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

The best part of this Rhodes combination tour is the change of viewpoint. You get the city from a double-decker bus, then see its harbor and underwater life from the Poseidon Submarine. The submarine stays above sea level, with its viewing hull 2.5 meters below the surface, so this is a calm, family-friendly way to see beneath the water without a full boat excursion.

I like the nine-language audio guide and the chance to use the bus to get your bearings before returning to places that catch your eye. I also like the submarine’s clear viewing windows, open deck, and diver who feeds the fish. The main drawback is timing: buses may run about once an hour, and several people have found that some headphone sockets or commentary points did not work.

Key points to know

• The Poseidon Submarine leaves from Mandraki Harbor, where you can watch fish through the underwater viewing hull.
• The bus visits 12 stops, including Monte Smith, Rhodes Old Town, the Aquarium, the New Marina, and the Grand Hotel area.
• The submarine is not fully underwater. You can leave the lower cabin and walk on deck whenever you wish.
• The bus audio is available in nine languages, but bring patience if a headphone socket is faulty.
• The bus and submarine can be used on the same day or on different days, within the activity’s one-day validity from first activation.
• At $41 per person, the package makes the most sense if you plan to ride the bus and take the submarine, not just one of them.

Two ways to see Rhodes in one day

Rhodes can feel confusing at first. The medieval Old Town, modern city, harbor, beaches, hilltop sites, and cruise port are close together on a map but spread out enough to make walking between every sight tiring. This tour gives you a simple first look from the road, then adds a short sea trip from the city center.

I would treat the bus as an orientation ride rather than a full guided visit. It circles the main sights and gives you a broad picture of Rhodes City. You can listen to commentary in Greek, English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Turkish, or Hebrew, then decide where you want to spend more time.

The submarine is the more distinctive half. The Poseidon is a double-decker vessel with an underwater observatory built into the hull. The lower viewing area sits 2.5 meters below the surface, while the main vessel remains above water. You can watch the harbor floor through your own viewing window, then climb onto the deck for views of the Old Town walls and windmills.

Starting at Mandraki Harbor

The submarine meeting point is at Mandraki Harbor, a central and attractive place to begin. This is also where the package feels most connected to Rhodes. You are not being driven to a distant marina. The boat leaves from the heart of the city, close to the harbor sights and the Old Town.

Allow extra time to identify the correct kiosk and boat. The harbor can be busy, and the submarine meeting point is not always obvious. Look for Captain’s Tours and confirm that you have found the Poseidon Submarine rather than another harbor boat. Clearer signage would make this part easier.

Once aboard, you can choose between the lower viewing cabin and the open deck. The lower section is where you watch marine life through the underwater windows. The deck gives you fresh air and a better view of Rhodes from the water, especially as the boat passes the city walls and harbor landmarks.

A bar is available on the submarine, but drinks cost extra. Food and personal expenses are also not included, so bring what you need for the outing.

The Poseidon Submarine and its underwater windows

The submarine trip is the package’s strongest feature. It is not a full submarine expedition, and you should not expect to spend the whole ride below the surface. Instead, the boat remains afloat while the viewing part of the hull sits below the waterline.

That arrangement makes the trip easy for children and adults who do not want a cramped or technical underwater ride. You can move between the cabin and the deck, which helps if you want photos, sea air, or a better view of the harbor.

The water can be clear enough to see fish around the boat. A crew member in scuba gear feeds the fish, bringing them close to the windows. This is especially effective for children, who get a clear visual moment rather than a long explanation about marine life.

You may also see underwater objects and harbor features through the windows, though this is a short viewing experience rather than a formal marine biology tour. The audio guide on the submarine is in English only, so families or groups who need another language will rely on the visual part of the trip.

The length of time spent looking below the surface may feel brief. One family expected to remain inside a submarine for the entire trip and found the format different from what they imagined. The boat’s design is better understood as a harbor cruise with an underwater viewing cabin.

Music can also compete with the commentary. If you want to hear the spoken information clearly, sit near a working audio outlet and check the volume early. The diver feeding the fish is usually more memorable than the narration, but both are part of the experience.

The bus route from Monte Smith to the Grand Hotel

The bus has 12 stops, giving you a useful circuit around Rhodes City and nearby points of interest. The exact value of each stop depends on your plan. If you only remain aboard, you get a quick city overview. If you get off, you need to allow for the wait before the next bus arrives.

Here is what each stop offers:

• Acropolis of Rhodes and Monte Smith: This hilltop area gives you some of the best broad views over Rhodes City. It is also one of the stops where getting off can add real value, since the bus ride alone cannot replace time at the site.
• San Francisco: This stop serves the western side of the city and helps link the hilltop area with the urban center.
• New Marina: You can see a more modern side of Rhodes here, away from the medieval streets and old harbor.
• Tourist Harbor: This is useful for connecting the city tour with the waterfront and boat activity.
• Old Town of Rhodes: The main historic stop. Get off if you want time among the medieval streets, walls, and monuments. A quick bus pass is only an introduction.
• Rhodes City Center: A practical stop for shops, city streets, and general orientation.
• Town Hall: This places you near central civic buildings and the main city area.
• Psaropoula Square and the Diagoras Statue: A coastal city stop with open views and access to the waterfront.
• Aquarium: This is a natural pairing with the submarine for anyone interested in sea life. The aquarium admission is not listed as part of this package.
• Rhodes Horizon, Kato Petres: This western coastal point offers another change of scenery and views along the shore.
• Grand Hotel, west beachside: A useful stop for the western beach area and large waterfront hotels.

