Spacious Rome remains one of the world's most significant cities thanks to its seamless blend of old-world wonders and modern pleasures. The ruins of the Colosseum, the legendary fountains, lazy strolls through cobblestone streets with a gelato in hand — all this attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. To enjoy the beauty of Rome without a rush, check out our article to find out the easiest way to get around in Rome.
In Rome, every stone on the sidewalk has been polished to a shine for more than 2,000 years of the city's existence. It's a living history notebook that everyone should walk through. While enjoying the Eternal City of Rome, it is impossible not to think of Caesar, the gladiators, the Colosseum, the Pope, and the smallest state, the Vatican. Don't forget about grandiose ruins, the ancient Pantheon, and the mighty Roman Empire, which gave us almost all the household items of our time, philosophy, painting, and literature. Rome is no longer just a city and the capital of Italy; it has become a place of power for all mankind. Here you can go back 2000 years and see how our culture began.
The best time to visit Rome
Rome is beautiful at any time of year. If you don't like the heat, it's better not to come here in July and August. Winter is humid but warm, with average temperatures of +6 - +11. At this time of the year, the pre-Christmas sales and the museums are worth the trip. There aren't many tourists, so you can admire the exhibits in peace. Spring and fall are the best times to visit Rome, with temperatures around +23. In summer, Rome is sweltering from the heat and crowds of tourists. Temperatures can soar to +35° Celsius! Nevertheless, it's a fine time for a vacation if you don't mind the heat.
Transportation in Rome
Transportation system in Rome is well organized and run by the ATAC company. A single ticket costs 2.40 euros. It is called the BIT, and it is valid for 100 minutes from the moment of punching (or one trip through the turnstile of the metro). If you plan to stay in Rome for several days and actively get around, buy a travel pass. The pass is available for 24, 48, 72 hours, and 7 days. It is valid on the subway, trams, and city buses. BIT can be purchased at special machines located in train stations, bars, tobacconists, and newsstands.
Be sure to punch all the tickets in the little yellow boxes, or you'll get a fine.
Ground transportation: buses and trams
A vast transportation network of buses permeates the whole of Rome, including the suburbs and ram lines. The system allows you to get around without rush hour delays. Note that timetables may be different on weekdays and weekends. At night, the number of buses is reduced, but you can still get to where you want to go. Buses often pass small stops, so feel free to wave to the driver.
In the evening, take the rare Belcanto or Jazz trams to get through the streets of Rome. It's not cheap, but the atmosphere is soulful.
Metro
The Roman Metro (Metropolitana) consists of three lines: A (orange), B (blue), and C (green). Line C has been under construction for many years. The orange A line runs from the southeast to the northwest toward the Vatican. The blue B line runs from the south (the EUR district) to the northeast. The new stations are being built leisurely — the reason is the numerous historical monuments and archaeological discoveries. For fast travel around the city of Rome, however, the subway is an excellent option — many of the stations are linked to world-famous landmarks.
The Metro operates from 5:30 to 23:30, on Saturdays until 1:30. The interval between trains is from 5 to 15 minutes. Tourists should exercise caution when traveling to the Vatican, particularly on buses 64 and 640 and the A-Line subway trains from Termini Station to the Vatican. The metro system also includes the city trains (treno metropolitano). They depart from the Tiburtina station and may be used to get to the airport, to the beaches of Lido di Ostia, to the ruins of Ostia Antica, or to the area of Castelli Romani for shopping.
Taxi
Taxis in Rome are usually white with a sign "servizio pubblico". Travelers have to pay by the meter, but tips are always welcome. The fee for getting into a car is around 5 euros, 1 km is 1.5 euros. You have to pay extra on weekends, holidays, and at night. Standing in a traffic jam will cost about 40 euros per hour! Also, there is a special fixed rate for trips outside the city of Rome (e.g. to the airport).
