Getting around
How to get around in Rome
Rome's historic center is compact and walkable, but the metro, trams, and buses cover the longer hops. One tap-and-go system (single ticket or contactless) works across all of them. From Fiumicino airport, the Leonardo Express train is the cleanest route to the center - plan around it and you'll move like a local.
CurrencyEUR Emergency112 TimeCET (UTC+1), CEST (UTC+2) in summer LanguageItalian
- Download the free 'Moovit' or 'Probike Roma' app, or 'Google Maps' - all give live Rome transit routing.
- For the metro (lines A orange, B blue, C green) buy a BIT ticket at machines/tobacconists, or tap a contactless card/phone directly on the reader.
- On buses and trams, validate a paper BIT in the yellow/green machine the moment you board, or tap contactless.
- One BIT is valid 100 minutes across buses/trams and a single metro ride - do the day-pass math below if you'll ride 4+ times.
- Lines A and B cross at Termini, the main hub; most tourist sites sit near A (Spagna, Ottaviano for the Vatican) or B (Colosseo).
Single ticket (BIT)1,50 EUR (~$1.65)24h pass (Roma 24H)7,00 EUR (~$7.60)48h / 72h pass12,50 / 18,00 EUR (~$14 / $19.50)BIT validity100 minutes, one metro rideMetro hours~05:30 - 23:30 (to 01:30 Fri/Sat)
- Always validate or tap - riding without a stamped ticket risks a fine of 50 EUR+ and inspectors do check.
- The metro is small (just 3 lines); a lot of the center is faster on foot or by bus, so don't force the metro for short hops.
- Follow 'Treni / Trains' signs in the FCO arrivals hall down to the station.
- Buy the Leonardo Express ticket at a machine, the Trenitalia app, or the counter, then validate before boarding.
- Ride non-stop to Roma Termini (~32 min), where metro A/B and buses connect onward.
- Budget option: the regional FL1 train or a Terravision/SIT bus is cheaper but slower and stops more.
- From Ciampino (CIA) airport, take a Terravision/SIT bus to Termini (~40 min) - there's no direct train.
Leonardo Express fare14,00 EUR (~$15)Time to Termini~32 minutesAirport bus fare6 - 7 EUR (~$6.50 - $7.60)Official taxi flat rate50 EUR (~$54) to centerLast Leonardo Express~23:23 from FCO - confirm locally
- Rome taxis charge a fixed 50 EUR flat fare from FCO to inside the Aurelian Walls - insist on the flat rate and use only the white official taxi rank.
- Schedules and last departures drift seasonally - confirm the final train/bus time on the day you travel.
- For a quick cheap meal, look for 'pizza al taglio' (pizza by weight) - point, they cut, they weigh, you pay.
- A 'tavola calda' or 'rosticceria' offers hot prepared dishes by portion; 'supplì' (fried rice balls) are the local snack.
- Sit-down trattorias add a 'coperto' (cover charge) of 1,50 - 3 EUR per person - normal, not a scam.
- For groceries and essentials, chains like Conad, Carrefour Express, and Sapori & Dintorni are everywhere; most close by ~20:00 - 21:00.
- Tap water is safe; the cast-iron street fountains ('nasoni') run clean, free drinking water - refill your bottle.
Pizza al taglio slice3 - 5 EUR (~$3.25 - $5.40)Espresso at the bar1,10 - 1,50 EUR (~$1.20 - $1.65)Trattoria cover charge1,50 - 3 EUR pp (~$1.65 - $3.25)Bottle of water (shop)~0,50 - 1 EUR (~$0.55 - $1.10)
- Coffee and food cost more if you sit at a table vs. standing at the bar - check the price board if budget matters.
- Avoid menu-less restaurants with a tout outside on the most touristy squares; one street back is usually cheaper and better.
- Keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket or zipped bag, especially on the 64 bus, metro line A, and around Termini.
- Be alert in dense crowds at the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps - classic pickpocket zones.
- Ignore people pushing 'free' bracelets, roses, or petitions near monuments - politely say 'no, grazie' and keep walking.
