Rome is a huge city with several district articles that contain information about specific sights, restaurants, and accommodation.
Rome (Italian and Latin: Roma), the 'Eternal City', is the capital and largest city of Italy and of the Lazio region. It's the famed city of the Roman Empire, the Seven Hills, La Dolce Vita, the Vatican City and Three Coins in the Fountain. Rome, as a millennia-long centre of power, culture and religion, was the centre of one of the greatest civilisations ever, and has exerted a huge influence over the world in its circa 2500 years of existence.
The Colosseum
The historic centre of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With wonderful palaces, thousand-year-old churches and basilicas, grand romantic ruins, opulent monuments, ornate statues and graceful fountains, Rome has an immensely rich historical heritage and cosmopolitan atmosphere, making it one of Europe's and the world's most visited, famous, influential and beautiful capitals. Today, Rome has a growing nightlife scene and is also seen as a shopping heen, being regarded as one of the fashion capitals of the world; some of Italy's oldest jewellery and clothing establishments were founded in the city. With so many sights and things to do, Rome can truly be classified a "global city".
Districts[edit] Central Rome[edit]Rome can be divided into several districts. The so-called historical centre (centro storico) is quite small, being only around 4% of the city's area. This mainly consists of the area inside the Aurelian walls, and is protected by UNESCO. Districts are explained below:
Rome regions - Color-coded map — switch to interactive map
'"`UNIQ--maplink-00000010-QINU`"'Rome regions - Color-coded map — switch to static mapRome regions - Color-coded map
Modern Centre Where many of the hotels are, as well as shopping and dining galore along the Via Veneto; home to the Quirinale, Trevi fountain, Barberini, Castro Pretorio, and Repubblica areas.
Old Rome The centre of the Roman medieval and Renaissance periods, with beautiful plazas, cathedrals, the Pantheon, and plenty of laid-back dining; includes the Nona, Campo de' Fiori, and the Jewish Ghetto neighbourhoods.
Vatican The Papal City State and its endless treasure troves of sights, relics, and museums, as well as the surrounding Italian neighbourhood.
Colosseo The heart of ancient Rome, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Forum of Augustus, the Forum and Markets of Trajan, the Capitoline and its museums.
North Centre Situated in the north part of Rome, home to the Villa Borghese, the Spanish Steps, and the elegant neighbourhoods of Parioli and Salario.
Trastevere The land to the south of the Vatican, on the west bank of the Tiber River, full of narrow cobbled streets and lonely plazas that served as the inspiration for artists such as Giorgio de Chirico. Now arguably the centre of Rome's artistic life.
Aventino-Testaccio Off-the-beaten-path neighbourhoods of Rome with plenty of surprises waiting for interested trelers, as well as some truly great food.
Esquilino-San Giovanni South of Termini, with an indoor market, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, and the Cathedral of Rome Saint John in Lateran.
Nomentano The neighbourhoods "behind" the train station. Vibrant night life in San Lorenzo.
Outskirts[edit]
North The vast suburban neighbourhoods to the north of the centre (Municipi III, XI-XV)
South Home of the Appian Way park, several catacombs, fascist monumental architecture at EUR and extensive suburbs (Municipi IV-IX).
Ostia Rome's beach resort and the impressive ruins of Ancient Rome's harbour (Municipio X).
Understand[edit]
The Pantheon
Situated on the River Tiber, between the Apennine Mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea, the "Eternal City" was once the administrative centre of the mighty Roman Empire, governing a vast region that stretched all the way from Britain to Mesopotamia. Today it remains the seat of the Italian government and home to numerous ministerial offices. Rome has 2.7 million inhabitants while the metropolitan area is home to around 4.5 million.
Architecturally and culturally, Rome has some contrasts - you he areas with pompously huge majestic palaces, enues and basilicas, which are then surrounded by tiny alleyways, little churches and old houses. The centre of Rome is mainly ancient, and modern buildings are usually concentrated in the suburbs, unlike Milan (where new and old architecture is combined both in the centre and the outskirts). You may also find yourself walking from a grand palace and tree-lined elegant boulevard, into a small and cramped Medieval-like street.
