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Rome Transportation: The Ultimate Guide for Tourists

Transportation in Rome

A top-rated tourist destination, Rome offers various convenient and affordable transportation options for tourists to explore its streets. You will find plenty of budget-friendly public transport options like buses, metro, and trams, and premium taxi services at higher prices. There is also a lot of foot traffic in the historic center of Rome. Read on to learn more about Rome transportation and choose one that best fits your travel needs.

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 hop-on hop-off tours

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

Italy train passes

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 city cards

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)

Airports in Rome

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

Rome airport transfers

Rome transport accessibility

Rome's transportation network is moderately accessible with the city constantly striving to be more inclusive. However, it has its limitations.

ATAC buses: Most buses are equipped with boarding ramps and a designated wheelchair space. However, some older models may lack this facility.
Metro: Rome Metro is not fully accessible. Some metro stations like Spagna, Barberini, Repubblica, Vittorio Emanuele, or San Giovanni do not have elevators to access the platform. Rubber tactile paths are usually present for the visually-impaired passengers.
Trams: Newer trams have level access for easy boarding for wheelchair users, which might, however, be absent in the older models.
Trains: Trains usually have wheelchair spaces. Major stations like Termini and Tiburtina are also accessible. However, ensure accessibility by calling train companies and reserving wheelchair-accessible seats at least 24 hours before departure.
Roman streets: Major tourist areas have smoother pavements and curb cuts for navigation. However, given its historic nature, many Roman streets are cobblestone, posing difficulties for wheelchair users.
Assistance services: Rome's public transport system has excellent assistance services which you can book in advance. Sala Blu is one such assistance service for disabled passengers at train stations.

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.

Why book Rome transportation tickets online?

Good deals: Booking your tickets online in advance increases your chances of securing cheaper tickets. This is especially true in the case of long-distance train tickets which follow dynamic pricing where charges increase closer to the departure date.
Plenty of options: You can compare the inclusions, and prices of a variety of options and choose one that suits your needs.
Hassle-free purchase: Forget long ticket queues and confusing language barriers by booking Rome transportation tickets online.

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.