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

Rhodes looks good from land and sea. I like the two-part format: the bus gives you a quick look at Rhodes City, while the Poseidon Submarine offers clear underwater views and a close look at fish being fed by a diver. You also get useful Old Town and harbor views without arranging separate transport.

The main drawback is timing. Buses may run about once an hour, so getting off for photos can cost you a long wait. The submarine is the stronger half of the experience, while the bus works best as a first look rather than a full guided tour.

Key points to know before you go

• The Poseidon Submarine stays above water: You sit in an underwater viewing cabin set 2.5 meters below the surface, then can return to the deck at any time.
• The bus covers 12 Rhodes stops: The route links Monte Smith, the New Marina, Old Town, the Aquarium, the Town Hall, and several waterfront points.
• The underwater viewing is short but memorable: Clear water, fish, and a diver feeding them are the main attractions.
• Bus audio is available in nine languages: English, Greek, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Turkish, and Hebrew.
• The submarine audio is in English: The boat also has a bar, though drinks cost extra.
• You can split the activities: The bus and submarine may be used on the same day or on different days during the one-day validity period.

A practical way to see Rhodes in one day

At $41 per person, this is a two-in-one sightseeing ticket rather than a deep historical tour. You pay for a bus circuit through Rhodes City and a harbor cruise with an underwater viewing cabin. That makes the price reasonable if you plan to use both parts, especially if you are traveling with children or want an easy introduction to the city.

I would not buy it simply as a substitute for exploring Rhodes Old Town on foot. The bus shows you the main areas, but it does not give you the time or freedom of walking the medieval streets at your own pace. Think of it as a get your bearings activity, followed by a pleasant marine excursion.

You can begin at Mandraki Harbor or board at any of the 12 stops. The ticket is valid for one day from first activation. Since the bus may run hourly, look at the route with a watch in mind. If you get off at a stop, you may need to wait an hour or longer for the next bus.

That wait can be a nuisance, but it can also help you plan. Use the bus for a complete first circuit if you mainly want an overview. Get off only at places where you intend to spend real time, such as Old Town or Monte Smith.

The bus route from Monte Smith to the harbor

The bus route offers a broad picture of Rhodes City. You will hear an audio guide through the onboard system, with commentary available in nine languages. In practice, bring a little patience: some seats have had faulty headphone sockets, and one account found that only one of four sockets worked.

The first listed stop is the Acropolis of Rhodes at Monte Smith. This is one of the best points on the route for broad views over Rhodes Town. The bus ride gives you a chance to see the area without arranging a taxi or walking uphill, and the elevated position makes this stop especially worthwhile for photographs.

Next comes San Francisco, followed by the New Marina. These stops help connect the higher parts of the city with its modern harbor areas. You may find the bus most useful here because the route lets you cover ground quickly, even if you decide not to get off.

The Tourist Harbor leads naturally toward the historic core and the water. Then comes Old Town of Rhodes, the stop most likely to tempt you off the bus. The Old Town is the city’s major historic area, and the tour’s overview can help you decide which parts deserve a closer walk.

Do not expect the bus to explain every lane, gate, or monument in detail. The audio is there to supply context while you ride, not to replace time on foot. I would use this stop as a launch point for independent exploring, then return to the route only when you are ready.

Old Town, city center, and the Town Hall

The Rhodes City Center stop keeps you close to everyday city life and the practical heart of the route. It is a useful place to pause if you want to combine sightseeing with your own plans, though the activity itself does not include food, drinks, or a guided walking visit.

The bus then reaches the Town Hall. This gives you another central reference point and helps you understand how the older and newer parts of Rhodes fit together. If your schedule is tight, staying on board through these central stops is a sensible choice.

At Psaropoula Square, near the Diagoras Statue, the route moves back toward the waterfront. This is one of the places where a quick stop may not be enough for photographs. The bus can pause briefly, but you may need to remain aboard, so do not count on every stop providing time to get off.

