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

Rhodes is easiest to understand from two angles here: from a double-decker bus above the city and from the underwater cabin of the Poseidon Submarine. You get a quick look at the Old Town, harbor, beaches, and Monte Smith, then a close view of fish and the seabed from Mandraki Harbor.

I like the high hill views from the Acropolis of Rhodes and the simple pleasure of watching a diver feed fish beside the submarine. I also like the flexibility: you can use the bus and boat on the same day or split them across two days. The main drawback is timing. Buses may arrive only hourly, so getting off for photos can cost you a long wait.

Key points to know before you go

• The submarine stays at the surface: Its underwater viewing cabin sits 2.5 meters below sea level, while you can also walk onto the deck.
• Mandraki Harbor is the boat meeting point: Look carefully for the correct kiosk and vessel in this busy harbor area.
• The bus covers major Rhodes sights: Stops include Monte Smith, the New Marina, Old Town, Town Hall, the Aquarium, and the western beach area.
• Audio commentary comes in nine languages: English, Greek, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Turkish, and Hebrew.
• The route works best as an orientation tour: It gives you the city’s shape and main sights, but limited bus frequency makes detailed stop-by-stop exploring slower.
• Families get two easy activities in one ticket: Children often find the fish viewing more engaging than a standard city tour.

Seeing Rhodes from Monte Smith to Mandraki Harbor

This experience combines two very different views of Rhodes. The bus gives you a broad look at the city and its historic areas. The submarine gives you a short, focused look below the water beside the harbor.

The bus is useful at the start of your stay because it helps you decide where to spend more time later. You pass through Rhodes City, near the Old Town walls, along the harbor, and toward higher ground at Monte Smith. From the bus, you get a sense of how the medieval center, modern streets, beaches, and port fit together.

The Poseidon Submarine leaves from Mandraki Harbor, in the center of Rhodes. It is not a conventional submarine that travels fully below the surface. The vessel remains above sea level, with an underwater observatory built into the hull. The viewing section sits about 2.5 meters below the water, giving you a seated view of fish and the seabed through personal windows.

You can move between the cabin and the deck during the cruise. That matters because the boat ride is not only about looking underwater. From above, you can see the Old Town walls, windmills, and the calm water around the harbor.

How the Rhodes bus route works

The route includes 12 bus stations, with stops listed around the city and western shore. You can board at Mandraki Harbor or at another designated stop, so you do not need to begin at the first station.

Here is what each area offers:

• Acropolis of Rhodes and Monte Smith: This is one of the best stops for broad views over Rhodes City. The hilltop setting gives the bus ride a welcome change from streets and traffic, and it is a useful place to see how far the city extends.
• San Francisco: This stop provides access to the modern city area and helps connect the hilltop section with central Rhodes.
• New Marina: You get a look at one of the city’s harbor areas and its newer port facilities.
• Tourist Harbor: This is a practical stop for seeing the waterfront and reaching nearby boat activity.
• Old Town of Rhodes: This is the major historic stop. Use it to explore the medieval streets, walls, and monuments at your own pace rather than trying to absorb everything from the bus window.
• Rhodes City Center: This is useful for shopping, cafés, and connecting the tour with your own plans in town.
• Town Hall: The stop places you near central civic buildings and the main city area.
• Psaropoula Square and the Diagoras Statue: This brings you toward the waterfront and the western side of the city.
• Aquarium: A useful stop for families and anyone interested in marine life, especially if the submarine has sparked your curiosity.
• Rhodes Horizon, Kato Petres: This western coastal area offers views along the shore and a different feel from the enclosed Old Town.
• Grand Hotel and the west beachside: This stop places you near the western beach area and major hotel district.

The route gives you a solid first look, but you should plan around the schedule. Buses may run about once an hour, and that changes how you use the ticket. If you get off at Monte Smith or the Old Town, you may wait an hour or longer for the next bus. That is fine if you have a planned stop, but frustrating if you only want a quick photograph.

At some points, the bus pauses briefly without offering enough time to leave. If a particular sight matters to you, check whether it is a proper hop-off stop rather than assuming every photo opportunity allows you to get down.

Audio commentary and the practical bus experience

The bus includes an audio guide in nine languages: Greek, English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Turkish, and Hebrew. That makes the route more useful than a simple sightseeing loop, especially when you want context for the city’s monuments.

The system is one area where you should keep expectations sensible. Some passengers have found that individual headphone sockets did not work, and one account described a full bus ride without commentary because the radio connection was not functioning. If your audio point is silent, try another socket or ask the staff before the bus leaves.

The bus itself has been described as clean and well cared for. One especially practical observation was that a staff member cleaned the seats and bus before departure. That may seem minor, but it is the sort of basic care you notice on a warm day when many people are getting on and off.

The tour is best for orientation, not for replacing a full visit to Rhodes Old Town. Use the commentary and views to pick out the places you want to revisit. Then walk those areas independently, when you can give them the time they deserve.

What happens aboard the Poseidon Submarine

The submarine cruise is usually the stronger half of this package. You board at Mandraki Harbor and can choose between the underwater observatory and the open deck.

The underwater cabin is the main attraction. Through your own viewing window, you can watch marine life below the surface. The water can be very clear, which improves the experience, and a crew diver feeds the fish near the windows. That feeding brings the fish closer and gives children a clear focal point during the short underwater portion.

