To get around Rome, I can say that there is nothing better than public transport. Especially with the high value of the euro, taking private transport has become almost impossible in Europe. However, this is not a problem in big cities.
There is plenty of buses and trains that take you to all the main tourist attractions in the city. On our four-day trip to Rome, we got around easily with public transport. So, to make your experience easier, we have prepared here some tips on how to use public transport in Rome.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN ROME
FROM AIRPORT TO CITY:
Rome has two airports, Fiumicino and Ciampino. Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport is the main Italian airport. Despite receiving the largest number of international flights to the city of Rome, this airport is located in the city of Fiumicino, approximately 50 kilometers from the center of the Italian capital. Ciampino Airport mostly receives flights inside Europe and from low-cost companies.
Train from Fiumicino airport until Rome:
The train station has a stop inside Fiumicino airport, on the second floor of Terminal 2. There are two options for lines departing to the center of Rome: the Leonardo Express line and the conventional Fara Sabina line. Tickets for both are sold at kiosks and vending machines at the entrance to the station.
EXPRESS TRAIN:
The Express line is an option for those who want more comfort, in addition to saving time. The line operated by the Leonardo express company doesn’t stop along the way, with a total time of 32 minutes for arrival at the Termini terminal in the center of Rome. The train leaves every 15 minutes and the ticket costs € 14.
PARADOR TRAIN:
The Fara Sabina line, also known as Parador, is the conventional line between the airport and Rome. The ticket costs €8 and the train stop at other stations, lasting about 50 minutes to reach the center of the city. There is a train Fara Sabina leaving the station every 30 minutes.
The Parador doesn’t stop at the Termini terminal. To get there with the Fara Sabina line, you need to make a connection with the metro line. So my tip is to choose the type of train by the destination and not by the travel time.
BUS from Fiumicino airport to Rome:
There are five bus companies operating at Leonardo da Vinci airport. Prices vary according to the destination, but a ticket to the center of Rome can cost around €6. Most buses leave terminals 2 and 3 and stop at different destinations in Rome.
If you are not going downtown, taking a bus may be the best option to get closer to your destination. It’s worth checking the Rome airport website for the different routes and schedules of the trips. It’s even possible to buy tickets in advance on the companies’ websites.
TAXI from Fiumicino airport until Rome:
Taxi services are available at terminals 1 and 3. Keep an eye out for official vehicles (white with the ‘taxi’ sign on the roof of the car), as they have fixed prices and are generally cheaper. For example, a ride to the center of Rome will cost €48. On the official website of Rome Airport, you can check all the fares for specific destinations.
CAR SHARING:
There is also a new option available in the parking lot of Terminal 1 at Fiumicino Airport. Car Sharing is nothing more than an easy car rental, which works through different applications such as Car2Go, Enjoy, and ALD Corporate. You just need to be properly registered to release the car for use. The rental amount will depend on the length of time until the return of the vehicle at one of the other locations.
INSIDE THE CITY:
Getting around Rome by public transport is easy. There are several bus lines in addition to the train, subway, tram… To get around great distances quickly, choose the subway lines. It will be the most used vehicle especially if you are staying outside the city center.
For those who are closer to the center, the bus and tram lines can take you to all the main points of Rome. In addition, almost all the museums and monuments are located close to each other, which makes it possible to visit them all on foot. So try to create itineraries by day with the closest attractions.
Our tip, not only for Italy but any other country, is to use Google Maps to create itineraries. The application tells you which transport is most suitable, with stops closest to you and the shortest estimated time to arrive. For me, this is my number one app on trips. I created several itineraries in Rome with him and you can access them here.
Check here for tips on the best APPS for travel.
BUS AND TRAM:
Bus and tram tickets must be purchased before using transport. They are sold at newsstands or tobacconists, most of which are marked as authorized for ticket sales. Remember to always validate the tickets on the machines inside the vehicle. Although we often don’t see any officer monitoring, there is no point in taking the risk of being fined.
Rome also has a bus line mainly for tourists. Line 110 has many stops around monuments in the city center, departing from Piazza Ferrovia Central Termini. If you want to make several stops with this line and continue your journey, you can purchase a 24-hour ticket or the Roma Pass and guarantee unlimited use of public transport for the specified period of time.
ROME PASS:
The Rome Pass is a tourist card, valid for both cultural attractions and public transport in Rome. In addition, those who own the Rome Pass can take advantage of extra discounts in the city. The Rome Pass has two versions: 72 hours and 48 hours.
The 72-hour pass costs 52 Euros. With it, you can enjoy two free visits to museums, discounts on tickets to other attractions, and unlimited use of the bus, metro, and tram lines (with the exception of the line between the Airports-Center). The 48-hour pass costs 32 Euros and offers a free visit, discounts for other attractions, and free use of transport with the exception mentioned above.
It’s important to be aware that the most popular attractions, such as the Colosseum, need to be booked in advance by Roma Pass holders to be valid for use. In addition, none of the Vatican attractions are included in the Roma Pass.
However, a very positive point of the pass is that you don’t have to queue at the attractions, going straight through the access gate without going to the ticket office. For detailed information on the included attractions and conditions of use, check the official Roma Pass website.
Did you like the tips? To learn more about traveling in Rome, check out our city tour itinerary (including maps) here.
FAQ ABOUT HOW TO GET AROUND IN ROME:
To use public transport in Rome you must purchase a ticket at newsstands or tobacconists. you can also purchase a Rome Pass and have unlimited use of public transportation. Check here for more information about costs and modalities.
It is worth renting a car in the Italian capital if you are with your family, or want to go to other cities during the trip. Through apps for car rentals, you can compare prices and models. Otherwise, I recommend using public transportation in Italy.
Use Google Maps to see how to get from one attraction to another in Rome. The app informs you of the most suitable transport and the shortest estimated time to arrive. These are the best APPS for travel.
Tourist buses are great for convenience. They offer guides and are generally valid for 1 or 2 days with unlimited use. Through the Get Your Guide app you can purchase your ticket online.
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