Getting Around Rome

By Robert Heaney
Red Vespas parked in a line

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

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Rome's Castel Sant'Angelo viewed from Ponte Sant'Angelo
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Rome in October

As fall well and truly comes into its own, Rome steps back into its familiar low-season buzz. Though the city is still far from quiet, the busy hubbub of summertime holidaymakers is now replaced largely by those looking to discover a much more authentic side to Italy’s renowned culture, cuisine and historical sites. If you’re in the market for more of a serene experience of the city’s renowned attractions, complemented by its pleasant Mediterranean climate and a host of unique cultural events, a trip to Rome in October is beyond a doubt the one to beat. Visiting Rome in October Average Temperature: 54 - 73°F • Average Rainfall: 8 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 6 hours/day With summer now but a fond memory, Rome rapidly returns to a steady baseline flow of tourists. While the eternal city is never truly quiet, owing largely to its many evergreen attractions, you can expect significantly smaller crowds from this point onward. With that, you’re also likely to notice a drop in airfare and hotel prices, often making for quite a substantial discount on high-season prices. Almost in parallel with the city’s tourism rates, the climate in Rome begins to dip significantly in October as fall comes into full swing. Temperatures flirt between pleasantly mild and warm throughout the month, a welcome respite from the summertime heat, and sunshine remains relatively regular and consistent. Though most of the month tends to be very pleasant across the board, be sure to pack an umbrella, as you can likely expect at least one day of rainfall per week. Things to do in October Taking pride of place on the Rome tourist trail are naturally the city’s globally-revered UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Colosseum, named one of the seven wonders of the world, stands as the largest standing amphitheater on the planet and, much like the impressive Pantheon temple, gives visitors a unique glimpse into everyday lifestyles and pastimes of ancient Romans. Second only to these renowned historical sites is Vatican City, permanent residence to the Pope and the symbolic heart of Roman Catholicism. While incredibly popular with devotees from around the world, the site draws in huge waves of tourists with the iconic St. Peter’s Square and awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel, adorned with the globally-recognized frescoes of Michelangelo. Popular among sightseers and photographers alike, the elegant craftsmanship of the Trevi Fountain and the vast Spanish Steps bridging Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinità dei Monti easily stand as some of Rome’s most lauded landmarks. Given their huge following among tourists, these sites tend to get very crowded during peak times, so you’d be best advised to visit early in the day for more of a serene experience and better photo ops. Those captured by Rome’s rich and complex history may find themselves inspired by a walk through the Roman Forum, where towering ruins now stand as mere whispers of the once great administrative district of the ancient empire. Older still are the ruins atop Palatine Hill, considered to be the cradle of Roman civilization and the fabled site of the Lupercal cave of ancient Roman myth, said to be the true birthplace of the revered historical empire. For a little more insight into some of the eternal city’s top sights, a Big Bus tour offers visitors a much quicker means of exploring Rome without cutting corners. The tour’s main route passes by the likes of the Colosseum and Vatican City, with stops strategically placed near key locations where pass-holders can hop on and off at their leisure. Audio commentary is also available in seven major languages, providing cultural and historical insights into many of the city’s famous landmarks. What’s On in October Romaeuropa Festival One of Rome’s most anticipated cultural events to take place each year, Romaeuropa brings together hundreds of artists across a wide range of disciplines and from a variety of countries to help put together an impressive program of dance, music, theater, circus and digital arts performances. Over the course of several months, Rome becomes the true cultural epicenter of Italy, with artists both established and upcoming sharing their multidisciplinary talents and passions for thousands to enjoy. Performances tend to range from classical compositions to cutting-edge technological displays, covering just about the whole spectrum of the modern performing arts. Rome Art Week For one week in October, Rome hosts a monumental festival dedicated to contemporary art in all of its forms. Exhibiting the works of over 300 visual artists across over 100 venues and workspaces throughout the city, the Rome Art Week brings together professionals, curators and aficionados of the art world together in one of Europe’s most culturally significant cities. Rome Film Fest Taking place over roughly two weeks in mid-October, the Rome Film Fest sees the eternal city host a vast program of film screenings, industry-expert conferences and panels, installations and exhibitions in celebration of all things cinema. Events throughout the festival take place across various venues, with the impressive Auditorium Parco della Musica at the center of it all, complemented by one of the world’s largest red carpets for the duration of the celebration. Halloween While of course not a traditionally Italian celebration, Rome – like many major European cities – has largely adopted this now globally-popular festival of ghosts and ghouls. As October draws to a close, you can expect to find many local retailers and venues embracing the spooky season with all manner of Halloween-themed decor and limited-time products. Many bars, clubs and restaurants across the city host their own – often spectacular – nights of terror, with the likes of the Hard Rock Café putting on a hugely popular event each year. Even the Vatican plays its own part, hosting its traditional Holy Halloween Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. If you find yourself in Rome around this time, a sure-fire way to get yourself into the Halloween spirit is to explore the eternal city’s macabre underbelly. The Rome Catacombs, for example, stretches for miles beneath the city streets, lined with the skeletal remains of those who walked them centuries ago. In the same vein, the Capuchin Crypt beneath the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione comprises several tiny chapels adorned with the skeletons of many of the site’s former monks.
Robert Heaney
Cycling around the Colosseum in Rome
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Best ways to travel around Rome without a car

Want to avoid the traffic on your Italian vaycay? Explore the famed cobbled Roman streets with ease with our handy guide on the best ways to get around!
Karleen Stevens
Market stalls on Campo dei Fiori in Rome
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Best Markets in Rome

