English
English
- Colosseum
- Vatican Museums
- St. Peter's Basilica
- Castel Sant Angelo
- Rome Pantheon
- Borghese Gallery
- Roman Catacombs Tour
- Bioparco Rome
- Big Bus Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Tickets
- Palazzo Barberini
- Musei Capitolini
- Leonardo da Vinci Museum
- Trevi Fountain Tours
- Roman Baths of Caracalla
- Palazzo Merulana
- Altare della Patria
- Rome Underground Tours
Rome Transportation: The Ultimate Guide for Tourists
RomeTransportation in Rome
Getting around Rome
Rome offers various transportation options. Budget travelers can use ATAC's integrated public transport system, including buses, metro, trams, and urban trains, with tickets available from vending machines, counters, tobacconists, or the Ticketappy app. Rome hop-on hop-off tours are a great alternative to public transport. They provide a stress-free way to see major attractions. Travel passes like Roma Pass, Eurail or Trenitalia passes save you time and money. Many landmarks are close to each other, making Rome easily walkable.
Metro
- Metro lines: A, B, & C
- Operating hours: 5:30am - 11:30pm (Sunday - Thursday), 5:30am - 1:30am (Friday & Saturday)
- Lines A and B are extremely useful for tourists as they connect key attractions and transport hubs
- Line A (Orange) runs northwest to southeast and Line B (Blue) runs northeast to south & intersects only at one point - Rome Termini
- Line C connects the eastern suburbs of Rome to the city center and Line A
Bus
- Bus lines: 338 bus lines
- Operating hours: Urban lines (5:30am - midnight), night buses (midnight - 5:30am)
- Key bus depots: Piazza dei Cinquecento, Piazza Venezia, Largo di Torre Argentina
- Buses are economical though traffic congestion may cause delays
- You can travel on buses with passes or individual tickets which must be validated on the bus
Tram
- Tram lines: Lines 2, 3, 5, 8, 14, & 19
- Operating hours: 5:30 to midnight (after which there are night buses)
- Rome has an efficient, clean, and quick-moving tram network that is relatively small.
- The 6 tram lines are more popular with locals but tourists frequent lines 3, 8, and 19 as they take you to the Vatican, Colosseum, & Villa Borghese
- Tickets must be purchased before embarking and should be validated inside
Train
- Key Rome city stations: Rome Termini, Trastevere Station, Ostiense Station, Sao. Paolo, Tiburtina Station, & Porta San Pietro
- As a tourist, you are likely to use trains if you are traveling from/to the Rome airports, Rome city suburbs, & other Italian destinations
- The network consists of suburban and urban trains, regional trains, intercity trains, & high-speed trains
- If you are traveling extensively via trains, invest in Italy train passes.
- Single-journey tickets or B.I.T standard tickets are valid on some urban trains within 100 minutes of first validation.
Taxi
- Taxis, reasonably priced compared to other European cities, offer a convenient way to travel around Rome
- They are ideal for families, those with more luggage, and for nighttime commutes
- Official taxis are white with a "TAXI" sign on top.
- You can hail them at taxi stands, on the street, or book via apps
- The final price will be shown on the meter, while additional requests will incur extra. Local taxis are often cheaper than Uber.
- Watch out for unauthorized taxis, especially at airports and Rome Termini, for they charge extra.
Rome hop-on hop-off tours
- Rome hop-on-hop-off tours offer the most convenient way to connect to Rome's iconic landmarks with a single ticket
- Perfect for tourists, these tours offer unlimited hops, insightful commentary, and the liberty to explore at your own pace
- You can hop off the bus at any designated stop, explore the area, and hop back on to travel to the next attraction
- They often come with additional inclusions like guided walking tours, night tours, free Wifi, route maps, and more
Rome train passes
- Rome train passes are ideal if you plan to travel extensively in trains, which will be the case if you are based in the Rome city suburbs or if Rome is part of your bigger Italian trip
- You can choose Eurail/Interrail Italy Passes or Trenitalia Passes offering special discounts for kids, students, and the elderly
- Rome train passes are highly customizable and help you experience hassle-free train journeys
Rome city passes
- Rome city passes usually include access to public transportation, entry to a few attractions, and other discounts and inclusions
- A one-time purchase, the Rome passes are available in various validities and ensure a stress-free exploration
- You can choose between a Roma Pass, Omnia Card, or Rome Super Pass.
Rome on foot
- Many tourists choose to walk around Rome as many attractions like the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain are close to each other
- It is an opportunity to soak in the vibrant energy of Roman streets dotted with cafes, street performers, & historic buildings
- The historic center of Rome, Via del Corso, Trastevere, and the Tiber banks are great places for scenic walks
- Wear comfortable shoes, anticipate some hilly areas, avoid walking at noon in summer, & stay hydrated
Rome on a bike
- Biking helps you cover more ground faster but unlike other European cities, it is not so common in Rome.
- There are bike lanes in some areas and bike-sharing facilities but cobblestone and hilly paths, and traffic make it a little complicated and dangerous for first-timers.
- Lime, Jump by Uber, and many local bike rentals are available across Rome.
- If you are looking for hassle-free ways to bike around Rome, check out Rome city passes like Go City Rome Pass for bike rental discounts and Rome bike tours.
- Tiber River Paths, Appian Way, and Villa Borghese are scenic cycling routes in Rome.