Sightseeing buses
Several companies offer sightseeing buses in Rome. International City Sightseeing and ATAC (ATAC Rome) have a common unlimited ticket for 24 and 48 hours for city transport and sightseeing buses. The prices are 30 euros and 40 euros. The yellow Roma Cristiana buses focus on iconic sites of the Christian religion, while the green Archeobus buses introduce important archaeological areas. Then there's CiaoRoma, Green Line Tours, Trambus open, Roma open tour — all of these companies are easy to find online and get acquainted with their itineraries and prices.
River Trams
Riding on the Tiber is possible from March to November; navigation is closed in winter. But don't give up on this romantic mode of transportation! Bridges, sunsets, and reflections of light on the domes of cathedrals will spice up your vacation. The ticket price depends on the service and the duration of the tour. The simplest one, from the island of Tiberina to the bridge of the Duke of Aosta, will cost a couple of euros. Trips with dinner start at 60 euros.
Rent bicycles and mopeds
The streets of Rome are littered with mopeds and bicycles. But keep in mind that it is difficult to ride on the sidewalks because of crowds. Rental of a bike will cost about 15-25 euros per day, electric bicycles – 25–40 euros; mopeds – 35–70 euros per day. You don't need a license for scooters with engines of up to 125 cubic meters, but anti-theft devices and helmets are required.
Rent a car
Renting a car in Rome is not a problem, it's more important to understand why you need it. If this is not your first trip to the city of Rome, and your trip includes a tour around the area with a medieval castle near Bracciano, a rest by the sea, visits to local museums and amusement parks, then you should use the rental services, for example, GetRentacar.com. There are also enough local rental agencies on the market, and their prices may be slightly lower, but carefully read all the conditions of the contract. If you intend to spend most of the time in Rome itself, exploring its historic center, the car will be an extra burden. The narrow streets, traffic restrictions, lack of parking spaces and a huge number of tourists staring dumbfoundedly around you can seriously ruin your nerves and leisure.
Drivers under 25 years old will have to pay a special fee called "Young Driver" — a day rate of 15 euros, not including the rent and insurance.
From the airport and back
There is a Leonardo Express train from Fiumicino to Termini twice an hour. The travel time is 30 minutes and the ticket costs 14 euros. Also, there are a regular train to Ostiense and Tiburtina stations with a ticket for 10 euros, which takes a little longer, and a special subway line, FM1, leading to the major stations in the city. The fare is 7 euros. Trains run from 6:00 to 23:30. There are also regular buses from the airport to the city by Cotral, T.A.M., Terravision, and other companies. An hourly trip will cost about 10 euros. Tickets are sold on websites or from drivers. Alas, it also goes only until midnight. After this time, travelers have to take a taxi. The average rate is 65 euros. Keep in mind that prices may differ, so it is worth ordering a cab in advance through the international dispatch services.
Tickets and fares
Metrebus or BIT (biglietto integrate a tempo) tickets are valid for all types of transportation in Rome. Tickets can be bought before boarding the train, at the metro ticket office, at tobacconist's and newsstands, and at vending machines at train stations. Never forget to punch your ticket! And remember that bus and tram drivers do not sell tickets during the day: you can only buy a ticket after 9 p.m., but it will cost you 50% more.
Tourist Cards
Travelers to Rome will find it useful to buy one of the tourist cards that allow them to save on tickets to museums and travel, as well as to access the sights without queuing. In general, there are several types of tourist cards available in Rome, but one of the most budget-friendly is the Roma Pass. Roma Pass tickets come in two types: for 48 and 72 hours. The cost of the card for 48 hours is 32 euros, and for 72 hours - 52 euros. Tourist cards can be purchased in museums, tourist centers, ATAS, Trenitalia, and FrecciaClub ticket offices, as well as online.
6 things to do in Rome:
Stand in the arena of the Colosseum and get into the spirit of the Empire
Drink water from the public fountain
Choose Latin as the language at the Vatican ATM and withdraw EUR "quantum satis"
See how Rome was born on the Palatine hill
Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain (you should not bathe in it)
Dine like an Italian at a trattoria or hosteria, ordering, for example, oxtail soup