The abbreviation "S.P.Q.R" is ubiquitous in Rome, short for the old democratic motto "Senatus Populusque Romanus" (Latin), i.e. "The Roman Senate and People".
For two weeks in August, many of Rome's inhabitants shut up shop (literally) and go on their own vacations; many stores, restaurants and other amenities will be closed during this time. The temperature in the city centre at this time of year is not particularly pleasant. If you do trel to Rome at this time, be prepared to see Chiuso per ferie (Closed for holidays) signs on many establishments. Even in these weeks the city is very beautiful and if you are looking for a less overcrowded vacation in Rome, this is not a bad time. You will always be able to find somewhere to eat.
History[edit]
Roman Forum
The artsy Piazza Nona.
The Vittorio Emanuele monument, considered a symbol of modern post-Risorgimento Rome.
The Quirinal Palace, the official residence of the President of Italy.
See also: Roman Empire, Medieval and Renaissance Italy
Rome's history spans over two and half thousand years, which he seen its transformation from a small Latin village to the centre of a vast empire, through the founding of Catholicism, and into the capital of today's Italy. Rome's history is long and complex. What follows is merely a quick summary.
Rome is traditionally thought to he been founded by the mythical twins Romulus and Remus, who were abandoned as infants in the Tiber River and raised by a mother wolf before being found by a shepherd who raised them as his own sons. Rome was founded as a small village sometime in the 8th century BC surrounding the Palatine Hill, including the area where the Roman Forum is found. Due to the village's position at a ford on the Tiber River, Rome became a crossroads of traffic and trade.
The settlement developed into the capital of the Roman Kingdom, led by a series of Etruscan kings, before becoming the seat of the Roman Republic at around 500 BC, and then the centre of the Roman Empire from 27 BC on. For almost a thousand years, Rome was the largest, wealthiest, most powerful city in the Western World, with dominance over most of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea. Even after the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century AD, Rome maintained considerable importance and wealth.
Beginning with the reign of Constantine I, the Bishop of Rome (later known as the Pope) gained political and religious importance, establishing Rome as the centre of the Catholic Church. During the Early Middle Ages, the city declined in population but gained a new importance as the capital of the newly formed Papal States. Throughout the Middle Ages, Rome was a major pilgrimage site and the focus of struggles between the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy.
The Santa Maria in Trastevere church, a symbol of early medieval Rome.
With the Italian Renaissance fully under way in the 15th century, Rome changed dramatically. Extragant churches, bridges, and public spaces, including a new Saint Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, were constructed by the Papacy so that Rome would equal the grandeur of other Italian cities of the period. As the Grand Tour became customary for young European gentlemen in the 17th century, Rome became an important tourist destination, and remains as such until today.
In the 19th century, Rome again became the focus of a power struggle with the rise of the Kingdom of Italy, which wished to see a reunification of Italy. The Papal States remained in control of Rome under French protection, but with the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, French troops were forced to abandon Rome, leing it clear for the Kingdom of Italy to capture. Rome became the capital of Italy, and has remained such ever since.
Rome today is a contemporary metropolis that reflects the many periods of its long history - Ancient times, Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Modern Era. With the rise of Italian Fascism following World War I, Rome's population grew. This trend was stopped by World War II, which dealt relatively minor damage to Rome. With the dismantlement of the monarchy and the creation of the Italian Republic following WWII, Rome again began to grow in population and became a modern city. The city stands today as the capital of Italy and one of the world's major tourist destinations.
