Getting Around | Rome, Italy

The public transport system in Rome is varied, cheap and user friendly.

The Metro of Rome only has three lines and is currently the smallest metro system in Europe. Nevertheless, it reaches the city’s most important landmarks.

Rome also has a good bus network with 338 bus lines that run throughout the day covering 8,260 stops. It has to be said that it can be slow and frustrating given the traffic issue in Rome with traffic jams and delayed routes.

Like many other major cities, Rome is also well connected with taxis however taxi drivers don’t have a good reputation in Rome. Many tourists and locals are continually overcharged and taxi rates are some of the highest within Europe. Fortunately, Uber operates in Rome so this is your best bet for a genuine price.

Metro

The Metro of Rome only has three lines and is currently the smallest metro system in Europe. Nevertheless, it reaches the city’s most important landmarks.

Opened in 1955, the metro (subway or underground) in Rome has grown very little by little and currently only operates 37,3 miles (60 km) made up of three lines. It is one of the smallest metros in Europe.

At present, there are plans for the creation of a fourth line. The reason why the metro system is so limited is that each time a new tunnel is built, more archaeological remains are found; something which also happens in Athens.

Line A (Orange)

Line A runs from the northwest to southeast, from Battistini to Anagnina. The most important stops are the following:

Cipro – Musei Vaticani: The closest stop to the Vatican Museums and to the Sistine Chapel.
Ottaviano – San Pietro: This station is a few minutes’ walk from St. Peter’s Square and St. Peter’s Basilica.
Spagna: Very convenient for visiting Piazza di Spagna and Villa Borghese.
Barberini – Fontana di Trevi: This station is five minutes away from Trevi Fountain It is also the closest station to Piazza Navona and the Pantheon.
Termini: Stops at Roma Termini railway station. Here, visitors can take the Leonardo Express to get to Fiumicino Airport.

Line B (Blue)

Connects the northeast to the south of Rome, from Rebibbia to Laurentina. The most important stops are the following:

Termini: Stops at Roma Termini railway station. Here, visitors can take the Leonardo Express to get to Fiumicino Airport.
Colosseo: Located near the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
Piramide: If you come in the FR1 regional train from Fiumicino, you will be able to take the metro from this stop.

Where to buy tickets?

Tickets can be purchased at the metro stations, at news-stands and in most corner shops. If you are planning to use public transport regularly we recommend that you buy a few tickets at a time or buy a travel card.

Types of Tickets

One-way ticket (BIT)

The BIT ticket lasts 75 minutes since its first validation and allows for unlimited transfers between the metro, buses, trams and urban trains. The only transfer that is not allowed is to leave the metro and return (by the metro turnstiles), even if it’s in the 75 minutes of validity. The ticket costs € 1.50 (£ 1.30)

Day pass (BIG)

The BIG ticket allows unlimited public transportation from the moment the ticket is validated until midnight of the same day. The BIG day travel card costs € 6 (£ 5.20)

3 Day Tourist Pass (BTI)

The three-day tourist pass (BTI) gives visitors unlimited use of the public transportation from the moment it is first validated and for the following two days. The BTI has a price of € 16.50 (£ 14.20)

Week pass (CIS)

Identical to the BTI card, but valid for seven days instead of three. This travel card costs € 24 (£ 20.60)

Other travel cards

If you’re planning on staying in Rome for a longer period, there are also annual and monthly travel cards.

Opening times

The metro opens every day from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm. On Friday and Saturday, the metro runs until 1:30 am.

Bus

Since the metro lines of Rome are rather limited, visitors will most likely need the bus public transport system to get to certain parts of the city. It may not be the most comfortable or punctual form of transportation. Nevertheless, to get to certain monuments and museums it is essential to use the bus.

Currently, Rome has 338 bus lines that run throughout the day, 22 night buses and 8,260 stops. As traffic is an important issue in Rome, do not get impatient if the buses are delayed or if you get stuck in traffic jams, as it is most likely to happen and at any time of day.

Presently, Rome has a fleet of buses that includes electric,, conventional, diesel and hybrid vehicles.

Types of buses

In Rome there are various types of lines, these are the most popular:

Urban lines (U): The large majority. They start between 5 am and 6:30 am and finish at midnight.
Night buses (N): These lines operate while the urban lines “rest”, that is to say, between midnight and 5:00-6:00 am.
Express (X): These lines are for the outskirts of Rome, for longer journeys.
Exact (E): These lines link the centre with the surrounding neighbourhoods. They run on fixed timetables.

How to catch a bus?

Rome’s bus routes are possibly the most complex of Europe. The most important information is found on each bus stop.

