Getting Around Rome

You've likely heard it said that all roads lead to Rome, but how do you get around once you're there? Home to some of Europe's most impressive historical landmarks as well as one of the seven wonders of the world, it's no wonder that visitors flock to Rome from around the globe to explore all that the city has to offer.

While much of the city center is fairly compact and its top attractions relatively easily accessible on foot, there’s a number of other options to help you get where you want to be much quicker. Below are details for all major means of getting around Rome to help keep your trip running smoothly.

Metro

Rome’s metro system leaves something to be desired when compared to many of the larger and more extensive transport networks in Europe, but it’s faster than most overground transportation. While comprising only three lines, the metro mostly services key parts of the city center, including the majority of its top attractions.

Line A (orange) runs diagonally from the northwest to southeast and is most useful for visiting Vatican City, Piazza di Spagna, Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. It also stops at Roma Termini railway station, from which you can take a bus or train to both Fiumicino and Ciampino airports, as well as to many other major cities in Italy.

Line B (blue) runs from the northeast to the south, passing close by the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. As with Line A, this line also intersects Roma Termini railway station.

Line C (green) primarily connects the city center to the northern suburbs. For the most part, you’re unlikely to need to use this line unless you’re staying to the north of the city center.

Urban Railway

Rome’s urban trains, or Ferrovie Urbane, serve to complement the metro system and run under the same organization. Three lines extend the existing metro service to connect the city center to Lido, Viterbo and Giardinetti respectively.

Operating Times

Metro:

Mon – Thu: 5:30AM – 11:30PM
Fri – Sat: 5:30AM – 1:30AM
Sun: 5:30AM – 11:30PM

Urban Railway:

Viterbo Line: 5:30AM – 10:30PM
Giardinetti Line: 5:30AM – 10:30PM
Lido Line: 5:30AM – 11:30PM

Exact service times will vary per service and may differ on public holidays, during large events or as the result of service maintenance. Important information such as metro routes, timetables and long-term disruptions can be found at all metro stations.

Information regarding the metro network can also be found on the official service website.

Bus

In stark contrast to the metro, the Rome bus network is incredibly extensive – sometimes overwhelmingly so. Over 350 lines comprise Rome’s public bus transport system, offering virtually around-the-clock services throughout the city. Servicing over 8,000 stops, the bus network provides the most precise and widespread mode of public transport in Rome.

The network isn’t without its faults, though. Given the nature of buses and the often extremely busy metropolis that is Rome, services can often be delayed by traffic and the buses themselves can get fairly crowded during peak times. Even so, as long as you aren’t in any major rush and can bear the sometimes cramped conditions, Rome’s buses are your best bet for getting where you want to go.

The network comprises four types of buses, identified by the letter beside their service number.

• Urban (U) lines make up the majority of services within and without the city center.
• Express (X) lines typically service the outskirts of the city and offer a quicker turnaround on long journeys.
• Exact (E) buses serve to connect the city center with the surrounding neighborhoods.
• Night (N) buses operate in the early hours before the other lines begin their service.

Operating Times

Day Buses (U/X/E): 5:30AM – 12:00AM
Night Buses (N): 12:00AM – 6:00AM

Exact schedules will vary per service and may differ on public holidays, during large events or as the result of service maintenance. Important information such as bus routes, timetables and long-term disruptions can be found on each bus stop.

Information regarding the entire bus network can be found on the official service website or via its Apple and Android apps.

Big Bus

Entirely unaffiliated with Rome’s primary bus network, a Big Bus tour is one of the best ways to get between some of the city’s top attractions. The tour passes by the likes of the Colosseum, Castel Sant’Angelo, the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain, accompanied by optional pre-recorded commentary in nine different languages offering local insights for each important location.

You can choose a ticket covering one, two or three days, allowing you to explore the city center at your own pace. Depending on your personal itinerary, this could potentially be all the transport you need during your trip. Visitors can hop on and off at their leisure or sit tight for a whirlwind tour of some of the capital’s best touristic offerings.

Operating Times

Termini Station: 9:00AM – 5:19PM
Piazza Barberini: 10:19AM – 6:42PM

Operating times may vary from time to time. Be sure to consult the Big Bus Website or Apple and Android apps for more up-to-date information.

Trams

Although more extensive than the metro service, operating a total of six lines, Rome’s trams aren’t usually of much use to tourists. Very few routes offer a viable means of getting between tourism hubs, but may still be useful if they stop close enough to your accommodation. Among the six available services, Line 8 between Torre Argentina and Trastevere is likely the only potentially useful one to most visitors.

Operating Times

Daily: 5:30AM – 12:00AM

Exact schedules will vary per service and may differ on public holidays, during large events or as the result of service maintenance. Important information such as tram routes, timetables and long-term disruptions can be found at each tram stop.

Information regarding the tram network can be found on the official service website.

Taxis

As with most destinations, taxis offer one of the most convenient means of getting around Rome. Officially licensed taxis are all white with a rooftop taxi sign and Roma Capitale printed on the front doors along with the taxi’s license number. While you can hail a passing taxi, it’s often cheapest to wait by a taxi rank. You can also call for a taxi directly, though this will typically be more expensive.

Rome’s taxi drivers unfortunately have somewhat of a tarnished reputation for overcharging both tourists and locals alike, so it’s useful to have an idea of what you should be paying. Above all, you should always choose to pay a metered fare rather than an arranged price, except for airport and train station transfers which should always be the same price.

Taxi Rates

Min. Rate Mon – Sat: € 3.00
Min. Rate Sun: € 4.50
Min. Rate Night: € 6.50
Journey Rate: € 1.10 – 1.60/km

To/From Fiumicino Airport: € 48.00
To/From Ciampino Airport: € 30.00
To/From Termini Station: € 8.00 – 15.00

Telephone Reservations

Radio Taxi: 06-3570
Pronto Taxi: 06-6645
Taxi Roma: 06-5551
Taxi Tevere: 06-4994

Note that when ordering a taxi by phone, the meter will be turned on immediately from wherever the driver receives the call. You’ll be charged for the driver’s initial journey to your location on top of the rate for your own journey, as well as a € 3.00 reservation charge.

Scooter

While driving a car around Rome isn’t typically recommended, scooters and motorcycles offer one of the quickest ways for capable drivers to get around the city. Aside from being better for navigating the busy streets of the Italian capital, they’re also much more convenient to park and can be rented from various locations around the center.

Most of the city’s historic center is closed to unauthorized traffic between 6:30AM and 6:00PM on weekdays, as well as between 11:00PM and 3:00AM on Friday and from 2:00PM to 6:00PM on Saturday. A number of Limited Traffic Zones also operate in various parts of the city. Be sure to consult official information surrounding these zones for permit and access details.

Average rental prices can range anywhere from € 30 to € 350 per day depending on the size, specs and classification of the vehicle. Most rentals will also require a rather hefty security deposit of several hundred euros. Among the most popular and reliable scooter rental operators are Eco Move Rent, Roma Rent Scooter and BigaBike.