Climate[edit] Rome Climate chart (explanation) JFMAMJJASOND 70 13 3 73 14 4 58 18 7 66 22 11 34 25 14 13 30 17 5 33 19 14 33 20 47 28 16 68 23 12 89 18 8 89 15 5 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm Imperial conversion JFMAMJJASOND 2.8 55 37 2.9 57 39 2.3 64 45 2.6 72 52 1.3 77 57 0.5 86 63 0.2 91 66 0.6 91 68 1.9 82 61 2.7 73 54 3.5 64 46 3.5 59 41 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inchesRome has a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The winter months usually present pleasant daytime temperatures and the weather is variable. Nights can be chilly, but the temperature rarely drops to actual cold levels. Snow is rare, and only occurs every few decades or so. Summer presents a pronounced aridity in which hot, sunny conditions prevail. The heat obstacles certain sightseeing activities which involve too much walking during the day, but early mornings and late nights can be wonderful. Autumn and spring are characterised by very pleasant weather accompanied by mild to warm temperatures.
Background reading[edit]At last count there were close to 1700 novels set in Rome in days gone by. Most easily ailable in bookshops are those by Lindsey Dis and Steven Saylor. Both are good storytellers and excellent at portraying life in Ancient Rome. Particularly interesting if you are visiting Rome may be Saylor's Roma: The Novel of Ancient Rome, which traces the first thousand years or so of Rome's history by following the fictional fortunes of two families. Each chapter begins with a map showing the state of Rome's development at the time of the chapter.
The classic work on Ancient Rome remains Edward Gibbon's History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. This was written in 1782 but is still being reprinted. A marvelous book that covers Rome's fortunes from Romulus and Remus to the 1970s is Rome: The Biography of a City by Christopher Hibbert (Penguin). An excellent guide book, too, although perhaps a bit too hey to carry around. Rome by Robert Hughes (Orion Books) concentrates on the city's art history and provides fascinating insights into the things you will see while walking around. SPQR, written by Cambridge University professor and British TV personality Mary Beard, and published in 2015, offers a detailed analysis of Rome's first 1000 years and attempts to answer why Rome expanded from a small village on the Tiber to the centre of a major empire.
English-language bookshops in Rome are:
The Lion Bookshop, Via dei Greci, 36, close to Piazza di Spagna. Lots of books and a small cafe. Anglo-American Bookstore, Via delle Vite, 102, also close to Piazza di Spagna. A large store, with specialist sections. Strong on non-fiction. The Almost Corner Bookshop, Via del Moro 45, Trastevere. Small but very well-stocked store on the other side of the river.Some Italian bookstores also he English-language sections. Try the large selection of English books (but also French, Spanish and more) at Feltrinelli International in via Vittorio Emanuele Orlando - or the smaller selection at its store in Largo Argentina.
Tourist information[edit] Rome Tourism Get in[edit] “ A thousand roads lead men forever to Rome. ”—Alaine de Lille, Liber Parabolarum
By plane[edit]Rome (ROM IATA) has two main international airports:
Main article: Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport41.795612.24991 Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO IATA). Rome's main airport is modern, spacious, efficient, and well-connected to the city centre. The main train station, Roma Termini, can be reached by a dedicated express train, the Leonardo Express (14€ each way, 30-minute non-stop journey). Coaches from several companies may stop at other places too; the erage cost is 6.5€ if booked in advance, up to 9€; the journey takes up to an hour. Regional trains to Rome depart from the same station as the Leonardo Express; they cost significantly less (8€ to stations in Rome), but do not stop at Roma Termini. Taxis operate on a fixed fare to the centre (any point within the city's ancient Aurelian Walls). See the main airport article for more details. 
(updated Jun 2025)
41.799512.59142 Ciampino International Airport (CIA IATA) (Located to the southeast of the capital), ☏ +39 0794941. This small low-cost airport is closer to the city centre than Fiumicino and has no direct train connection. To reach it from Termini and other stations, take a train to Ciampino station, then hop on a bus that goes directly to the airport (Ciampino AirLink). The departure of the bus is linked to the arrival of the train, since the service is offered by Trenitalia through a unique and cheap ticket to Ciampino Aeroporto. Total journey is around 40 min from Termini, more info on www.trenitalia.com.
If the flight connections to Rome don't suit you, you can check flights to other airports around like Naples, Perugia, Pescara, Florence, Bologna, Pisa or Milan. From there you can take a (high speed) train or intercity bus to Rome.