The Aquarium is another named stop along the coast. The aquarium itself is not listed as an included entry, so the ticket gives you the bus stop rather than admission. That distinction matters if you are planning your day around indoor attractions.

The route continues to Rhodes Horizon at Kato Petres, then the Grand Hotel on the west beachside. These stops add coastal views to the city circuit and give you a different angle on Rhodes than the inland historic areas. The final stretch is especially useful if you want to see the city from the shore without booking a separate sightseeing ride.

Why the bus works best as an introduction

I like the bus most when I treat it as a moving map. You see the main historic, civic, harbor, and coastal areas in one circuit, then choose where to return for a longer visit. That is useful on a first day in Rhodes, especially if you are not sure how the city is laid out.

The audio guide adds value when it works properly. You can choose from English, Greek, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Turkish, and Hebrew. The broad language selection makes this a practical option for families and mixed-language groups.

Still, the audio system is not flawless. Several headphone outlets have reportedly failed, and one bus ride had no usable commentary. I would bring your own expectations down slightly: this may be an informative ride, but it may also become a simple circuit around town if your seat’s outlet does not work.

The bus itself has received praise for being on time and well maintained. One particularly nice detail was the driver cleaning the bus and seats before setting off again. That does not change the route, but it suggests a level of care you appreciate on a warm day when a clean seat matters.

Boarding the Poseidon Submarine at Mandraki Harbor

The submarine cruise begins at Mandraki Harbor, in the center of Rhodes. Finding the correct meeting point may require attention because the harbor area is busy and the boat kiosk is not always easy to identify. Look for clear Captain’s Tours or Poseidon Submarine information rather than assuming every sightseeing boat is part of this ticket.

The boat is not a traditional submarine that travels fully underwater. It remains above sea level, while the underwater observatory section sits 2.5 meters below the surface. You enter the lower cabin, sit beside your own viewing window, and watch the sea through the glass.

That arrangement has two advantages. First, you get underwater views without needing special equipment or being comfortable in the water. Second, you are free to leave the cabin and walk onto the deck whenever you want. You can switch between fish watching below and views of Rhodes above.

The deck gives you a look back toward the Old Town walls, the windmills, and the harbor surroundings. This is one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip because the city looks different from the water. The cruise combines the familiar outline of Rhodes with a brief look beneath the surface.

Fish, clear water, and the diver’s show

The underwater section is the main reason to book this combination. The water can be very clear, and you may see fish moving near the viewing windows. A diver enters the water and feeds the fish, drawing them close enough for children and adults to watch easily.

Free underwater photos from the diver are included. That is a useful extra, particularly if your own phone cannot capture good pictures through the glass. A bar is available on the submarine, but drinks are not included, and food is not part of the ticket.

The underwater viewing time is not especially long. If you are expecting to remain below the surface for most of the cruise, you may find the experience brief. The boat’s design also surprises some people because you spend part of the trip on deck rather than inside a fully submerged vessel.

That is not a flaw for everyone. Families often appreciate the ability to move around, and anyone who feels confined can step outside. I would describe it as a glass-bottom and deck cruise with a submarine-style cabin, not a full underwater expedition.

What children and adults will enjoy

The submarine is particularly well suited to families. The fish gathering around the diver provide an immediate attraction, and the experience is simple enough for young children to understand. You do not need to explain complicated equipment or prepare for a long time underwater.

Adults may enjoy the harbor views more than the fish. From the deck, you can see the Old Town walls and windmills from a fresh angle, and the calm water makes this a pleasant break from walking around the city.

The bus has a wider appeal for first-time visitors and anyone who wants an overview without much physical effort. It is also wheelchair accessible, which makes the combined activity more practical for people who need step-free sightseeing options. The provided information does not specify every boarding detail, so you should confirm any particular mobility needs before departure.

