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

Rhodes looks best from land and sea. This one-day combination pairs a city bus loop with the Poseidon Submarine, giving you a quick introduction to Rhodes Town, the Old Town walls, Mandraki Harbor, and the underwater world just below the surface. I especially like the two different ways to see Rhodes and the chance to use the bus on one day and the submarine on another. The main drawback is timing: buses may run about once an hour, so getting off for photos can mean a long wait.

The bus is useful for getting your bearings, while the submarine is the more memorable half of the outing. Clear water, fish gathered around a diver, and views of the harbor make the boat trip good family entertainment. I would treat the bus as an overview rather than a full sightseeing tour, since some audio sockets have not worked well and several stops are brief.

Key points before you book

• The Poseidon Submarine stays above water: You sit in an underwater observatory about 2.5 meters below the surface, but you can walk onto the deck whenever you like.
• Mandraki Harbor is the boat meeting point: This central harbor is convenient, but the submarine kiosk can be hard to identify in a busy area.
• The bus gives you a broad Rhodes Town circuit: Stops include the Acropolis of Rhodes at Monte Smith, the Old Town, the Aquarium, and the beaches west of town.
• The underwater show is short but lively: A diver feeds the fish near the viewing windows, and free underwater photos are included.
• Bus audio quality can vary: Commentary is offered in nine languages, but some headphone sockets have been faulty.
• Your ticket is valid for one day from first use: You can use the bus and submarine on the same day or on different days.

What the $41 price really buys you

At $41 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Rhodes Town. It becomes better value if you want both transportation and entertainment, especially if you are visiting on a cruise stop, traveling with children, or would otherwise pay separately for a city tour and a harbor excursion.

The bus helps you cover more ground than walking alone. Rhodes Town spreads beyond the Old Town, and the route reaches Monte Smith, the New Marina, the Aquarium, and the western shore. The submarine then adds an experience you cannot get from a normal sightseeing bus: a look through windows set below sea level.

I would not buy this ticket just for the bus. Some people find the circuit useful but not especially detailed, and the hourly service can make the hop-on hop-off format less flexible than it sounds. The value comes from combining the city overview with the Poseidon trip.

The ticket includes free WiFi, audio commentary on the bus, English audio on the submarine, and free underwater photos taken by the diver. Drinks are available at the submarine bar, but they cost extra. Food and personal expenses are also outside the ticket price.

Starting at Mandraki Harbor with the Poseidon Submarine

Mandraki Harbor is the natural starting point for the boat portion. It sits in the center of Rhodes Town, near the Old Town and several of the city’s most recognizable waterfront sights. If you are already sightseeing in the center, reaching the meeting point is simple in principle.

The practical problem is identification. The harbor can be busy, and the submarine kiosk is not always obvious. Look carefully for the Captain’s Tours or Poseidon Submarine information point rather than assuming the first boat you see is yours. Arrive with enough time to ask if you are unsure.

The Poseidon is not a fully submerged submarine. The vessel remains above the surface, while the underwater observatory extends about 2.5 meters below sea level. That design makes the trip easier for people who do not want to commit to a fully enclosed underwater ride.

You can sit at a personal viewing window and watch the water below. You can also leave the cabin and walk on deck, which gives you open-air views of the Old Town walls, the windmills, and the calm water around Mandraki Harbor. That freedom is one of the boat’s best features. You get the underwater view without giving up the pleasure of being outside.

The underwater portion is the most praised part of the experience. Clear water lets you see fish near the windows, and a crew diver feeds them during the trip. The feeding brings more fish into view and gives children a clear focal point rather than asking them to stare into empty blue water.

Do not expect a long underwater expedition. The observatory section is brief, and the submarine is better understood as a scenic harbor cruise with an underwater viewing room. One family found the submarine exciting but wished for more time below the surface. That is a fair expectation to set before booking.

The boat has an English audio guide, though the commentary may compete with music during parts of the departure. If you care more about the fish and harbor views than narration, this will not matter much. If you want a quiet, information-heavy cruise, it may disappoint.