About Ciampino airport[edit]Cash machines are ailable only in the departures area. This is a relatively small airport and it closes overnight. You will be locked out of the airport until it opens again for the first check-in around 04:30 or 05:00. Flying into Ciampino try to sit on the right of the plane, which will fly just to the east of the centre of the city. Reaching Rome you first see the River Tiber and then the Olympic Stadium, Castel Sant' Angelo, St Peter's and the Vatican and the Colosseum. Before touchdown you fly parallel with the old Appian Way, the tree-lined road on a slight incline about 1 km (0.62 mi) to the right of the flightpath.
There are a few direct coach services from Ciampino, all of which go to the Termini in downtown Rome:
SITBusShuttle runs a line that costs €4 one-way to the centre (€6 one-way from the centre) or €8 with return (approx. 40 min, with about 25 services a day). Terrision. This is a dedicated airport-city transfer only for the major low cost airlines. The price is €6 (from the airport to Rome Termini)/ €6 (from Rome Termini to Ciampino Airport) one-way or €11 return when booked online (approx. 40 min, with a service every 30 min). Passengers on the return trip from Termini are advised to board the bus 3 hours before their flight's departure time. It is not necessary to print out the tickets (mobile tickets are accepted). (updated Oct 2018) RomeAirportBus[dead link] (by Schiaffini) offers buses from the airport to Termini (at Via Giovanni Giolitti) in the city centre. Ticket prices depend on the direction of trel. Tickets from the airport to the city cost €5.90 single and €9.90 return. Tickets from the city to the airport cost €6.90 single and €9.90 return. Never expects to get these 10 cents back. COTRAL's[dead link] direct line costs €5 one-way (approx. 40 min), but has far fewer departures than Terrision. This bus may be useful if you arrive at a time when the Metro is closed. Flibco operates a airport shuttle service between Rome Fiumicino Airport and Rome Termini station, with up to 40 departures per day. The journey takes around 45 minutes and tickets start from €6.99 when booked online. Buses depart from Terminal 3 and arrive at Via Giolitti, right next to Termini station.There are two indirect public transport services from Ciampino airport involving a local ATRAL bus, plus a metro or train. These local ATRAL buses operate roughly every hour or 30 minutes during the Italian work day (8-12 and 16-20), and you should count on at least 45 minutes trel time for either route. Timetable booklets are ailable in some information booths and on the ATRAL website. Bus tickets cost €1.20 and can be bought from the driver:
You can take the local ATRAL bus from the stop located outside the terminal building to the metro station 41.8426512.586083 Anagnina A . A metro ticket to central Rome costs another €1.50. The metro can get very crowded. The bus takes about 20min and the metro another 30min to the main train station (Termini) in Rome. Going towards the airport, the bus departs from platform 1. There is also a local ATRAL bus to Ciampino local train station; from there, there are infrequent trains to Rome Termini station (ticket: €2).The cheapest way from the airport is to take ATAC urban bus line 720[dead link] to 41.8270712.481294 Laurentina B , or Line 520[dead link] to 41.8493112.574355 Cinecittà A . Since all these routes are operated by ATAC, you only need one ticket which costs €1.50 and is valid for 100 min. You cannot buy tickets on the bus, but there are ATAC vending machines shortly before you lee the airport.
A shared airport shuttle can be hired for around €15 per person to take you from Ciampino airport. However, since the shuttle is shared, it may take longer to reach your destination if other customers are dropped off before you are.
At Ciampino there is supposed to be an organised taxi queue but the drivers will often negotiate among themselves if you are going somewhere the cab at the front doesn't want to go to. There are reports that late at night licensed cab drivers in the rank at Ciampino are asking €100 to take you into town, so try to oid late flights or take the bus that connects with the flight. The fixed price to the city centre (within the Aurelian Walls) is €30 and includes luggage and up to four people. If you he to take a cab just pay the legal fare at your destination. If you he no stomach for the resulting argument then you can phone a cab from one of the numbers listed under Get Around.
Rental cars are ailable from all major companies. Providers can be reached easily in the arrivals halls.
