Known for

The Colosseum, The Pantheon, The Spanish Steps, The Trevi Fountain, Vatican City…

This is Rome.

Welcome to Rome, the eternal city where history, culture, and art intertwine to create an unparalleled tapestry of experiences. Nestled in the heart of Italy, Rome stands as a living testament to millennia of human achievement and ingenuity. From its ancient ruins and iconic landmarks to its bustling piazzas and world-class cuisine, Rome offers a captivating blend of the past and the present, inviting visitors to embark on a journey through time.

In this comprehensive guide, whether you’re a first-time traveller captivated by Rome’s timeless allure or a seasoned explorer seeking to unravel its hidden treasures, you’ll discover everything you need to make your Roman adventure truly unforgettable. Navigate effortlessly through the city’s labyrinthine streets, uncover insider tips on navigating public transportation, and indulge in the rich flavours of Roman cuisine while savouring the city’s vibrant nightlife. So, prepare to immerse yourself in the enchanting ambiance of one of the world’s most iconic cities and discover why Rome continues to captivate the hearts and minds of travellers from across the globe.

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Metro

Metro Tickets

Operating Hours

Accessibility

Alternative Transport

Getting from the airport

Things to do in Rome

Weather

Currency

Tipping

Internet

Rome Metro

The metro and tram network in Rome provide convenient and efficient transportation options for navigating the city’s bustling streets. The metro system consists of three lines: Line A (orange), Line B (blue), and Line C (green), connecting key landmarks and neighbourhoods across Rome. Trams, identified by their distinctive red colour, complement the metro lines, offering additional routes to explore the city. Both the metro and tram networks are well-integrated with other public transportation services, making it easy for travellers to reach their desired destinations. With frequent service and user-friendly ticketing systems, Rome’s metro and tram network provide a reliable way to discover the beauty and history of the Eternal City.

Metro Tickets

Tickets for the metro and tram in Rome are available for purchase at various locations throughout the city, including metro stations, tobacco shops (Tabaccheria), and authorised vendors.

A standard ticket, known as BIT, allows for 100 minutes of unlimited travel on all public transportation modes, including the metro, trams, buses, and urban trains within Rome.

For longer stays or multiple trips, visitors can opt for the Rome Tourist Pass, which offers unlimited travel on public transportation for 1, 2, 3, or 7 consecutive days, along with discounts on museums and attractions.

It’s important to validate tickets upon boarding trams or entering metro stations using the yellow validation machines to avoid fines. Additionally, tickets must be kept until the end of the journey, as ticket inspectors may conduct random checks. With convenient ticketing options and comprehensive coverage, navigating Rome’s metro and tram system is both accessible and efficient for locals and visitors alike.

Operating Hours

The metro and tram services in Rome typically operate from early morning until late evening, providing reliable transportation throughout the day.

Metro trains generally run from around 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM, with slight variations depending on the day of the week and the specific metro line.

Trams follow a similar schedule, typically starting operations around 5:30 AM and concluding around midnight. However, some tram lines may have slightly different operating hours, so it’s advisable to check the schedule for the specific line you plan to use.

While the operating hours provide ample time for exploring the city, it’s important to be mindful of any potential service disruptions or schedule changes, especially during holidays or special events. Travellers can consult the official transportation website or inquire at metro stations for the most up-to-date information on operating hours and service updates.

Accessibility

The Rome metro and tram network strive to provide accessibility for individuals with mobility challenges. Many metro stations are equipped with elevators, ramps, and tactile paths to facilitate access for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. Additionally, designated seating areas and priority spaces are available on metro trains and trams to accommodate passengers with disabilities.

While accessibility features are continuously being improved, it’s essential to note that not all stations may have full accessibility, and some older tram lines may pose challenges for certain passengers. However, efforts are underway to enhance accessibility across the entire network.