The route is most useful on your first day in Rhodes. I would ride the full circuit first if you have not visited the city before, then choose one or two stops for a closer look. That way, you do not spend the whole day waiting beside the road.

Why the bus schedule matters

The main practical weakness is frequency. Buses may arrive about once an hour, so hopping off for a quick photo can turn into a long pause. This is less of a problem if you are happy to remain aboard and see the city in one sweep. It matters much more if you want to visit Monte Smith, explore the Old Town, or stop at the Aquarium.

Plan around the route instead of assuming you can improvise constantly. If a particular stop interests you, check the next departure before getting off. You can also use the bus as transport between areas, but do not count on a rapid shuttle service.

The route includes several brief pauses where you may want to take photographs but cannot necessarily leave the bus. This is worth knowing before you board. The advertised stops are not all equal in practice, and some viewpoints may be short photo pauses rather than proper sightseeing stops.

There is another small issue with the audio equipment. Some seats have had faulty headphone sockets, leaving passengers with little or no commentary. Test your outlet soon after boarding and move seats if possible. The bus can still show you the city, but without sound it becomes more of a ride than a guided tour.

Getting value from the $41 price

At $41 per person, the price is reasonable if you use both halves of the package. You are paying for a full day of bus access, the submarine cruise, audio guides, free WiFi, and underwater photos provided by the diver. The bar is available, but drinks are extra, and food is not included.

The value drops if you only want a quick bus ride. Rhodes Old Town is compact enough to explore on foot once you are there, and the bus is not a fast way to reach every stop. The submarine adds the special element that is harder to reproduce on your own.

For families, the package has a clear advantage. Children get movement, city views, fish at the windows, and the excitement of a diver close to the boat. For adults, the best value comes from combining the bus with a proper stop in the Old Town or at Monte Smith rather than treating the ride as the whole day.

You can use the bus and submarine on the same day or on different days. The activity is valid for one day from first activation, but the supplied conditions also state that the two parts can be used on different days. Confirm the practical activation rules when booking if you plan to split them, since your schedule may affect how much bus time you actually get.

Who will enjoy this combination most

I would recommend this to first-time visitors who want a broad view of Rhodes without arranging separate transport. It is also a good match for families, older visitors, and anyone who likes a light sightseeing day with a clear structure.

The submarine is particularly suited to children who enjoy fish and boats. It is also a good choice if you want an easy harbor experience rather than a long open-sea trip. Since you can leave the lower cabin and go onto the deck, you are not committed to one enclosed space.

Independent sightseers should use the tour selectively. The bus can help you identify the places you want to revisit, but it will not give you enough time at every historic site. If your main goal is detailed history, spend your time in the Old Town and use the audio commentary as an introduction.

People with mobility needs should note that the activity is wheelchair accessible. As with any boat and bus combination, check the exact boarding arrangements at the time of booking if you need specific assistance.

Simple tips for a better day

• Start at Mandraki Harbor if the submarine is your priority, and identify the correct kiosk before the departure time.
• Test the bus headphone socket immediately. If it does not work, ask whether another seat is available.
• Ride the full circuit first if you are new to Rhodes.
• Check when the next bus is due before getting off, since the wait can be about an hour.
• Keep the Old Town for a proper stop, not just a passing view from the bus.
• Bring money for drinks, since the submarine bar is not included.
• Use the open deck for harbor views and the lower cabin for fish watching.
• Expect the submarine to spend part of the trip above water. Its viewing hull is below the surface, but it is not a fully submerged vessel.
• If you want the underwater photos, listen for the diver and find out how they are provided before leaving the boat.

Should you book the Rhodes bus and submarine tour?

Book it if you want an easy introduction to Rhodes, especially if you are traveling with children or have only one sightseeing day. The submarine is the main reason to choose this package, with clear water, fish feeding, harbor views, and the chance to see the medieval walls from the sea.

Be more cautious if you want frequent buses, detailed historical guiding, or long stops at every attraction. The hourly service and occasional audio problems can limit the bus portion. At $41, I would choose it for the combination, not for the bus alone.

My practical plan would be simple: take the submarine from Mandraki Harbor, ride the bus circuit, then get off at the Old Town or Monte Smith if the timetable allows. That gives you the best mix of Rhodes history, city views, and a memorable look beneath the harbor.

FAQ

Where does the submarine tour depart from?

The Poseidon Submarine departs from Mandraki Harbor in central Rhodes. The bus can be boarded at Mandraki Harbor or any of the listed bus stops.

How deep does the submarine go?

The vessel remains above sea level, while its underwater observatory and viewing hull sit 2.5 meters below the surface.

Can I go outside during the submarine cruise?

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

Can I use the bus and submarine on different days?

Yes. The provided activity information says you can use the bus tour and submarine cruise on the same day or on different days. The activity is valid for one day from first activation.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.