Rome Travel Tips: How to Get Around Rome, Italy

Last updated on July 16th, 2025 at 07:06 pm

So you’ve got your Rome itinerary all planned out and you’re working on the final details, like how to get around Rome. Thankfully, Rome is a city best seen on foot, as long as you’ve got a pair of comfortable shoes. However, there will be times when you have to get across the city and you just can’t be asked to keep walking, especially once you’ve hit those 20,000 steps! 

I’ve just returned from spending a month in Rome where I learned the ins and outs of navigating the Eternal City, as well as mistakes to avoid. In this post, I’ll share everything you need to know about how to get around Rome to help alleviate the last bit of overwhelm in travel planning. 

This post contains affiliate links, which means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a tiny bit of income if you decide to make a purchase or booking. For more, check out my disclosure. 

Read the entire Rome travel series here:

• Rome Itinerary: How to Spend Three Perfect Days in Rome
• Rome Packing List: What to Pack for Rome in May
• Rome Neighborhoods: How to Spend a Day in Historic Monti, Rome
• Rome’s Churches: 20 of the Most Famous Churches in Rome to Visit
• Least Favorite Rome Activity: Tips for Visiting the Appian Way, and actually Enjoying It
• Best Day Trips from Rome: Visiting Tivoli in a Day and Spoleto in a Day (but not the same day 😉 )

How to Get from Fiumicino Airport to the City Center

The first step to navigating Rome is getting there! Most international flights arrive at Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) which is about 30km (19 miles). Below are your main options for getting from the airport to Rome.

Leonardo Express Train to Rome

This is the way I got from the airport to Rome upon arrival. I will say it was certainly crowded, but it was also very budget-friendly and easy to navigate.

You simply follow the signs for Leonardo Express throughout the airport. There will be ticket machines to purchase a one-way ticket to Termini Station (Roma Termini), Rome’s central train station.

The ticket costs €14 and it takes about 30 minutes to get to Termini, non-stop. Trains depart at 15-minute intervals during peak travel times.

Once you arrive at Termini, you can either take a taxi or walk to your accommodation.

This is the best option if you are traveling light, but if you have multiple suitcases, I’d recommend taking a taxi from the airport.

Taxi to Rome

Taking a taxi from the airport to the city center is the fastest way to get from the airport to your accommodation as you get dropped off right at your destination. There is a fixed taxi fare of €55 to the city center, and it will take around 30 minutes, depending on traffic and your destination in the city.

Find the official taxis by exiting the arrivals area and looking for the taxi ranks. There will be white cars with a taxi sign on the roof and Comune di Roma on the side. 

Private Transfer to Rome

If you don’t want to deal with the train or stress of finding the correct taxi, set up your private transfer using Welcome Pickups. 

You’ll have an English-speaking driver pick you up at a fixed rate of €60 and deliver door-to-door service. They will be at the arrivals area holding a sign with your name on it. What a simple luxury to start your visit stress free after a long travel day!

You can easily book this on their website to receive your total quote that remains the same even if you get stuck in traffic!

A private transfer is the most convenient way, albeit the most expensive way, to get from the airport to the city centre. 

How to Get Around in Rome

Once you make it to Rome’s city center, how do you get around? Let’s go over various modes of transit in Rome!

Walking in Rome

The absolute best way to get around Rome is to lace up your most comfortable pair of walking shoes and get your steps in!

Many of the main tourist attractions that are on your itinerary, like the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain, are within walking distance of each other.

There is also nothing better than wandering the winding cobblestone streets of centro historico with a gelato in hand. That’s how you’ll find the most unique shops, places to eat, and gorgeous churches. 

Getting a little bit lost, within reason, is the best part of visiting Rome.

How to Use Rome’s Public Transportation

That being said, at the end of the day, it’s just nice to get back to your accommodation quickly to rest. Or you may be starting your sightseeing a bit far from your accommodation and need to get there quickly, then you’ll walk around after. That’s when Rome’s extensive public transport system comes in handy!

Public Transportation Tickets

Rome public transportation tickets are so simple because you can use the same ticket for all modes of transit including buses, trams, and the metro.

There are short-term public transport tickets that are for 24, 48, 72 hours, or 7 calendar day travel passes. They are €7, €12.50, €18, and €24 respectively. You can purchase these passes from vending machines at metro stations and tabacchi stands. 

When you first purchase your ticket, it’s blank. The timer starts once you validate it on a yellow machine on buses or scan it to enter the metro station. If you don’t validate your ticket and an inspector gets on, you will likely be fined. Once validated, you have unlimited travel for the time period of the ticket.