Rome has enjoyed a fine marketplace tradition ever since Emperor Trajan first threw open the doors to his vast shopping and entertainment emporium way back in the Second Century. You can still visit the fascinating ruins of this ancient shoppers’ paradise on the Via dei Fori Imperiali, at the opposite end to the Colosseum. It’s well worth checking out for its well-preserved balconies, marble floors and remains of what would have been libraries and concert halls. Alas, Trajan’s Market is now a mere tourist attraction – albeit a very fine one – but most certainly no longer the place to source ancient Roman essentials like wheat, mead, togas, sandals, urns, mobile phone cases and fidget toys. No! For those, we must look elsewhere, so join us on a voyage of discovery through the modern city, as we go in search of the best markets in Rome... Campo dei Fiori Admittedly not quite as old as Trajan’s shopping mecca, Campo dei Fiori does hold the accolade of Rome’s longest-running market. It’s been operating here since 1869, and brings its riot of color, sounds and scents to this popular piazza every morning except Sundays. Back in medieval times, the square was a meadow filled with flowers, and the name Campo dei Fiori is a literal translation of this. Carrying that tradition into the 21st Century, you’ll find flower sellers hawking all manner of vibrant seasonal blooms here, from romantic Tuscan poppies to rainbows of gerbera. Follow your nose to the the foodie stalls where delectable homemade cakes, freshly baked breads and pungent Italian cheeses await. You’ll also discover some of the freshest local vegetables here, with purplish artichokes, huge porcini mushrooms and vibrant puntarelle (a variety of chicory) often the stars of the show. And if you’re not, ahem, in the market for raw ingredients simply grab a sweet cannoli pastry and espresso and enjoy the bustle of the market from the comfort of one of the cafés that line the piazza. Porta Portese Rummagers, get ready! Porta Portese’s Sunday flea market is the biggest in Rome, stretching for around a mile beyond its entrance, the forbidding ancient city gate that lends the market its name. Expect a little bit of everything here and in the surrounding streets and alleyways, from vintage Roma and Lazio soccer memorabilia to old vinyl records and CDs (expect a very strong showing from Italian best-sellers like Pavarotti, Zucchero and Andrea Bocelli). There are also – deep breath – retro comics and old newspapers, antique silverware, leather goods, mountains of clothes, kitsch movie memorabilia and, well, just about everything else you can think of. Sure, you might have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince here but, who knows, you might just walk away with that limited edition reproduction Luke Skywalker lightsaber you always dreamed of owning. Pro-tip: arrive early and bring your best haggling game (in Italian, if you can) to bag the best items at the lowest prices. Fontanella Borghese Bibliophiles, cartophiles, deltiologists and philatelists: this one’s for you. Also known as Mercato delle Stampe, this is the place for antiquarian books, maps, postcards and other printed ephemera. Dodge the tourist traps around the edges (cheap identikit prints from stall to stall are a dead giveaway), plunge in, and you might just strike gold. The piazza itself, tucked between via del Corso and the east banks of the Tiber, is an elegant place to while away an hour or two, with the stately facade of the Palazzo Borghese on one side and the University of Rome’s architectural school in a suitably striking building adjacent. San Cosimato Set on a pretty piazza in Rome’s laidback Trastevere district, San Cosimato is a favorite with in-the-know locals thanks to its farm-fresh produce and long history, with some stalls dating back 100 years or more. Here’s where to stock up on glistening just-caught fish, aromatic cheeses, vine-ripe tomatoes and piquant Tuscan salamis. There’s even a little book stall and a fab playground for the kids. More than just a market, this is a favourite place for Trastevere residents of all ages to congregate and catch up on the latest gossip. Look out for the stall with the longest queues of chattering locals: a sure sign that the produce on that one will be the very best. Borghetto Flaminio Sellers and patrons of Sunday’s Borghetto Flaminio Market would likely balk at their beloved vintage emporium being described as a flea market. And yet that, in essence, is what it is: second-hand goods hawked and haggled for inside an old bus depot. But this is no ordinary flea market, no sir! For here is where you can lay your hands on the finest cast-offs of Rome’s elite: all immaculate vintage fashions, sparkling antique jewelry and pristine accessories such as purses and scarves. So confident is Borghetto Flaminio Market in the quality of its finery that there’s even a small entry charge. And, indeed, once inside it comes over as more boutique pre-loved treasure trove than regular flea market with its associated tat, trinkets and trash. Campagna Amica Situated right next to the Circus Maximus, Campagna Amica Market is easily one of the best food markets in Rome. It trades exclusively in produce sourced from within 100 kilometers, which primarily means goods from local Lazio farmers. Fill your boots and get stocked up on the region’s finest wines and fruity extra virgin olive oils. There’s also pasta, prosciutto, pecorino and pickles galore here, so you’re highly unlikely to go away empty-handed. All this talk of food making you hungry? Grab a porchetta sandwich stuffed with warm, garlicky roast pork shoulder so juicy it fairly drenches the bread, then try telling the Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verita) round the corner it isn’t the best thing you’ve ever tasted. Go on, we dare you! Christmas! A towering Christmas tree bejeweled with hundreds of twinkling fairy lights, the intoxicating aromas of mulled wine and roasting chestnuts, and the sound of excited young children badgering beleaguered parents for this or that shiny trinket: Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a traditional market. Rome’s contribution – a daily event on Piazza Navona through the festive season – is no exception. In addition to dozens of stalls selling candy, antiques and unique handcrafted gifts, you can expect street performers, a beautiful old-fashioned carousel, sigh-inducing nighttime illuminations, carol singers and oodles of Christmas cheer. Save on things to do in Rome Save on admission to Rome attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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