This includes the bus’s route, the first and last bus and its timetable. Although this does seem straightforward, once there, having waited 30 minutes without seeing one bus drive past, things might seem a littly trickier.

The good news is that many bus stops now include screens with the number of the bus and when the next is due to arrive.

Where to buy a bus ticket?

Bus tickets can be bought in any metro station, news-stand or convenience stores. If you are planning on using the bus regularly, we recommend you buy a few at a time or get a travel card, which might be a better option.

Always validate your ticket

Although it might seem like nobody in Rome validates their ticket, that is because they have monthly passes which don’t require to be inserted into a machine. However, tourists must insert their tickets in a validation machine.

Map of routes and journey planner

If you want to find out more about the different bus routes in Rome, or would like to plan a journey, check out the official bus website

Fares

One-way ticket (BIT)

Day pass (BIG)

The BIG ticket allows unlimited public transportation from the moment the ticket is validated until midnight of the same day. The BIG day travel card costs € 6 (£ 5.20)

3 Day Tourist Pass (BTI)

Week pass (CIS)

Identical to the BTI card, but valid for seven days instead of three. This travel card costs € 24 (£ 20.60)

Other travel cards

If you’re planning on staying in Rome for a longer period, there are also annual and monthly travel cards.

Taxis

Rates

Minimum fare on weekdays from 6 am – 10 pm: € 3 (£ 2.60)
Minimum fare on public holidays 6 am – 10 pm: € 4.50 (£ 3.90)
Minimum fare at night time: € 6.50 (£ 5.60)
Rate per kilometre (Tariff 1): € 1.10 (£ 0.90)
Rate per kilometre (Tariff 2): € 1.30 (£ 1.10)
Rate per kilometre (Tariff 3): € 1.60 (£ 1.40)
Surcharge for each additional suitcase (one per passenger included in the price): € 1 (£ 0.90)
Surcharge for telephone reservations: € 3.50 (£ 3)
One hour waiting time: € 27 (£ 23.10)

It’s always best to have a ball park figure of how much you should be charged so you don’t get ripped off. Refuse to pay if the price is significantly higher than below or better still, negotiate the price before you even touch the door handle.

Taxi rates to and from Ciampino Airport cost €30 – Most drivers will only accept cash – Book your taxi before you leave here
Taxi rates to and from Fiumicino Airport cost €48 – Most drivers will only accept cash – Book your taxi before you leave here
Taxi rates from Termini to the city centre should cost anywhere from €8 – €15. Check out Google Maps to see how long it takes
Only use registered taxis, they are white with a clearly visible taxi sign on the roof
If you have a problem in the taxi, take a note of the license plate number or look for it on the back of the front seats
If at any point you feel unsafe then you should call 112

Although the cheapest way to catch a cab is by waiting at the official taxi stops on the streets of Rome, it is also possible to reserve this type of transportation by telephone. These are some of the best taxi companies in the city:

Radio Taxi: 06-3570.
Pronto Taxi: 06-6645.

Tram

Rome’s trams are usually cleaner than the buses and are also considered by many more romantic. Nonetheless, the tram lines are small and the fact that the network doesn’t get to the city centre makes it less appealing for visitors.

Rome Tram Map

Line 2: Piazza Mancini – Piazzale Flaminio.

Line 3: Piazza Thorwaldsen – Trastevere.

Line 5: Giovanni Amendola – Piazza dei Gerani

Line 8: Torre Argentina – Trastevere

Line 14: Giovanni Amendola – Palmiro Togliatti

Line 19: Piazza Risorgimento – Piazza dei Gerani

It is important to point out that none of these lines, unless if one of them stops at the door of your hotel, has any special attraction for tourists. The best line for travelers is perhaps number 8, which links Trastevere with Largo di Torre Argentina.

Opening times

Trams run from 5:30 am until midnight every day, like the city buses in Rome. At night, the trams are replaced by night buses.

Remember when you get on any tram to validate your ticket at their validation machines, otherwise you will be fined.

Fares

One-way ticket (BIT)

Day pass (BIG)

The BIG ticket allows unlimited public transportation from the moment the ticket is validated until midnight of the same day. The BIG day travel card costs € 6 (£ 5.20)

3 Day Tourist Pass (BTI)

The three-day tourist pass (BTI) gives visitors unlimited use of public transport from the moment it is first validated and for the following two days. The BTI has a price of € 16.50 (£ 14.20)

Week pass (CIS)

Identical to the BTI card, but valid for seven days instead of three. This travel card costs € 24 (£ 20.60)

Other travel cards

If you’re planning on staying in Rome for a longer period, there are also annual and monthly travel cards.