The simplest way to get around Rome is to walk the historic centre, take the metro for long straight hops such as Termini to the Vatican area, and use trams and buses for the gaps, for example to Trastevere. A single integrated ticket (BIT) lets you change between buses, trams and the metro for 100 minutes, but allows only one metro ride.
Rome has just three metro lines, and none runs through the heart of the old city, so most of your journeys will be on foot with an occasional bus. Below is how each mode works, which tickets to buy and the mistakes to avoid. Fare details were last checked against ATAC’s official ticket page; prices can change, so check current fares before you travel.
Is Rome walkable?
Yes, for the central sights. The Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps sit within a compact walking area, and a day of walking between them is realistic. Longer legs add up: the Colosseum to the Vatican is a long walk, often around an hour and a half at a relaxed pace, which is why most visitors take the metro or a bus for it.
Wear comfortable shoes with grip. The cobbles known as sampietrini are uneven, and hills and summer heat make long walks harder than they look on a map. For a heat plan see Rome in summer.
The metro: three lines
Rome has three lines, A, B and C. The system is small because archaeology limits where new tunnels can go.
| Line | Useful for | Key stations |
|---|---|---|
| A | Spanish Steps, Trevi area, the Vatican | Spagna, Barberini, Ottaviano, Termini |
| B | Colosseum, Circus Maximus, Testaccio | Colosseo, Circo Massimo, Piramide, Termini |
| C | Eastern districts, rarely used by visitors | San Giovanni (interchange with A) |
A and B cross at Termini, the main station. Line C meets Line A at San Giovanni and is of limited use for most sightseeing. The Pantheon and Piazza Navona have no metro station, so you walk or take a bus. Service hours and frequency differ by line and day; check the ATAC site or a map app for the latest times.
Buses and trams
Buses reach almost everywhere and fill the gaps the metro leaves, but they can be crowded and slow in traffic. Tram 8 runs from Largo Argentina towards Trastevere and is a useful link. The Appian Way is served by a bus from the city; see what to look for on the Appian Way. Use a transit app with live data for routes and delays, because the service can change.
How do I buy public transport tickets in Rome?
Tickets are sold at metro stations, from machines, at tobacconists (tabacchi) and through apps. You can also tap a contactless bank card or phone at the turnstiles and on surface vehicles under the tap&go system; ATAC says you hold the card to the reader and pay directly. Read ATAC’s tap&go explanation before relying on it, since how the price is calculated and which cards work are set by ATAC.
Paper tickets must be validated when you board a bus or tram and at the metro gate. Travelling without a validated ticket risks a fine.
How much is a Rome metro ticket?
According to ATAC’s tickets page, as of our last check, the main tickets are:
| Ticket | Validity | Price per ATAC |
|---|---|---|
| BIT single | 100 minutes from validation, with one metro ride | €1.50 |
| Roma 24-hour | 24 hours from first validation | €8.50 |
| Roma 48-hour | 48 hours from first validation | €15.00 |
| Roma 72-hour | 72 hours from first validation | €22.00 |
| CIS weekly | 7 days, until midnight on the seventh day | €29.00 |
Check current details: fares were last verified against atac.roma.it on 20 October 2026. Older articles quote lower figures (for example a 24-hour pass under €8), and a future rise to the single fare has been discussed, so confirm on the ATAC site or at the machine before you buy.
The one-metro-ride rule matters: a BIT covers unlimited buses and trams within 100 minutes but only one metro entry, so if you plan to take the metro more than once, or several buses and trams across a day, a 24-hour pass is often simpler. With only a few rides a day, singles can be cheaper. Work it out against your plan.
Do public transport tickets cover the airport?
The city tickets above cover travel within Rome. The airport trains and airport buses are separate services with their own fares, so a city ticket is not the right ticket for them. Check the operator’s page for the service you intend to use. The Leonardo Express rail link from Fiumicino to Termini takes roughly half an hour, and regional trains run to other stations; check Trenitalia for times and prices.
Taxis, apps and tours
Official white taxis wait at ranks or can be booked by phone or app. Do not accept rides from unlicensed drivers approaching you at stations. Fixed fares apply on some airport-centre routes, so ask the driver before you set off.
If you want a simple loop of the main sights, see hop-on hop-off bus in Rome and how it compares with walking in hop-on hop-off vs walking tour. If you are planning to visit many museums, check whether a pass pays off in is the Roma Pass worth it. A listing such as the hop-on hop-off bus 24-hour pass shows its live price on the page.
Day trips by train
For Ostia Antica, take the local rail line from Piramide. For Florence, Naples and other cities, regional and high-speed trains leave from Termini and other stations. See Rome day trips.
A simple rule of thumb
- Under 20 minutes on foot: walk.
- Long, straight hops, such as the Colosseum to the Vatican area: metro.
- Links such as Trastevere: tram or bus.
- Tired, with luggage, or late at night: taxi.
Your base also changes how much you use transport; see where to stay in Rome.
Common transport mistakes
- Forgetting to validate a paper ticket.
- Assuming the metro goes to the Pantheon or Navona.
- Expecting a city ticket to cover the airport trains.
- Ignoring strikes, which can disrupt a day of service. Check the news and have a walking or taxi fallback.
- Carrying valuables loosely on crowded tourist bus routes; pickpockets target them.
Services are less frequent late at night, when some routes are replaced by night buses.
Sample days: how the modes fit together
Ancient Rome morning: metro Line B to Colosseo, then walk through the Forum and Palatine, then walk to lunch in Monti. No other ticket is needed.
Vatican day: metro Line A to Ottaviano, or walk from Prati, then a bus or a walk back to the centre in the afternoon. Many visitors then walk across the river towards Castel Sant’Angelo and Piazza Navona.
Evening in Trastevere: walk across the Tiber from the centre, or take tram 8 from Largo Argentina, and walk home if the night is fine. The tram can be packed at rush hour.
Accessibility and luggage
Rome is hard on wheels. Cobbles, kerbs and uneven pavements slow wheelchairs, strollers and suitcases, and not every metro station has a working lift. Check the station on ATAC’s site before you go if you have mobility needs, and consider a taxi or an accessible tour. With heavy luggage, the Termini area is easiest, because the airport train arrives there.
Buying and validating on the day
Machines at the larger metro stations take cards, and some smaller stops have limited machines. Buy your ticket before you board, because many buses do not sell paper tickets onboard. Keep the ticket until you leave the system, because inspectors can check on buses and trams. If your ticket is time-based, note when it expires, especially on the last leg of an evening.