The harbor views and the Old Town walls

The boat gives you a different angle on Rhodes. From the water, the medieval walls are easier to appreciate as a defensive ring around the Old Town. You also get views toward the windmills and the waterfront, details that are easy to miss while walking through narrow streets.

This is not a separate historical lecture about every monument. Its strength is visual. You see the city from outside its walls, then return to land with a better sense of how the harbor and Old Town fit together.

The diver feeding the fish is the showpiece. Free underwater photos are included, which gives you a small souvenir without an extra charge. The bar is open for drinks, but bring a modest budget if you want refreshments because they are not included.

The bus route: from Monte Smith to San Francisco

The bus route begins or passes through the Acropolis of Rhodes at Monte Smith, one of the best stops for broad views over Rhodes Town. The hill setting gives you a break from the dense center and lets you see how the modern city spreads toward the coast.

Do not confuse this stop with the medieval Old Town. Monte Smith represents an older part of Rhodes, while the Old Town later on the route offers the strongest medieval atmosphere. If you want photographs from above, this is one of the stops to prioritize.

The San Francisco stop gives access to another part of the city. The supplied route details do not promise a long stop or a specific guided visit here, so treat it as a useful access point rather than a complete attraction in itself.

The bus uses a double-decker format, making the upper level appealing for views. The tradeoff is exposure to sun and wind, while the lower level can be more comfortable in hot weather. The route includes free WiFi and recorded commentary through headphones.

New Marina and Tourist Harbor

The New Marina and Tourist Harbor stops show a more modern side of Rhodes. They are useful if you want to connect the historic center with the island’s working and pleasure-boat areas without arranging separate transport.

These stops are also a reminder that the tour is a city circuit, not just a monument shuttle. You see the relationship between harbor areas, hotels, beaches, and the walled center. For a first day in Rhodes, that broad view can help you decide where to spend more time later.

The bus may not pause long enough at every point for a full visit. Some stops are best used as drop-off points, while others are better viewed from the bus. If you want photographs, check the next bus timing before getting off.

Old Town of Rhodes and Rhodes City Center

The Old Town is the route’s essential stop. It is where you should get off if your priority is the city’s medieval character, historic streets, and monumental walls. The bus gives you access, but it cannot replace walking through the Old Town itself.

Allow time to explore at your own pace. The bus audio can introduce the area, but the real pleasure comes from leaving the vehicle and wandering through the historic quarter. If you have only one day, combine this stop with the submarine rather than trying to visit every stop on the route.

Rhodes City Center is practical for shopping, cafés, and connections between the harbor and central streets. Town Hall offers another central access point. These stops are less about a single must-see monument and more about positioning yourself where you want to begin a walk.

The route is most useful here as a time saver. You can ride around first, learn the shape of the city, then return to the Old Town or City Center with a clearer plan. That is the sensible way to use a hop-on hop-off ticket.

Psaropoula Square, the Aquarium, and Kato Petres

Psaropoula Square, marked by the Diagoras Statue, takes you toward the western side of town. It is a useful stop for combining city sightseeing with time near the coast.

The Aquarium stop is a natural choice for families, especially if children enjoy marine life. It also makes an interesting comparison with the submarine. The Aquarium offers a controlled indoor display, while the Poseidon gives you a brief look at fish in open seawater.

Rhodes Horizon at Kato Petres reaches the western coastal area. The route details do not list a full walking program at this stop, so use it for access and views rather than assuming a guided visit. It may appeal to you if you want a change from the central streets and harbor.

The Grand Hotel stop on the west beachside completes the coastal side of the circuit. It is convenient for hotels and beach access, though the tour works best when you use these outer stops selectively. Getting off at every point can leave you waiting for the next bus instead of seeing Rhodes.

How the audio guide performs in practice

The bus audio guide is available in Greek, English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Turkish, and Hebrew. That range is helpful for mixed-language groups and gives you a basic explanation of the sites as you ride.

The weak point is not the language choice but the equipment. Several headphone sockets have been reported as faulty, with some people finding only one working outlet out of four. If your audio does not work, tell the crew promptly and try another seat or socket.

The content is best used as an introduction. It gives you context while moving between stops, but you should not expect the level of detail provided by a private guide. The bus can still be worthwhile without perfect commentary because the route itself supplies views and orientation.