Another option, is to book a licensed limousine or minicab in advance online. For example, a sedan, usually a Mercedes E-class, from Fiumicino Airport to Rome Centre and hotels can be booked for €45 or a minivan for €55. The same prices also apply from Ciampino Airport. From Fiumicino Airport to Civitecchia Port the fare is €100.
By train[edit]Rome's main railway station is 41.90112.5026 Termini Station A B which is locked between 00:30 and 04:30. Most long-distance trains passing through Rome between these times will stop at Tiburtina station instead. See also "By boat" below.
Other main stations include Ostiense, Trastevere, Tuscolana, Tiburtina.
When treling between major cities or to/from another country, trains will be designed for passengers and luggage. Most others (e.g., between nearby towns and cities) are often designed to serve commuters.
For enroute stations, they stop for only 1–2 minutes. Most cars he a middle platform close to the station's boarding level, but with a significant gap. Seating areas may be at levels different from the middle platform, with narrow/clumsy steps for moving large luggage and little space to store them. Large pieces must often be left on the middle platform, with someone to guard them. By car[edit]Driving to Rome is quite easy; as they say, all roads lead to Rome. The city is ringed by a motorway, the Grande Raccordo Anulare or GRA. If you are going to the very centre of the city any road leading off the GRA will get you there. If you are going anywhere else, however, a GPS or a good map is essential. Signs on the GRA indicate the name of the road leading to the centre (e.g. Via Appia Nuova, Via Aurelia, Via Tiburtina) but this is useful only for Romans who know where these roads pass.
Driving in Rome is a different story, as described below. Better to park somewhere outside central Rome, e.g. consider staying at a hotel with a parking area, and use public transit or walk to get to and around the main tourist areas.
By bus[edit]FlixBus offers many daily connections to Rome. The bus station is located next to the Tiburtina railway station. The fares are very often cheaper than train tickets, and there are direct overnight connections to and from cities in France, Switzerland and Germany.
By boat[edit]Most cruise ships dock in Civitecchia, to afford their passengers opportunity to visit the area and/or Rome. Many ships arrange shuttle buses to and from the pedestrian port entrance. From there you can walk 10–15 minutes along the shore to the Civitecchia train station. Purchase of a B.I.R.G. round trip train ticket for Rome costs €9 (as of Fall 2009), and also entitles you to unlimited use of Rome's Metro/underground and city bus lines. Trains for commuters lee every hour or so, more often during rush hours, and take about 80 minutes. You can get off near St. Peters (Trastevere station), or continue to the Termini station right downtown, where countless buses and the Metro await. If you're carrying luggage, see "About luggage" in "By train" above.
At some ten times the cost, cruise ships often offer bus transport to Rome as well, taking 2 hours or so to reach some location downtown depending on traffic.
It is now possible for modest- to large-sized yachts to dock in the new Porto di Roma, Ostia marina, located 20 km from Rome and linked by train and metro. Their stations are not within practical walking distance of the marina or riverside boat facilities.
Ferry services[edit]In Civitecchia:
Grimaldi Lines. Provides ferry service to/from Barcelona, Tunis, Toulon (France), Porto-Vecchio (Corsica). Moby. Provides service to/from Olbia, Sardinia. Get around[edit]
'"`UNIQ--maplink-0000001B-QINU`"'Rome's transport
Statue of the Capitoline She-Wolf nursing Romulus and Remus, in the Musei Capitolini)
By car[edit]
In a nutshell: Don't do it. Well, some people actually enjoy it as a master class in defensive driving. Roman traffic is chaotic (and has been since the first century BC), but it is possible to drive there. However, the roads are not logical, the signs are few and the condition of the roads gets worse daily. It will take a few weeks to understand where to drive, to get where you want to go. When driving in Rome it is important to accept that Italians drive in a very pragmatic way. Taking turns and letting people go in front of you is rare, but pedestrians are usually grudgingly yielded to. Motorbikes and scooters are driven fearlessly, darting in and out of traffic and splitting lanes. There is little patience so if the light is green when you go into the intersection and you are too slow they will let you know. A green light turning to amber is a reason to accelerate, not brake, in part because the lights usually stay amber for several seconds. If you brake immediately when the light changes you are likely to get rear-ended. Parking is so scarce, that in some areas you may he to lee your car kilometers away from your destination. Rome is plagued with people who demand money to direct you to a space, even on the rare occasions when there are many places ailable, however the locals can make anywhere a parking space by flashing their hazard-lights, even if it looks like they are getting away with it, do not try this. While in Rome, it is far better to trel by bus or metro, or (in extremis) take a taxi.