If you don’t think you’ll be using public transit too much, there are single tickets available for purchase at the metro (€1.5). A single ticket allows 100 minutes of travel from the moment it’s validated and that includes bus transfers. Additionally, on buses, you can simply tap to pay and show your card as a receipt (they have a system that checks this).

Pro Tip: One thing I learned during my month in Rome that is important to note is that if you’re going to tap to pay, use a physical card, not Apple Pay. Apple Pay creates a unique credit card number every time you use it. So if an inspector gets on to check your payment your credit card number wont match what they see on their system. So use your physical card to avoid any possible issues.

Buses in Rome

Rome has a very extensive bus system and it can get you almost everywhere you need to go – it just might not be the most reliable. They frequently run late and are subject to random strikes.

That being said, if it runs on time, it’s a great way to get around and it’s often a cheap way to see the major sites. 

Use Google Maps or the Moovit app to plan your route using Rome’s bus lines. Just have a backup plan if it’s not running on time. 

I primarily used the bus in Rome as there were multiple bus stops near my accommodation and there were a handful of times that I waited for 15 minutes before deciding to choose another route. But when it worked, it was the easiest way to get around.

Metro in Rome

Rome’s Metro system is small but mighty. There are three metro lines, but you’ll likely primarily use Line A and B:

• Line A (Orange): This line includes metro stops near the Vatican, the Spanish Steps, Termini and the Park of the Aqueducts.
• Line B (Blue): This line includes stops near Circus Maximus, Tesacchio, the Colosseum (Monti), and Termini Station.
• Line C (Green): This is a newer line, some of which is still under construction and serves mostly the outskirts of the city center.

Be aware of rush hour in Rome and try to take your metro ride outside of that, otherwise it will be very packed the closer you get to central Rome. If it’s especially crowded, try to pick a train car that’s toward the end, as they’re usually less crowded.

Tram in Rome

There are 6 tram lines in Rome that are good for short rides. The one you’ll likely use is Tram 8 which connects Piazza Venezia to Trastevere. I honestly never used the trams, but they may work for you!

Safety Tips for Public Transportation in Rome

The biggest safety concern in Rome, particularly on public transportation, is pickpocketing. Keep your bag zipped and tucked under your arm or worn on your front. Don’t let anyone distract you by asking for directions. Keep your wits about you and stay vigilant.

Rideshare and Taxis in Rome

There are many taxis in Rome, but the one thing to know about hailing a cab in Rome is that it’s not like New York. They won’t stop for you if you’re putting your hand out. You need to find the orange taxi sign and stand under it. The next available taxi will pull over to pick you up.

When you get in, tell them your destination and confirm that they take a credit card (if that’s how you’ll be paying).

Another way to get a taxi is to use one of the following apps: Free Now, Uber, or My Taxi. 

I had the most success using Free Now, but during peak hours, such as morning rush hour, it sometimes took quite a while to connect with one. 

The Uber app is available as well, but only as Uber Black, Uber Lux, or Uber Van…all of which are more expensive than a local taxi.

I didn’t really use MyTaxi, but it is a reliable app as well.

Bike or Scooter Rental in Rome

If you’re feeling daring, there are Lime bikes and scooters you can rent in Rome. But, this just seemed dangerous if you don’t know where you’re going. Traffic is insane in Rome and I wouldn’t want to be in the middle of it on a scooter! But, they are an option if you have a good idea of where you’re going and are confident navigating city traffic and crazy drivers.

Tours in Rome

If you’re really short on time or just really don’t like walking that much, consider doing a Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour or a golf cart tour. 

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours

There are multiple bus companies that run hop-on hop-off Bus Tours, including Big Bus, Sightseeing Rome, and I Love Rome. Tickets are usually valid for 24 hours and include audioguides.

These bus tours stop at all of the top sites in Rome, like the Colosseum, Piazza Navona, Palatine Hill, and St. Peter’s Basilica. 

Book your hop-on hop-off bus ticket here.

Golf Cart Tours

The golf cart tours were a unique tour I saw frequently throughout Rome. They appear to be more agile and can get you a bit closer to the sites than the big buses. 

Plus, they are small group tours of 2-6 people so you can get individual attention and a better look at the history as you zip around the side streets finding hidden gems, but also seeing major landmarks! You can also choose more focused tours tailored to your interests like food, sunset views, or piazzas and fountains (among others).

Book your golf cart tour here.

There you have it, a straightforward and practical guide to how to get around Rome. I believe that walking is the absolute best way to see Rome, but there are plenty of other ways to get around when you’re tired and simply can’t walk another step. I hope you have the best time in the Italian capital, one of the most beautiful European cities. 

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