Driving cars in Rome
- Renting a car and driving is recommended only if you are exploring the outskirts of Rome city.
- Rome's historic city has narrow streets and plenty of traffic (especially scooters) making driving difficult for tourists, who also need to be adept in defensive driving.
- Be mindful of ZTL zones where cars are not allowed without a permit.
- Research parking spots beforehand for there are few available.
- Alternatively, you could choose a scooter for driving instead of a car.
Getting to Rome
By air
By train
By bus
Rome is well-connected to the rest of the world through its two airports, making air travel the most convenient option for international and long-distance travelers. Both the airports, though located away from the city, are easily accessible via a network of trains, buses, and taxis.
- Airports: Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) & Ciampino-G.B. Pastine International Airport (CIA)
Rome’s extensive rail connectivity makes it easily accessible by train from various parts of Italy and Europe. Train travel offers a scenic, eco-friendly, and comfortable alternative to air travel, especially for shorter distances. If Rome is a stop on your larger Italian or European tour itinerary, you must check out European rail passes.
- Major train stations in Rome: Roma Termini, Tiburtina, Ostiense, Trastevere, & San Pietro
- Train services: National services include high-speed trains operated primarily by Trenitalia and Italo which connect to Italian cities like Florence, Naples, Venice, Milan, and more. There are also international services to neighboring countries like Switzerland, France, Austria, and Germany.
Traveling to Rome by bus is a cost-effective option, with numerous long-distance services connecting the city to various parts of Italy. Companies like FlixBus and Eurolines operate long-distance bus services to and from Rome.
- Main bus stations in Rome: Rome Termini, Tiburtina bus station
Airport transfers in Rome
Fiumicino Airport and Ciampino Airport are the two aerial gateways to Rome. Both airports are efficiently linked to Rome via trains, buses, and taxis.
Fiumicino Airport, also called Leonardo da Vinci Airport is Rome’s primary international airport.
- Distance from Rome city: 32 km
- Transfer options: Bus, train, & taxi
- Popular routes: Fiumicino Airport to Rome Termini, Fiumicino Airport to Rome Tiburtina
Ciampino Airport is closer to the city of Rome and primarily serves domestic carriers.
- Distance from Rome city: 12 km
- Transfer options: Bus, taxi, & a combination of bus and train
- Popular routes: Ciampino Airport to Rome Termini
Tips for navigating Rome easily
- Learn basic Italian: In some places, signage might be in Italian alone, so familiarize yourself with basic signs to make navigation easy.
- Public transport tickets: If you haven’t got travel passes, get a few single tickets at once so that you don’t have to be bothered with multiple visits to the vending machines or tobacconists.
- Avoid rush hour: Morning 7:30 to 9 and evening 6 to 8 are rush hours in Rome, so best to avoid them.
- Validate your ticket: To avoid running a hefty fine, validate your bus and tram tickets upon boarding.
- Avoid scammers & pickpockets: This needn’t cause any alarm but be mindful of your luggage when traveling in public transport. Whisk past unauthorized taxi operators who usually come to you at transport hubs and head straight for the official taxi stands.
- Invest in passes: They save you money, time, and the hassle of getting tickets everywhere.
- Go for Rome hop-on hop-off tours: They cover commutes to all major attractions, offer unlimited hops, and let you explore at your own pace while listening to insightful audio.
- Rome on foot: Rome is a pretty place to explore and you can capture a lot of its essence walking from one attraction to another. And in many cases, this might be the quickest option, rather than waiting around for buses or metro.
Frequently asked questions
How to get around Rome without a car?
It is often not advisable to explore Rome’s historic center with a car as driving conditions and parking facilities are not ideal for tourists. Instead opt for public transport like the metro, buses, trains, and trams - all of which are accessible with a single ticket. Taxis are also reasonably priced. Tourists will find Rome hop-on hop-off tours incredibly helpful in navigating Roman attractions.
Are there buses at night in Rome?
Night buses do operate in Rome, though with lesser frequency. Night buses also ply the metro and tram routes after their usual working hours.
Can I connect to the Vatican from Rome?
Tourists visiting the Vatican usually use the Rome airports or stations as the Vatican doesn't have its own airport. Metro line A, Bus 64, 492, & 40, Tram 19, trains serving San Pietro Station, and plenty of taxis from Rome take you near the Vatican.
Can you just walk around Rome?
Rome is sometimes best explored on foot. It reduces commute spending and traffic delays. Many tourists do in fact walk around and explore the Rome historic center where many attractions are close to each other. However, this can be time-consuming and tiring as there is some hilly ground to cover.
Does Rome metro go to the airport?
Rome Metro does not go to the airport. However, the Leonardo Express from Rome Termini and FL1 lines from Trastevere, Ostiense, and Tiburtina connect to the Fiumicino Airport.
How do I pay for the metro in Rome?
You can purchase metro tickets or passes from ticket machines, ticket counters, tobacconists or online. You can pay with cash, credit or debit cards.
How does the integrated ticketing system work for public transportation in Rome?
Public transportation in Rome which consists of buses, metro, trams, and a few urban trains follows a highly integrated ticketing system - meaning the same ticket/pass can be used on all within a certain period.
From where do I purchase public transportation tickets in Rome?
You can purchase public transport tickets from vending machines, ticket counters, tobacconists (marked with a T outside), or online from the Ticketappy app.