The submarine has an English audio guide. Music may be played during the harbor departure, and it can make the commentary harder to hear. I would focus on the underwater viewing and deck scenery first, treating the narration as an extra.

Planning the day around an hourly bus

The biggest practical issue is frequency. The bus service can be roughly hourly, so a quick photo stop may turn into a wait of an hour or more. That is not a small detail when the sun is strong or your schedule is tight.

Start by choosing your priorities. A sensible plan is to ride enough of the circuit to understand the route, get off at Monte Smith or the Old Town, and reserve the submarine at a time that leaves room for delays. Do not plan a packed sequence of every stop.

You can use the bus and submarine on the same day or on different days. This flexibility matters. If the heat makes a full bus circuit tiring, use the bus on one day and return for the harbor cruise on another. The ticket remains valid for one day from first activation, so check how the operator applies the validity if you plan to split the activities.

The meeting point can be Mandraki Harbor or any of the listed bus stops. The route includes Acropolis of Rhodes at Monte Smith, San Francisco, New Marina, Tourist Harbor, Old Town, Rhodes City Center, Town Hall, Psaropoula Square, Aquarium, Rhodes Horizon at Kato Petres, and Grand Hotel on the west beachside.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this combination to families, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants a gentle introduction to Rhodes without arranging separate transport. Children are likely to remember the fish and diver more than the audio guide, while adults get useful harbor and city views.

It also suits visitors with limited time. The bus gives you a quick look at several districts, and the submarine adds a distinctive activity close to the center. Wheelchair accessibility is listed, which may make the combined outing easier to consider, though you should still confirm the practical boarding arrangements when booking.

You may want something else if your main goal is detailed history. The bus commentary can be patchy, and the route is not designed for long guided walks at every stop. You may also find the ticket less appealing if you already plan to walk everywhere and have no interest in a boat ride.

Cancellation, payment, and basic logistics

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when your Rhodes schedule depends on a cruise or changing island plans.

The experience lasts one day from first activation. You can board at Mandraki Harbor for the submarine or join the bus at one of the route stops. Food and drinks are not included, although drinks can be purchased at the submarine bar.

The overall rating is 4.1 out of 5 from 199 ratings, which fits the experience well: the submarine earns the warmest praise, while the bus is useful but more uneven. Clean buses, punctual departures, and comfortable travel have all been reported, but audio equipment and wait times need realistic expectations.

Should you book the Rhodes bus and submarine tour?

Book it if you want one ticket covering city orientation and a harbor activity, especially with children or only a day in Rhodes Town. The Poseidon Submarine is the reason to choose this package. Fish gathering around the diver, free underwater photos, and views of the Old Town from the water make it more than a routine boat ride.

Book with caution if you expect a detailed guided tour or frequent buses. The commentary may not work from every seat, and getting off can cost you a long wait. My advice is to use the bus for Monte Smith, the Old Town, and a broad first look at Rhodes, then give the submarine enough time to be the centerpiece rather than an afterthought.

FAQ

Where does the submarine tour depart?

The Poseidon Submarine departs from Mandraki Harbor in central Rhodes Town.

Can I board the bus at a stop other than Mandraki Harbor?

Yes. You can join the bus at any of the listed route stops, including Monte Smith, the Old Town, Rhodes City Center, the Aquarium, and the Grand Hotel west beachside stop.

Is the submarine fully underwater?

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

Can I leave the submarine cabin?

Yes. You can leave the cabin and walk on the deck at any time during the cruise.

Is an audio guide included?

Yes. The bus has audio commentary in nine languages: Greek, English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Turkish, and Hebrew. The submarine audio guide is in English.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included, but you can buy them at the submarine bar. Food and personal expenses are also excluded.

Are underwater photos included?

Yes. Free underwater photos from the diver are included.

Can I use the bus and submarine on different days?

Yes. The two activities can be used on the same day or on different days.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

How long is the ticket valid?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

What is the price?

The listed price is $41 per person. It includes the bus tour, submarine cruise, audio guides, WiFi, and free underwater photos, but not food, drinks, or personal expenses.