Passengers requiring assistance can contact station staff or use the intercom systems available at metro stations for support. Overall, Rome’s metro and tram network are committed to ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all passengers, contributing to a more seamless and comfortable transportation experience.

Alternative Transport

Besides the metro and trams, Rome offers several other modes of public transportation:

Buses: Rome’s extensive bus network covers the entire city, reaching areas not served by the metro or trams. With frequent service throughout the day and evening, buses provide convenient access to neighborhoods, landmarks, and attractions.

Urban trains (Trenitalia and Roma-Lido): Urban trains connect Rome with nearby suburbs and towns, offering an alternative for commuters and travellers exploring areas outside the city. The Roma-Lido line also provides access to the seaside.

Tramvias (Roma-Lido and Roma-Viterbo): These suburban tram lines link Rome with neighbouring towns, serving commuters and travellers venturing beyond the city limits.

Regional trains (Trenitalia): Rome’s main train stations, including Roma Termini and Roma Tiburtina, connect the city to other Italian cities and regions such as Florence, Naples, and Venice through the extensive regional train network operated by Trenitalia.

Ferrovie Laziali (FL): Ferrovie Laziali operates regional train services connecting Rome with towns and cities in the surrounding Lazio region, providing additional transportation options for travellers exploring the area.

These diverse transportation options offer flexibility and accessibility, enabling passengers to explore Rome and its surroundings comfortably and conveniently.

Getting from the airport

Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport

A Trenitalia train called the Leonardo Express runs from Fiumicino airport to Termini, the major rail station in Rome. It departs the airport every half-hour, or every fifteen minutes during peak times, and takes around thirty-two minutes. From the airport to Termini, this is a nonstop service.

Giovan Battista Pastine International Airport

Here, you have two choices. The first is a relatively simple shuttle bus that costs €6 and travels into the city centre in around 35 minutes. The second option is regional rail. Take the Airlink shuttle from the airport to Stazione FS di Ciampino. From there, take a train to Roma Termini, which is Rome’s main rail station.

Things to do in Rome

Experience the timeless allure of Rome with a stroll through its ancient streets, where each corner reveals a new marvel. Admire the grandeur of the Colosseum, toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain for luck, and savour the culinary delights of traditional Roman cuisine in quaint trattorias.

Colosseum

Located just east of the Roman Forum in the heart of Rome, is an elliptical amphitheatre known as the Colosseum. Despite its age, it is still the biggest standing amphitheatre in the world and the largest ancient amphitheatre ever constructed.

Pantheon

Originally a Roman temple, the Pantheon is now a Catholic cathedral in Rome, dating back to AD 609. Built on the site of a previous temple that Marcus Agrippa had commissioned during the reign of Augustus, and which had later burned down, the current structure was ordered by the emperor Hadrian and most likely consecrated around the year 126 AD.

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is an 18th-century fountain in Rome’s Trevi neighbourhood. It was created by Nicola Salvi, an Italian architect, and finished by Giuseppe Pannini in 1762, among other people.

Piazza Navona

Rome, Italy’s Piazza Navona is a public open area. It is constructed on the location of Domitian’s stadium from the first century AD, mirroring the stadium’s open space design of an extended oval. The ancient Romans came here to watch the agones, and because of this, it is known as “Circus Agonalis”

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

The greatest Catholic Marian church in Rome, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, also known as the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, is a major papal basilica and one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome.

Galleria Borghese

The Galleria Borghese is an art gallery in Rome, housed in the former Villa Borghese Pinciana. The gardens at Villa Borghese were originally included with the gallery structure, but today they are regarded as a separate tourist destination.

Trastevere

Vibrant Trastevere is a trendy, bohemian neighbourhood that has remained true to its working-class origins for generations. Simple B&Bs and low-cost hotels are among its many attractions, along with inventive and classic trattorias, craft beer taverns, and artisan stores. A youthful crowd bustles around Piazza Santa Maria and Piazza di San Calisto in Trastevere, the location of a golden, mosaic-filled cathedral, from the pre-dinner passeggiata (promenade) till late.