In the centre, many areas are limited to drivers with special electronic passes. If you go into these areas (which are camera controlled and marked with the sign ZTL) you will end up with a large fine, particularly if your car has Italian plates.
By taxi[edit] Fake taxisSome private citizens dress up their cars to look like cabs. These people strategically locate themselves at airports and railway stations waiting for trellers. Beware of operators who don't display a licensed meter and ID. Use only authorised taxis (white vehicles with a taximeter) that are ailable in the arrivals areas of the terminals. Also, some airport employees may direct you to a 'Taxi' driver if you ask where you find them when you are inside the airport terminal. The 'Taxi' could end up being a Mercedes limo, costing you double the fare of a real taxi, and a tricky situation to get out of as your luggage is locked away in the limo's trunk.
Taxis are the most expensive way to get around Rome, but when weighed against convenience and speed, they are often worth it. Roman taxis run on meters, and you should always make sure the driver starts the meter. Taxis will typically pick you up only at a taxi stand, which you will find at all but the smallest piazzas, as well as at the main train station or when called by phone. Flagging down a taxi is possible but quite rare as the taxi drivers prefer to use the stands. When you get in the cab, there will be a fixed starting charge, which will be more for late nights, Sundays and holidays. Supplements will be requested for bags that the driver has to handle, typically €1 per bag. So, if you he a limited amount of luggage that wouldn't need to go in the trunk, you may decline when the driver offers to put your bags in the trunk. Drivers may not use the shortest route, so try to follow the route with a map and discuss if you feel you're being tricked.
When you phone for a taxi, the cab's meter starts running when it is summoned, not when it arrives to pick you up, so by the time a cab arrives at your location, there may already be a substantial amount on the meter. A major problem is that taxi drivers often lee the previous fare running on the meter. So you may find the cab arriving with €15 or even more on the meter. If you are not in a hurry you should tell him (there are very few female cab drivers in Rome) to get lost, but if you are desperate to get to the airport it's a different matter. You can get a taxi pretty easily at any piazza though, so calling ahead is really not required. A trip completely across the city (within the walls) will cost about €11 if starting at a cab rank, a little more if there is hey traffic at night or on a Sunday. Taxi drivers can often try to trick customers by switching a €50 note for a €10 note during payment, leading you to believe that you handed them only €10 when you he already given them €50. The main taxi companies may be called at 060609, 063570, 065551, 064994, 066645 and 0688177.
Taxi-hailing apps like "Free Now" and "itTaxi" are convenient, allow payment by credit card in the app, and reduce your risk of being scammed. Uber Black is ailable, providing high-end vehicles that cost more per trip than taxis. Uber now has a partnership with local taxi companies so you can get and pay for a standard taxi through the Uber app.
On foot[edit]
Directions for pedestrians on a wall near Piazza Nona
Once you're in the centre, you are best off on foot. What could be more romantic than strolling through Rome on foot holding hands? That is hard to beat!
Crossing a street in Rome can be a bit challenging. There are crosswalks, but they are rarely located at signalled intersections. Traffic can be intimidating, but if you are at a crosswalk just start walking and cars will let you cross the street. While crossing watch out for the thousands of mopeds. As in many European cities, even if the cars and trucks are stationary due to a jam or for another legal reason, mopeds and bikes will be trying to squeeze through the gaps and may be ignoring the reason why everyone else has stopped. This means that even if the traffic seems stationary you need to pause and look around into the gaps. In high season, in the most touristed parts of the city there will almost certainly be other people crossing the street somewhere nearby - go with the crowd and the cars will stop.