- Use only official white taxis with a meter or the FreeNow app; skip anyone soliciting rides at the station or airport.
- At night the center, Trastevere, and Monti are lively and fine; stay aware in the wider, emptier areas around Termini after dark.
Police (Polizia)113General emergency112Main riskPickpocketing, not violent crime
- Bag-snatching on packed buses/metro is the most common issue - hold your bag in front and stay zipped in crowds.
- If approached with a fast 'distraction' (a map, a spill, a baby) check your pockets immediately - it's a known tactic.
- Pay by card or phone almost everywhere - shops, restaurants, transit turnstiles, and most taxis take contactless.
- Keep 20 - 40 EUR cash for espresso bars, street food, markets, and tips where cards are clumsy.
- Use bank ATMs (look for 'Bancomat') inside or beside actual banks; avoid standalone 'Euronet' machines that push bad rates.
- Always choose to be charged in EUR, not your home currency, when an ATM or terminal offers conversion ('decline conversion').
CurrencyEuro (EUR / €)Cards acceptedWidely; carry some cashTipping normRound up or ~5 - 10%, not requiredATM withdrawal fee0 - 5 EUR depending on machine
- Service is often included; tipping is appreciated but modest - rounding up or leaving a few euros is plenty.
- Standalone non-bank ATMs and 'dynamic currency conversion' quietly cost you more - decline the home-currency option.
Hello / HiCiao - 'chow' (informal) / Salve - 'SAL-veh'Excuse me / SorryScusi - 'SKOO-zee'Where is...?Dov'è...? - 'doh-VEH'The station / The bathroomLa stazione / Il bagno - 'la sta-TSYOH-neh / eel BAN-yoh'How much is it?Quanto costa? - 'KWAN-toh KOH-sta'A ticket, pleaseUn biglietto, per favore - 'oon bee-LYET-toh pehr fa-VOH-reh'Does this go to...?Va a...? - 'va ah'Thank you / No, thanksGrazie / No, grazie - 'GRAH-tsyeh / noh GRAH-tsyeh'
- Open with 'Buongiorno' (good day) or 'Buonasera' (good evening) - it's the expected courtesy before any request.
- Easiest: install an eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, or your carrier's roaming pass) before arrival and connect on landing.
- For a local SIM, visit a TIM, Vodafone, or WindTre store - bring your passport, which is required to register.
- Tourist data bundles run roughly 15 - 30 EUR for 100 GB+ valid 30 days - ask for the 'offerta turisti'.
- Free wifi is common in cafes, McDonald's, and many hotels; the city's free 'WiFi Metropolitano Roma' covers some public spots.
- Coverage in the center is strong; expect weaker signal deep inside metro tunnels.
Tourist SIM (data)~15 - 30 EUR / 30 days (~$16 - $33)Travel eSIM~$5 - $20 for several GBMain carriersTIM, Vodafone, WindTrePassport for SIMRequired to register
- Avoid the first kiosks right at the airport for SIMs - in-city carrier stores usually offer clearer, cheaper tourist plans.
- Prices and bundle sizes change often - confirm the current 'offerta turisti' in the store before paying.
- Call 112 for any urgent emergency; operators can route you and often handle English.
- For a medical emergency or ambulance, call 118; the 112 operator can also dispatch one.
- For non-urgent care, a green-cross 'Farmacia' (pharmacy) handles minor issues; many post the nearest open all-night pharmacy on the door.
- For serious injury or illness, go to a hospital 'Pronto Soccorso' (ER) - central options include Ospedale Santo Spirito and Policlinico Umberto I.
- If you're unsure, call the professionals on 112 rather than self-treating or traveling far while injured.
General emergency (EU)112Medical / ambulance118Police (Polizia)113Fire (Vigili del Fuoco)115
- 112 works from any phone, even with no SIM or no credit, and connects you to all emergency services.
- Pharmacies rotate night/holiday duty ('farmacia di turno') - the nearest open one is posted on every pharmacy door.
Standing in Rome right now?
Open the live agent - it will use your exact location and answer follow-ups in real time.
Local details drift - confirm live times and fares on the day. Spot something out of date?