays above the surface, and the observation hull is only 2.5 meters down.

I would consider the price fair for a first look at Rhodes, especially if you want the convenience of a package and do not want to arrange separate harbor transport. I would not buy it solely for the bus if you already know Rhodes City well.

Who should book this experience?

This suits families, first-time visitors, cruise passengers, and anyone who likes a broad introduction before choosing where to spend more time. Children often get the most from the submarine, while adults may value the hilltop views and Old Town access.

It is also useful for people who prefer recorded commentary to a live guide. You can listen in your language, get off when you want, and continue at your own pace.

It may frustrate you if you want a tightly timed itinerary. The bus can leave you waiting, some audio outlets may not work, and the submarine portion is shorter and shallower than the word submarine might suggest.

The best plan is to use the bus as an overview and the boat as the main event. Do not treat the route as a rapid taxi service, and do not expect the submarine to replace a full marine excursion.

Should you book the Rhodes bus and submarine tour?

I would book it if you have one day in Rhodes, want an easy city overview, and like the idea of seeing fish through an underwater window. The submarine cruise is the strongest reason to buy, while the bus adds useful orientation and transport between major parts of Rhodes City.

Book with realistic expectations. You will see the city from above, hear useful background information, and enjoy a short underwater view, but you may need patience between bus departures. Start at a convenient stop, test the audio, confirm the harbor meeting point, and leave extra time if you get off at the Old Town or Monte Smith.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option also make it easier to keep plans flexible. With those precautions, this is a practical, family-friendly way to add both city views and sea life to a Rhodes visit.

FAQ

How much does the Rhodes bus and submarine tour cost?

The listed price is $41 per person.

How long is the ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for one day from the time you first activate it.

Can I use the bus and submarine on different days?

Yes. The bus tour and submarine cruise can be used on the same day or on different days.

Where does the submarine leave from?

The Poseidon submarine departs from Mandraki Harbor in central Rhodes.

Can I join the bus anywhere besides Mandraki Harbor?

Yes. You can join at Mandraki Harbor or at any of the listed bus stops around Rhodes City.

Is the submarine fully underwater?

No. The vessel remains above sea level. Its underwater observation hull sits about 2.5 meters below the surface.

What languages are available on the bus audio guide?

The bus audio guide is available in Greek, English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Turkish, and Hebrew.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity information states that the tour is wheelchair accessible.