How to organize the one-day ticket

You can use both activities on the same day, or use them on different days. The ticket information describes one-day validity from first activation, while the activity notes also say the bus tour and submarine cruise can be used on separate days. Because those details may depend on how the ticket is activated, confirm the operating arrangement when you collect or scan your ticket.

For a same-day plan, I would start with the bus. Take a full circuit first if you want the audio overview and the best sense of the stops. Then choose either Old Town or Monte Smith for a longer pause, keeping the submarine departure at Mandraki Harbor in mind.

If the submarine time is fixed, plan around it and use the bus as a connection between major areas. Do not schedule a close transfer based on an exact minute, since an hourly bus service and city traffic can work against you.

A different approach is to use the bus one day and the submarine on another, where permitted by the ticket. This is less rushed and lets you give Old Town the time it deserves. It also avoids turning the day into a sequence of short waits.

Is $41 good value?

The price makes sense if you want both a city overview and a marine activity. Separate transport around Rhodes City, a harbor outing, multilingual bus commentary, underwater viewing, and free underwater photos would be difficult to match with one simple sightseeing plan.

The value is weaker if you only want a detailed historical tour. The bus passes many places and supplies recorded commentary, but it does not include a walking guide through Old Town or entry to the Aquarium. You are paying for coverage and convenience, not a specialist study of Rhodes history.

The submarine improves the overall value because it offers something the bus cannot. The clear water, viewing cabin, diver feeding the fish, and deck views create a distinct experience rather than another ride around town. If you are traveling with children, that second half may be enough to justify the combined price.

Small details that can make the day easier

Bring patience for the bus schedule. If you get off, allow at least an hour before expecting the next vehicle, and keep your return point clear.

Test your audio socket soon after boarding. If the commentary is not working, ask whether another seat is available rather than waiting until the route is nearly over.

At Mandraki Harbor, identify the correct submarine kiosk before your departure time. The harbor has several boats and operators, and the pickup point may not be obvious.

Keep food and drink costs in mind. Personal expenses, meals, and drinks are not included, although the submarine has a bar.

If you want photos, use the deck as well as the underwater cabin. The Old Town walls and windmills are easier to appreciate above water, while the fish and diver are the reason to sit below.

The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and offers reserve-now, pay-later booking. Those policies are helpful if your Rhodes schedule may change, but they do not solve the practical issue of finding the correct boat or planning around the bus interval.

Who should book this Rhodes combination?

I would recommend it to families, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants a low-effort introduction to Rhodes City. You get historic sights, harbor scenery, a multilingual audio guide, and an unusual marine experience in one ticket.

I would be more cautious if you have only a few hours or want to spend the day inside Old Town. The bus may not return quickly after you get off, and the submarine viewing is short. In that case, choose this only if the underwater cabin is a real priority.

The strongest reason to book is the Poseidon Submarine. The bus makes the ticket practical, but the underwater windows, clear water, feeding diver, and view back toward Rhodes give the day its memorable feature.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes Hop-on Hop-off Bus and Submarine Tour valid?

The ticket is valid for one day from first activation.

Can I use the bus and submarine on different days?

Yes. The activity information states that you can use the bus tour and submarine cruise on the same day or on different days.

Where can I board the bus?

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

How many bus stops are included?

The route includes 12 bus stations, covering areas such as Monte Smith, New Marina, Old Town, the Aquarium, Town Hall, Kato Petres, and the Grand Hotel west beachside.

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.

What language is used for the submarine audio guide?

The submarine audio guide is in English.

Does the submarine go fully underwater?

No. The vessel remains above sea level, while its underwater observatory is 2.5 meters below the surface.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. The submarine has a bar, but drinks cost extra.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want an easy Rhodes overview plus a family-friendly underwater experience. I especially recommend it when the clear water, fish feeding, and harbor views sound more appealing than spending the entire day on foot.

Skip it if you need a detailed Old Town tour, dislike waiting for buses, or expect a fully submerged submarine ride. For most people, the best plan is to use the bus for orientation and treat the Poseidon Submarine as the main event.