Navigating the bustling streets of Rome can be an adventure, but all the ticket prices and rideshare rates can add up. However, with the right knowledge, you can explore the Eternal City without breaking the bank. If you’re looking for economical transportation in Rome, we’ve got you covered.
Whether you take the metro, rent a bike, or take a bus to the airport, here’s how to save on transportation in Rome.
Related: 11 Easy Ways to Save Money When Traveling to Italy
Public Transportation Options in Rome
Rome offers a variety of transportation options to help you get around, but they have varying costs and convenience levels.
The Rome Metro
Take a cheap train to the city center. Photo: Mauricio Artieda
Rome’s metro system is smaller, with only three lines. Indeed, the city is full of important archaeological remains, which makes excavations and expansion of the metro difficult. Although small, the metro is powerful and many visitors will find it quite satisfying to take you to all of the city’s biggest attractions.
Rome’s three metro lines include:
- Line A (red/orange): It is one of the most popular lines, especially with tourists. From this line you can access the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.
- Line B (blue): For tourists wanting to see the Colosseum and Roman Forum, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with this metro line.
- Line C (green): Connecting the city center to its eastern side, Line C is less useful for tourists and better used by locals.
The metro is generally the quickest way to get around the city, with convenient stops near major attractions.
Buses and trams
Trams are useful for reaching less touristy areas. Photo: Hynek Janá?
Buses are essential to reach areas not covered by the metro. With more than 350 bus lines, this economical means of transportation in Rome is essential for getting around the city. Travelers are most likely to use the City (U) lines, although you can board a Night Bus (N) for nighttime journeys or the Express Bus (X) if you’re taking a day trip. day outside Rome.
The city also has six tram lines, although these are less useful for tourists as they generally do not connect to the city center. If you need to take a tram, you can find the tram map on the Rome tourism website.
Ticket prices for public transport in Rome
ATAC (Rome Public Transport Company) offers several affordable ticket options:
- 100-minute ticket (BIT), valid on metros, buses, trams and urban trains: €1.50
- 24-hour ticket: €7
- 48-hour ticket: €12.50
- 72-hour ticket: €18
- Week pass: €24
- Monthly pass: €35
Note to readers: Always check current prices and services before your trip, as transportation details may change.
Where to buy tickets
If you want to use public transport in Rome, you will need to know where to buy your tickets. You can buy them directly at the metro station or bus stations via ticket machines, some of which offer English translations. The machines generally accept cash (in exact amounts – no change here!) and/or card payments. You can also get transportation tickets at several stores, such as tabacchi (tobacco shops) and newsstands, throughout the city.
How to pay for transport tickets in Rome
You no longer have to pay cash for your tickets at the corner store. Today there are many convenient options for purchasing tickets for the metro, buses and trams in Rome.
New ways to buy tickets include a Tap&Go system, where you can use contactless credit or debit cards (meaning no need to insert a chip or swipe!) or even your smartphone wallet directly at the metro turnstiles. You can also use mobile apps; ATAC recommends MooneyGo, Tabnet, TicketAppy, Dropticket or Telepass Pay.
Practical tips for using public transport in Rome
Now you know what to expect when it comes to purchasing your tickets and navigating the lines. But when it’s time to use your tickets and board the train, be sure to follow these tips to avoid fines or missing your train or bus.
- Always validate your ticket when boarding buses or trams. To do this, insert your ticket into the yellow dispensers on the bus or into the dispensers located near the tram doors. If you fail to validate the ticket, you risk fines ranging from €50 to €100, which will completely negate all the efforts you have made to obtain economical transportation in Rome.
- Know the metro operating hours: Sunday-Thursday: 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
- Check bus service times: Between 5 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. to midnight; night buses run from midnight to between 5 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.
- Prepare for transport strikes: Strikes are relatively frequent in Rome. When they occur, they are usually announced in advance and travelers can find more information on the official website of the Ministero delle infrastrutture e dei trasporti or on the Wanted In Rome website. Some trains are still guaranteed to run and public transport can still run during peak hours. However, be prepared to walk or take another means of transportation; just keep in mind that wait times for taxis and rideshares could be much longer during strikes.