Palatine Hill

The Palatine Hill, the oldest portion of the city and the heart of the seven hills of Rome, has been referred to as “the first nucleus of the Roman Empire”.

Roman Forum

Located in the heart of Rome, the Roman Forum, also called the Forum Romanum in Latin, is a rectangular forum encircled by the ruins of numerous significant ancient government structures. Originally a marketplace, the residents of the old city called this area the Forum Magnum, or just the Forum.

Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele

Built in Rome between 1885 and 1935 as a memorial to Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy, the Victor Emmanuel II National Monument is sometimes referred to as the Vittoriano or Altare della Patria. It is located on a plot of land between Capitoline Hill and Piazza Venezia.

Centro Storico

The Pantheon, the Colosseum, and the elaborate Trevi Fountain are located on the streets of Centro Storico along the River Tiber. Numerous shops, quaint sidewalk trattorias, and welcoming pubs can be found along Via del Pellegrino. There are also bustling marketplaces and vibrant public plazas, such as Piazza di Spagna, which is the location of the Spanish Steps. There are also cathedrals, monuments, and museums, many of which house masterpieces to enjoy.

Spanish Steps

With Piazza di Spagna at the foot and Piazza Trinità dei Monti, home to the prominent Trinità dei Monti church, at the summit, the Spanish Steps in Rome, ascend a steep incline.

Weather

Rome boasts a delightful climate year-round. Spring and autumn offer mild temperatures and blooming landscapes, while summer brings warm days for exploring and enjoying gelato. Winter brings a quieter charm, with cooler temperatures perfect for cozy evenings and uncrowded visits to Rome’s famous sites.

Average monthly temperatures

Currency

The Currency in the Rome is the Euro.

Symbol: €

ISO Code: EUR

Banknotes are available in denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, and €500. Coins come in units of 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, and 50 cents, as well as €1 and €2.

In informal conversation, you might hear banknotes referred to as “cinque” for €5 and “dieci” for €10.

Tipping

Tipping in Rome is not as customary or expected as it is in some other countries, but it is appreciated for exceptional service. In restaurants, a service charge is often included in the bill, so it’s not obligatory to leave an additional tip. However, if you feel satisfied with the service, rounding up the bill or leaving a small percentage of the total as a tip is a courteous gesture. In cafes and bars, rounding up the bill or leaving a small amount as a token of appreciation is common. For other services like taxi rides or hotel staff assistance, a small tip is appreciated but not mandatory. Overall, tipping in Rome is more about showing gratitude for excellent service rather than an obligatory practice.

Internet

Rome offers a variety of options for free Wi-Fi access throughout the city. Many cafes, restaurants, and bars provide complimentary Wi-Fi for customers, making it convenient to stay connected while enjoying a meal or drink. Additionally, several public spaces such as parks, squares, and some museums offer free Wi-Fi hotspots for visitors to use. Tourist information centres and libraries may also provide free internet access for travellers needing to go online. While exploring Rome, keep an eye out for signs indicating free Wi-Fi availability or ask locals for recommendations on where to find it. Alternatively, you can use this map of free wifi hotspots available in Rome which is available for download on iOS and Android.

A travel guide to

Rome.

Known for

The Colosseum, The Pantheon, The Spanish Steps, The Trevi Fountain, Vatican City…

This is Rome.

Rome Metro

Metro Tickets

Operating Hours

Accessibility

Alternative Transport

Getting from the airport

Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport

Giovan Battista Pastine International Airport

Things to do in Rome

Colosseum

Pantheon

Trevi Fountain

Piazza Navona

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

Galleria Borghese

Trastevere

Palatine Hill

Roman Forum

Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele

Centro Storico

Spanish Steps

Weather

Average monthly temperatures

Currency

Tipping

Internet