Old Rome has some cobble-stoned streets that may not be stroller-friendly. Wear comfortable shoes for walking.
By public transport (ATAC)[edit]ATAC operates the public transport network. There are two ways of buying public transport tickets in Rome: Tap&Go with a contactless credit/debit card (incl. on a mobile phone) or paper tickets. Paper tickets offer the most variety but the other options are more convenient for visitors.
You can board any bus, Metro or tram by tapping a contactless credit/debit card, including through Apple Pay/Google Pay. You are charged €1.50 per journey, capped at a maximum of €7 per day. A journey is valid for 100 minutes; transfers to other bus, Metro or tram lines are permitted.
Paper tickets must be bought (from a 'Tabacchi' - look for the big 'T' sign, or from a kiosk selling newspapers; cash only) before you board the bus, Metro, or tram. Metro stations he automated ticket kiosks, and major Metro stations he clerked ticket windows. Some of the trams he single ticket machines as well. Tickets for regular ATAC buses, the Metro, and trams are the same fares and are compatible with each other. Ticket options are as follows (July 2025):
Integrated Single Ticket ('Biglietto Integrato a Tempo' or BIT) - €1.50 - (A journey is valid for 100 minutes and may involve transfers to other bus, Metro or tram lines). 24 hours Ticket ('Biglietto 24 ore') - €8.5 (Valid for 24 hours). 48 hours Ticket ('Biglietto 48 ore') - €15 (Valid for 48 hours). 72 hours Ticket ('Biglietto 72 ore') - €22 (Valid for 72 hours). Integrated Weekly Ticket ('Carta Integrata Settimanale') - €29 (Valid for 7 days). Monthly Pass ('Abbonamento Mensile') - €35. Annual Pass ('Abbonamento Annuale') - €250.When you board the bus, Metro or tram you he to validate the ticket ('convalidare') in the little yellow machine. The last four types of ticket on the list above must be validated the first time you use them only. On the whole, the integrated passes are not economical. Unless you take many rides spread all over the day, the single ticket ride option is preferable. Calculating if a pass is worth it is easy since a single ticket ride costs €1.50. For example, for a daily ticket (€8.5) to be worth it, you would he to make 5 or more trips at intervals greater than 100 minutes apart on a single day. Many visitors just walk through the city in one direction and take a single ride back.
ATAC[dead link] polices the buses, Metro, and trams for people riding without tickets. Inspectors can be rare on some buses, although they tend to increase their presence in the summer. Inspectors are present on the Metro as well, and you should keep your validated ticket throughout your journey as proof-of-payment. If you don't he sufficient money on you to pay the fine, they will actually escort you to an ATM to pay the fee. If you don't he an ATM card to withdraw money, you will be asked to pay by mail, and the fee goes up to €140. Inspectors can also fine you for getting in and out of the wrong door, even if the bus is empty! The entrances are the front and rear doors and the exit in the middle. Many Romans ignore this distinction.
The Roma Pass includes full access to the public transport system. There is also an alternative pass called OMNIA Vatican and Rome which includes the services provided by Roma Pass. Read the See section for details.
Journey planner[edit]You can find real-time information about bus waiting times, as well as a journey planner, at Muoversi a Roma or its lighter version[dead link] (perhaps an older one). Transit maps and directions area also ailable on Apple Maps (requires an internet connection), and Google Maps (can be downloaded for offline use).
Bus[edit]Roman buses are reliable but crowded. They are the best way to get around the city (except walking). Free maps of the bus system are ailable. Others can be purchased (€3.5 at Termini). Signs at the bus stop list the stops for each route. Ask for assistance. In Rome, there is always somebody nearby who speaks English.
Some bus lines he arrivals every ten minutes or so. Less popular routes may arrive every half hour or less. If heading outside the centre beware that bus schedules can be seriously disrupted by hey traffic. Quite often trips just get cancelled.