Bonus Tip: Buy a Roma Pass
The Roma Pass is a comprehensive timed pass, ideal for visitors to Rome. You pay a fixed rate for a 48 or 72 hour Roma Pass, and in exchange you get one or two museums, archaeological sites or other experiences as well as public transport, all included in the price. After your first experience (on the 48-hour pass) or your second experience (on the 72-hour pass), each additional experience is available at a reduced rate.
The 48-hour pass costs €36.50 and the 72-hour pass costs €58.50. Some of the experiences include the Galleria Borghese, the Museum of Rome and the Colosseum. Check the Roma Pass website to confirm if advance reservations are required for the sites you want to explore.
Consider bikeshare as an alternative
Experienced cyclists can save big by cycling around Rome. Photo: Gabriella Clare Marino
If you want another economical transportation option in Rome, you can consider cycling through third-party bike sharing programs. However, keep in mind that the limited number of bike paths and paved roads can make the ride unpleasant for less experienced cyclists.
But if you’re up for the challenge and have a helmet, you can find bikeshare stations throughout the city through companies like Dott, Lime, and Uber. You’ll need to download the company’s app and create an account to access the bikeshares and view prices.
Airport connections
Are you arriving in Rome? You will land at one of two main airports: Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Ciampino-GB Pastine International Airport (CIA).
Traveling to/from Fiumicino Airport
You can take private transportation, such as a taxi or rental car, to/from the FCO or use the Leonardo Express train. This train connects Fiumicino Airport to Termini Station in around 30 minutes, with Leonardo Express trains departing every 15 minutes. The Leonardo Express train costs €14 each way. Taxi prices can vary, but expect to spend between €40 and €75, depending on luggage, number of passengers and distance traveled.
Learn more about transportation to and from FCO on the Aeroporti di Roma website.
Traveling to/from Ciampino Airport
In addition to private transport options, you can travel between Ciampino Airport and Rome using a combination of bus and train. To do this, you can take a bus from the airport to the town of Ciampino, then take the train at Ciampino to Termini station (and reverse this process if you are heading from your hotel in Rome to the airport). The bus ticket costs around €1.20 and the train ticket costs around €1.50, for a total of €2.70 per person per way. Taking a taxi from Ciampino Airport to Rome costs around €35-50, but is a quicker and more direct option.
Learn more about transportation to and from the CIA on the Aeroporti di Roma website.
Understanding Roman Road Signs
Roman road signs can be confusing. Photo: Ashley Frill
If you plan to pay for a bike share or rent a car, you’ll need to make sure you understand the rules of the road to avoid fines, tickets or accidents. Here are some commonly confusing things that tourists should pay attention to:
- When searching for street names, check buildings at intersection corners or at the beginning of streets. The street name is usually engraved on marble plaques placed on the sides of buildings.
- Brown signs with white text highlight nearby tourist attractions.
- Blue rectangular signs indicate one-way streets. Look for arrows that will indicate the direction of traffic.
- Stop signs are similar to stop signs in the United States, but they may be treated more like passing signs by locals. Use caution and do not assume that other drivers or cyclists will stop at these signs.
- For vehicles, speed limits are indicated on two different signs: a blue sign with a minimum speed limit and a red sign with a maximum speed limit.
- Look before you park! No parking zones are marked by a circular blue sign with a red border and an oblique bar crossing the blue space. Likewise, a sign with two slashes means that it is a no stopping zone.
- Watch for restricted traffic zones (ZTL), where only authorized vehicles are allowed. The sign may say “Zona Traffico Limitato” or display a white circle with a red border.
Your advice for economical transport in Rome
Although Rome’s public transportation isn’t perfect, it provides an extensive and affordable network for exploring the city. With these tips, you’ll be cruising like a local in no time! Do you have your own tips for saving in Rome? Be sure to share your experiences in the comments below.