You should understand the design before booking. You are not inside a vessel that travels through the sea at great depth. Most of the boat remains above water, and the viewing section is only 2.5 meters below the surface. Some people expect a longer or more enclosed submarine ride and may find the underwater time brief.

The boat also provides views that you would miss from the bus. Look toward the Old Town walls, the windmills, and the harbor surroundings from the deck. The mix of open-air sightseeing and underwater viewing makes the trip more varied than a standard harbor cruise.

There is a bar aboard the submarine, but drinks cost extra. Food and drinks are not included, and personal expenses are also your responsibility.

The audio guide on the submarine is in English. Commentary is available as the boat leaves the harbor, although music may compete with it. If hearing every detail matters to you, sit where you can listen clearly and treat the narration as a bonus rather than the sole purpose of the ride.

Which part offers the best value for $41?

At $41 per person, the package makes the most sense if you plan to use both parts. You are paying for a full day of bus access, an underwater boat ride, audio guides, WiFi, and free underwater photos taken by the diver.

The bus alone can be useful, but its value depends on your schedule. If you stay on for the full circuit, you get a broad city overview with little effort. If you plan to hop off repeatedly, the hourly service can reduce the number of stops you manage in one day.

The submarine adds the more distinctive feature. A regular city bus route is easy to find in many destinations, but a boat with an underwater viewing cabin and a diver feeding fish is a different kind of activity. The trip is especially worthwhile for families, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants a gentle marine experience without swimming.

The free underwater photographs are a pleasant extra. Do not treat them as a reason to book on their own, but they add value when you already want the boat ride.

You can also use the two parts on different days. That makes the price easier to justify if you want to spend one day exploring the Old Town slowly and another day using the bus and submarine around your other plans.

Best ways to plan your day

If you have only one day, begin by checking the bus timing and the submarine departure. The boat leaves from Mandraki Harbor, while the bus can be joined at several locations. Allow enough time to reach the harbor rather than assuming the bus and submarine are coordinated minute by minute.

A sensible plan is to use the bus for the broad circuit first, then return to the Old Town or Monte Smith only if the timetable allows. If you want long walks through the Old Town, use the bus to reach it and do not count on a quick return bus.

You can also start at a convenient stop near your hotel or the city center, ride toward the harbor, and take the submarine once you are there. The meeting point can be hard to identify because Mandraki Harbor is busy and several boats may be operating nearby. Look for the Captain’s Tours or submarine kiosk and confirm the correct vessel before boarding.

If you have two days, separate the activities. Use the bus on your first day to get oriented, then choose one or two places to explore on foot. Take the submarine on another day when you want a lighter activity.

The ticket is valid for one day from first activation, though the bus and submarine may be used on the same or different days according to the stated conditions. Confirm the exact activation rules when booking if you plan to split your visits.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to families with children, couples wanting an easy mix of sightseeing and sea views, and first-time visitors who want a quick introduction to Rhodes City. The submarine is safe for adults and children of all ages, and you do not need to enter the water.

It also suits visitors who prefer not to arrange separate transport around the city. The bus connects major areas, and the open deck gives you a simple way to see the city without navigating every street yourself.

I would be more cautious if you want a detailed historical tour, frequent bus departures, or a long underwater journey. The bus commentary may not work at every seat, and the submarine’s underwater section is short. You will get an enjoyable overview, not a full archaeological tour or a professional marine expedition.

Wheelchair access is available, which makes the package practical for many visitors, though you should still confirm the boarding arrangements for your particular needs.

Booking, cancellation, and small practical details

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Skip-the-line access is included.

Bring headphones if you have them, but confirm whether they connect to the bus system. Keep your ticket details available when changing between the bus and boat.

Wear comfortable clothing for the bus, especially if you plan to get off at Monte Smith or walk through the Old Town. On the submarine, split your time between the underwater cabin and the deck so you get both parts of the experience.

The overall rating is 4.1 from 199 reviews, which fits the experience well: the boat is often the highlight, while the bus is useful but can be let down by hourly service or faulty audio sockets.

Should you book the Rhodes bus and submarine tour?

Book it if you want one easy package with two different views of Rhodes. The submarine is the main reason to choose it, thanks to the clear water, fish feeding, underwater windows, and harbor views. The bus adds practical value by showing you where the city’s main areas sit.

Skip it if you want to spend the whole day walking the Old Town or expect a long, fully submerged submarine voyage. For most visitors, the best approach is to use the bus as an orientation tool, make time for the Poseidon Submarine, and treat the audio commentary as useful when it works rather than the heart of the trip.

FAQ

Where does the submarine tour depart from?

The Poseidon Submarine departs from Mandraki Harbor in central Rhodes.

Where can I board the hop-on hop-off bus?

You can board at Mandraki Harbor or at one of the designated bus stops around Rhodes City.

How long is the ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for one day from first activation.

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.

Is the submarine completely underwater?

No. The vessel remains above sea level, while its underwater viewing cabin sits about 2.5 meters below the surface.

Can I leave the underwater cabin?

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

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 available in English.

Are food and drinks included?

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

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Are underwater photographs included?

Yes. Free underwater photos taken by the diver are included.