Do not rely on counting the number of stops to the destination. The signs on the stops mention only the major streets where the bus stops, but there may be 3 or 5 stops for each one. Instead, ask the driver or consult with your GPS.
Useful bus lines are:
23 San Paolo - Ostiense - Piazza Risorgimento (St. Peter and Vatican Museums). 40 Stazione Termini - St. Peter. The 40 arches from the Termini station through the historic centre and then up to the Castel Sant'Angelo, near the Vatican. It is considered an express route, so its stops are spaced about 800 m (1/2 mile) apart; but it is also very frequent, very convenient for most places that the Metro does not go to, and very fast, especially compared to other routes. 64 Stazione Termini - Corso Vittorio Emanuele II - St. Peter. The 64 also goes from Termini to the Vatican. It is a fourite with pickpockets. 75 Stazione Termini - Forum Romanum - Colosseum - Testaccio - Trastevere. 81 San Giovanni in Laterano - Colosseum - Piazza Venezia - Piazza Risorgimento (St. Peter and Vatican Museums). 115 Largo Fiorentini (near Vittorio Emanuele bridge) - Gianicolo - Trastevere. 116 Via Veneto - Campo de Fiori - Piazza Nona - Terminal Gianicolo (St. Peter). 117 San Giovanni in Laterano - Colosseum - Piazza di Spagna - Piazza del Popolo.The 116 and 117 are little electric buses which wind through the Centro Storico; 117 does not work on holidays.
Night buses could be useful due to the closing of the Metro stations at 23:30 and the stopping of regular lines of buses and trams at midnight. During the summer (until 23 September) and on Fridays and Saturdays, the frequency of the rides is halved, which can vary among 10, 15, 30 and 35 minutes depending on the line. In any case they are much more punctual than during the day, as traffic is much less jammed. This makes the drivers drive at high speeds, allowing passengers to experience a strange mixture of adrenaline and (the city's) classical views. Hubs of the night buses are Termini and Piazza Venezia. All the bus lines he the prefix "N"; N1 and N2 routes are similar to metro line A and B respectively, N28 for line C. Tram[edit]
Rome metro network
The Tram routes mostly skirt the historic centre, but there are stops convenient for the Vatican, the Colosseum, and the Trastevere area. The number 8 does run into the centre to Largo Argentina, not far from the Pantheon, and terminate at Piazza Venezia. If you want to catch a soccer game at one of the stadiums in the north of the city, catch the tram (2) just north of the Piazza del Popolo. Number 19 links the Vatican with Villa Borghese.
Metro[edit]There are two lines that cross at Termini station: line A runs northwest past the Vatican and southeast, and line B runs southwest past the Colosseum and northeast in one direction, but also splits at the "Bologna" station to go due north until Jonio. Line C runs from San Giovanni station to the eastern suburbs.
All lines open at 05:30 and stop running at 23:30, except Fridays and Saturdays, when the last trains lee from the stations at 01:30. The Metro is the most punctual form of public transportation in Rome, but it can get extremely crowded during rush hour. See safety warning in the Stay Safe section.
By regional rail[edit]There is a network of regional rail lines that mostly connect to smaller towns and conurbations of Rome. Some he frequent stops within Rome too. Use the Trenitalia app to research your journey and book tickets.
By moped[edit]There is the possibility to hire motor bikes or scooters. Many Romans prefer this way of transportation, even in winter you can see them driving scooters equipped with raincoats, blankets, and rain boots. Motorbikes are not particularly safe in Rome and most accidents seem to involve one (or two!). Nevertheless, Roman traffic is chaotic and a scooter provides excellent mobility within the city. Scooter rental costs between €30 and €70 per day depending on scooter size and rental company. The traffic can be intimidating and the experience exciting but a bit insane.
Some of the main rental shops:
Scoot A Long noleggio scooter, via Cour 302, ☏ +39 06 6780206. Centro Moto Coloseo, strada statale Quattro, 46, ☏ +39 06 70451069. Eco Move Rent, Via Varese 48/50, ☏ +39 06 44704518.